The Cold War And Superpower Relations Flashcards
When did the Tehran Conference occur and what was it about?
November 1943-The Grand Alliance first met in Tehran to plan a winning strategy to end the war
Which leaders were at the Tehran Conference?
US. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin
Where was the Tehran Conference set and why?
Tehran, Iran
Why was the Tehran Conference important?
The Tehran Conference was the first World War II conference of the “Big Three” Allied leaders. Although the leaders arrived with differing objectives, the main outcome of the Tehran Conference was the Western Allies’ commitment to open a second front against Nazi Germany, including an invasion on France. They were all wroking towards a mutual agree,ent and outcome, allowing for improved relations between the US, USSR and Britain
What was decided in the Tehran conference to ease pressure pn th Eastern Front?
The USA and Britain would open a ‘second front’ by launching an attack on Germany in Western Europe. This would ease pressure on the Eastern Front, where the Soviets were suffering heavy losses. The Germans would then have to withdraw troops from the Soviet Union to fight in the West.
How did the Tehran Conference effect relations?
The Tehran conference had an important impact on international relations. Stalin had arrived in Tehran concerned that the USA and Britain were deliberately delaying a ‘second front’ against Germany so that the Soviet Union could be further weakened by having to fight a fierce defensive war in the East. So he was pleased with the agreement to open a ‘second front’ in the West. Churchill was less pleased because he had wanted to open the ‘second front’ in the Balkans, not in the West. However, Roosevelt sided with Stalin on this.
Which countries was there tension between before and after th Tehran Conference and why?
USA and Britain - especially as Roosevelt seemed at times to view British colonialism* as more of a
threat to world peace than the Soviet Union. It seemed that good relations between Roosevelt and Stalin might create a position where the Big Three was becoming the Big Two and, after 1945, the USA and the Soviet Union would be the only global superpowers. Britain deemed this a threat to both its own land and influence amongst its other countries through colonialism.
What were Franklin D Roosevelt’s beliefs?
He believed strongly in democracy but compromised and formed an alliance with Stalin. After Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941, Roosevelt thought he would need Soviet support against Japan. His desire for Soviet support explains why he was not always as tough in negotiations with Stalin as Churchill would have liked. Roosevelt believed any long-term settlement would only be possible if the Soviet Union was accepted as a superpower and partner in peace.
What were Winston Churchill’s beliefs?
Churchill had very traditional values. He believed strongly in the British Empire at a time when many others - including Franklin Roosevelt - thought colonies should be allowed freedom to rule themselves. His political attitudes made him deeply suspicious of Stalin. Throughout the time of The Grand Alliance he saw his role as trying to stop Soviet expansion.
What were Joseph Stalin’s beliefs?
Stalin strengthened one-party rule in the Soviet Union and cut back on people’s individual rights. He was convinced that the West wanted to destroy communism, so the Soviet Union had to stand firm in any negotiations with the Western ‘superpower’, the USA, and its close ally, Britain.
When did Franklin D Roosevelt end his reign?
1945
When did Winston Churchill end his reign?
1955
When did Joseph Stalin end his reign?
1953
What 4 agreements were made during the Tehran Conference?
- The US and Britain would open a second front by launching an attack on Germany in Western Europe to ease pressure on Eastern Front, where Soviet troops were suffering losses.Germans would have to withdraw troops from the Soviet Union to fight in the West
- Stalin would declare war against Japan and supply Soviet troops to help US with war in Japan once war in Europe was over
- No fromal agree,enr on Germany and countries East of Germany but was agreed that the aim of the war was to bring the surrender pf Germany and that it would remain weak after the war. Poland ahould recieve land from Geemany bur USSR could keep land seized from Poland in 1939. This was important for Stalin whose ultimate aim was to secure his Western border (Satellite states)
- General agreement that am internationalbody should be set up to settle disputes through discussion and negotiation, rather than war- This laid the ground for future formation of the United Nations
When was Comecon established?
25 January 1949
What does Comecon stand for?
The council for Mutual Economic Assistance
Why was Comecon formed?
Comecon was established in direct reaction witht eh Marshall Plan (April 3 1948) from the US president, Harry Truman, which enforced ‘dollar imperialism’
Who were the members of Comecon?
Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and East Germany. Albania joined the following year.
What was Comecon and what were its aims?
It aimed to support economic development in its member states. At first Comecon’s main activities were arranging trade and credit agreements between member countries. After 1953 the Soviet Union used Comecon to try to organise industrial planning across all the satellite states. Trade with the US and West was discouraged
How mcuh did Bulgaria’s trade with other Comecon members increase by?
From 10% in the 1930s to over 90% by 1951
How did Comicon affect tensions?
This increased rensions between the US and USSR as it cut all non-communist cpuntries from aid however only equally reacted to the Marshall plan. It acted as a defined barrier between the East and West, communism and capitalism
What was a consequence of Comicon?
It played a significant role in the US and Western European countries creating a new military alliance, The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
When was NATO formed?
April 1949
What does ‘NATO’ stand for
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
What was NATO?
The members of NATO agreed that, if any member was attacked, al members of NATO would come to its assistance. NATO resulted in an ongoing American military presence in Europe throughout the Cold War, which has continued right up to the present day.
Who was the British foreign secretary and how did he play a part in the alliance of NATO?
The British foreign secretary, Ernest Bevin had played a major part in bringing about this alliance. He made a speech in the British parliament in which he said that European countries would welcome American involvement and called on other Western European countries to reach out to the USA.
What caused the formation of NATO?
Stalin’s threat to Berlin during the Berlin Blockade in June 1948 and the communist takeover in Czechoslovakia, which happened in February 1948, persuaded the Western powers that they needed a formal military alliance to protect themselves from the Soviet Union.
Which Western countries became a part of NATO?
USA, France, Britain and nine other Western countries
What was the Warsaw Pact and when was it formed?
In 1955 the Soviet Union formed an equivalent communist defensive military alliance - the Warsaw Pact.
When was the GFR allowed to join NATO?
May 1955
What does the FRG stand for?
Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany)
What does the GDR stand for?
German Democratic Republic (East Germany)
When and why was the FRG formed?
After the Berlin Blockade, the division of Germany continued as rhe Wetsern allies quickly moved to create a seperate Wedt Germany. On 23 May 1949, the US, France and Britain’s zones came together as a state known as the FRG
When and why was the GDR formed?
Stalin responded to the FRG bybcreating the GDR in October 1949. It was only recognised as a nation by the communist bloc countries and the Federal Republic refused to recognise that Germany had been split up until the 1970s
Why was the Warsaw Pact formed?
When the German Federal Republic (West Germany) was allowed to join NATO in May 1955, Stalin’s fears were increased. Now there was a real danger of an armed and powerful Germany on the borders of Soviet-controlled Eastern Europe. Within a week of West Germany joining NATO, the Soviet Union formed an equivalent communist defensive military alliance - the Warsaw Pact.
Who were the members of the Warsaw Pact?
The members were the Soviet Union, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). These countries became known as the ‘Eastern bloc’.
When did the USA develop the atomic bomb?
1945
When did the Soviet Union develop the atomic bomb?
1949
When did the US test Inter-continental ballistic missiles?
1957
When did the Soviet Union make first successful ICBM launch?
1957
What was the arms race?
The development of nuclear weapons was typical of
what became known as ‘the arms race’. Both the USA and the Soviet Union spent huge sums of money on building up large armies, navies, submarine fleets and stocks of conventional and nuclear missiles. It was important to try to stay ahead in the race and stop rivals becoming more powerful.
Who was the new president of the USA after Truman and when were they elected?
1952, took office in January 1953- Dwight Eisenhower
When was Stalin’s death?
5 March 1953
When did Nikita Khrushchev emerge as the effective ruler of the USSR?
1956
When was the Korean war and how did it affect Soviet / US relations?
At the end of the Second World War, Korea was split
in two. The Soviet Union supported North Korea
and the USA supported South Korea. In 1950, North
Korea invaded South Korea. The United Nations
sent forces to support South Korea, led by the
USA. Since the Soviet Union was supporting North
Korea, the two superpowers found themselves on
opposite sides. They weren’t actually fighting each
other, but they became involved in bitter diplomatic
hostilities.
When did the US develop the Hydrogen bomb
1952 in response to the Soviet development of the atomic bomb- 1000x more powerful
How far coul dan ICBM fire a nuclear warhead?
4500km
Why did the Hingarian Uprising occur?
During 1956, the people pf Hungary began to protests about their lack of political freedoms and problems created by fuel shortages and poor harvests. In October, there were riots in the capital, and police clashed with protestors.
What is the capital of Hungary?
Budapest
Who did Khrushchev decide to replace Rakoski with,
Imre Nagy
What reforms did Nagy put in place to result in the invasion of Hungary?
He believed that wirh a communist regime, rhere should still be personal freedoms. Within days Nagy announced a set of proposed reforms:
- He reorganised the governmenr ro include members of non-communist parties
- Released political prisoners
- Persuaded Khrushchev to withdraw Soviet troops from Hungary
What finally resulted on the invasion of Hungary?
On 1 November 1956, Nagy announced that Hungary would leave the Warsaw Paxt. Khrushchev could not allow this as if Hungary broke away from the Warsaw Pact, other Eastern European countries may follow. Subsuquently, the strategy of achieving security for the USSR with surrounding communist governments would be under threat . Khrushchev therefore ordered a Soviet invasion of Hungary.
When did the Hungarian invasion occur?
4 November 1956
How kany tanks rolled into budapest?
1000
How many Hungarians were killed during the invasion?
20,000
What was the international reaction to the Soviet invasion of Hungary?
Since the US had offered financial aaid through the marshall Plan, people in Eastern Europe assumed they would he ready to help in alternate ways. Eisenhower was sympethetic to the Hungarians and some NATO nations took in refugees, but no military support was provided. The US policy of containment meant that while there may be a sistuation where the US would take military action to prevent the spread of cpmmunism beyond the satellite states, it was not prepared to interfere in the affairs of an existing communist country, pitentially resulting in a nuclear war, resulting in the destruction of both sides.
How many Soviet troops invade Hungary?
200,000
When was Nagy executed?
In July 1958, the Hungarian Givernment announced that Nagy had been tried and executed. Khrushchev described his death as ‘a lesson to the leaders of all Socialist countries’
Who did Khrushchev replace Nagy with after a pro-communist government was set up?
Janos Kadar
Why did Khrushchev invade Hungary?
- To prevent the belief that he would lead a ‘softer’ apporach with the satellite countries after his reform of destalinisation
- To prevent other Eastern European countries from following
- To any threat tp Soviet security, acting as a protection from potential invasions
How did th Hungarian Uprising impact international relations?
- Made Khrushchev’s position in the Soviet Union much more secure and gave him a stronger position pn the Warsaw Pact
- Members knew that if they reblled they would not be provided with military support from the US.
- The faliure of the uprising reflected poorly onnthe West as the y had encouraged communist countries to stand up to the Soviet Union
- US strongly opposed the invasion and the invasion thus soured relations between the two nations
When dod the Bay of Pigs occur?
17 April 1961
What caused the ‘Bay of Pigs’ incident?
President Kennedy (who took over from Eisenhower
in 1961) did not want a Communist ally so close to
American territory. He therefore gave his support to a plan agreed by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Eisenhower before he was elected. The CIA suggested that a group of Cuban exiles could be trained to launch an invasion and overthrow Castro. Sending Cuban exiles would make the attack look like a Cuban counter- revolution, so the USA could claim not to have been
involved
How many Cuban exiles took part in the ‘Bay of Pigs’
1400
What were the reasons for the failure of the attempred coup?
- The volunteers had little military experience. They recived some training from the CIA
- The US wanted to present the attack as a Cuban effort to get rid of Castro sp they couldn’t send US ground forces or air strikes
- Castro’s governmenr found apout about the invasion before. They were 20,000 soldiers ready.
- The US and exile army wrongly assumed that most Cubans would support them. Many felt happy with Castro and din’t rush to lend their support
What wee the effects of the Bay of Pigs incident?
- Humiliating and embarrassing faliure for the US. The US had previously accused the Soviets of trying to build an empire in Eastern Europe. It now seemed the americans were afting in the same way to restore influence in an indipendent country
- Poeple of Cuba were happy under leadership of communsim Castro and showed little support to overthrow him, indicating the popularity of communism
- Led to stronger relations between Cuba and USSE. After the invasion, Casteo declared himself communist and asked Khrushchev to help him defend Cuba against future attacks. Khrushchev announced he would provide arms to Cuba
When did Khrushcehv publicly announce that he would provide arms to Cuba?
September 1961
When was an American U2 spy plane caught over Cuba?
14 Octover 1962
How far is Cuba from the coast of the US (Florida)?
90 miles
Why did Khrushchev place nuclear missiles in Cuba?
- In Europe, NATO had missiles in Turkey, a short dustance from the Soviet Union. Khrushchev believed it was time for the US to feel a threat. Potentially to have missiles in Turkey removed
- The building of the Berlin Wall was portrayed by many Soviet crutics as a faliure. If he could outwit Kennedy over Cuba, it would restore his prestige
- Khrushchev may have feared another american attack. If they overthrew Castro, it would be seen as another defeat for communism.
Why was it neccesary for Kennedy to remove the missiles from Cuba?
The missiles did not act as a direct threat to the US as ICBMs could aready be targeted at the US from the USSR. However it made a huge political difference:
- There were elections to the US congress coming up in November. If he didn’t stand up to Khrushchev, his democratic party would’ve done poorly
- The american people will see nuclear missiles in Cuba as a threat to the nation’s pride
- The negotiations over Berlin would become tougher if Khruschev asserts power over Kennedy.
When were the 13 days?
16-28 October 1962
What were the 6 stages of the Thirteen days?
16 October- Lennedy called together an Executive Committee ro discuss the US reaction. ExComm met every day.
22 October- Kennedy decides not to launch attack but a naval blockade around Cuba. He then informs the public about the missiles. If the blockade was ignoree, war would follow
24 October- Soviet ships reached the blockade and turned around; direct confrontation avoided
26 October- Khrushchev sent a telegram offering to remove the missiles if americans didn’t invade
27 October- Before Kennedy could respond, another Telegram was sent, saying the missiles would be removed if the missiles in Turkey were also removed. An american U2 plane shot down over Cuba. Kennedy still refuses war.
28 October- Kennedy igrnores second telegram and agrees to first one. Removed missiles in Turkey secretly.
Who were the ‘Hawks’ and who were the ‘doves’
Hawks- During the Cold War, those who supported going to war were known as Hawks.
Doves- Their counterparts, who tried to find solutions to problems without going to war, were known as
Doves.
What were the consequences of the Cuban missile Crisis?
- Kennedy’s popularity icnreased after standing up to Hawks and Khrushchev, more confidence in dealing with Soviet Union
- Khrushchev was dismissed due to unpopularity through his faliure and humiliationg withdrawel
- World became a safer place
- Direct communications line set up between Washron and Moscow to avoid confusion, known as the ‘Hotline’
- Test Ban Treaty signed by US, USSR and GB. Aggreed to prohibit the testing of nuclear weapons
- Outer Space Treaty as the US and USSR began a ‘space race’, competing to earth’s orbit for the possibility of launching a military attack from space. Agreed not to use soace for military purposes.
- Nuclear non-proliferation Treaty sugned to stop spread of nuclear weapons. Countries that signednup agrees not to share their nuclear technology with other countries
When wad the hotline set up?
June 1963
When was the Test Ban Treaty signed?
August 1963
When was the Outer Space Treaty signed?
1967
When was the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty signed?
1968
When was Khrushchev dismissed?
1964
How many bombers and nuclear warheads did Kennedy prepare during the 13 days?
54 bombers and 4 nuclear warheads
Why did protests begin in Czechoslovakia against the Soviet government?
- The Czech econmg was run for the benefit of the USSR and there were few consumer goods- limits income and thus poor living standards
- No freedom of speech and censorship of radio- newsoapers and television
- Czech governmenr carried out purges between 1949 and 1954 of politicians, military leaders, Catholics, Jews and connections with the West
- Secret police used to maintain control
Who was elected First Secretary of rhe Czech governmenr and when?
Alexander Dubcek on 5 January 1968
What were Dubcek’s beliefs?
- Committed to the Warsaw Pact but believed communism should offer ‘socialism with a human face’
- Devoted communism
- Make the governmenr more effective and less unpopular, whilst keeping the country loyal to the Soviet Union
What were Dubcek’s reforms and what were they know as?
‘Prague Spring’- April 1968:
- Censorship relaxed and criticism of governement actions allowed
- Trade unions guven widee power and government control of industry reduced
• More power was given to the Czech regional governments.
• Trade with the West was increased.
• Czech people were given greater freedom to travel abroad.
- Moscow and Czechoslovakia would remain in the Warsaw Oact
Who replaced Khruschev and when?
Brezhnev in 1968
What was Brezhnev’s reaction to the ‘Prague spring’?
Disapproved of many of the measures Dubcek was proposing. If these measures were introduced in Czechoslovakia, wouldn’t the other Warsaw Pact countries want similar reforms? He urged Dubcek not to endanger communism. Ordered Warsaw Pact troops to carry out manoeuvres on Czechoslovakia to threaten Dubcek. Brezhnev then decided to invade Czechoslovakia.
When did Brezhnev invade Czechoslovakia?
20 August 1968
How many Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia?
500,000
What were the events of the Soviet invasion of Czecholsovakia?
There was little opposition to the invasion. Brezhnev had ordered the Czech army to remain in its barracks, just in case it tried to fight back. The Czech people could do little against such a powerful force, though there were individual acts of bravery, such as blocking roads or attacking individual tanks. The invading forces were told that they had been invited to help restore law and order by the Czech government.
What and when was the Brezhnev Doctrine?
To many in the West, Brezhnev’s actions looked like an aggressive attempt to dominate another European country. However, the Soviet Union justified the invasion as a necessity to protect the unity of the communist movement in Europe. On 26 September 1968, the Soviet paper, Pravda, set out what was to become known as the Brezhnev Doctrine*. Brezhnev said that the actions of any individual communist country affected all communist countries. So if one country’s actions threaten other countries, then it was the duty of those countries to take steps to stop those actions.
Who replaced Dubcek?
Gustav Husak in 1969
What were the consequences of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia and the ‘Prague Spring’?
- The invasion ended the Prague Spring
- Brezhnev Doctrine crated in Spetember 1968 to prevenet non-communists revolutions
- Yugoslavia and Romania condemned rhe invasion, straining relations
- Communist parties of Italy and France cut links to Moscow
- Governments of East Germany and Poland welcomed the invasion, feeling secure that they wouldn’t face cgallenges by reformers
- Greater Soviet control of the members in the Warsaw pact, reinfroced by the Brezhnev Doctrine
- West outraged by the invasion and many made strong protests
- Soviet Union was rhat while US may protests, it would not tale direct action
- US involved in a costly war in Vietnam and beginning to adopt anpolicy of détente, less prepared to take action, resulting in bad reputation
When did Mikhail Gorbachev become leader of the Soviet Union!
March 1985
Why was it importsnt for Gorbachev to create new policies?
- During the Brezhnev era, huge sums soent on developing arms to keep pace with US. Investment in Soviet economy was low so barely any industrial growth in Soviet Union or Satellite states.
- Low standards of living and lack of human rights leading ro unrest in satellite states. In Poland, the trade union ‘Sllidarity’ posed a threat to communist government, opposition only kept in control by the Stasi, emphisising communism unpopularity
- Soviet troops carried out manoeuvres along the Polish border, ready to invade, if necessary.
- Siviet Union suffered from poor leadership for many years
- Recenr years, series of leaders in poor health who rules briefly and didn’t have time to make useful future plans
- Chernobyl disaster in 1986 caused displacement of over 300000, 100x radiation of Hiroshima
- Facing war in Afghanistan- very expensive in 1978
- Ronald Raegan highly suspiceous of USSR, describing it as an ‘Evil empire’; Gorbachev wanted tp improve relations through his policy of prestroika
What was Gorbachev’s new thinking?
He was determined to reform communism in the Soviet Union and introduced a series of policies that would have a major impact on Soviet foreign policy and relations with the USA:
- Perestroika: Soviet state and economy should be reformed to include some of the practices that made capitalism successful
- Glasnost: More openness and less corruption int eh government. People shouldn’t need to fear the state or expressing their opinions.
- Brezhnev doctrine dropped
- Soviet Union woudl reduce spending on arms and defence and withraw from Afghanistan
What were the consequences of Gorbachev’s new thinking?
- It reduced Soviet influence and power, thus leading to the collapse of the Soviet Union as satellite states remove their communist governments from power (November 1989, The ‘Velvet Revolution’ overthrows the communsit government in Czechoslovakia and anti-communist president elected); zthe Brezhnev Doctrine was dropped sp Soviet states could choose how they would be governed without Soviet intervention
- A series of Summits occured to improve Soviet relations with the US:
- Moscow summit 1988: In this summit, some complex detail related to the INF (International- Range Nuclear Forces) treaty was resolved. Later in the year, Gorbachev travelled to the USA, where he made a speech at the United Nations announcing a reduction in Warsaw Pact troops and that Soviet forces would leave Afghanistan.
- Increased popularity of communism and the Soviet governing
- Prevented the Raegan’s ‘Second Cold War’ through improving relations with Raegan after he increased spending of arms and a more confrontational approach to the Soviet Union
- Potentially deemed as weak after announcing he would retreat from Afghanistan
When was the Warsaw Pact formed?
14 May 1955
What happened after Stalin’s death?
Stalin’s death on 5 March 1953 led to a power struggle inthe Soviet Union, as Stalin had not named a successor. It was not until 1956 that Nikita Khrushchev emerged as the effective ruler of the country. At the Party Congress in that year, he openly criticised Stalin’s policies and suggested there should be peaceful co-existence with the West.
When was the Geneva Summit meeting and how did it affect relations?
The meeting in Geneva in July 1955 failed to reach agreement over disarmament and the future of Germany, but the atmosphere of co-operation at the meeting reduced some of the tension between East and West. Unfortunately, the better relations were only short-lived. In May 1955, West Germany joined NATO and the Soviet response was to announce the formation of the Warsaw Pact. So the Geneva meeting took place at a time when suspicion was still growing overall.
Hat were the ffects of Stalin’s death?
After Stalin’s death in March 1953, Khrushcev took power in 1956. The change of leadership made people on both sides hopeful that tension between the Soviet Union and USA could be reduced and that a solution to the Cold War arms race could be found. Two other factors contributed to this hope:
• In 1950, there had been a war in Korea in which the USA and Soviet Union supported different sides. But, in July 1953, that war had come to an end.
• Both the USA and the Soviet Union were spending large sums on their armed forces. Both sides knew that reducing spending would be good for their economies
When did Khrushchev agree to buy Cuban sugar and provide economic aid?
Khrushchev agreed to buy Cuban sugar and provide economic aid in February 1961. There was also a secret clause saying that Cuba would receive arms from the Soviet Union.
