The Cold War Beginnings Flashcards
What was the effect of area bombing according to Lord Cherwell?
1 ton of bombs on a built up area destroys 20-40 dwellings, “turns out” 100-200 people
How far away was the Red Army from Berlin in February 1945?
65 miles, and German resistance in the West was collapsing in March
Outline George Kennan’s Long Telegram which was the source of U.S. policy to the Soviets during the Cold War
The USSR is at perpetual war with capitalism
Left-wing, non-communists in capitalist countries were the worst
USSR would ally with Marxists in capitalist countries
The USSR wouldn’t risk war, but would take advantage of “diseased tissue” in the world.
What happened on the islands of Tarawa and Saipan?
only 17 PoWs from Japanese forces. Most kill themselves or suicide attack. Civilians jump off cliffs because told Americans would do awful things to them.
Why could the B29 bombers fly so low over Japan?
Japan had no radar, so Gen. Curtis LeMay had them strip the planes down and load up extra bombs.
Bombing of Tokyo
March 9-10 1945, 16 miles square, 1800 degrees f, 80k dead, 40k wounded. Canals boiled, metal melted.
Outline the battle for Okinawa
1 April - 21 June 1945. 120,000 Japanese troops vs. 180-250k marines, 40 aircraft carriers, 1,300 Naval Vessels.
Japan used Kamikaze aircraft, sinking 34 ships and damaging 350. 4,900 sailors killed - 20% of it’s losses for the whole war. The Marines lost 14% of their losses at this battle. 142,000 Okinawan civilians, who couldn’t speak Japanese, are killed.
What did LeMay’s leaflet say?
1 Aug 1945. It warned civilians within cities to get out as their city may be bombed in the coming days. It said their fight was with the military leaders who enslaved Japan, and peace can be restored if you demand new leaders.
Outline the Hiroshima atomic bombing
6 August, 8:15am 1945. Hiroshima population 340k. B29 Enola Gay (pilot’s mother), carrying 9,000lbs (Little Boy) bomb. Explosive power of 20 kilotons dropped at 660 yard altitude. 55,000ft mushroom cloud, 100k dead instantly, 100k from radiation later.
Which country had the most military deaths during WWII?
Russian by far: 7.5 million, about 38% of their forces. Overall civilian and soldier deaths 60 million.
Outline the Greek Civil War
Greek Monarchy vs. Communist insurgents. West thought it was Soviets behind it, but it was Belgrade. Britain couldn’t help - too poor after war. US gave 400 million to monarchy to fight “armed minorities” (communists).
What was the Marshall Plan?
Drafted 5 June 1947. Pumped billions of dollars in food and reconstruction funds to Europe (even West Germany) and parts of Asia (called other names). One of the main aims was to stop spread of communism. Soviets wanted no part and wouldn’t allow Eastern European countries it influenced to take funds.
