The Cold War Intensifies Flashcards
What was the arms race?
Was a ‘race’ between the Soviet Union and USA to always be in front of the other country in nuclear weapons. E.g 1945 USA develop atomic bomb. 1949 soviets develop atomic bomb.
What was the significance of the arms race?
The arms race led to much more tension between the two countries as they kept on becoming a bigger threat. It also led to a change in thinking about war. The two countries now saw nuclear weapons as a deterrent.
What was the Warsaw Pact?
It was the eastern europe’s equivalent to NATO including Soviet Union,Poland,Czechoslovakia,Hungary,Romania,Bulgaria,Albania and German Democratic Republic (east Germany)
Why was the Warsaw Pact created?
When West Germany was allowed to join NATO, Stalin’s fears were increased.
What were the countries in the Warsaw Pact known as?
Eastern bloc
What were the change in leadership for USA and Soviets?
From 1953 both had new leaders. Dwight Eisenhower took presidency of USA and Nikita Khrushchev took over after Stalin’s death.
What led to the Hungarian Uprising and when?
- Hungarians began to protest about their lack of political freedoms.
What was Khrushchev’s response to Hungary protesting?
Soviets clashed with protestors but restored order. Khrushchev decided to replace Rakosi with Imre Nagy.
What key decisions did Nagy make?
He announced a set of proposal reforms. He reorganised their government to include non-communist parties. He also authorised the release of many political prisoners and persuaded Khrushchev to withdraw Soviet troops from Hungary
What was the Hungarian Uprising?
Where Nagy announced that Hungary would leave the Warsaw Pact.
What was Khrushchev’s response to the Hungarian Uprising?
He sent Soviet troops to invade Hungary and restore power over them
What did Khrushchev fear could happen if Hungary leave the Warsaw Pact?
That other Eastern European countries may follow. Therefore the Soviets would have less protection around it borders.
International reaction to Hungarian Uprising?
Eisenhower was sympathetic to Hungarians and some NATO countries took in Hungarian refugees.
