The development of the Cold War (1945-1948)

Question 1

What were Soviet Satellite States?

Answer 1

These were countries that were controlled by the USSR although they were officially independent.

Question 2

When did Stalin collect his Satellite States?

Answer 2

Between 1947 and 1949.

Question 3

Why did Stalin collect Satellite States?

Answer 3

Stalin did this in response to the Marshall Plan, as he believed that the Americans were trying to buy influence over Europe as any country that accepted the money was effectively an American ally. This made him want to extend his own influence.

Question 4

How did Stalin extend his influence in Eastern Europe?

Answer 4

The USSR extended its influence in Eastern Europe, turning countries such as Czechoslovakia, Poland and Hungary into satellite states. He did this with Cominform and Comecon.

Question 5

When did the Civil War happen in Greece?

Answer 5

1947 - 1949.

Question 6

What were the 3 causes of the Civil War in Greece?

Answer 6

1. Greece appeared to be the next in line in the spread of Communism.
2. Greek resistance against the Germans had been divided into two movements; the royalists and the Communists.
3. After the war, the royalists restored the king with the help of British troops.

Question 7

What were the 2 key features of the Civil War in Greece?

Answer 7

1. The royalists came under attack from Communist forces.

2. The royalists asked the USA for help.

Question 8

What were the 4 effects of the Civil War in Greece?

Answer 8

1. It made Truman even more worried about the spread of Communism.
2. It led to Truman setting forth a foreign policy initiative called the Truman Doctrine.
3. Under this doctrine, the USA provided Greece with arms, supplies and money.
4. The Communists were defeated.

Question 9

What was the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 9

A policy set out by Truman.

Question 10

When did Truman set out the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 10

In 1947.

Question 11

For what 2 reasons did Truman set out the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 11

1. After the Long Telegram, Truman asked the American military to assess the strength of the USSR’s army. He learned that the USSR was in no position to wage war. However, Truman believed that the USSR would encourage Communist revolutions across Europe as a strategy to conquer more territory without having to declare war. The Truman Doctrine was a policy set out to address this threat.
2. Events in Greece convinced Truman that unless he acted, Communism would continue to spread.

Question 12

What were the 4 key features of the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 12

1. The world had a choice between Communist tyranny and democratic freedom.
2. America had a responsibility to fight for liberty wherever it was threatened.
3. America would send troops and economic resources to help governments that were threatened by Communists.
4. Communism should not be allowed to grow and gain territory; Truman set forth the idea of containment.

Question 13

What were the 6 effects of the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 13

1. It suggested that America, rather than the UN, had a responsibility to protect the world.
2. It marked a reversal of America’s traditional policy of isolationism – the USA would now play a leading role in the world.
3. It divided the world according to ideology as it clearly stated that capitalism and Communism were in opposition.
4. It suggested that there could be no further cooperation between the East and the West due to their ideological differences.
5. It marked the unofficial beginning of the Cold War.
6. It set a realistic goal for American foreign policy: Truman was committed to containment.

Question 14

What was the Marshall Plan?

Answer 14

A plan that committed $13 billion of American money to rebuild the shattered economies of Europe.

Question 15

When was the Marshall Plan set out?

Answer 15

1947.

Question 16

For what 3 reasons was the Marshall Plan set out?

Answer 16

1. To weaken the attraction of Communism. To those suffering economic hardship after WW2, the promise of sharing resources was very appealing. However, if people were wealthy, the idea of sharing resources would have less appeal.
2. To help the American economy, as in order to qualify for American money, European countries had to agree to trade freely with America.
3. Many countries in Europe were in no position to rebuild their economies because of the war and the US stepped in to help.

Question 17

What were the 2 aims of the Marshall Plan?

Answer 17

1. To stop the spread of Communism.

2. To help the economies of Europe to recover.

Question 18

What were the 4 reactions to the Marshall Plan?

Answer 18

1. Many European countries were keen to receive Marshall Aid.
2. Representatives from the USSR claimed that the Americans were attempting to split Europe into two camps. They argued that Marshall Aid was the first step in creating a military alliance that would wage war on the USSR.
3. Stalin insisted that Eastern European countries within the Soviet sphere of influence must refuse the help.
4. 16 countries, including Britain and France welcomed the offer as a way of rebuilding their economies and defeating Communism in their own countries.

Question 19

What 4 problems did the Big Three face with Germany?

Answer 19

1. Should a reunited Germany be part of the Soviet sphere of influence, the American sphere of influence or should it remain neutral?
2. Should a reunited Germany have a Communist or capitalist government?
3. Should a reunited Germany receive Marshall Aid?
4. Should troops from America and the USSR be allowed to remain in a united Germany?

Question 20

What was Bizonia?

Answer 20

The American and British zones in Germany, which were operating as one.

Question 21

When was Bizonia created?

Answer 21

1947 created.

Question 22

When did Bizonia develop a policy for Western Germany?

Answer 22

1948.

Question 23

What 2 policies did Trizonia commit to?

Answer 23

1. To set up a German assembly to create a German constitution.
2. To introduce a new currency; the Deutschmark, which would become the official currency for Trizonia.

Question 24

What 5 problems did the policies Trizonia set forth lead to?

Answer 24

1. Stalin had nor been consulted about these developments and believed that they were the first steps to creating a permanently divided Germany.
2. Stalin opposed division.
3. He was reluctant to allow America to have further influence over Germany.
4. He did not want American troops to remain stationed in Germany.
5. He realised that Germany’s most valuable economic resources were in the West and feared that they would be used to wage war on the USSR.

Question 25

What was Cominform?

Answer 25

The Communist Information Bureau was an international organisation that represented Communist Parties across Europe and brought them under the direction of the USSR. It was set up and controlled by the USSR to bring the Communist Parties of Eastern Europe together and co–ordinate their activities. Cominform was anti–British and especially anti–American.

Question 26

When was Cominform set up?

Answer 26

In 1947.

Question 27

Why did Stalin set up Cominform?

Answer 27

To extend his control.

Question 28

What were the 5 aims of Cominform?

Answer 28

1. To spread Communist ideas.
2. To tighten Stalin’s grip on his Communist allies.
3. To restrict Stalin’s Communist allies’ contact with the West.
4. The first Cominform Conference rejected the Marshall Plan
5. It was used to ensure the loyalty of Eastern European governments by investigating government ministers and employees and removing those opposed to Stalin.

Question 29

What were the 5 effects of Cominform?

Answer 29

1. The rejection of the Marshall Plan led to Eastern European governments refusing to accept Marshall Aid.
2. The rejection of the Marshall Plan also led to Communist Parties in Western Europe being encouraged to organise strikes and demonstrations against the plan. For example, in France, 2 million Communist workers went on strike in the winter of 1947 demanding that the French government reject Marshall Aid.
3. The investigation of government ministers and employees often led to violence.
4. The investigation of government ministers and employees led to 5% of the population of Hungary being in prison by 1953.
5. Through Cominform, the USSR consolidated its power through Eastern Europe.

Question 30

What was Comecon?

Answer 30

The Council for Mutual Economic Assistance was the Communist alternative to the Marshall Plan. In 1949, it consisted of the USSR, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and Romania. In 1950, Albania and Eastern Germany joined.

Question 31

When was Comecon set up?

Answer 31

In 1949.

Question 32

Why was Comecon set up?

Answer 32

In answer to the Marshall Plan. Stalin knew that the Marshall Plan was attractive to some Eastern European governments. After ordering his satellite states to boycott the plan, he needed a Communist alternative.

Question 33

What were the 3 aims of Comecon?

Answer 33

1. To encourage the economic development of Eastern Europe.
2. To prevent trade with Western Europe and America.
3. To coordinate the production and trade of Eastern European countries.

Question 34

What were the 3 effects of Comecon?

Answer 34

1. Politically, it minimised American influence in Eastern Europe and the USSR.
2. Economically, it ensured that the benefits of economic recovery in Eastern Europe remained within the Soviet ‘sphere of influence’.
3. It also meant that Eastern Europe did not have access to the prosperity of Western Europe.