The Iron Curtain & The Evolution Of East-West Rivalry

Question 1

At the end of WWII, the USSR effectively controlled most of Eastern Europe

Answer 1

• The red Army had already occupied the land that they had taken from the Nazis including Poland Hungary and Yugoslavia
• Communism was popular in Eastern Europe, after the horrors of nazi occupation

Question 2

‘The long term telegram’

Answer 2

Confirmed President Truman’s own fears and had a large influence on his future approach towards the USSR

Question 3

Winston Churchill’s speech (6th March 1946) what was said?

Answer 3

• Churchill said that the USSR was attempting to spread its influence across the rest of Europe and increase its power
• and invisible had split Europe into two, between the east and the wes, the line was called ‘Iron Curtain’

Question 4

What was the Truman doctrine, 1947?

Answer 4

The Truman doctrine refers to the American policy towards communism after WWII. President Truman outlined the policy in a speech to Congress in March 1947

Question 5

What did Truman say in the speech to Congress (in March 1947)

Answer 5

• communism posed a serious threat to the USA and the rest of the world
• The USA would support any country that was under threat from communism
• The focus must be on contain communism-keeping it within the countries where it was already established

Question 6

What was the Marshall plan aims?

Answer 6

• to aid economic recovery in Europe in order to stop people from turning to communism
• to support the containment of communism within Eastern Europe
• to create a market for American goods in order to build up the American economy

Question 7

What was Stalin’s response to the Truman doctrine?

Answer 7

• He saw it as a direct threat to communism
• he created the communist information bureau (com inform) to ensure unity in Eastern Europe
• all cominform member countries would meet regularly in Moscow to ensure that they were all following the same policies

Question 8

When did the division of Berlin come to terms?

Answer 8

Agreed at yalta and Potsdam

Question 9

The mini blockade

Answer 9

From April 1948 the mini blockade began, it included blocking military supply routes etc

Question 10

Summary of the Berlin blockade & airlift

Answer 10

-tensions began to increase after World War II due to see the expansion, the long telegram and Winston Churchill is Iron Curtain speech

Question 11

Summary of the Berlin blockade & airlift

Answer 11

-The Truman doctrine (1947) promised that the USA would support any country under threat from communism

Question 12

Summary of the Berlin blockade & airlift

Answer 12

-The Marshall plan (1947) provided American aid to rebuild Europe. Countries behind the Iron Curtain turned the aid down

Question 13

Summary of the Berlin blockade & airlift

Answer 13

-Stalin saw American action as dollar imperialism and created Cominform and Comecon in response