The Origins Of The Cold War (3) Flashcards
What was the US’ view and policy towards Britain at the start of the Cold War?
- Had ‘special relationship’ with Britain
- Relied on this relationship being the easiest route into Europe (for influence purposes)
Define ‘special relationship’
Common identity + shared need for security between US + UK, which forms the basis of a political and economic strategic relationship
How did the UK benefit from the ‘special relationship’?
Were supported by the US’ international status + powerful economy (particularly during fall of British Empire)
What was the US’ view + policy towards Europe?
- Key to US’ international status as a superpower
- Needed to prevent Europe being singularly controlled by another power (USSR)
- Needed to prevent the failing of European economies, as this would cut off US trade (no trade if poor, no trade if communist) + cause internal poverty that could result in communism
Who are the three key US figures we need to know who helped influence the US policy towards post-WWII Europe?
1) Dean G. Acheson (Secretary of State) (July 1945)
- Warned a poor post-WWII Europe was a danger to international capitalist democracy
2) Clayton (Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs)
- Toured Europe, warned a poor post-WWII Europe was a danger to US economy, due to trade worries
3) Kennan’s Policy Planning Staff (May 1947)
- Said real issue in Europe wasn’t communism, it was the impact of WWII on the economic, political + social structure of Europe
What was the solution to the US view that Europe needed protecting, particularly through revitalising the economies?
European Recovery Plan (nicknamed ‘Marshall Plan’)
Who hypothesised the European Recovery Plan?
George Marshall (US Secretary of State)
When and where was the European Recovery Plan first outlined to the public?
- June 1947
- Speech at Harvard
When did Truman sign to approve the European Recovery Plan?
3rd April 1948
What was the intention of the European Recovery Plan?
Strengthen European economies + unite Europe in a single, prosperous market
(Which would help the US via trade + prevention of communism)
What were the terms of the European Recovery Plan?
- Open to all European countries
- Provide countries with financial aid (in exchange for the sharing of economic info + countries to buy some US goods)
What did countries that opted into the European Recovery Plan officially become members of?
Organisation of European Economic Cooperation (OEEC)
What was the Soviet reaction to the implementation of the European Recovery Plan?
- Soviet Minister Vyshinsky publicly denounced the plan at the UN: claimed it was US imperialism, trying to economically integrate with Europe, to undermine the Soviet sphere
- Rejected the Plan (July 1947)
- Ordered other E.European countries (e.g. Czechoslovakia) to reject it
- Established Cominform (Sept 1947) to consolidate Soviet sphere
- Established Comecon (1949) as Economic Recovery Plan alternative
How much aid was given in the European Recovery Plan, and to who?
- $13.5 billion of economic + technical aid
- Given to 16 W.European countries, predominantly UK + France
What was the impact of the European Recovery Plan?
- Increased the economic + political stability in W.Europe (with industrial production increasing by 40% + only Germany not meeting the expected economic reforms)
- Accelerated division of the East + West (rather than undermining Soviet influence in E.Europe)
