The Origins of the Cold War, c1945–1949: US, British and USSR relations in 1945 - Relations between Stalin, Truman and Attlee Flashcards
1
Q
What were Truman’s post-war aims?
A
- Wanted a world based on national self-determination
- Wanted an open world trading system based on international economic cooperation
- Wanted world economic reconstruction
- These aims would be aided by the creation of the IMF and the World Bank
2
Q
Why did Truman have such focus on international economic cooperation?
A
- This was to minimise the possibility of the USA returning to the Great Depression
- This would preserve America’s new found superpower status by maximising access to world markets
3
Q
What did Truman fear about the Soviets?
A
- Feared the growth of Soviet power in Eastern Europe
- Feared the removal of anti-communist leaders
- Feared the rise of pro-communist provisional governments
4
Q
How did Truman use nuclear weapons in his negotiations with Stalin?
A
- Truman tended to go for confrontation rather than cooperation for his relation with Stalin
- Truman hoped the USA’s possession of nuclear technology would ensure Stalin’s cooperation over the composition of provisional governments in Europe
- Truman believed the USSR would not agree to diplomatic solutions and thought force was the only method to secure Stalin’s compliance
5
Q
Why did Eastern Europe become so important for Stalin by Potsdam?
A
- Eastern Europe became the basis of the USSR’s long-term security plan
- To succeed, these states needed to have similar political and economic systems to the USSR
- Stalin feared the USA and its allies were potential rivals for dominance in Europe
6
Q
What were Attlee’s aims at Potsdam?
A
- Germany had great geostrategic significance in Europe
- Wanted the USA to act as the main defender of Western zones of Germany against Soviet threat
- Supported Potsdam Agreement, but conscious that it weakened Germany
- Concerned that Potsdam offered no long-term plan for the future of Germany
