The Second Cold War 1956-1962 Flashcards
What happened at the 20th party congress in 1956?
Khrushchev made a secret speech in February denouncing Stalin and suggesting that satellite states should find their different roads to socialism. The CIA obtained a copy of the speech and ensured it was broadcast to Eastern Europe, making further hopes for political change
What happened in June 1956 to do with Tito?
Tito and Khrushchev improved relations
What happened in June 1956 in Poland?
Riots broke out in Poznan where local factory workers protested against increased work targets. The Polish government put it down but with heavy casualties
What was a result of the riots in Poznan?
The Polish communist party turned to its popular former leader Gomulka, who the Soviets feared would try to restore Polish independence
What was the response to Gomulka being reinstated?
The USSR sent a high powered delegation into Poland on the 19th to the 20th October and ordered red Army units to advance on Warsaw in an attempt to stop the election
Why did Khrushchev withdraw troops from Poland?
There was an angry conversation with Gomulka, hand he chose to believe Gomulka’s assurances of loyalty as he did not want to be embroiled in conflict in Poland at the same time as Hungary started to revolt
Why did Khrushchev and Tito put pressure on Hungary?
They wanted it to change its hardline leader to a more liberal Gero. Tito hoed that Hungary would look to him rather than the USSR
What happened in October 1956?
On the 23rd October a large demonstration in support of Polish reformers escalated out of control, demanding the withdrawal of soviet troops and a new government under Nagy, who was more independent and Titoist, and they attacked the state radio station
What happened when Nagy was appointed Prime minister?
Nagy announced his intention to withdraw Hungary from the Warsaw pact, and the USSR initially readied 30,000 troops with tanks and artillery, leading to heavy fighting erupting in north west Hungary, and by the 28th October rebels were in control of most of Hungary
What did the Radio free Europe lead to?
radio free Europe initially encouraged Hungarians to revolt, who believed that nato would intervene and protect them. However, Eisenhower feared that the USSR might risk nuclear war over it so made Dulles publicly announce that the US would not help
What happened in Egypt in 1956?
The USSR had cultivated good relations with Colonel Nasser, leading to the US cancelling a loan to him in July 1956, which he turned to the USSR at the same time as nationalising the anglo-french run Suez Canal. In October 1956 Britain, France and Israel launched an attack to overthrow Nasser
What happened as a result of the attempt to overthrow Nasser?
Khrushchev was convinced that Nasser would be overthrown so threw further troops into Hungary to regain prestige and by the 4th November 1956 a new government was formed under Kader
What happened with the USSR as a result of the British and French attack on Egypt?
The US intervened as they wanted to maintain good relations with the developing world and look strong in an election campaign for Eisenhower, but Khrushchev exploited the division by threatening massive missile attacks on Britain and France which made it look like he had forced a ceasefire through threat
What happened at the Moscow council of International foreign Ministers?
In 1957 Khrushchev reestablished Soviet supremacy in the East and split again with Tito
What did Khrushchev believe he could use against the West?
He became convinced that he could use the threat of nuclear weapons to force western concessions. His position was strengthened in the Missile race by launching the first ICBM in August 1957 and putting Sputnik into orbit in October
