The USA's involvement in Europe Flashcards
Why did the USA get involved in Europe?
Europe was steadily deteriorating as millions of people were facing the prospect of starvation. Without substantial increases in aid from the USA Europe would experience social, economic and political disintegration on a regional scale.
Who was Dean Acheson?
- One of the architects of the Marshal Plan
- US secretary of state form 1949 to 1953
- committed to containment
When was Bizonia created?
Jan 1947
When was the new currency introduced into the Western zones of Germany?
Feb 1948
conditions and aims of the Marshall plan
- some of the aid had to be spent on importing goods from the USA
- Recipients were required to share economic knowledge with the Americans
- promoted European unity, creating a stable European bloc and reinforcing the idea of containment
- prevent regimes for falling under the influence of the Soviets
When was the Berlin blockade and why was it introduced?
1948
In order to protect the East against the new currency change
Why didn’t the USA want a reunited Germany?
1) might become too powerful through the manipulation of Eastern and Western powers
2) Germany might align itself with the USSR
3) the extent of American influence could be undermined as Germany developed a degree of economic dominance that would ensure it’s dependence.
4) preferred an economically strong Western Germany
What was the firm and lasting alliance between America and Britian called
The ‘special relationship’
Impacts of the Marshall plan
- creation of a Western German state
- Division of Europe into two ideological, economic and strategic camps.
- laid foundations for further divisions
