The USA’s Involvement In Europe Flashcards
1
Q
What did Dean G. Acheson argue about the state of Europe in July 1945?
A
- argued the situation in Europe mirrored a wider international problem which threatened the stability of international democracy based on capitalism
- Acheson argued that the railway and power systems in Europe had collapsed and the financial system had come to a complete standstill,
- overall viewed Europe to be deteriorating after the war - reissued by William L Clayton in May 1947
2
Q
What was the US’ route to Europe in order to ‘strategically plan’?
A
- came through US’ special relationship with Britain - which represented a politically stable state amid other less stable mainland European states
-for Britain, there was also a need to preserve its own international status: could only be achieved with the US’ support through its contribution to Britain’s security
-the USA needed Britain and its role and influence in Europe just as much as Britain needed the USA to reinforce its own international status
3
Q
When was the Marshall Plan launched?
A
June 1947
4
Q
Who launched the Marshall Plan?
A
- William L Clayton as Under-Secretary Of State for economic Affair: argued that Western Europe’s economic recovery was necessary for the benefit of the US economy ; he predicted the loss of markets for American goods and the consequent unemployment in the US
- emphasised a sense of urgency to ensure this does not happen
5
Q
A
- William L Clayton as Under-Secretary Of State for economic Affair: argued that Western Europe’s economic recovery was necessary for the benefit of the US economy ; he predicted the loss of markets for American goods and the consequent unemployment in the US
- emphasised a sense of urgency to ensure this does not happen
- his examination was alarmist and exaggerated the economic importance of Europe to the USA
- George Kennan-s Policy Planning Staff (PPS) argued that the threat of communism was not the basic problem in Western Europe, but the profound impact of WW2.
- the focus of US aid, according to PPS, should be upon the restoration of Europe’s economic strength rather than on combating communism
- led to the unveiling of the Marshall Plan on June 5th 1947
6
Q
What was one of the conditions of the Marshall Plan?
A
- a condition of receiving aid was that some of it had to be spent on importing goods from the USA
- recipients were also required to share economic information with the USA
- the plan was part of an American economic strategy to benefit the American economy by helping in Europe’s economic reconstruction, but it was also aimed at promoting European unity.
- a stable European bloc would be created which would reinforce Truman’s idea of containment
7
Q
What was the American vision with the Marshall Plan?
A
- American vision for Europe rested in the creation of a single European market
8
Q
How many members did the French communist party have by 1947?
A
-1.7 million
-US believed that growing economic crisis would result to growing support of this movement + could result in the soviet having an opening to Western Europe
9
Q
Who was the Marshall plan offered to?
A
- all European countries, including the Soviet Union
10
Q
What was the USSR’s reaction to the Marshall Plan?
A
- Soviets saw the Marshall plan as a clear example of American economic imperialism
- believed that this US influence might start to spread into Eastern Europe, and thereby undermine their sphere of influence
- this is because key states, such as Czechoslovakia and Hungary were still not yet fully under communist control by 1947 + there were still communist dominated coalition governments interested in receiving Marshall aid
- by accepting Marshall aid, these countries would have committed themselves to a restoration of market economies and a degree of integration of their economies with those of Western European member states of the Organisation of European Economic Cooperation, the organisation responsible for allocating Marshal Aid
- through this, they would have been brought under the economic influence of the Western capitalist bloc
11
Q
How much did Marshall Aid Offer?
A
- $13.5 billion over the course of 5 years to 16 countries
12
Q
How did Churchill describe the Marshall aid?
A
- “most unselfish act in history”
13
Q
What was a consequence of the Marshall Plan?
A
- accelerated the division of Europe and further undermined the possibility of international relations based on some degree of cooperation between the two powers
14
Q
When was the cominform established?
A
- September 1947
15
Q
What was the cominform?
A
- originally had 9 members: USSR, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia, France, Italy
-Belgrade was officially selected as the seat of the organisation - however Yugoslavia was kicked out in June 1948 + the seat was moved to Bucharest - cominform activities mainly consisted of publishing Soviet propaganda to encourage international communist solidarity
-The French and Italian parties were ineffective in carrying out the chief task assigned to them by the Cominform—to obstruct the implementation of the Marshall Plan and the Truman Doctrine.
16
Q
What happened in January 1947?
A
- British and American occupation zones in Germany and Berlin were merged into a single zone called Bizonia
- important because it reinforced the indication that the USA was interested in creating a clearly defined West German state that was to become a leading force in the unification of an economically stable and united Western European bloc
17
Q
What happened in February 1948?
A
- decision was taken to introduce a new currency into the Western zones of Germany and Berlin
- formally activated in June and consequences were immediate
- led the foundations for the Berlin blockade
18
Q
How was the Marshall Plan significant to Germany?
A
- suggested that the US recognised that a strong German economy was fundamental to the development of European economic recovery
- Marshal plan represented a new understanding of the importance of Germany, and therefore the Western zones of Berlin in the economic recovery of Western Europe as a whole
- Germany now assumed a centrality in the USA’s relationship with Europe + an important role in the Cold War relations
19
Q
When was it agreed that Germany should have its own constituent assembly?
A
- By June 1948
- agreed at the London Conference
- US state department noted that “the London agreements mark the first broad, constructive step toward the resolution of the German problem since Potsdam”
20
Q
What were Kennan’s attitudes towards Germany and how did they differ?
A
- Kennan did not believe that the Marshall plan would free the USA from a long-term dependency on it by the western zones of Germany
- a divided Germany would necessitate a long-term, and therefore damaging responsibility for the USA - a united Germany would benefit the US more
21
Q
What was the overall US attitude towards Germany?
A
- a reunified Germany might become too powerful through the manipulation of the western and eastern powers
- Germany might align itself with the USSR, particularly if the communist influence already present assumed greater force in a reunified Germany
- the extent of American influence could be undermined as Germany developed a degree of economic dominance that would ensure its independence
- overall : development of a west German economic recovery rather than a wider reunified Germany would be more manageable and therefore ensure US influence in Europe as a whole more easily
22
Q
What was made the responsibility of the Germans by September 1947?
A
- Coal Production
23
Q
A
