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History > Topic 1: The Cold War > Flashcards

Topic 1: The Cold War Flashcards

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1
Q

Berlin Blockade

A

USSR blocked all roads, railways, and canals leading to West Berlin hoping to force the West to give up West Berlin.

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2
Q

Brinkmanship

A

Acts that lead two sides to the brink of war, in an effort to try and outdo each other, without actually engaging in conflict.

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3
Q

Communist bloc

A

Group of states under Communist control in Eastern and Central Europe.

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4
Q

Cuban Missile Crisis

A

Resulted from USA blockade of access to Cuba by USSR ships. Kennedy had demanded the removal of Russian missiles from Cuba.

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5
Q

Iron Curtain

A

Term used by Winston Churchill to describe the guarded border between the Soviet-controlled communist satelitte countries of Eastern Europe and the West.

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6
Q

Policy of containment

A

Included both the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan. Intended to contain communism by supporting countries in need of aid.

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7
Q

Proxy wars

A

Provision of support by USA and USSR to opposing sides in a country but not being directly involved in the conflict.

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8
Q

Satellite states

A

Term used to describe countries in Eastern Europe controlled by the Soviet Union.

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9
Q

Spheres of influence

A

Country, or countries, dominated by the presence of one of the superpowers to the exclusion of the other.

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10
Q

Superpower

A

Independent country powerful enough to influence events on a worldwide scale.

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11
Q

NATO

A

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

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12
Q

COMECON

A

Council for Mutual Economic Assistance

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13
Q

COMINFORM

A

Communist Information Bureau

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14
Q

GDR

A

German Democratic Republic (East Germany)

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15
Q

GFR

A

German Federal Republic (West Germany)

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16
Q

Communism

A

Believe that advocates for a classless society without private ownership. The means of production was owned by the state. These countries are often one-party states with strong government censorship.

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17
Q

Capitalism

A

An economic system based on private ownership of industry and agriculture. It is characterised by a free market, motivated by profit.

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18
Q

Democracy

A

A system of government based on the will of the people. Citizens can take part of decisions made on issues.

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19
Q

Cold War

A

A state of hostility without actual fighting.

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20
Q

Ideological differences between the superpowers

A

Capitalism:
1. Right to private property, private enterprise, and profit. Wealth differences, most people well off.
2. Democracy, multiparty governments.
3. Feared communism and totalitarian rule. Which led to forced labour, public trials and purges.
4. USSR army occupied, and did not withdraw from large parts of central Europe.
5. Bolshevik government deserted Russia’s allies by making peace with Germany.

Communism:
1. No private property; state owned. Wealth equally shared; less than USA.
2. Totalitarian, one party state.
3. Capitalism was the ideological enemy.
4. Stalin did not trust the West because they dropped the atomic bomb on Japan without much warning to the USSR.
5. After Bolsheviks sezied power in 1917, the West aided the white army.
6. In 1919 Allies gave away Russian land due to the Paris Peace Conference.
7. Soviets were excluded from the 1938 Munich Conference. Stalin thought the West saw them as the real enemy.

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21
Q

Long-term causes of the Cold War

A

Period immediately after WW2 in 1945.
Bolshevik Revolution 1917.

Nazi’s invaded USSR in 1941. Grand Alliance formed. US provided weapons and supplies through the lend-lease system. Stalin became suspicious because the USSR was left to fight the Nazi’s alone, meaning more casualties. The US’s first main attack was in July 1944, Normandy Frace. Stalin thought this was to weaken the USSR. The lend-lease system stopped. The West hid the atomic bomb.

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22
Q

The Teheran Conference

A

Took place in November 1943. It was decided against an Anglo-American invasion of Germany. This left only Soviet troops to clear Eastern Europe and the Balkans of Nazi forces. Post-war affairs in Eastern Europe was a point of mistrust.

Main points:
1. Limited West’s participation in post-war politics.
2. Led Stalin to believe he had free reign in Eastern Europe.
3. Stalin believed the West would accept Soviet control in these areas.

23
Q

The Yalta Conference

A

Took place in February 1945. WW2 was drawing to a close. Ideological differences became clear. There were no real agreements reached.

Main points:
1. Germany was divided into 4 zones, occupied by the US, UK, USSR, and France. There was no agreed upon system of government. Berlin, within the Soviet zone, would also be split into 4.
2. Allied Declaration on Liberated Europe, committed the USSR to democracy in its occupied countries and to hold free elections.
Eg. Poland had a provisional Pro-Soviet government.
3. USSR joined the United Nations who aimed to keep peace after the war as well as the war on Japan.
4. Eastern Europe would be a Soviet sphere of influence.

Points NOT agreed on:
1. Scale of German reparations.
2. Moving the Soviet Union’s border into Poland, and Poland’s border into Germany.

24
Q

The Potsdam Conference

A

Took place in July through August 1945. It was a continuation of the Yalta Conference. WW2 was over and post-war settlements needed to be agreed upon. Truman had replaced Roosevelt as president of the US and Atlee had replaced Churchill as Prime Minister of the UK. Stalin’s refusal to compromise as well as a misunderstanding of perspectives on both sides led to the Cold War.

Main points:
1. Each of the powers would collect reparations from their zone of occupation. The USSR would receive additional reparations as they had a rural zone.
2. Poland’s western border moved to the Oder and Neisse rivers.
3. Germans in Czechoslovakia, Poland and Hungary returned to Germany.
4. They would exchange industrial equipment from the west for food supplies from the east

Points NOT agreed on:
1. Stalin wanted to cripple Germany, Truman did not want to repeat Versailles. Stalin wanted reparations for the death of 20 million Russians.
2. Truman did not support the previously agreed upon Soviet sphere of influence in Eastern Europe.

25
Q

Territorial gains made by the Soviet Union

A

After Germany’s attack of Poland in 1939, the USSR occupied large parts of Poland because of the Non-Aggression Pact. The Red Army freed much of Europe from the Nazi’s, and established communist governments in Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria and East Germany. These places were dependent on the USSR both economically and politically. They were Satellite States.

26
Q

Why was Stalin concerned with creating spheres of influence

A

Stalin wanted these states as a defensive barrier against the West, who he felt threatened by. Stalin needed reparations to restore the Soviet economy after the war. Germany became a front line in this defensive system.

27
Q

How did the West see Stalin’s creation of spheres of influence

A

They saw his defensive move as a desire to expand. This was because of the communists government take over.

  1. Soviets set up coalition governments that included non-communists.
  2. Communists took over key government posts.
  3. All non-communist leaders were removed and persecuted.
28
Q

The West’s response to the creation of the spheres of influence

A

The West saw Stalin as a dictator. Winston Churchill made his ‘Iron Curtain’ speech in Fulton, Missouri, March 1946. This speech widened the gap, but did not prevent communist expansion.

Points of the speech:
1. Europe was divided into two halves because of the Soviets. There was the free, democratic, West and the Soviet controlled East.
2. He called for an alliance to fight the spread of communism.

29
Q

Date of communist take over

A

Poland - 1947
Hungary - 1947
Romania - 1947
Albania - 1947
Bulgaria - 1947
Czechoslovakia - 1948

30
Q

The US Policy of containment

A

Resulted in the Truman Doctrine (speech made in March 1947) and Marshall Plan (June 1947). The USSR would not be allowed to expand further than it did in 1946. The US would provide economic and military support. This increased tensions and led to Cominform (September 1947).

Greece:
1944, civil war
1947, Britain asks America for help in Greece
Truman, fearing domino theory, agreed and promised countries fearing communism would be helped
Communsists defeated

Turkey:
1945 to 1946, Satlin wanted Turks to return land
Turkey asked America for help, Soviets went away

Iran:
After WW2 Soviet troops did not leave
Iranian government forced them to leave, some stayed in Azerbaijan
Pressure from US and UK forced Stalin to remove his troopss

31
Q

The Marshall Plan

A

Put the Truman Doctrine into action. It was America’s response to Euroupe’s economic needs. It offered money, equipment, and goods. To receive help, countries had to remove trade barriers.

By September 1947, 16 countries* had applied for aid. They started the OEEC, Organisation for European Economic Co-operation. By 1953 the Us had spent 17 billion dollars. This plan was a success and Western Europe prospered.

*Britain, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, West Germany, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey, Iceland and Norway

32
Q

The USSR’s response to the US policy of containment

A

Stalin was threatened by these plans as the USSR could not provide they same level of help.

Eastern European satellite states could not apply for aid. Cominform, Communist Information Bureau, was set up to counter the Marshall Plan. It committed members to the leadership of the USSR to fight the American Imperialism. Stalin tightened his control. Countries had to trade with each other. Yugoslavia did not want to and was kicked out in 1948. Yugoslavia also accepted Marshall Aid.

The Molotov Plan, 1949, was similar to the Truman Doctrine. It created Comecon, Council of Mutual Economic Assistance. This assisted satellite states and coordinated economic policies. A military force was set up to counter anti-communists.

33
Q

Causes of the Berlin Blockade

A

Cause:
Stalin wanted to show authority over Berlin and wanted the Western powers to surrender it
Disagreements over reparations
West Berlin/Germany recovering faster than the East after WW2
Marshall Plan

34
Q

Course of the Berlin Blockade

A

Course:
Stalin blocked all roads, railways and canals
America decides to airlift supplies rather than give up or drive through blockade
(June 1948 to May 1949)
12 May 1949 - blockade is ended

35
Q

Consequences of the Berlin Blockade

A

Consequences:
Relationships were further strained
May 1949 - Federal Republic of Germany, capital Bonn (West)
October 1949 - German Democratic Republic, capital Berlin (East)
Militarisation of West Berlin
Arms Race
NATO - 1949
Warsaw Pact - 1955

36
Q

Berlin 1953 and 1958

A

1953:
Worker demonstrations demanded political/economic freedom, union with West Berlin, end of communism
Demonstartors were executed
Thousands still fled to the west in search of a better life

1958:
Worker protests, people fled
Nikita Khrushchev demanded the West hand over control of Berlin, the West refused
Demanded the West recognise the German Democratic Republic, the West refused

37
Q

Causes of the Berlin Wall 1961

A

West Berlin was thriving, East Berliners were defecting (embarrassing/main reason)
Khrushchev demanded Kennedy withdrew from Berlin, Kennedy refused

38
Q

Course of the Berlin Wall 1961

A

Sunday, August 13th 1961, East German troops sealed of West Berlin with road blocks and barbed wire
A concrete wall was built, militarised

39
Q

Consequences of the Berlin Wall 1961

A

Kind of stopped East Berliners escaping, they were killed
Tensions increased, Americans feared to break the wall - start war
1963, I am a Berliner speech from Kennedy
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was negotiated
Wall was a symbol of a divided Germany until 1989

40
Q

What was NATO (details)

A

Formed April 1949
Defensive alliance for mutual protection

They agreed to:
Military co-operation
Fight only if attacked
Attack on one was an attack on all
Complement to NATO troops
Defend the interests and sovereignty of member states
Joint NATO Command Organisation was set up

41
Q

The Warsaw Pact (details)

A

Military alliance in the Eastern bloc, 1955
Joint command set up under Soviet Supreme Commander
Member states had to support each other if attacked
Soviet Union could have troops in all member states
Used to suppress revolts

NATO proved the USSR needed their own atomic bomb

42
Q

Impact of NATO and Warsaw on Cold War

A

Tension worsened
Europe became the center of the Cold War

43
Q

Cause of the Cuban Missile Crisis 1962

A

America took advantage of Cuban under Fulgenico Batista
Fidel Castro and Che Guevara put in place a communist government in 1959
President Eisenhower supported a CIA plan to start a rebellion in Cuba
Kennedy executed plan - Bay of Pigs (17 April 1961) - plan totally failed
Cuba turned to the USSR for economic and diplomatic support
USSR promised America no missiles in Cuba
(USSR was behind in arms race)

44
Q

Course of the Cuban Missile Crisis 1962

A

Aug - Sept:
US observed weapons sites in Cuba. Kennedy warned Khrushchev not to put missiles in Cuba. USSR promised no missiles in Cuba.

14 to 16 Oct:
US spy plane photographs missile sites in Cuba (14 October)
Defense experts realise what sites are, tell Kennedy
Kennedy called Ex-Comm (executive committee) of advisors to make a plan to remove missiles

17 to 21 Oct:
Discussions to resolve crisis. Robert Kennedy suggest naval blockade

22 to 24 Oct:
Kennedy announces naval blockade. Armed forces put on high alert (22 October)
Khrushchev insists only helping Cuba defend itself. Accuse US of getting involved in Cuban affairs and pushing the world towards nuclear war
Naval blockade put into place. Soviet ships stopped en route to Cuba and turned around (24 October)

26 to 28 Oct:
Khrushchev agree to remove missiles if Kennedy announced not to invade Cuba, remove missiles from Turkey, end blockade
Kennedy said this would only happen if he removed the missiles. American plane shot down over Cuba. Increased tensions.
Khrushchev announced he would remove missiles. It was secretly agreed to remove missiles from Turkey

45
Q

Consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis 1962

A

Both sides realised nuclear weapons threatened world peace
Kennedy praised for his brinkmanship
A hot line set up in 1963, improve communications
August 1963 - Nuclear Test Ban Treaty signed
Khrushchev seen as a failure, forced to step down in 1964

46
Q

What options did America have to respond to the Cuban Missile Crisis

A
  1. Nuclear strike –> Cause nuclear war
  2. Conventional attack –> Russian troops in Cuba, lead to WW3
  3. Use the UN –> Too slow
  4. Do nothing –> Missiles were too dangerous
  5. Blockade/Quarantine –> Would stop the missiles, not an act of war
47
Q

The Orthodox view of the Cold War

A

Blames Stalin - believed he was intent on spreading communism, West was forced to defend democracy
Influenced by - breakdown of wartime alliance, expansion of Soviet power, China becoming communist, civil war in Korea

48
Q

The Revisionist view of the Cold War

A

Blames the USA - believes the US overreacted and that Stalin was simply securing the safety of the USSR
American was aggressive in their demand for economic/[political access in Europe
US foreign policy was imperialistic

49
Q

The Post-revisionist view of the Cold War

A

Blamed both sides - the Cold War was a result of mutual mistrust and suspicion

50
Q

Background of the Vietnam war

A

Before WW2, French ruled Indo-China (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia)
French rulers were unpopular - uprising by National Party 1930
1940, Japan invaded Indo-China
Vietminh set up to resist Japan, led by Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam independent in Sept 1945, after Japan lost WW2

51
Q

Vietnam after WW2

A

French tried to regain control
Forced to withdraw after losing to a Vietnamese army at Dien Bien Phu in 1954
Conference held in Geneva - Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia given independence
Vietnam divided along 17th parallel into North (communist Vietminh) and South (US and France backed Ngo Dinh Diem), would be reunited by election in 1956
Ngo Dinh Diem - unpopular, tyrannical Catholic, refused to introduce land reforms, persecuted religious majority (Buddhist), refused to hold election

52
Q

Vietnam from 1957 to 1965

A

1960 - National Liberation Front (NLF) opposed Ngo Dinh Diem
- demanded a national coalition government
- started a guerrilla campaign in South Vietnam, Vietcong
1963 - Army of the Republic of Vietman (ARVN) executed Ngo Dinh Diem in a coup
- replaced by corrupt military leaders
Vietcong became popular because they provided land and infrastructure, backed by Chinese and Soviets
They got supplies from North Vietnam through the Ho Chi Minh Trail

53
Q

Vietnam from 1965 to 1969

A

Local people were supporting the Vietcong, this scared the Americans who feared the Domino Effect
1954 - US supported France AGAINST Vietminh with money/equipment
154 - 1960 - US sent aid, equipment, military advisors to assist South Vietnamese
1962 to Nov 1963 - Safe villages under President Kennedy, ended after Ngo Dinh Diem was overthrown, meant to isolate Vietcong outside villages
Lyndon B. Johnson believed US needed to be more involved
1963 - Vietcong had 40% of South Vietnam
1964 - US ship torpedoed in Gulf of Tonkin. Tonkin Resolution (gave military power to Johnson)
April 1965 - Operation Rolling Thunder, bomb Ho Chi Minh Trail, cut Vietcong supply route
Massive failure, did not weaken Vietcong
1967 - roughly 500 000 troops in Vietnam
Feb 1968 - Vietcong lauch Tet Offensive, suprise attack on

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