War and revolution: Khrushchev Flashcards
What was the space race?
Race between USA and ussr to develop the most advanced space technology, it raised the soviet union’s prestige and allowed for technological developments that could also be used in the military.
Give three major space achievements
- 1957- Sputnik satellite and Laika the dog sent into space. 2. 1961- Gagarin first man in space. 3. 1963- Tereshkova first woman in space.
What was the Cold War?
A huge source of international tension between the USA and USSR driven by the USA’s attempt to impose its ideology worldwide and Khrushchev’s determination to maintain control over his satellite states.
What two major events increased tensions with the west?
- Soviet intervention in Hungary in 1956 when they attempted to leave the Warsaw Pact. 2. Disputes over Berlin, which were ‘solved’ with the construction of the Berlin Wall in august 1961.
Give four consequences of the Hungarian uprising
Made relations with the US bitter and showed that Khrushchev was unwilling to cede control of the satellite states. 2. Showed the west was powerless to intervene behind the iron curtain, they became more determined to stop the spread of communism west. 3. Eisenhower was criticized for his talk of ‘rolling back’ communism owing to the fact the USA had done nothing. 4. Just because Khrushchev wanted peaceful coexistence did not mean communism would submit to capitalism.
What had happened in Cuba?
In 1959 Fidel Castro had established himself and leader and had arranged economic ties between Cuba and the USSR, such the export of 24million tons of sugar to the USSR.
Why did Cuba worry the USA?
It was less then 100 miles from the USA, making it a prime place for Soviet missiles, when soviet missiles were photographed by a spy plane in 1962, panic broke out.
How did Kennedy react to the photographs?
He placed American forces on nuclear alert and set up a naval quarantine of Cuba which would not permit any Soviet ships to reach the island. Under pressure, Khrushchev relented and commanded the ships to turn around.
What was decided after the crisis?
- Soviet missiles were removed from Cuba and the USA secretly removed its missiles from turkey. Kennedy promised not to invade Cuba.
What were the consequences of the crisis?
The fact that Khrushchev had been seen to ‘blink first’ and had brought the world to the brink of nuclear war damaged his credibility, the crisis played a major role in his removal from office.
