Who was to blame for the Cold War? Flashcards
What were the differences between the USA and USSR? (USA, CARD 1)
USA:
- capitalist
- business and property were privately owned
- democracy
- world’s wealthiest country but some people were very wealthy while other were very poor
- being free of control by the government was more important than everyone being equal for Americans
What were the differences between the USA and USSR? (USA, CARD 2)
USA:
- most Americans firmly believed that other countries should be run in the American way
- they were alarmed by communist theory and revolution
- Americans saw their policies as “doing the wrong thing” rather than serving the interests of the USA
What were the differences between the USA and USSR? (USSR, CARD 1)
- communist
- all industry was owned and run by the state
- one-party dictatorship (all candidates belonged to the Communist Party)
- economic superpower as its industry had grown rapidly in the 1920s and 1930s
- general standard of living was much lower than the USA
What were the differences between the USA and USSR? (USSR, CARD 2)
USSR:
- unemployment was rare and extreme poverty was rarer than in the USA
- For communists, the rights of individuals were seen as less important than the good of society as a whole, so their lives were tightly controlled
- Soviet people believed that other countries should be run in the communist way
- People in the USSR saw the USA’s actions as selfishly building its economic empire+political influence
When was the Yalta Conference?
February 1945
Who was part of the Big Three?
- Stalin (USSR)
- Roosevelt (USA)
- Churchill (Great Britain)
What happened during the Yalta Conference?
- Clear that Germany was losing the war
- The Allied leaders met at Yalta in Ukraine to plan what woulWd happen to Europe after Germany’s defeat
- Went well
- The Big Three agreed on some important matters despite their differences
What were the agreements at Yalta? (Card 1)
- Japan: Stalin agreed to enter the war against Japan once Germany had surrendered.
- Germany: Germany would be divided into four zones - American, French, British and Soviet.
- Elections: As countries were liberated from occupation by the German army, they would be allowed to hold free elections to choose the government they wanted.
What were the agreements at Yalta? (Card 2)
- United Nations: The Big Three would join the new UN whose aim was to keep peace after the war.
- War criminals: Punish/hunt down war criminals who were responsible for the genocide.
- Eastern Europe: Eastern Europe should be seen as a “Soviet sphere of influence”
Why did the Big Three agree that Eastern Europe should be seen as a “Soviet sphere of influence”?
- Soviet Union had suffered terribly in the war
- 20 million Soviet people had died
- Stalin was concerned about the future security of the USSR and the risk of another invasion from Europe
What were the disagreements at Yalta?
POLAND:
- Stalin wanted the border of the USSR to move westwards into Poland and then Poland, in turn, could move its border westwards into German territory.
- Churchill didn’t approve but he knew he couldn’t do much since Stalin’s Red Army was in total control of Poland and Eastern Germany
- Roosevelt was unhappy but was persuaded by Churchill to accept it, as long as the USSR agreed not to interfere in Greece where the British were attempting to prevent the communists taking over, which Stalin accepted.
When did the Potsdam Conference occur?
July 1945
When did Hitler commit suicide?
30 April 1945
What were the changes since Yalta?
- Stalin’s armies were ocuppying most of Eastern Europe
- America had a new president
- The Allies had tested an atomic bomb
What was Stalin doing to occupy more and more countries in Eastern Europe?
- Soviet troops had liberated country after country in EE
- Instead of withdrawing his troops Stalin had left them there
- Refugees were fleeing out of these countries fearing a communist take-over
- Stalin set up a communist government in Poland, ignoring the wishes of the majority of Poles
- Insisted his control of EE was a defensive measure against possible future attacks
