Cold War

• What was the alliance formed during the Second World War against Nazi Germany?

  The Grand Alliance
• What were the ideological differences between Britain, the USA, and the Soviet Union?

  • Britain and the USA: Capitalism
  • Soviet Union: Communism
  • Politics: Democracy vs. Single-party rule
  • Social structure: Class differences vs. Classless society
  • Economy: Private ownership vs. State ownership
  • Rights: Individual freedoms vs. Workers' rights

  
• Who were the leaders of the USA, Britain, and the Soviet Union during the early Cold War period?

  Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin
• What was Franklin D. Roosevelt's approach towards Stalin during the war?


  He was not as tough with Stalin as Churchill wanted him to be.
• How did Winston Churchill view Stalin and the Soviet Union?

  He was very suspicious of Stalin.
• What type of government did Joseph Stalin establish in the Soviet Union?

  A dictatorship with no freedom.
• What was the significance of the emergence of the Soviet Union and the USA as superpowers after WWII?


  They created rivalry due to their strong militaries and economies.
• What did the USA develop and use to win the war against Japan?


  Atom bombs
• On what dates did the USA drop atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?


  Hiroshima on 6th August 1945 and Nagasaki on 9th August 1945
• How many Japanese civilians were killed due to the atom bombs?

  120,000 civilians
• How did the development of the atom bomb increase tensions between the USA and the Soviet Union?


  It made the Soviet Union more determined to spread its influence
• How did the development of the atom bomb decrease tensions between the USA and the Soviet Union?


  Both sides became less willing to go to war due to the high risks involved
• When did the Soviet Union successfully test its first atom bomb?


  29th August 1949
• By what year had Britain, France, and China also developed the atom bomb?


  1964
• What was the implication of both sides having weapons capable of killing millions?


  It increased the stakes of any potential conflict
• What was the effect of the increased risks of war on both superpowers?


  They became much less willing to go to war
• What were the names of the two significant telegrams that reflected attitudes between the USA and the Soviet Union?

  The Kennan Long Telegram and the Novikov Telegram
• What did George Kennan's Long Telegram report about attitudes in Moscow?


  It reported that attitudes in Moscow were hostile towards the USA
• What belief did Stalin hold according to the Novikov Telegram?


  He believed in the destruction of capitalism
• What did Kennan believe about the Soviets' response to tough resistance from the West?


  He believed that the Soviets would back down
• What did Novikov's telegram suggest about the US's intentions?


  It suggested that the US wanted to dominate the world with its military
• What was the significance of Churchill's 'Iron Curtain' speech in March 1946?


  It criticized the Soviet Union as a threat to world peace
• How did Stalin react to Churchill's 'Iron Curtain' speech?


  He saw it as a reflection of American beliefs and strengthened his forces
• What happened to the countries freed from Nazi occupation by the Soviet Union?


  They became satellite states under Soviet control
• Why was Stalin reluctant to give up control of the satellite states?


  He wanted a buffer zone between the Soviet Union and Germany
• What did Truman see as evidence of the Soviet Union's intentions?


  He saw it as evidence that the Soviet Union wanted to spread communism worldwide
• What were the methods used by the Soviet Union to establish control in Eastern European countries?


  • Poland: Allowed Polish rebels to be killed, promised free elections but installed a communist government.
  • Hungary: Used fear and intimidation to force votes for communists, installed Rakosi as dictator.
  • Czechoslovakia: Overthrew non-communist leader Benes and established a communist dictator.

  
• What was announced by Truman on 12th March 1947?


  A $400 million aid package to Greece and Turkey
• What was the reason for the aid package announced by Truman?


  To counter the threat of communists trying to take over Greece
• What did Truman promise in his speech regarding American aid?


  To send aid and troops to stop communism from spreading
• What did the Truman Doctrine signal the beginning of?


  The US policy of containment
• What did George Marshall announce three months after Truman's speech?


  The USA would provide economic aid to war-torn countries in Europe
• How much aid did the USA provide between 1948 and 1952?


  $12.7 billion
• Why did many Eastern European countries refuse America's offer of aid?

  They were under Stalin's orders
• What did Stalin refer to American aid as?


  Dollar imperialism
• What was the perceived purpose of the Marshall Plan by Stalin?


  To spread American influence and undermine the United Nations
• What was established as a result of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan?


  A clear divide between the Soviet Bloc and the USA
• What did Stalin's suspicions of the USA reinforce?

  A rivalry between the two superpowers that lasted over 50 years
• When was Cominform created?


  22nd September 1947
• When was Comecon created?


  25th January 1949