History: The Cold War

• What were the ideological differences between the USA and USSR during the Cold War?

  The USA was capitalist, while the USSR was communist.
• Why were the USA and USSR allies during World War Two?

  They were allies because they had a common enemy, Nazi Germany.
• What caused the alliance between the USA and USSR to weaken towards the end of World War Two?

  Suspicions grew due to their differing ideologies.
• What did the USA believe about the USSR's intentions after World War Two?

  The USA believed the USSR wanted to make the world communist.
• What was the USSR's belief regarding the USA's intentions?

  The USSR believed the USA wanted to destroy communism and spread capitalism.
• What was one significant action taken by the Soviet Union at the end of World War Two?

  The Soviet Union took control of countries in Eastern Europe.
• Why did the Americans and the West view the Soviet control of Eastern Europe with suspicion?

  They believed it was an attempt by Stalin to spread world communism.
• What was Stalin's justification for taking control of Eastern European countries?


  Stalin argued it was to protect the Soviet Union from future invasions.
• What were the main agreements made at the Yalta Conference in February 1945?

  • Germany would be divided into four zones: US, British, Soviet & French.
  • Berlin would be divided into four sectors.
  • Hunt down Nazi war criminals.
  • Allow free elections in liberated countries, including Poland.
  • Eastern Europe was to be a Soviet sphere of influence.
  • The United Nations would be established.
  • The Soviet Union would enter the war against Japan after Germany's defeat.
• Why was the Yalta Conference significant in the development of the Cold War?

  It revealed tensions over Germany and Europe between Stalin and the Western powers.
• What were the main agreements made at the Potsdam Conference in July 1945?

  • Divide Germany and Berlin as agreed at Yalta.
  • Demilitarise Germany.
  • Re-establish democracy in Germany.
  • De-nazify Germany.
  • Make all decisions about Germany's future together.
• What were the key differences revealed at the Potsdam Conference regarding Germany?

  Stalin wanted to keep Germany weak, while the West wanted to make Germany strong.
• How did Truman's attitude towards Stalin differ from Roosevelt's?

  Truman was more suspicious of Stalin than Roosevelt was.
• What was the Iron Curtain as described by Churchill?

  The Iron Curtain referred to the division between the democratic West and the Soviet-controlled East.
• What was the significance of the Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe between 1945 and 1948?

  It led to the perception of a Soviet threat and the development of the Iron Curtain.
• What were the main points of the Truman Doctrine announced in March 1947?


  • The US would support countries needing protection from threats.
  • It aimed to protect countries threatened by communism.
  • It marked a turning point in US foreign policy towards containment.
• Why was the Truman Doctrine announced?

  It was announced because Britain could no longer support the Greek government against communist rebels.
• How did the Truman Doctrine increase tensions during the Cold War?

  It publicly declared the world was divided between free and un-free ways of life.
• What were the main features of the Marshall Plan announced in June 1947?


  • Officially called the European Recovery Plan.
  • Provided economic aid to European countries.
  • Aid included cash, machinery, food, and technology.
• Why was the Marshall Plan introduced?

  To stop the spread of communism and boost the US economy.
• How did Stalin respond to the Marshall Plan?

  Stalin accused the USA of dollar imperialism and prevented Eastern European countries from participating.
• What were the main points of Cominform and Comecon in the context of the Cold War?

  • Cominform was created to spread communism and protect communist states.
  • Comecon provided economic aid from the USSR to communist countries.
  • Both were responses to the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan.
• What triggered the Berlin Blockade in 1948?

  The introduction of the Deutschmark triggered the Berlin Blockade.
• What was the outcome of the Berlin Blockade?

  Stalin called off the blockade after the Allies successfully carried out the Berlin Airlift.
• How did the Berlin Blockade impact the Cold War?

  It increased tensions and led to the official division of Germany into East and West.
• What was the significance of the arms race that began after the USA dropped atomic bombs on Japan?

  The arms race increased the climate of fear and the possibility of nuclear war between the superpowers.
• When did the USSR explode its first atomic bomb?

  In 1949.
• What was NATO, and when was it formed?

  NATO is the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, formed in 1949.
• What were the main consequences of the Berlin Blockade and Airlift for the Cold War?

  • Increased tensions between the USA and USSR.
  • Demonstrated Truman's commitment to containment.
  • Led to the official division of Germany.
  • Contributed to the formation of NATO in 1949.
• How did the arms race contribute to the Cold War's development?

  It created a climate of fear and the potential for nuclear conflict between the superpowers.
• What was the significance of the MAD theory during the arms race?

  MAD theory suggested that the nuclear arms race made war less likely due to the mutual destruction it would cause.
• What was the main purpose of Comecon introduced by the USSR in 1949?

  To provide economic aid to communist countries as a response to the Marshall Plan.
• How did the formation of NATO change the nature of the Cold War?

  It turned the Cold War from an ideological conflict to one involving military alliances.
• When did the USSR explode its first atomic bomb?

  1949
• What significant bomb did the USA develop in 1952?

  The hydrogen bomb (H-bomb)
• When did the USSR develop their own hydrogen bomb?

  1953
• Why was the arms race important in the development of the Cold War?


  • Increased climate of fear between superpowers
  • Created possibility of nuclear war
  • Fear of pre-emptive strikes
  • Some historians argue it made war less likely (MAD theory)
• What does NATO stand for?

  North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
• What triggered the formation of NATO?

  The Berlin Blockade and Airlift highlighted the Soviet threat to Western Europe.
• What was the main purpose of NATO?

  To prevent Soviet expansion.