Origins of Cold War

• What was the main goal of Stalin after World War II?


  To safeguard and rebuild the Soviet Union
• Why did Stalin want to create a buffer zone?


  To protect Russia from Western attacks
• How many times was Russia invaded from the West in the twentieth century?


  Three times
• What countries made up the buffer zone Stalin wanted?


  Eastern European countries, including the Baltic States
• What pact allowed Stalin to gain Polish land during WWII?


  The 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact
• What was Stalin's stance towards the Polish government in exile?


  He stated that the government should have no support
• What did the USSR do to the Polish government during the war?


  Severed relations with them
• What did Stalin want to maintain in Europe and Asia?


  The Soviet Sphere of Influence
• How did other Allied powers view Stalin's beliefs?


  They saw them as a way to spread Communism
• What was Roosevelt's approach towards the USA and USSR working together?


  He believed they needed to cooperate despite ideological differences
• What did Roosevelt propose for the four most powerful countries?


  They should act as 'policemen' to maintain world peace
• What organization did Roosevelt support to maintain world peace?


  The United Nations
• What did Roosevelt believe Poland should have after the war?


  Self-determination to govern itself
• What did Roosevelt want to promote in addition to self-determination?


  Decolonisation and free trade
• When did Roosevelt die?


  April 1945
• How was Truman perceived after Roosevelt's death?


  As weak by anti-communist groups
• What was Churchill's goal after the war?


  To maintain influence and limit USSR's power
• What did Churchill want for Poland?


  To protect its self-determination and territorial integrity
• Why did Britain become involved in WWII according to Churchill?


  Due to the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939
• What was the Percentages Agreement?


  A list of interests for countries in Europe drawn up by Churchill
• What percentage of interest did Britain have in Greece according to the Percentages Agreement?


  90%
• What was Churchill's concern regarding the USA after the war?


  That they would return to isolationism
• Who replaced Churchill in July 1945?

  Clement Attlee
• What was Attlee's stance towards communism?


  He had no sympathy with communism
• What were the main events of 1945 that contributed to the origins of the Cold War?

  • The Grand Alliance
  • Yalta Conference
  • Potsdam Conference
• What were the key tensions that developed after the Grand Alliance?


  • USSR Actions
  • Long Telegram & Iron Curtain Speech
  • Cominform
  • Greek Civil War & the Truman Doctrine
• What were the main aspects of US involvement in Europe post-WWII?

  • US Policy Towards Britain & Europe
  • US Attitudes Towards Germany & Berlin
  • The Marshall Plan
• What were the significant conflicts over Germany after WWII?

  • Sectors & Bizonia
  • The Berlin Blockade
  • The Formation of NATO, April 1949
• What were the key events that widened the Cold War?

  • US Containment in Asia
  • The Korean War
  • Increasing Cold War Tensions, 1949-1953
• What were the main developments during the Brezhnev Era?


  • Detente
  • Second Cold War
  • Developments in Africa & Americas
• What were the significant events leading to the ending of the Cold War?

  • Gorbachev & Reforms
  • Cooperation between US & USSR
  • Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe
• What were the key figures and summits that contributed to the end of the Cold War?

  • Malta Summit
  • Key Figures involved in negotiations