Cold War

• What was the Grand Alliance made up of?

  The Grand Alliance was made up of Britain, the USA, and the USSR.
• What was the main goal of the Grand Alliance?

  To work together to defeat Hitler.
• What was discussed at the Tehran and Yalta conferences?

  The future of Europe and plans to defeat Germany.
• What were Churchill and Roosevelt particularly concerned about?

  The future of Eastern Europe.
• What did Stalin become particularly concerned about regarding Eastern Europe?

  The impact of the USA on Eastern Europe.
• What were the differing understandings between the USA, Britain, and the USSR regarding Eastern Europe?

  • USA and Britain wanted free elections.
  • Stalin wanted friendly governments in satellite states.
• What significant event occurred after Germany surrendered in May 1945?

  The allied leaders met at Potsdam.
• What was one of the important agreements made at Potsdam?

  The new boundaries of Poland were agreed.
• Who would divide Germany and Berlin among themselves according to the Potsdam agreement?

  The Big Three plus France.
• What remained undecided at Potsdam regarding Germany?

  If or when the zones could merge and become united again.
• How did Truman's approach differ from Roosevelt's after the Potsdam conference?

  Truman was more suspicious of the USSR and less willing to compromise.
• What alarmed Britain and the USA regarding Stalin's actions in Poland?

  He installed a government consisting of only pro-communist members.
• What were the ideological differences between the USA and the USSR?

  • USA: capitalist, valued private enterprise, political freedom, and democracy.
  • USSR: communist, state control of industry, one political party, aimed at world revolution.
• What did communism mean in terms of industry and agriculture?

  State control of industry and agriculture.
• What was the American Dream?

  That anyone could work their way to the top.
• How did the USA and USSR view each other's intentions?

  Both countries feared the other's intentions.
• What was the Iron Curtain?

  A metaphorical division between East and West.
• What did the Long and Novikov telegrams represent?

  Detailed reports reflecting mutual suspicion.
• What was Truman's response to the communist threat?

  He acted to contain the communist threat.
• What did the USSR create in response to the USA's actions?

  The Cominform.
• Why was the Cold War considered preferable to a hot war?

  It avoided direct military conflict between superpowers.
• What happened in 1948 regarding Berlin?

  The USSR and the West clashed over Berlin.
• How was Germany divided immediately after the war?

  Into four zones of occupation.
• What did the USA and Britain do in 1947 regarding their zones in Germany?

  They agreed to combine their zones into western Germany.
• What new currency was introduced in the western zone in June 1948?

  A new currency to help economic recovery.
• Why did Stalin decide to blockade Berlin?

  To try to force the West to withdraw from West Berlin.
• What did Stalin order in June 1948 regarding Berlin?

  To cut off all road, rail, and canal links between West Berlin and the outside world.
• What were the Western powers' responses to Stalin's blockade of Berlin?

  • They decided to bypass the blockade.
  • They initiated the Berlin Airlift, lasting 318 days.
  • 2000 tons of supplies were flown in daily.
• What happened when it became clear that the West would not withdraw from Berlin?

  Stalin had to lift the blockade.
• What two separate states were formed in Germany in 1949?

  West Germany (Federal Republic of Germany) and East Germany (German Democratic Republic).
• What were the consequences of the Berlin Crisis for military alliances?

  • The Western Powers formed NATO in 1949.
  • NATO members agreed to respond together if attacked.
  • The USSR established the Warsaw Pact in 1955.
• What did the formation of NATO signify for the Western Powers?

  They were prepared to respond collectively to any attack.
• What was the main aim of the Warsaw Pact?

  To improve the defensive capability of Eastern Europe.
• What were the implications of the end of the Berlin Blockade?

  • Increased tensions as Stalin lifted the blockade unwillingly.
  • The allies appeared strong and had humiliated Stalin.
  • The USSR viewed NATO as a direct threat.
• How did the West view the Berlin Wall after it was erected?

  As a symbol of oppression and the failure of communism.
• What was the significance of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

  It significantly altered the course of the Cold War.
• What were the events leading to the USSR's invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968?

  • Dubcek wanted to reform Czechoslovakia peacefully.
  • The USSR was under pressure to intervene.
  • 500,000 Soviet troops invaded on August 21, 1968.
• What was the international response to the Soviet intervention in Czechoslovakia?

  There was an outcry, but no action was taken.
• What was the Brezhnev Doctrine and its significance?

  • It stated the USSR would intervene in any country where communism was under threat.
  • Strengthened control over satellite states.
  • Sent a message that abandoning communism would lead to forceful intervention.
• How did the Prague Spring affect Soviet-American relations?

  It continued to strain relations despite moves towards easing the nuclear threat.