1940s

• What were the main conflicting ideologies during the Cold War?

  Communism and Capitalism
• Why did the USA and Soviet Union form an alliance during WWII?

  To defeat Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan
• What happened after the defeat of Germany in May 1945?

  There was no longer a need to cooperate
• What is capitalism?

  Ownership of property and businesses for profit
• Which countries were the main capitalist nations by 1941?

  USA and Britain
• How does capitalism differ from fascism?

  Capitalism emphasizes individual rights more
• What is communism?

  All property owned by the state for fairness
• Which country was the main communist nation by 1941?

  The Soviet Union
• How does communism differ from socialism?

  Socialism allows individual property ownership
• Who was the President of the USA in 1941?

  Franklin D. Roosevelt
• What event led the USA to join WWII?

  The bombing of Pearl Harbour
• How did Roosevelt view Stalin and the Soviet Union?

  He was tolerant of them
• Who was the leader of the Soviet Union in 1941?

  Joseph Stalin
• Why did the Soviet Union join WWII?

  After Germany invaded the Soviet Union
• What were Stalin's policies in the 1930s focused on?

  Collectivisation and industrialisation
• How did the USA and Britain view Stalin's policies?

  They were very critical of them
• What was the Grand Alliance during WWII?

  • Alliance of USA, Soviet Union, and Britain
  • Formed to defeat Axis powers (Germany and Japan)
  • United despite ideological differences
• Why was the Grand Alliance called a 'marriage of convenience'?

  They were allies only to defeat Axis powers
• What were the 'superpowers' that replaced 'old powers' after WWII?

  USA and the Soviet Union
• When did the Grand Alliance meet in 1945?

  Twice
• What was the focus of the first meeting at Yalta?

  Post-war Europe and the United Nations
• What did Stalin agree to at the Yalta Conference?

  To allow free elections in Eastern Europe
• Who replaced Roosevelt and Churchill at the Potsdam Conference?

  Truman and Attlee
• How did the personalities of Truman and Attlee differ from their predecessors?

  They were less cooperative with Stalin
• What increased tensions at the Potsdam Conference?

  The knowledge of the US atomic bomb
• Why did Truman believe the atomic bomb would reduce tensions?

  It would prevent Communist expansion in Europe
• How did the atomic bombings affect Cold War tensions?

  They dramatically increased tensions between superpowers
• What was the first successful test of the Soviet atomic bomb?

  29 August 1949
• What were the official reasons for using atomic bombs on Japan?

  To end the war and save US lives
• What was the unofficial reason for the USA using atomic bombs?

  To scare the Soviet Union
• How did the peace conferences initially affect US-Soviet relations?

  They improved the bond between the two
• What did the USSR agree to at Yalta regarding Japan?

  To support the USA in the war with Japan
• What fear did the USA have after testing the atomic bomb?

  Fear of the USSR's military strength
• What did Stalin do to increase control over Eastern Europe?

  Stationed the Red Army in Eastern Europe
• How did the Potsdam Conference highlight distrust between the USA and USSR?

  Both sides doubted each other's agreements
• What were the main agreements made at the Potsdam Conference?

  • Truman mentioned the atomic bomb test
  • Stalin wanted harsher reparations for Germany
  • Truman aimed to protect the German economy
  • Stalin sought to maintain the Red Army in Eastern Europe
• What were the main agreements made at the Yalta Conference?

  • USSR declared war on Japan
  • USSR awarded half of $20 billion reparations
  • Agreement on free elections in Eastern Europe
  • Main states of USSR joined the United Nations
• What were the positive and negative impacts of the Yalta Conference?

  Positive impacts:

  • USSR declared war against Japan
  • USSR received reparations
  • Agreement on free elections

  
  

  Negative impacts:

  • Stalin wanted a pro-Communist Poland
  • Churchill supported non-Communist London Poles
• What was the purpose of the 'Iron Curtain' in the Cold War context?

  It represented the divide between East and West
• What were the main components of the Cold War tensions related to Soviet satellite states?

  • Stalin wanted a buffer zone for security
  • Free elections were promised at Yalta
  • Soviet control was established through intimidation
  • Truman's response included the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan