1.2 - The East & West divide

• Why did the Soviets become an enemy after World War II?

  Because Hitler was defeated
• What significant event did Churchill reference in his speech on March 5, 1946?

  The 'iron curtain' between East and West
• What was the situation of communism in Eastern Europe between 1945 and 1949?

  • East Germany: USSR controlled, democratic republic formed in 1949
  • Hungary: Rakosi executed opponents, gained control by 1948
  • Czechoslovakia: Communists banned other parties in 1948
  • Bulgaria: Left-wing coalition won, communists executed leaders
  • Yugoslavia: Tito applied independent communism
  • Poland: Non-communist leaders arrested by Stalin
  • Romania: Communists abolished monarchy in 1947
• What does the 'iron curtain' symbolize?

  The split between Capitalism and Communism
• What action did Truman take in March 1947 regarding Greece and Turkey?

  Sent $400 million in aid
• What was the impact of the Truman Doctrine?

  Prepared to aid countries threatened by Communism
• What did Truman believe caused the success of Communism?

  Poverty and hardship faced by people
• How much money did Europe owe the US after World War II?

  $11.5 billion
• What was the Marshall Plan aimed at addressing?

  Hunger, poverty, and desperation in Europe
• How much money did Congress initially refuse to grant for the Marshall Plan?

  $17 billion
• What was the final amount Congress agreed to send for the Marshall Plan?

  $14 billion
• What was the USSR's reaction to the Marshall Plan?

  Forbade Poland and Czechoslovakia from receiving aid
• What was Cominform established for?

  To coordinate communist parties in Europe
• What was the purpose of Comecon?

  To provide economic stability in Eastern Europe
• What was unique about Yugoslavia's relationship with Moscow?

  Tito had no loyalty to Stalin
• What happened to Yugoslavia in 1948?

  Expelled from Cominform for seeking Marshall aid
• What were the events surrounding the Berlin Blockade and Airlift?

  • Germany split into 4 zones post-WWII
  • Trizonia formed by USA, France, Britain in June 1948
  • Deutsche Mark introduced on June 20, 1948
  • Soviet blockade initiated on June 24, 1948
  • Allies launched Berlin airlift on June 26, 1948
  • Airlift lasted until May 12, 1949
  • 2.3 million pounds of supplies delivered
• Why did the Western allies choose an airlift over military action during the blockade?

  To avoid a sign of war through violence
• When was the German Democratic Republic created?

  October 1949
• When was NATO established?

  April 1949
• What was the purpose of NATO?

  To provide mutual defense against the Soviet Union
• What did the USSR create in 1955 in response to NATO?

  The Warsaw Pact
• What significant event occurred in 1949 regarding the USSR's military capabilities?

  Successfully tested its own nuclear bomb