The Origins of the Cold War

• How did the Grant Alliance coordinate during the Second World War to defeat Nazi Germany?

  Through military efforts, shared intelligence and material support. The US sent troops, equipment and supplies (as due to containment they'd avoided devastation- helping them to emerge as a superpower)
• How did the USSR emerge as a superpower?

  As a result of it's growing power over Eastern Europe creating satellite states
• What did becoming an industrial nation mean for the USSR?

  Large armed forces, vast reserves of raw materials like coal, iron and oil
• How did the USSR become industrialized?

  During Stalin's Five Year Plan in 1928
• What were the reasons for mutual distrust the East and West?

  -Lenin called for the overthrow of capitalism globally

  -Propaganda: the "Red Scare" (during 1919-1920) in America lead to lots of panic and arrests; fear around recent immigrants who embraced communism, socialism and anarchy

  -Russian Civil War, 1917, Western troops fought with the whites

  -Nazi-Soviet Pact, 1939, the West didn't trust the USSR

  -Stalin was brutal and ruthless, so there was distrust in his gov

  -Communism was thought to exploit workers to make the rich richer; capitalism was thought to enslave people to the state
• What event pushed Britain, the US and Soviet Union to work together (as the Grand Alliance) against Nazi Germany in 1941?

  Operation Barbarossa
• What were some key details about the Russian Revolution, 1917?

  Prior to it, the Russia was ruled by Tsar Nicholas II. Most Russians lived in poverty meanwhile the Tsar lived a life of luxury. So after learning about Karl Max's ideas a growing number of people called for a Revolution.

  Then in October 1917, a group of communists called the Bolsheviks (the Reds) attempted to seize power against the Whites. Not wanting communism to succeed the West sent troops in support of the Whites.

  The Bolshevik's won, and under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin the first communist state emerged.
• Why were the West against the Bolsheviks?

  They were known to use brutal methods- for example banning other political parties and the Cheka (secret police) arrested Lenin's opponents to consolidate his power
• When was the Yalta conference?

  Feburary 1945
• What did the Yalta conference establish?

  -Mainly focused on the future of Nazi Germany: Nazi war criminals were trialed, Germany was to be demilitarised, forced to pay retributions (Stalin argued $20 billion as he wanted to weaken Germany further) and reduced and split up.

  -The superpowers also agreed on the Declaration of a liberated Europe, in order to help the countries that had previously been under German rule. (they were allowed to create their own democratic government. To compromise with the USSR, it was agreed that Poland would exist in a "soviet sphere of influence"
• The Yalta conference mainly focused on Nazi Germany, where Nazi war criminals were trialed; Germany was demilitarised, forced to pay $20 billion in retributions (half of which would be given to the Soviet Union); and was reduced and split up

  
  

  It also set up the UN in June 1945, to prevent any future conflicts.
• The superpowers agreed on the Declaration of a liberated Europe to help the countries that had previously been under German rule.
• Who were the leaders at the Yalta conference, February 1945?

  1. Churchill - was determined to look after British interests, and become closer to the USA, and limit Soviet expansion. He got on fairly well with Stalin, but still didn't want to compromise too much. Wanted Poland to choose their government
  2. Roosevelt - was committed to working with the USSR (as to prevent war) to rebuild Europe (on American capitalist principles)
  3. Stalin - was determined to prevent another War from ever happening (as the War had already caused lots of devastation, death and destruction).
• Many of Stalin's ministers and advisors were distrustful of the USA and Britain, but Stalin recognised the need for cooperation. (even though he believed the West wanted to destroy communism)
• What was agreed on regarding the division of Germany?

  The division of Germany was outlined during the Yalta conference and agreed upon in the Potsdam Conference in 1945, where it was divided into four occupation zones controlled by the United States, Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and France.
• Churchill was replaced with Clement Attlee in 1945, and Harry Truman replaced Roosevelt after his death in April 1945.

  This was a problem as Roosevelt had been previously been the key figure in holding the Alliance together by being the last original member (apart from Stalin who was the only person to attend both Yalta and Potsdam); and Truman was reluctant to negotiate with the USSR.

  During the Potsdam conference, Stalin was also distrustful of Truman who demanded many things. Truman had little experience with foreign affairs and hadn't played any role in the negotiations at Yalta
• When was the Potsdam conference?

  July 1945
• What were the Key agreements at the Potsdam Conference?

  1. Division of Germany into four occupation zones.
  2. Reparations from Germany to the Allies.
  3. Poland was to loose territory in the East to the USSR
  4. Establishment of the Council of Foreign Ministers
• What were the Key agreements at the Potsdam Conference?

  1.Division of Germany (and Berlin) into four occupation zones.

  2. Reparations from Germany to the Allies. (the USSR were to rebuild itself with this money)

  3. Truman and Attlee- wanted to rebuild a democratic and capitalist Germany as an independent and stable European partner.

  4. Establishment of the Council of Foreign Ministers to organise the rebuilding of Europe

  5. The Nazi party were banned and war criminals were to be prosecuted.

  USSR- had an upper hand in negotiations as the Red army was occupying most of Eastern Europe
• During the Potsdam Conference, Harry Truman believed America had the upper hand because of the Atomic Bomb. He used it as a bargaining chip, and had tested it prior to the conference without consulting Stalin: which angered him.
• What were the impacts of the atomic bomb, August 1945?

  It instantly ended the war, but created more distrust and tension between the US and USSR. Japan's surrender removed the need for Soviet troops- meaning the Grand Alliance ended. Although Stalin had been informed by his spies of the bomb's existance, Truman never informed him officially.

  Stalin's response: he moved to secure the USSR through a "buffer" of communist states in Eastern Europe
• When did Russia create their atomic bomb?

  1949
• How was Russia able to effectively control most of Eastern Europe?

  1.The Red Army occupied land they'd taken from the Nazi's (Poland, Hungary and Yugoslavia)

  2. Communism was popular after the horrors of Nazi occupation and was seen as the better option after War exhaustion

  3. The soviets rigged elections and arrested and executed political opponents in other countries
• What was the Long Telegram?

  An 8000 word secret report from George Kennan, Feburary 1946, claiming that the USSR saw capitalism as a threat to be destroyed. He also believed that the Soviets wanted to spread the USSR's influence as widely as possible

  This confirmed Truman's fears: Kennan had stated that the USSR was building its military power as they believed peace with the USA was not possible, and any co-operation would fail.

  
  

  Kennan believed the USSR would back down when faced with military forces (key in how the USA responded)
• When was the "Iron Curtain" speech given? (and by who?)

  March 1946, by Churchill
• What was the "Iron Curtain" speech?

  Churchill described the division of Europe (East and West), and believed the USSR was attempting to spread its influence across the rest of Europe and increase its power.

  Truman was at Churchill's side when he made the speech, and respected and respected and shared Churchill's view.

  (The Red Army's occupation in Eastern Europe was seen as further division)

  
  

  He saw the USSR as a threat to world peace and freedom; Stalin saw the speech as an unfair attack.
• When was Novikov's telegram?

  September 1946
• What was Novikov's telegram?

  Novikov, the Soviet ambassador to the USA, told Stalin that the USA wanted world domination and was building its military strength. He also claimed the USA was preparing its people for war with the USSR
• What were the problems with the Long Telegram and Novikov's telegram?

  The USSR and USA's distrust evolved into hostility as they were viewed as more dire threats.

  
  

  The USA saw the USSR as a threat to its economic interests in Europe.

  The USSR believed the USA wanted to use their massive military and economic power to dominate the world (threat of a Nuclear War). Novikov believed he was unable to negotiate with the USA (Truman) after Roosevelt's death. So he encouraged Stalin to work towards a buffer zone as protection.
• When was the Truman Doctrine?

  1947
• What was the Truman Doctrine?

  Truman outlined his beliefs about the threats opposed by communism, and his determinations to stop it. He believed it was bad as it meant people couldn't be free; so introduced "containment" (stopping the spread of communism).

  Communism was seen as spreading like a "disease", due to the Domino Theory.

  Truman stated the USA would provide money and troops (if necessary) to help free governments to combat communist takeovers.
• What was the Soviet Response to the Truman Doctrine?

  The formation of Cominform: an organisation to unite all communist countries behind the Iron Curtain.

  Stalin saw the Truman Doctrine as a direct threat to communism
• The West saw the formation of Cominform as a further indication of the Soviet Union's commitment to spreading communism and exerting control over the international communist movement.

  It highlighted fears of Soviet influence and expansion, contributing to growing tensions.
• What were examples of America trying to exert its "containment" policy?

  Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, Korean War, Vietnam War
• At the Yalta Conference, it had been agreed that Britain would have influence in Greece- and they had been helping the Royalist government fight the Communists there. (They had sent 40,000 troops)

  However, Britain was eventually unable to afford it due to their damaged economy and War exhaustion: so America chimed in. This was a turning point in the US foreign policy as they gave financial aid ($400 million)
• What was the problem with America helping Britain fight communist in Greece?

  It enraged communists as they thought America was being selective and breaking their policy to directly oppose communism
• What was the Marshall Plan, 1947?

  An economic aid program- $13 billion of aid from the USA to help rebuild, stablise and unify Europe.

  Communism appealed to the poor, so the USA hoped the Marshall Plan would stop the spread by making the capitalist system provide for the people instead.

  Countries also had to trade with the USA to get the money- boosting the US economy, and creating Allies (16 Western European countries took the money, including Britain, France and West Germany). In total, $13.15 billion was given.

  
  

  Was an attempt to back up the containment policy.
• What was the Soviet Response to the Marshall Plan?

  They criticised it as an attack because it threatened communist control in Eastern Europe

  
  

  Stalin created Comecon in 1949. He accused the USA as using the Marshall Plan to dominate Europe and boost the US economy: and saw it as an example of "dollar imperialism". Although the Soviet Union's economy was still weak: Stalin prevented Eastern European countries from accepting any aid.
• What were the key points of Comecon?

  1.Economic cooperation, trade, and coordination among socialist countries.

  2.It prevented Comecon countries from accepting aid from the Marshall Plan

  3. It attempted to provide support and economic stability to Eastern Europe (countries were to share knowledge and resources)
• The Marshall Plan was considered a success as it allowed devastated countries to rebuild their economies, and the USA was able to maintain its economic power through trade.

  It also united the countries that accepted aid, and demonstrated the USA's long term involvement in Europe.

  
  

  However, the division of the East and West was even more firmly established after Stalin forbade the countries behind the Iron Curtain from accepting help.