Cold War

• The Tehran conference was held in 1943. It was the very first meeting the big three (Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill). The outcomes of this conference were that Stalin declared war on Japan and the USSR would join the USA to defeat the common enemy. It was also agreed that Germany should have unconditional surrender.
• The Yalta conference was the second conference and was held in February 1945. Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill met again. The outcomes were that Germany would be divided into four zones with the USA, the USSR, Britain and France each controlling a zone. Stalin also said he would allow East Germany free democratic elections. This was also the case for other Nazi controlled countries and it was called the Declaration on Liberated Europe
• The Potsdam conference was held in July 1945. Truman, Attlee and Stalin attended. The outcomes of this conference is that Berlin would be split up into four zones each controlled by one of the Allied powers. Truman was not willing to be easy on communism or Stalin as he was 'tired of babying the Soviets'
• In 1946, the Kennan Long Telegram was used. Kennan's Telegram explained that Stalin wanted the 'destruction of capitalism'. The soviets felt like other countries were trying to defeat communism, however Stalin recognised that Russia wasn't suicidal
• As a response to the Kennan Long Telegram, in 1946, the Iron Curtain speech was made by Churchill. He explained how he thought the Soviet Union was a threat to freedom and world peace. This speech was provoked by Hungary, Poland and other countries in the East setting up communist governments. "The iron curtain has descended across the continent"
• The Novikov Telegram was used in 1946. Novikov explained that the Soviets though equally poor of the West - there was distrust on both sides. The USA wanted to use their massive military power to dominate the world and since Roosevelt's death, the American's did not want to co-operate with the Soviet Union
• Satellite States were created in 1947-1949. A satellite state is a country that is politically and economically influenced by another more powerful country. The USSR and the USA both used satellite states to extend control and either communism or capitalism in different countries and keep nuclear weapons in order to prepare for a hypothetical war. The USSR had satellite states in Eastern Europe which served as buffers and allies allowing them to project power
• The Truman Doctrine was introduced in 1947. It stated that the US would give money to all countries who were impacted by the war. Truman used this as an opportunity to share the successes of capitalism and the weaknesses of communism. However, if they did accept the money, they would have to convert to a capitalist way of managing their country. The idea of containment was also introduced where Truman said communism had to be contained and it couldn't be spread
• The Marshall Plan happened in 1947. It was the follow through from the Truman Doctrine and it was where Truman actually gave money to other countries. He gave $3297 million to the UK; $2296 million to France and $468 million to Austria, on the exchange that they accept capitalism. This made Stalin very angry as they were interfering with communist influence
• Cominform was introduced in 1947 and it was a communist organisation that included countries like Hungary, Poland and Romania. This was Stalin's way of directing and controlling the government's of satellite states. It was forbidden for satellite states to contact and trade with non-communist countries. It rejected the Marshall Plan and spread propaganda accusing America of being to different to Nazi Germany
• The Berlin Blockade occurred in 1948. Stalin's purpose was to blockade West Berlin and force them to turn to Communism. It was also to show the USA that dividing Germany would not work. If the USA tried to break the blockade it could be seen as an act of war. West Berlin only had 36 days of food left and desperately needed more. To combat this, the USA sent in supplies via aircrafts, however this was risky as Stalin could've shot the planes down. This went on for a year and eventually Stalin gave up and the USSR looked very malicious
• Comecon was created in 1949 (two years after the Marshall Plan) to provide economic aid to communist countries to stop them becoming capitalist. He would not allow satellite states to accept Marshall Aid. Its members included Hungary, Bulgaria and Albania
• NATO was created in 1949 and it stand for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Western powers wanted to protect themselves from the Soviet Union and send Stalin a message about their determination to stand firm against communism. The members of NATO agreed that if any member was attacked, all members would provide military defence and support.
• In 1949, Germany was divided into West and East Germany. West Germany was called the Federal Republic of Germany while East Germany was called the German Democratic Republic.
• The Warsaw Pact was set up in 1955 by the USSR in retaliation of West Germany joining NATO. Some countries involved included Poland, Hungary and Romania and it's main purpose was to counter the influence of NATO. It was designed to be a military alliance and provide mutual assistance in the case of an attack on any member country