History unit 1

• Russia (USSR) was depicted as evil and oppressive by USA


  USA was perceived in similar way by Russia
• This 'friendship' during WW 2


  Was due to a mutual enemy- Nazi Germany
• When WW 2 ended


  These foes reverted to their pre-war attitudes, where tensions were increased due to their ideologies
• Europe was different when the war started
• Allies (Britain, France & USA) had a fallout with Stalin (represented Russia)


  Leading to tensions between war leaders- was evident in meetings held during war
• Conferences were held at Casablanca, Yalta & Potsdam- purpose was to decide how the world be organised after the war
• Key issue at Yalta conference

  How nations under Nazi control are to be treated
• Allies saw that Stalin's idea of democratic government differed from theirs
• He said it should be controlled by Moscow & wanted to take over German-controlled nations and sent his army to occupy them

  
• Nations occupied by Russia

  • Austria
  • Czechoslovakia
  • Poland
  • Serbia
  • Belgium
• Red Army


  • Army and air force of Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
  • Communist army made up of peasants and workers
  • Red is associated with communism
  • Red flag symbolised courage, toughness & revolutionary political views
  • Well-equipped and led (used to victory)
• Red army and Russia controlled most of Eastern Europe when Germany surrendered

  
• After Roosevelt died


  Harry Truman became president of USA
• Harry Truman


  Was not sympathetic towards Russia
• Harry Truman


  Was president of a country of a new weapon- atomic bomb- nuclear weapon of mass destruction
• Potsdam Conference in July 1945- August 1945: Held in Potsdam, Germany to negotiate terms for end of WW 2
• Potsdam Conference failed to confirm promise made in Yalta (free and independent elections in Eastern Europe)
• Potsdam Conference also failed to establish a new border between Poland and Germany
• Stalin learned about USA's atomic bomb- not much though
• Bombs were used on Hiroshima 06/08/1945; Nagasaki 09/08/1945- Stalin realised that Russia was behind USA

  
• End of 1945- Cold War seeds had been sown


  America and Russia were no longer linked by a common enemy
• Russia had weapons (not nuclear) and power
• America had atomic bombs to use against Russia
• After WW 2: Europe was in decline
• After WW 2: Power was shared between USSR and USA- each wanting to dominate the other, leading to conflict
• Before WW 2: Soviet Union slowly extended its influence into Europe
• 1944- Red Army had liberated (freed) & controlled large part of Eastern Europe
• 1945- at Yalta Conference, Soviet Union obtained Curzon Line (border between Poland and SU) and gained control over eastern zone of Germany

  
• 1945 (May)- WW 2 was drawing to a close
• Soviet Union consolidated its control over Eastern Europe
• Red Army began influencing post-war elections- intimidated voters and changed voting lists as they desired
• Non-communists still gained votes, with majority going to the communists
• Communists dominated coalition governments formed after WW 2
• Two key ministries- defence and military were always under communist control
• Stalin was unsatisfied with communist control over Eastern Europe & encouraged communists to take part in post-war elections in Western Europe
• 1946- French and Italian communists became most powerful parties
• 1945 (May)- this situation changed


  Truman became president and had a strong policy of resistance against Russian expansion
• 1947- conflict intensified after Truman declared Truman Doctrine & launched Marshall Plan
• Economic and military aid provided to Greece and Turkey to ensure communists in these countries were defeated…hostility increases between USA & USSR
• Tensions between Soviet Union and USA increased