CW Development 1947-55

• What was the state of European countries after 1945?

  Many European countries were poor and struggling to rebuild after the destruction caused by the Second World War.
• Why were European countries vulnerable to communism after WWII?

  People wanted wealth to be redistributed and given to those in need.
• What did the UK announce in 1947 regarding Greece and Turkey?

  The UK announced that they could no longer support Greece and Turkey in their fight against communist rebels.
• What was President Truman's concern regarding Greece and Turkey?

  He did not want Greece and Turkey to become satellite states of the Soviet Union.
• What is the Truman Doctrine?

  The Truman Doctrine is the belief that countries could either become communist or democracies where they could prosper.
• How did Truman believe richer countries could resist communism?

  He believed that richer countries would find it easier to resist communism.
• What was the purpose of the Marshall Plan?

  The Marshall Plan was created to provide countries across Europe with economic aid.
• How did the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan affect the Soviet Union's perception of the USA?

  They angered the Soviet Union, as Stalin believed the USA was trying to spread capitalism and split Europe in two.
• What was the USA's policy shift after WWII?

  The USA abandoned its policy of isolationism and adopted a desire to contain communism in Eastern Europe.
• Why did the US help Greece and Turkey?

  Both countries were struggling to prevent a communist takeover of their governments.
• How much money did Truman announce would be sent to Greece and Turkey on March 12, 1947?

  $400 million.
• What was the outcome of US support in Greece by 1949?

  The communists in Greece had been defeated.
• What was the significance of the Truman Doctrine in terms of US foreign policy?

  It marked a new approach of the USA towards other countries, moving from isolationism to containment.
• How did the Truman Doctrine propose to influence countries?

  Truman hoped countries would choose democracy and reject communism.
• What was the relationship between the destruction of WWII and the rise of communism?

  Many people saw communism as a way to redistribute wealth and improve their lives after the destruction of WWII.
• What was the economic aid provided by the Marshall Plan?

  The Marshall Plan gave away $13 billion to 16 European countries in Western Europe.
• How was the money from the Marshall Plan distributed among countries?

  Money was distributed based on the population and pre-war economy of each country.
• What did Ernest Bevin describe the Marshall Plan as?

  He described it as a ‘lifeline to sinking men’.
• Why was the Marshall Plan offered to Eastern European satellite states?

  It was offered, but Truman knew that Stalin would not allow them to accept the money.
• How did the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan increase Cold War tensions?

  Stalin saw them as a threat to communism and believed the USA was undermining the role of the United Nations.
• What did Stalin call the Marshall Plan?

  He called it ‘dollar imperialism’.
• What was the impact of the Marshall Plan on the division of Europe?

  The Marshall Plan divided the West from the East, with satellite states supporting the Soviet Union and recipients supporting the USA.
• How did the creation of Cominform and Comecon relate to the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan?

  Stalin created these organizations to maintain control over communist countries in response to the perceived threat from the Marshall Plan.
• When was Cominform established?

  Cominform was established on 22nd September 1947.
• What was the purpose of Cominform?

  Cominform was established to ensure that members retained their communist governments and removed any opposition.
• What happened to Yugoslavia in relation to Cominform?

  Yugoslavia was removed from Cominform in 1948 after growing tensions with the Soviet Union.
• What was Comecon and when was it established?

  Comecon was established on 25th January 1949 to provide an alternative to the Marshall Plan and improve the economies of satellite states.
• How did Comecon affect Bulgaria's trade with other members?

  Bulgaria’s trade with other Comecon members increased from 10% in 1931 to 90% by 1951.
• What economic policies did Comecon encourage among its members?

  Members were encouraged to nationalize their industries and collectivize their agriculture.
• How did the creation of Cominform and Comecon increase tensions between the East and West?

  They unified the Soviet Union with Eastern European countries' economies and politics, causing further isolation from the West.
• What military alliance was created in 1949 in response to Cominform and Comecon?

  The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) was created in 1949.
• Why was NATO formed?

  NATO was formed in response to the growing tension between East and West following the end of the Second World War.
• What event was the tipping point that convinced Western powers to create NATO?

  The Berlin Crisis in 1948, followed by the communist takeover in Czechoslovakia.
• What was the promise of NATO regarding member defense?

  If one member was attacked, all members would defend it.
• How did NATO send a message to Stalin?

  NATO was created to counter the presence of the Red Army in Eastern Europe and show that the West was united and prepared for future war.
• What was the significance of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan in the context of the Cold War?

  They represented the USA's commitment to containing communism and supporting democratic nations in Europe.
• What role did General George Marshall play in the creation of the Marshall Plan?

  He recommended that the USA provide economic aid to European countries to prevent them from turning to communism.
• Which countries received aid from the Marshall Plan?

  16 European countries in Western Europe received aid from the Marshall Plan.
• What were the economic conditions in Europe that led to the implementation of the Marshall Plan?

  Many countries were poor and struggling to rebuild after the destruction of WWII.
• What were the long-term effects of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan on US-Soviet relations?

  They solidified the division between the capitalist West and communist East, increasing tensions during the Cold War.