STUDY WPU

Cold War aftermath

Revived hopes for colonial self-government and shaped global politics.

Tehran Conference (1943)

Conference where Soviets freed Eastern Europe and Allies shifted Polish territory.

Yalta Conference (Feb 1945)

Roosevelt pushed for free elections while Stalin demanded Eastern European influence.

Potsdam Conference (July 1945)

Conference where Truman demanded free elections, but Stalin refused, leading to Soviet control.

U.S. Economic System

Characterized by capitalism, democracy, and free elections.

Soviet Economic System

Defined by communism, government-controlled economy, and authoritarian rule.

Containment Policy (1947)

U.S. strategy aimed at stopping the expansion of communism.

Truman Doctrine (1947)

Policy providing military and economic aid to nations resisting communism.

Marshall Plan (1947)

$12 billion aid to rebuild European economies and prevent communism.

COMECON (1949)

Soviet response for economic control over Eastern Europe.

Atomic bomb (1945)

U.S. nuclear advantage; USSR developed its own by 1949.

Hydrogen bomb (1950s)

Escalation of the arms race between the U.S. and the USSR.

Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD)

Cold War doctrine where both sides avoided direct war due to nuclear fear.

Colonial Empires collapse

Post-WWII decline of European colonial powers due to anti-colonial movements.

Non-Aligned Movement (1961)

Group of nations seeking neutrality in the Cold War, including India and Egypt.

Key leaders of Non-Aligned Movement

Prominent figures included Nehru, Nkrumah, Nasser, and Sukarno.

Economic aid to Greece & Turkey

Provided under the Truman Doctrine to resist communist threats.

Soviet control over Eastern Europe

Result of Stalin's refusal for free elections at Potsdam.

Superpower backing for independence movements

Cold War influence that supported decolonization efforts.

Impact of WWII on colonialism

Weakened European powers led to increased anti-colonial action.

Shift in global politics post-WWII

U.S.-Soviet rivalry became central to shaping international relations.