Cold War and Contemporary Europe Overview AP REVIEW

Marshall Plan

Initiated by the U.S. in 1947, it donated 13 billion dollars (10% of U.S. budget) in economic aid to Western nations for rebuilding after WWII.

Soviet Union

An authoritarian communist state that emerged as a global superpower after WWII.

United States

A democratic capitalist state that emerged as a global superpower after WWII.

Cold War

A conflict between the U.S. and the Soviet Union due to differing political and economic world views.

Economic Recovery in Western Europe

Rapid recovery facilitated by the influx of American money, allowing European states to rebuild cities, roads, and bridges.

Post WWII Context

Europe faced disarray with destroyed populations and cities, leading to a temptation for communism and authoritarian leaders.

Fear of Communism

The U.S. was concerned that communism could spread through Western Europe and threaten democracy.

Western Europe

Region that received U.S. economic aid for recovery after WWII, as opposed to Eastern Europe where communism was already established.

Eastern Europe

Region where communism was already raging post-WWII, receiving aid from the USSR.

U.S. Involvement in Recovery

The U.S. got involved in Western Europe's economic recovery to prevent the spread of communism.

Germany Post WWII

Germany was split into West Germany and East Germany, with the U.S. aiding the Western half and the USSR aiding the Eastern half.

Industrialization

Kicked back up in Western Europe due to the materials purchased with American aid from the Marshall Plan.

Totalitarianism

A political system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and seeks to regulate every aspect of public and private life.

Authoritarian Leaders

Leaders who maintain strict control over the state and limit personal freedoms, often emerging in post-war contexts.

American Money Influx

The financial support provided by the U.S. through the Marshall Plan that enabled rapid rebuilding in Western Europe.

Political and Economic World Views

The differing ideologies of the U.S. (democracy and capitalism) and the Soviet Union (communism) that fueled the Cold War.

Rebuilding Europe

The process of recovery and reconstruction in Europe after the devastation of WWII, significantly aided by the Marshall Plan.

Communism

A political and economic ideology that advocates for a classless system in which the means of production are owned communally.

Western Nations

Countries in Western Europe that sought economic aid from the U.S. to rebuild after WWII.

Decimated Cities

Cities that were severely damaged or destroyed as a result of WWII, necessitating extensive rebuilding efforts.

Gainful Employment

A condition where individuals have jobs that provide adequate income and job security, often promised by communist ideologies.

Marshall Plan

Funds that flooded into West Germany, contributing to its economic miracle.

Consumerism

The idea that the wellbeing of a nation's economy is dependent on people buying consumer goods.

Cold War

A global conflict that emerged right after WWII, characterized by tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

Big Three Conferences

Meetings between Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and the U.S. to negotiate the post-war structure of Europe.

Self Determination

The principle that Eastern European nations would choose their leaders and governments through democratic elections.

United Nations

An international body created to replace the League of Nations, aimed at preventing conflicts like the Cold War.

Soviet Block

Eastern European nations absorbed by the Soviet Union, becoming communist and having economies that served Soviet interests.

Satellite States

Nations that were under the influence of the Soviet Union and adopted communist governments.

Post-war Germany

Divided into four occupation zones controlled by the Soviets, French, British, and U.S.

East Germany

The portion of Germany that became a communist state due to Soviet influence.

Containment Policy

The U.S. strategy aimed at preventing the spread of communism during the Cold War.

Truman Doctrine

A policy stating that any country threatened by communism should expect financial and military assistance from the U.S.

Greece Civil War

The testing ground for the Truman Doctrine, involving a conflict between communist and non-communist forces.

Iron Curtain

A term used by Winston Churchill to describe the division between democratic Europe and communist Europe.

Ideological Tension

The significant political and ideological conflict in Europe during the Cold War.

Western Europe

Regions aligned with the U.S. during the Cold War, advocating for a strong Germany.

Eastern Europe

Regions aligned with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, advocating for a weak Germany.

Stalin's Influence

The control exerted by Stalin over Eastern European nations, preventing their self-determination.

Temporary Occupation Zones

The initial arrangement of dividing Germany into four zones, which became permanent due to political tensions.

Financial Assistance

Support provided by the U.S. to countries threatened by communism as part of the Truman Doctrine.

Military Assistance

Support provided by the U.S. to countries under threat of communism, as outlined in the Truman Doctrine.

Economic Miracle

The rapid economic recovery of West Germany post-WWII, largely due to the Marshall Plan.

Distrust Between Nations

The growing suspicion and animosity between the U.S. and the Soviet Union following WWII.

Communist State

A government system where the state plans and controls the economy, and a single party holds power.

Anti-communist forces

Britain funded the anti-communists.

Communists

Soviets funded the communists.

Cold War

Two nations stood in direct tension with one another, and could go to war at any moment, but ultimately did not.

Propaganda

Western campaigns on television and radio allowed for US to spread ideas of freedom and democracy; Soviet Union responded with campaigns that emphasized the capitalistic greed of the West and racial tension in the US.

Covert Actions

Spying in Western States - CIA for United States, Secret Intelligence Service for UK, KGB for the Soviets.

Arms Race

U.S. had used first nuclear bomb in WWII (didn't tell Soviet Union); Soviets developed same technology; Truman ordered Hydrogen Bomb development; Soviets did the same in response.

Mutual Assured Destruction

It was very unlikely either superpower would deploy these bombs against one another; if they did it would guarantee mutual assured destruction.

Proxy Wars

Larger powers support opposing sides of a smaller war, indirectly fighting each other.

Korean War

Soviets occupied the North part of Korea, U.S. occupied the South after WWII; in 1949, both withdrew, North Korea becoming communist and South Korea was more democratic; 1950: Communist North invaded the South and the U.S. and Soviets immediately got involved with money and troops; War ended with same conclusion (sides and governments divided).

Vietnam War

Vietnam also divided to North and South after WWII; Countries funding their sides.

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

1979: Anti-communist government trying to overthrow communist government there; Soviet Union invaded to support the communist; U.S. sent supplies to those attempting to overthrow the government; Soviet Union withdrew in 1989.

Western Economics and Politics

What was going on with Western policy and ideas during the 20th century?

NATO

A military defense pact that many Western European nations signed with the U.S. to respond collectively if one state was attacked.

World Bank

Established in 1944 to provide loans to countries that needed to rebuild after the war and prevent another Great Depression.

IMF

International Monetary Fund, an organization that aims to promote global economic stability and growth.

World Trade Organization

An organization that generates and enforces rules governing international trade and reduces tariffs for freer trade.

Soviet Bloc

Countries in Eastern Europe that fell under military, political, and economic domination of the USSR.

ComEcon

An economic organization that made communist states dependent on the Soviet Union, countering the Marshall Plan.

Warsaw Pact

A military alliance between Soviet satellite states that countered NATO.

Planned Economy

An economic model where the output of satellite states was planned by a committee within the USSR, benefiting the Soviet Union.

Five Year Plans

Plans aimed at rapid industrialization of the Soviet Union, resulting in economic flourishing but at a heavy cost to society.

Ukrainian Famine

A result of collectivization policies where 5 million people died of starvation due to blacklisting by the Soviet food distribution.

Social Welfare Benefits

Benefits extended by the USSR to citizens, including housing and healthcare, but poorly implemented.

Education in USSR

Extended to children with heavy communist themes in the lessons.

Civil Liberties

Systematically removed from the population by the USSR, which also introduced a secret police to find enemies of the state.

Immigration Restrictions

Severely limited movement from the USSR and Bloc States to the West, exemplified by the Berlin Wall.

Stalinization

The process of implementing strict communist policies in the USSR and its satellite states until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

De-Stalinization

The process initiated by Khrushchev to ease Soviet influence, allowing artists more freedom and releasing political prisoners.

Khrushchev's Reforms

Included scaling back the secret police and improving working freedoms.

Khruschev's Policies

More civil liberties and free trade would be tolerated and implemented.

Soviet Economic Recession

The Soviet economy entered a severe recession from 1953-1964.

Hungarian Revolution (1956)

Imre Nagy demanded Hungary have free elections without any Soviet influence.

Warsaw Pact

A military alliance that tied states to the Soviet Union.

Invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968)

Troops were sent to crush communist reformers wanting changes against Soviet oppression.

1989 Revolutions

Resulted from Gorbachev being named leader, leading to non-intervention in communist governments.

Gorbachev's Policies

Introduced glasnost and perestroika, leading to more openness and limited free market economies.

Collapse of Soviet Union

Resulted from the introduction of glasnost and perestroika.

Chechen Nationalist Movement

Began with Chechen Muslims declaring independence after the Soviet Union fell in 1991.

Conflict in Chechnya

Led to deadly conflict between Russia and Chechens with 100,000 killed.

Ireland Nationalist Movement

Conflict between Protestants and Catholics, with Catholics not given the same rights.

Good Friday Agreement (1998)

Provided more sovereignty to Northern Ireland.

Basque Separatist Movement

Basque wanted political independence from Spain.

ETA

A violent terrorist group involved in the Basque Separatist Movement.

Flemish Separatist Movement

A movement in Belgium where the Flemish North sought to be annexed by the Netherlands or become their own country.

Ethnic Cleansing

Systematically killing members of an unwanted ethnic group.

Bosnia Herzegovina

A region that was part of Yugoslavia, declared independence after Tito's death, with Muslims as the ethnic majority.

Marshall Plan

A U.S. initiative to aid Western Europe economically after WWII to prevent another Great Depression.

Post-war prosperity

Economic growth and stability in Europe following WWII, characterized by strong political and economic decisions.

Welfare State

A government system that offers programs to help the people, becoming prevalent in many European nations after WWII.

Bismarck's Welfare State Origins

Introduced the concept of Welfare States by offering insurance for the injured and old age pensions.

Keynesian Economics

An economic theory advocating for government intervention to manage economic cycles and promote growth.

Ethnic Majority

A demographic group that constitutes a larger percentage of the population in a given region.

Yugoslavia

A former country in Southeast Europe that was composed of several semi-autonomous republics under Tito's rule.

Treaty of Versailles

A peace treaty that ended World War I and redrew borders in Europe, often ignoring ethnic group conflicts.

Milosovich

The ruler who sent Serbian troops to cleanse Muslims in Bosnia Herzegovina during the ethnic conflict.