1.3b: The Era of 'Peaceful Coexistence'

Give 3 causes of the era of ‘peaceful coexistence’

The cost of the nuclear arms race, the prospect of nuclear war, the Korean War

What were countries in Eastern Europe experiencing?

Shortages

Why did the USSR want to free up money?

To improve the living standards of people living in communist countries

What were both the USA and USSR doing before the era of peaceful coexistence?

Spending huge amounts of money on the nuclear arms race

Why did the USA and USSR want to improve relations?

To reduce the possibility of nuclear war

What happened in 1950?

Communist North Korea invaded South Korea (who was allied to the USA)

What did the Korean War make the USA and USSR realise?

How easy it was for them both to become involved in a conflict

Who became leader of the USA in 1953?

Eisenhower

Who died in 1953?

Stalin

Who became leader of the USSR in 1953?

Khrushchev

What did Khrushchev introduce?

A new policy of ‘de-Stalinisation’ and a policy of ‘peaceful coexistence’

What agreement was made in 1955?

To unite Austria and make it an independent country (it had been divided into 4 zones like Germany after WW2)

Which summit took place in 1955 and why was it significant?

Geneva Summit- first time the leaders of the USA and USSR met in 10 years

What were 2 consequences of the era of ‘peaceful coexistence’

Improved relations between the USA and USSR, continuing tensions between the USA and the USSR

Why did relations improve after the era of ‘peaceful coexistence’?

Both the USA and USSR showed their willingness to negotiate with each other in order to reduce the likelihood of a nuclear war

How long did the era of peaceful coexistence last for?

3 years

When was the era of peaceful coexistence?

1953-1956

Which 2 events showed that tensions continued after the era of ‘peaceful coexistence’?

The creation of the Warsaw Pact, the Hungarian Uprising

Why did the Hungarian Uprising show that tensions continued after the era of ‘peaceful coexistence’?

The USA condemned the Soviet response to the Hungarian Uprising in 1956