History

End of WW2- why was their tensions between USA and USSR

End of WW2- why was their tensions between USA and USSR

Because they had competing ideologies, and the US was scared of communism. They also disagreed about how to rebuild Europe and their efforts to increase their own security.

Cold War Definition

Was an ideological conflict which involved no direct fighting, only tensions and proxy wars.

Identify and explain the ways in which the cold war was fought

Espionage: there was spying between countries creating an environment of distrust
Propaganda: was used to create the worst image of the other to win public opinion
Arms Race and space race
Loans and Aid: both provided loans and aid to newly less developed countries to try and win their support

Iron Curtain Speech

was given on March 5th 1946 by Winston Churchill in an American university
quote: ‘ an iron curtain has descended across the continent’
speech condemned soviet expansions and described the divisions of powers between the east and the west. Exemplified the need for a closer ‘special relationship’ between the US and Britain.

Purpose of Truman Doctrine

was a financial aid program available to any country that wanted to resist communism. The purpose was to contain communism and acted as a containment policy. Developed on March 12th, 1946.

Purpose of Marshall Plan

Purpose was to provide economic aid to countries to help them resist communism.

Describe the Berlin Blockade and Airlift

After WW2, Berlin was divided into 4 sectors controlled by the Allies and the USSR. In June 1948, the Soviets blocked all access into West Berlin with the aim of forcing the Western Allies out. In response the Allies launched the Berlin Airlift, in which they transported supplies into West Berlin over air. This was significant as it showed the power of the Allies, and showed how they were able to overcome an issue without resulting to violence, this therefore portrayed the Soviet Union negatively in the eyes of the public.

Construct a paragraph regarding the Berlin Wall

The Berlin wall created by the Soviet Union on August 13, 1961, was constructed to physically and ideologically separate East Berlin and West Berlin. It was a physical representation of the Iron Curtain, discussed by Winston Churchill. The wall was constructed so that those in East Berlin wouldn’t see the freedom and prosperity in West Berlin. It aimed to seal off East Berlin from West Berlin so that nobody could escape.

Red Scare Definition

a period of intense fear and hatred of communism and the fear that america would be infiltrated or invaded by communists, often leading to paranoia and hysterical accusations and behaviour

McCarthyism Definition

was a period in 1950s america marked by intense anti-communist suspicion and the widespread persecution of alleged communists, often without proper evidence

Why did McCarthyism Happen

Due to heightened gear of communist infiltration. US senator Joseph McCarthy made a statement saying that he has a list of alleged communists that had infiltrated the US government and other institutions, this increased existing fears of communist infiltration.

Discuss the role of HUAC

Was the House of Un-American Activities Committee established in 1938.  It was a committee that investigated allegations of communist activity in the U.S during the early years of the cold war. HUAC contributed to the fear, distrust and repression that existed during the anti-Communist hysteria already present. Its role was to find alleged communists and made them testify without solid proof.

How did the Yalta Conference contribute to tensions in the Cold War.

Germany would be divided into four zones, and Berlin would also be divided into 4 zones. Discussions about what would be done with Poland, and what would happen after WW1.

Contributed to cold war tensions as there were disagreements about the size of each zone and what country should get what zone. Additionally, discussions about Poland created tensions as Roosevelt and Churchill were wary that Stalin would turn Poland into a communist nation, hence sparking their worry and distrust between the USSR and the US, that would later we exemplified when Truman became president.

How did Potsdam conference contribute to cold war tensions.

Potsdam Conference: was when the US tested the first Atomic Bomb on the second day to scare the USSR. Truman was now the new president of the US and was more wary and aggressive towards Stalin. There were also arguments about how much money, Russia would get as reparations. It was agreed that they would get ¼ reparations from other zones as well as their own.

Truman was very anti-communist; this increased tensions between the US and the USSR as Truman was very harsh on Stalin. There were also increased tensions about who had the most power and military presence further creating an environment of competition between the two countries. This would also later contribute to the arms race of the Cold War.