Topic 1.1 - The origins of the cold war, 1941 - 58

What was the Cold War?

When the US and USSR got locked in a struggle which lasted 45 years

What was USSR ideology?

It was a one party state, no free elections, state owned industry and agriculture. Seen as a communist state.

What was the ideology of the US?

Democratic and capitalist industry, agriculture privately owned, run for profit, seen as capatalist

Stalins suspicions of the West

Stalin did not trust the west. Stalin believed they had wanted to destroy communism.

What was the grand alliance?

Established by the USSR,US and Britain. Called the Big 3

What leaders were present at the Yalta Confrence (February 1945)

Stalin(USSR)

Roosevelt(USA)

Churchill(Britain)

Agreements at the Yalta Confrence

• Stalin agreed to join the war against Japan

• Germany to be divided into 4 (Br,Fr,USA,USSR)

• Berline to also be divided into 4, as Germany

Disagreements of the Yalta Confrence

• Dispute over Poland : Stalin wanted a ‘friendly government’ but the West demanded free elections

Who were the leaders presented at the Potsdam Confrence (July 1945)

Stalin (USSR)

Truman (USA)

Attlee (Britain)

Agreements at the Potsdam Confrence

• USSR to gain eastern Poland and Poland to be compensated with some German territory

• Nazi party to be banned and Nazi war criminals to be put on trial

Disagreements at the Potsdam Confrence

• Stalin demanded harsh reparations from Germany for the USSR - rejected by Truman and Attlee

• Stalin denied a naval base in the Mediterranean

When was the first atom bomb tested?

16th August - the USA successfully tested their first A bomb

What was stalins opinion on the first atom bomb?

He became even more suspicious of the west and encouraged to begin the arms race

What was the arms race?

It was when USA and USSR went against each other to make nuclear bombs

When did the first hydrogen bomb get tested?

1952 the USSR exploded its own H bomb

What was the secret telegrams?

Both countries had secret reports from their embassies for information on the other leader and their plans. The reports were sent as telegrams.

What was ‘The Long Telegram’?

Truhman received a worrying telegram from Kennan

It was reported that :

• Stalin had given a speech calling for destruction of capitalism

• America could have NO peace with Russia

• Russia was building military power

What was the ‘Novikov Telegram’?

Stalin recieved a worrying telegram from Novikov

It was reported that:

• America desired to dominate the world

• American government was no longer in co-operation with the USSR

• American public were being prepared for war with the USSR

Why did Stalin create Satellite States?

So the USSR could strengthen its control over Eastern Europe

How did Stalin create the Satellite states?

• Rigged elections

• Violence

• Intimidation and other methods were used to gain control

Who did Stalin gain control of through the Satillite States?

Countries such as:

• Bulgaria

• Hungary

• Poland

• Romania

What was the Satallite States?

By 1947, all Eastern European states apart from Czechoslovakia had communist governments

What did the USSR say about there actions after the creation of the satellite states?

The USSR justified its actions:

• Created a buffer zone against the West

• Created a sphere of influence

• That there measures were defensive

What did the USA say about after the creation of the satillite states?

The USA claimed:

• USSR had siezed control of Eastern Europe and rejected free elections as agreed at Yalta

• USSR was determined to extend its influence into Western Europe

• Claimed they were aggressive and a threat to the West