Increasing Cold War Tensions

When did the USSR successfully test its first atomic bomb?

1949

When did Communists win the Chinese Civil War?

1949

What two phrases described the US’ world position?

‘Leader of the free world’ and ‘World’s Policeman’

What movement was whipped by scaremongers like McCarthy?

The ‘Red Scare’

When did China form an alliance with the USSR?

1950

What US diplomat was investigated in 1948 and convicted in 1950 for lying about passing information to USSR?

Alger Hiss

What British spy did Macmillan investigate in 1955 and what spy ring was he part of?

Kim Phiby - Part of the Cambridge Five

What committee was responsible for investigating espionage?

The House Committee on Un-American Activities

Where did McCarthy make his speech to set out McCarthyism?

In West Virginia - February 1950

What were McCarthy’s main claims:

• The US State department had been infiltrated by communists

• A global communist plot threatened the USA

• Communists had also infiltrated the armed forces

• The Truman administration was soft on communism

• The Film industry was infiltrated by communism

• Truman’s negligence is what caused the ‘loss of China’

When was McCarthy eventually discredited?

In 1954

What foreign policy shift did McCarthyism cause?

A shift from Europe to Eastern Asia

What did McCarthy blame the Korean War on?

Trumans position regarding the Chinese civil war

What policy did the US adapt due to McCarthyism?

‘Asia first’

What did Britain think about these new American policies?

A lack of focus on Europe could destabilise Europe and so Britain increased military spending

When was the United Nations created?

October 1945

How many members did the UN have in 1950?

It had 60 members

Where was the UN headquarters?

In New York

The US’ dominance in the United Nations:

• She held massive influence over world trade.

• All western European countries were receiving Marshall Aid apart from Spain

• Decolonisation had not truly happened yet so US could still rely on the colonies of their European masters that backed US.

• China could not take seat in UN, as it was given to Taiwan

Who was in the UN’s security council?

Britain, France, USSR, USA, China.

How many times did the USSR use the veto power compared to Britain and USA?

75 times compared to 0 times

Who led the Chinese nationalists in Taiwan that was the china in the UN and supported by US?

Jiang Jeishi