Cold War

Who were the first 3 leaders?

Stalin = Soviet Russia

Churchill = UK

Roosevelt = USA

What was the first conference? When was it?

Tehran in 1943

Who attended it?

Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin

What were the key decisions?

• USA and Britain would launch a second front on Western Europe (Churchill wanted it in the Balkans)

• USSR would fight in Japan

• No formal agreements on what would happen after the war

• Positive relations

What was the second conference and when?

Yalta

February 1945

Who attended it?

Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt

What were the key decisions?

• Germany would be divided into 4 regions - US, FR, GB and USSR

• Germany to pay $20bn in reparations (1/2 going to the USSR)

• Nazi party banned and war criminals are prosecuted

• A UN would be set up (Stalin wanted all USSR nations to be separate in UN, only 3 would be)

• Eastern Europe to have free elections

• Positive relations

What was the third conference and when?

Potsdam, July 1945

Who attended it?

Stalin, Truman and Attlee

What were the key decisions?

• Germany AND Berlin to be split into 4 zones but ran economically as one

• Truman wanted to be tough on Stalin and show the power of the US with an atomic bomb

• Relations worsening

What is the Kennan Telegram?

A telegram sent from a US ambassador to Truman stating that the USSR are a threat that want to eliminate capitalism, they want to denounce the power of the US.

Kennan suggests the US should aim to defeat the USSR economically and without military conflict.

This heightens tensions.

What is the Novikov Telegram?

A telegram sent from a USSR ambassador to Stalin.

He shares the US wants to dominate the world and are a clear threat to Stalin, the US wants to create and maintain an empire through an economic and militant makeover than Stalin should prepare for.

Tensions are heightened.

What speech was given in March 1946?

The Iron Curtain Speech

What did the Truman Doctorine state and when was it?

1947

• He would provide $400mn in aid to Greece and Turkey alongside sending American Military to the region

• He said capitalism offered majority rule and freedom, whereas communism forced the rule of the minority upon the majority

• It was the beginning of a new approach for international relations, positioned the USA as the leader of the fight against communism

What did Stalin do in return?

Launched Cominform in 1947.

• Stalin directs and controls the governments of all Satellite states

• Ensuring that orders were only took from Moscow

• Encourages trading with other Communist countries, discourages trading with the West

What did the Marshall Plan do and when was it?

1948

• Providing economic aid to war-torn countries to prevent Communism ($12.7bn given in grants)

• Stalin believed it showed the US was trying to expand its influence across Europe

• Dollar imperialism : the USA was building an economic empire in Europe

What did Stalin do in return?

Launched Comecon in 1949

• To provide aid to the Satellite states

• Each state had a 5 year plan to nationalise industry

• Western trade is not allowed

What happened in January of 1947 regarding Germany and Berlin?

The USA and Berlin joined their regions to create Bizonia

How did this progress in 1948?

France joined to create Trizonia

What did Trizonia do in June 1948?

Launched a new currency called Deutschmark, undermining their previous agreement to run the economy as one

What did Stalin do as a response and when?

June 1948

Stalin shut all land routes across Soviet Controlled Germany to Western controlled Berlin.

He wanted to show the USA, GB & FR that a divided Germany would not work

What did the West do in response?

They flew food, coal and other necessities into Berlin.

Stalin could not stop this as it would present him as the oppressor.

Truman did this in response to his policy of containment

When did the blockade end?

9th May 1949, Stalin called off the blockade.

A victory for the West.

What happened to Trizonia in 1949?

The state become formal and known as the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG)

Stalin creates the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in response.

What was created in 1949 and what was it?

NATO

A military alliance for Western nations to protect against USSR

If any member is attacked, all members will come to the aid

What was created in response?

Warsaw Pact

Created when West Germany joined NATO

Formation of military alliance between Satellite states for protection

When Stalin died in 1953 he was replaced by…

Khrushchev

What happened at the first summit meeting in Geneva in July 1955?

Khrushchev and the West were able to compromise on how Austria would be governed, they did not reach an agreement on Germany nor the arms race

What were the main causes for the Hungarian Uprising?

When was it?

1956

• The rigged elections in Hungary led to a dictatorial rule

• Hungary became a member of Comecon and living standards decreased due to no trade with the West

• 1956 - the people of Hungary began to protest against the lack of freedoms and riots clashed with police

• Khruschev replaced the previous leader with Nagy

• Nagy allowed no-communist parties in government and released many political prisoners, he got Khrushchev to withdraw Soviet troops

What did Nagy announce on the 1st November 1956?

Hungary would leave the Warsaw Pact.

What did Khrushchev do in return?

• Sent over 1000 tanks and 200000 Soviet troops to Hungary

• Nagy encouraged the Hungarians to resist and fight against the Soviets

• Nagy asked the west for help - they didn’t help

• Over 20000 Hungarians killed

• Nagy and some protestors kidnapped, Nagy executed

The new president of the US became…

Eisenhower

What was the Refugee Crisis?

• Millions of people from the Eastern Bloc were leaving to the west through the border from East Berlin to West Berlin

• Many of those leaving are in skilled professions - the Brain Drain

• Harming GDR economy

What was the Berlin Ultimatum and when was it?

November 1958

• Khrushchev ordered the Western allies must leave Berlin within 6 months

• It needs to become a netural, free and demiliteralised city

What summit happened in May 1959 and what happened?

Geneva Summit

Proposals put forward for the future of Berlin, no formal agreement was made however Eisenhower invited Khrushchev to the US for more talks

What summit happened in Sep 1959 and what happened?

Eisenhower and Khrushchev met at Camp David

Soviets agree to withdraw the Berlin Ultimatum

They established better relations

What summit happened in May 1960 and what happened?

Paris

USSR announces it had shot a spy plane over Russia, the USA tried to claim it was a weather plane

Eisenhower refused to apologise for the spy misión

Khrushchev walked out of the meeting

Eisenhower was replaced by…

Kennedy

What happened as Kennedy came into power?

Disagreements between the two led to an increase in tensions, increased risk of Nuclear War

Made people in Communist states more nervous, people started leaving in larger numbers to the West through Berlin

What did Khrushchev do in response?

Ordered the building of a wall around the border of East Berlin, the wall was built at night on the 13th August

What were the immediate consequences of the Berlin Wall?

• Tensions decreased, specifically between border officers

• Propaganda against Communism accelerated - they had to trap people to keep them in Communism

• Families separated

What speech did Kennedy give in 1963?

Ich Bin Ein Berliner

He highlights the oppressive nature of the communist regime

He insults those in support of communism

The wall symbolises the corrupt and failing regime and lack of freedoms in Communism

What was happening in Cuba during this time (up to 1957)?

• US owned a lot of Cuba but did not benefit the people

• In 1957, Fidel overthrew the previous leader of Cuba and launched a socialist revolution

• Fidel wanted to nationalise industry and remove American influence

• Khrushchev offered economic partnership to Cuba

How did the USA response?

• The CIA developed a plan to remove Castro from power using the exiles who left when he ame into power

• They trained the exiles and sent them to Cuba to overthrow Cuba, they were to be given air support by the US

• Named La Brigada and made up of 1500 men

What happened during the invasion (Bay of Pigs)?

• Kennedy cancelled air support that would aid the exiles in the attack

• Cuba saw it as a full scale attack from, the USA and mobilised the whole army

• In under 72 hours all exiles were dead or captured

• Kennedy was humiliated and Castro survived

What were the consequences of the invasion?

• Castros positioned was strengthen as the USA lost support from the rest of LAM

• The USA were humiliated and embarrassed

• Cuba and the USSR became closer

What summit happened in June 1961 and what happened?

Khrushchev and Kennedy met for the first time.

Khrushchev reinstated the Berlin Ultimatum

Kennedy would increase defence spending and was concerned of Khrushchev but refused control of Berlin

No decisions made and strained relationship

Who replaced Khrushchev as leader of the USSR?

Brezhnev

Who became the leader of Czechoslovakia in 1968 and what did he do?

Dubcek

“Socialism with a human face”

• Censorship was relaxed and critics of the government allowed

• Trade unions given more power and government control of industry released

• Trade with West increased

• More power given to regional governments

• Greater freedoms to travel abroad

What were the reforms known as?

The Prague Springs

What happened following the reforms?

Dubcek met with Tito, an untrusted leader of Yugoslavia.

Brechznev saw this as Dubcek leaving the Warsaw Pact.

What did Brezhnev do in response?

From 20th - 21st August the USSR invaded Czech; fires, looting and barricades.

Dubcek and other leaders arrested and teaken to Moscow, new leader placed in power who reversed the reforms.

What was the Brezhnev Doctrine?

If any country is at risk of leaving monism, all countries in the Warsaw Pact must fight to keep it to Communist

What were the reasons both countries wanted Detene following the events of the 1960s?

USA =

• MAD was a threat

• Focus on issues within their own country

• Arms race was expensive

• Due to Truman Doctrine, USA was fighting in Vietnam

USSR =

• MAD was a threat

• Needed to focus on economy

• Arms race was expensive

• General poor standard of living

Who replaced Kennedy as president qt this time?

Nixon

How was the relationship between Brezhnev and Nixon in the 1970s?

Trying to improve relationships with regular meetings

What happened in 1975, symbolic of positive relations?

The space handshake

US and USSR astronauts met in space and shook hands

What was SALT 1 and when was it?

Strategic arms limitation talks in 1972

• Ended arms race and decreased any risk of nuclear war

• Limited amount of anti ballistic millsiles, inter continental ballistic misiles and LSBMs each country could have

• Basic principles agreement created to show what to do if tensions for war increase

What were the Helsinki Accords and when was it?

1975

Featured 3 baskets which the attendees would work toward:

• no1 SECURITY = borders cannot be altered by force

• no2 COOPERATION = continue to work for closer agreements between west and USSR, trade agreements and tech exchanges alongside a joint space mission

• no3 HUMAN RIGHTS = humans rights will be respected including free speech ands free religion and free movement across Europe

What was SALT 2 and when was it?

Strategic arms limitation talks 2, 1979

• Restrictions on misile bunkers and strategic bombers

• A ban on testing or developing new ICBMs

What was the issue with SALT2?

America refused to sign it as they needed to look powerful after US hostages were held in Iran.

Growing belief that USSR is untrustworthy as they support LAM

Heightened tensions over Afghanistan

Who replaced Nixon as president of the USA?

Carter

What were the causes of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?

1. In 1978 a pro communist government was in charge of Afghanistan led by Nur Taraki, who introduced radical reforms linked to Socialist policies . In 1979, Taraki was murdered by Amin who wanted to remove communism from Afghanistan and work closer with the US

2. A pro USA state at the border of the Soviet Union would make them vulnerable to attacks and influence

3. The USSR needed to secure their buffer zone and position within the Middle East

4. The USSR wanted to prevent Islamic fundamentalism reaching the USSR if other Muslim majority countries within the Union become inspired by Afghanistan

What happened during the invasion?

When was it?

25th December 1979

• USSR sends 50,000 soldiers to Afghanistan

• Amin is shot

• USA fund the Mujahideen (an Islamic group that opposed communism) to fight the Soviets by sending money and weapons

• War lasts until 1989, Soviets fail to take control

What were the main consequences of the invasion?

• The Carter Doctrine = any attempt made by the USSR to extend communism into the Persian gulf would be met with all necessary military force

• The failure of Salt2 as Cartee withdrew it from the senate and increased government spending on arms, restarting the arms race

• The USA led a boycott of the 1980 Soviet Olympics 9joined by over 60 countries), in return the USSR boycotted the 1984 LA Olympics (15 countries supported).

• Deaths of up to 2 million Afghans

Who replaced Carter as president?

Reagan

What was Reagans policy toward the USSR?

• Strictly anti communist

• Believed Deténe had been too soft on the USSR

• Wanted to defeat the union and prove their inferiority

• Increasing defence spending in case USSR tries to invade

What was the Reagan Doctrine?

The USA would support anti communist governments and anti communist groups trying to overthrow communist governments.

What was Reagan’s defence policy?

Increasing defence spending.

Building the SDI (Strategic Defence Initiative) which would short lasers and projectiles at oncoming missiles before they reach the USA

This would remove the protection of MAD

Who took over the USSR as leader? When?

Gorbachev, 1985

What were Gorbachevs 2 main policies?

Glasnost = increased openness and transparency for the Soviet Union, distrust of Soviet Union internationally would be removed and each person would have increased freedoms

Perestroika = reforming the government by introducing some private business to improve the economy, they are moving toward capitalist policies

What conference happened in 1985 and what occurred?

Geneva Conference

Gorbachev appointed a new foreign minister and met Reagan for the first time.

No formal agreements but a good relationship and mutual desire to improve communications established

What conference happened in 1986 and what occurred?

Reykjavik

Gorbachev worried about the threat of nuclear war after Chernobyl

He wanted to remove nuclear weapons if the USA gave up SDI, Reagan refused

No formal agreements made

What conference happened in 1987 and what occurred?

Washington

Gorbachev knew the US would not give up SDI so focused his approach on disarmament, improving relations and decreasing weapons spending .

The intermediate range nuclear force (INF) treaty was signed

All land based missiles with a range of 500-5500km would be abolished

Which doctrine did Gorbachev renounce? When?

Brezhnev doctrine in 1988

What does he promise regarding Afghanistan?

To end the war and remove all Soviet troops

What was the Sinatra doctrine and when was it?

1989

Members of the Warsaw Pact can make changes to laws/customs without the USSR approval

When did each Satellite state fall?

1. Hungary, May 1989 = fence bordering non communist Austria is taken down and free elections reinstated

2. Poland, June 1989 = Solidarity an anti communist party is legalised and wins the election

3. East Germany, Sep - Nov 1989 = Many East Germans leave through Hungary and eventually the East Berlin border is opened and the wall pulled down.

4. Czechoslovakia, Nov 1989 = Communist government overthrown and anti communist president elected

5. Bulgaria, Dec 1989 = communist leader resigns on national tv and free elections held

6. Romania, Dec 1989 = demonstrations against communist government lead to the leader being overthrown and executed

How did the Baltic states fall?

1. Lithuania = peaceful protests against communism increased until independence was declared in 1990. Gorbachev sends in the Red Army but is internationally condemned.

2. This leads to the other Baltic states declaring independice with international support.

How and when did the Berlin Wall fall?

9th November 1989

An incorrect announcement was made that travel would be allowed to West Berlin (meant only for day passes) thousands swarmed the border and climbed it or demolished it.

How did hard line communist reacts to Gorbachevs failure to maintain the USSR?

They staged a coup to try overthrow him alongside Boris Yeltsin which failed and Gorbachev remained in power.

What happened in September 1991?

The 12 remaining communist states join to form a common wealth of independent states

When did the Soviet Union officially end?

December 1991

Gorbachev resigned and Soviet Union is dissolved