CHAP 2; Early Developments

How were Soviet satellite states in Eastern Europe formed by the USSR?

• Many were conquered & occupied by the Soviet Red Army; communist governments set up with little actual independence from the USSR

• Czechoslovakia had an attempt to restore democracy — Stalin saw this as a threat so the president was overthrown & a communist government set up

• The Soviets promised the Poles to help against German occupation. Instead, they waited until the uprising was crushed & invaded them to set up a pro-communist government

• A campaign supported by Moscow threatened voters in Hungarian elections. Hungary later became a one-party communist state

• Countries that the Soviets took control of had ‘free’ elections that in reality had intimidation & threats

Who was the USA’s ambassador & how did he present Soviet attitudes?

GEORGE KENNAN; THE LONG TELEGRAM

• Stalin wants to see the destruction of capitalism & feels the world outside the Soviet Union is unfriendly and looking to destroy communism

• However- not self-destructive. Would soften its position if faced with strong resistance

How did the Long Telegram affect American policy towards the Soviets?

The government agreed with what Kennan said. They believed there should be a “containment” policy to stop communism spreading

Who was the Soviet ambassador and how did he present US attitudes?

NIKOLAI NOVIKOV

• The USA wants to use its military power for world domination

• Since Roosevelt’s death the USA no longer wanted to cooperate & the American people would support the government if this led to a war

How did Nikolai Novikov’s telegram impact Soviet actions?

They now believe it’s vital to develop as much protection in Eastern Europe as possible. Stalin is now further encouraged to take control of bordering countries

When was Winston Churchill’s key speech & what did he express?

THE IRON CURTAIN SPEECH; 1946

• The USSR is a threat to world peace

he chose to make this speech due to the communist governments recently set up in multiple Eastern countries

What was the impact of the Iron Curtain speech?

• Churchill was speaking in the USA; Stalin thought he was also reflecting American beliefs

• Increased tension

• The Soviet Union strengthened its security & increase the Anti-Western propaganda campaign

^ Overall; made the East-West hostility worse

When & what was the Truman Doctrine?

—> Post-WW2, Britain was practically bankrupt; couldn’t use its wealth to make communism look less attractive in Europe or help Greece’s civil war

• Truman delivers a speech to Congress to announce economic aid and military personnel sent to Greece & Turkey

• Truman also makes a clear statement; his perceived difference between democracy & communism and how they are alternative ways of life each nation must choose.

—> Democracy offers majority rule & freedom from oppression

—> Communism enforces the will of the minority upon the majority

• Choosing democracy over communism is like good over evil; communism shouldn’t be allowed to grow & the USA was prepared to help countries trying to resist it

What did the Truman Doctrine change within the American approach to international relations?

ISOLATIONISM —> CONTAINMENT

• The USA previously kept itself apart from foreign affairs, but now turned to becoming the leader of the fight against communism

What was the Marshall Plan?

—> result of the Truman Doctrine\

• The USA provided over 10 billion of aid to Western European countries, over ¼ given to Britain

Economic impact/effect of the Marshall Plan

• WESTERN EUROPE; Enormous positive impact

• EASTERN EUROPE: did not benefit— to accept the aid countries would first have to have their finances reviewed, which Stalin would not allow

What was the Soviet idea of “Dollar Imperialism” & where did it come from?

—> After the Marshall Plan, Stalin’s views were;

• The USA was trying to extend it’s influence into Europe & become the world protector

• The Marshall Plan was a way of using the USA’s wealth to split Europe in 2 and establish an economic empire; dollar imperialism

How did the Truman Doctrine + Marshall Plan impact international relations?

FROM 1947;

• Any remains of the Grand Alliance was gone; the USA had set itself up in direct opposition to the USSR and invited other nations to join

• Stalin’s suspicion was strengthened; he now had evidence of the USA’s plot to destroy the Soviet Union

• Europe divided into 2 economic/political camps; the Marshall Plan tied Western Countries into supporting the USA while Stalin rejected it

How did Stalin respond to the Marshall Plan?

COMINFORM 1947

• Association of the European communist parties

• Gave Stalin a way to control the satellite state governments

• Spread propaganda and accused America of being just like Nazi Germany

• Ensured the loyalty of Eastern European governments

COMECON 1949

• Communist aid alternative to the Marshall Plan & in direct competition

• Discouraged trade with the West

The union of Western German zones & its effects

The British, Americans and French combined their separate zones into “Trizonia”. A new currency in Trizonia created a separate economic unit & solidified that there was 2 different Germanys - East and West. The Soviets were furious

Stalin saw this as another example of the West “ganging up” on the Soviets and they were going to develop Trizonia to force the Soviet zone into poverty. He’s now even more determined to stand firm & protect Soviet interests in Germany

When & what was the Berlin Blockade?

June 1948

Stalin shuts off the land routes in Soviet Germany into Berlin to show the USA, Britain and France that a divided Germany wouldn’t work

Potential territorial & propaganda win for the Soviets. Truman had to act as he had just spoken about defending the world from communism

When & what was the Berlin airlift?

26 June 1948

• Essential supplies flown into Berlin from Allied zones along the air corridors.

• Thousands of tonnes sent into Berlin monthly

Effects of the Berlin Airlift

May 1949; Soviets lift the blockade

success for the West; the East did not get their propaganda win. The West responded peacefully to what now seemed like a foolish & aggressive act by Stalin

The creation of East and West Germany

Soon after the blockade the Allies joined their zones into an official state, setting up a democracy & capital

Stalin responded by setting up his own state. Only communist bloc countries recognized it as a country

The creation of NATO

1949

Formal military alliance to protect members from the USSR. The USA, Britain, France & other Western countries joined together and agreed that if any member was attacked all other members would assist. NATO resulted in America keeping bases in Europe throughout the Cold War