History - superpower relations and the cold war

when was the tehran conference?

when was the tehran conference?

1943

what happened at the tehran conference?

Britain and USA decided to open second front in France to take pressure off Soviet Union. Delay in opening this, opened in 1944, which annoyed Stalin

Causes for Soviet expanision in Eastern Europe?

Percentages deal, strategic importance of Poland, Stalin’s fear of invasion

What was the percentages deal?

Stalin and Churchill decided how much influence they had over certain countries - Soviet Union has 90% over Romania and 75% over Bulgaria. Stalin took this to mean Churchill was accepting his control of Eastern Europe

what was the strategic importance of Poland?

it is a corrider for attack on Russia so in 1945 Stalin wanted to move the Polish frontier so most of Poland became part of the Soviet Union

what was Stalin’s fear of invasion

Germany invaded Russia in 1914 and 1941, so Stalin wanted the Eastern European countries to act as a buffer for future invasion

what was the Long telegram?

sent in 1946 by George Kennan, working at the US embassy in Moscow. Recommended the US take action against Soviet expansion

what was the Novikov telegram?

sent in September 1946, the Soviet Union retaliation of the Long telegram,sent by the soviet ambassador to Stalin. It hardened his attitude towards the USA

Soviet expansion in poland

In January 1945 a coalition government of several parties was set up. In January 1947 the elections were rigged to ensure election of a communist government. The leader of the main opposition party, Milokajcyk, fled to London.

Soviet expansion in Hungary

the largest party in 1945 was the Smallholders’ Party, winning over 50% of the votes in the August 1945 elections. The country fell into economic crisis and the Communist party seized control of the Ministry of the Interior, which controlled the police, and were able to arrest the leader of the Smallholders’ party in 1947. The Prime Minister, Nagy, was forced to resign. In the August 1947 general election the communists won, taking over the government and banning all other parties.

Soviet expansion in Romania

coalition government set up in early 1945. Encouraged by Stalin, communists took part in demonstrations in January 1945. In March 1945 the Soviet army intervened and disarmed the Romanian government and forced the King to appoint a communist government. In November 1946 the communists gained 80% of votes in the elections and in 1947 the communist government abolished the monarchy.

when was the Yalta conference?

February 1945

what happened at the Yalta conference in 1945?

Germany and Berlin divided into 4 zones - one for each ally. Eastern Europe to be Soviet ‘sphere of infuence’. Soviet promised free elections in soviet controlled Eastern European countries. Joined United Nations to keep peace

who was at the Tehran and Yalta conference?

Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin

who was at the Potsdam conference?

Attlee, Truman, Stalin

when was the Potsdam conference?

July 1945

what happened at the Potsdam conference?

July 1945. Couldn’t decide on punishments - each nation took reparations from their own quarter of Germany. Truman tells Stalin about testing atomic bombs, but Stalin is furious as he knows from spies that Truman began tests ages ago. Stalin ignores promise of free elections made at Yalta

when was the Truman Doctrine made?

1947

what was the Truman Doctrine?

Truman states worry of spread of communism to Greece and Turkey. Proposes to provide $400 million in aid to Greece and Turkey. Seen as declaration of cold war as it’s a direct attack on communism

consequences of the Truman doctrine

Cominform, Marshall Aid, worsening of superpower relations, Berlin blockade

when was the Marshall Plan created?

1947

what was the Marshall Plan?

provided to countries who traded with the US. Food provided at subsidised rate, advisors provided to help transition countries to democracy system. Stalin prevented Eastern European countries joining.

consequences of the Marshall Plan

Comecon, by 1953 it had provided $17 billion, worsened superpower relations

when was the Berlin blockade set up?

24th June 1948

causes of the Berlin blockade?

Truman doctrine, marshall aid, creation of Bizonia

what was Bizonia?

in January 1947, the western allies united their zones in Berlin and Germany, with Soviet approval, showing their intent at rebuilding the west

what was the Berlin blockade?

24th June 1948 - Stalin stopped all road, rail and canal traffic into Berlin. Said he was defending East Germany’s economy from new West Germany currency. Western powers said he was trying to force them out of Berlin

consequences of the Berlin blockade, 1948

Berlin airlift, NATO set up, Stalin forced to back down (blockade ended 12th May 1949), increased arms race - USSR didn’t have atomic bomb so Stalin was powerless to Berlin airlift as shooting it down could lead to WW3.

what was NATO?

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation - formed in April 1949 as a defensive alliance to stop Soviet expansion

facts about the Berlin airlift and blockade

airlift delivered 5,000 tonnes of goods into Berlin every day, nearly 700 aircrafts used, 2.5 million citizens of Berlin had no access to basic goods like food or electricity, West Berlin only had enough food for 36 days after the blockade

consequences of NATO, 1949

USA now committed to defending Western Europe, six years later Warsaw Pact set up in 1955, Stalin saw it as an act of aggresion, intensified arms race - USA set up missile bases in Western Europe like the UK

what was the Warsaw Pact, 1955?

it was a military alliance of 8 nations headed by the Soviet Union. The members were mainly Eastern European countries like Poland and Hungary. East Germany was in the Warsaw Pact, but West Germany was in NATO

consequences of the Warsaw Pact, 1955

played role in Czechoslovakian Crisis of 1968, increased rivalry between superpowers and intenisfied arms race

consequences of the atomic bomb

arms race intensified (Potsdam and Sputnik), Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) idea created - acted as deterrent and reason why there were only ever proxy wars like the Berlin blockade and airlift

what was Sputnik?

consequence of the arms development, a satellite created in 1957 by the Soviet Union that could orbit the Earth in one and a half hours. Seen as a military threat by the USA

causes of the Hungarian uprising in 1956

Hungary’s leader (Rakosi) described himself as ‘Stalin’s best pupil’ and his oppresive regime imprisoned 387,000 and killed 2,000. the AVO (secret police) took people to prison camps for no reason. Rigged elections - only 20% voted for communist government in 1945. Russia’s new leader from 1956 (Krushchev) made a ‘secret speech’ critisising Stalin.

events of the Hungarian uprising, 1956

Hungarians tore down statues of Stalin, freedom fighters imprisoned and too down the AVO, Hungariasn read uncensored newspapers for the first time, Rakosi was forced out of power, Nagy made prime minister and he wanted free elections and to leave the Warsaw Pact

how did the Hungarian Uprising end?

on the 4th November 1956, Russian tanks were sent in, Hungary called on West for help but no response since USSR had an atomic bomb, Soviets take over again

why did Soviet invade Hungary in November 1956?

didn’t want Hungary to leave Warsaw Pact, didn’t want other Eastern European countries to follow

consequences of Hungarian Uprising, 1956

Krushchev sent clear message to other Eastern European countries that he was not to be messed with and Russia remained strong, Nagy found guilty of treason and hanged in June 1958, proved Marshall Aid did not include offering military support, Kadar appointed to rule Hungary, up to 30,000 Hungarians killed and over 200,000 became refugees

what is cominform?

Communist Information Bureau set up in 1947 by Stalin as a response to the Truman Doctrine and Marshall plan. Countries involved were France, Italy and most Eastern European countries

what is comecon?

set up in retaliation to Marshall Aid, with many Eastern European countries involved who Stalin prevented from accepting Marshall Aid

Berlin crisis of 1961

West more prosporous - 250 refugees a day travelled to the West, mainly from the East

What was the Berlin Ultimatum?

Krushchev accused allies of breaking Potsdam agreement deciding on how Germany would be divided and gave the West 6 months to leave Berlin

When was the Paris Summit?

1960

When was The Berlin Ultimatum issued?

1958

What happened at the Paris Summit in 1960?

Krushchev and Eisenhower due to meet in Paris on 14 May. Nine days before USSR shot down American U2 spy plane near Sverdolvsk. Kruschev demands all flights stop + USA apologise for espionage. Eisenhower wouldn’t apologise. Had preliminary meeting but Krushchev stormed out. Eisenhower cancels visit to USSR and summit doesn’t happen

when was the vienna summt?

1961

what happened at the vienna summit, 1961?

Krushchev demands West leave Berlin. JFK refuses and increases US defence spending by $3.5 billion. Krushchev announces Soviet defence spending would increase by over 30%

When was the Berlin wall put up?

August 1961

Immediate consequences of the Berlin wall

stand off between superpowers at checkpoints like checkpoint Charlie. Propaganda victory for USA. Number of deaths attempting to cross the wall was 136. Only 5,000 successful escapes from the East after the wall was built whereas there were 3 million in the years before.

Who was Conrad Schumann?

a border policeman who crossed over the Berlin wall during its construction

Why did the USA have strong economic interests in Cuba?

it was seen as part of an American sphere of influence as it was only 90 miles away.

US control over Cuba in the 1950s

90% of Cuba’s raw sugar and tobacco exports went to the US

When was the Cuban revolution?

1959

what was the Cuban revolution?

In 1950s Batista was dictator of Cuba, he was supported by the US. In 1956 Fidel Castro and Guevara gathered a revolution. In 1959, Castro took over and formed the communist government

When did Castro announce Cuba was communist?

1961. He kicked out American companies and took over American properties in Cuba

How did the US respond to Cuba announcing it was communist?

Believed in domino theory so JFK decreased exports to Cuba, 80% of its exports was sugar to the US. Castro asked USSR to buy sugar instead

what was the Bay of Pigs Invasion?

16 April 1961, 1,500 Cuban exiles trained by the CIA with a budget of $45 million, invaded Cuba at the bay of pigs. The exiles’ air support was scarce since JFK wanted to keep US involvement a secret. Within 3 days the battle was over - a humiliating defeat for JFK.

what was Operation Mongoose?

Set up in November 1961, it was a secret CIA operation set up by JFK to remove Casto. Unsuccessful - Castro left power in 2006 due to ill health.

How did Bay of Pigs invasion improve USSR-Cuban relations?

By 1961 there were Soviet military advisors in Cuba. Krushchev agrees with Castro to start sending arms to Cuba to help in the future, this could imply nuclear weapons. So JFK orders U2 spy planes to fly over Cuba regularly to see if they are being placed

What did JFK’s U2 spy planes spot in Cuba?

Soviet intermediate range missile bases being constructed in Cuba, with 18 more Soviet ships on their way, carrying missiles

Events of the Cuban missile crisis?

After capturing photographic evidence of the missiles in Cuba, JFK places a ring of US ships around Cuba to blockade Soviet ships from getting in. Krushchec sends letter saying he will break through, JFK sends one asking him to withdraw missiles. Krushchev sends two letter - will withdraw if USA promises never to invade Cuba, the 2nd saying he will withdraw if JFK withdraws his missiles from Turkey. JFK agrees to first in public and second in private

consequences of cuban missile crisis on NATO

France annoyed Kennedy didn’t consult NATO. France left military side of NATO in 1966

consequences of cuban missile crisis in 1962 on superpowers

Propaganda victory for JFK. Krushchev humiliated - removed as leader in 1964. Hotline telephone link set up between White House and Kremlin. Multiple treaties set up - Limited Test Ban Treaty, Outer Space Treaty and Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

when was the Limited Test Ban Treaty set up?

August 1963

when was the Outer Space Treaty set up?

1968

who was czechoslovakia ruled by from 1948-68?

Novotny - unpopular, communist, loyal to USSR

when did Alexander Dubcek come to power in Czechoslovakia?

January 1968, supported by Brezhnev

what was the Prague Spring?

reforms introduced by Dubcek that ended press censorship, curbed powers of the secret police, and allowed opposition parties

Brezhnev response to the Prague Spring

it angered him as, in June 1968 the Social Democrat Party was formed in opposition to the communist party. He worried that Czechoslovakia would leave the Warsaw Pact

who put pressure on Brezhnev to invade Czechoslovakia?

Bilak, leader of the Slovakian communist party, wrote a letter to Brezhnev. Ludvik Vaculik, a journalist, called for more radical reforms. Leaders in the East like Gomulka of Poland wanted to stop the Prague Spring reforms

when was the soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia?

20-21 August 1968, 100,000 soviet troops and Warsaw pact members invaded

events of the invasion of Czechoslovakia

civilians created barricades and fought back but Dubcek ordered them not to resist, so there was no armed resistance by the Czechoslovakian army and fewer than a hundred people were killed. Dubcek was removed from power and Husak took his place and reversed the reforms between 1969-71, in a regime called ‘normalisation’.

Czechoslovakian citizens response after the invasion

there were protest and 80 protesters were killed. One protestor, Jan Palach, set himself on fire in Wenceslas Square in January 1969. Over 250,000 emigrated after 1968.

what was the Brezhnev doctrine?

speech made by Brezhnev on 16 September 1968 to justify the invasion of Czechoslovakia by saying that he would invade any Soviet country that resisted control or turned towards capitalism

what was Eurocommunism?

after the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, many communist parties became more independent. Yugoslav and Romanian governments condemned the invasion and Albania left the Warsaw Pact

in what period were there attempts at Détente?

1968 - 1979

how did the Vietnam war affect Détente?

The Vietnam War in the 1960s was a proxy war as USA supported South Vietnam but the USSR supported the communist North. However, the USSR did not become directly involved, unlike USA

how did Nixon’s visit to Moscow in 1972 affect Détente?

he made it clear that the Vietnam War was not an obstacle to Détente. Both countries had reasons for wanting to improve relations - USSR wanted access to US technology while USA wanted USSR to persuade North Vietnam to negotiate for peace in the war

when was Nixon made President?

1968

how did SALT I affect Détente?

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks I between Nixon and Brezhnev started in May 1972 and lasted 3 years. Agreements like the Anti-ballistic Missile Treaty, limiting ABM systems to 2 sites, were made. However, limitations on number of strategic bombers were not agreed upon or made.

How did the Six Day War of 1967 affect Détente?

the USSR supported the Arabs while the USA supported the Israelis

How did the Yom-Kippur war in 1973 affect Detente?

USSR supplied Syria and Egypt while USA supported Israel. Brezhnev asks USA to help defend Egypt against Israelis, Nixon refuses and suggests a UN peacekeeping force intervenes, Brezhnev accepts and ceasefire is announced on 24 October 1973

how did Nixon’s visit to Moscow in July 1974 affect Detente?

agreements were made between Nixon and Brezhnev to to limit and eventually end the arms race, especially in strategic warheads, and they agreed their ultimate objective was complete disarmament

how did the Space link up in July 1975 affect Detente?

3 US astronauts and 2 Soviet cosmonauts met in space when US Apollo spacecraft docked with Soviet Soyuz One and a symbolic handshake occured

how did the Helsinki agreements in 1975 affect Detente?

USA, USSR and 33 other nations made declarations on 3 issues, know as baskets. The baskets were: security, cooperation and human rights. However, after 1977 there were complaints that the Soviet Union violated the agreement since they sent huge amounts of weapons to Angola and Ethiopia and 21 other African states by 1980

how did SALT II in 1974 affect Detente?

in 1979 the treaty was agreed to limit strategic nuclear delivery vehicles for each side to 2,400 and limit MIRV systems to 1320 for each side. However, it was never accepted by the US government as US congress had concerns over the 2,000 Soviet troops in Cuba and in 1979 NATO placed long-range missiles in Europe

when did Jimmy Carter become president?

1977

when was the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?

1979

how was the PDPA a reason for the invasion of Afghanistan?

The Kabul Revolution of 1978 was when the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) overthrew the government, leading to a new communist leader, Mohammed Taraki, who became an ally of USSR

reasons for the soviet invasion of Afghanistan

PDPA, radical Islam, unstable government

how was an unstable government a reason for the invasion of Afghanistan?

in October 1979, Amin supporters assassinated Taraki so Amin, head of the army and prime minister, claimed presidency. Although he was communist, he was not trusted by the USSR

when did the USSR invade Afghanistan?

25 December 1979, 50,000 Soviet troops were sent to support Amin

what happened just 2 days after the invasion of Afghanistan?

on 27 December, Amin was shot and replaced by Karmal, whose position depended entirely on the Soviet military support

who were the Mujahideen?

during the invasion of Afghanistan, under the leadership of Karmal, many Afghan soldiers deserted to join the Mujahideen (muslim fundamentalists fighting against the USSR). The Karmal government then required 85,000 Soviet soldiers to stay in power

consequences of the invasion of Afghanistan

the death of detente, the Carter Doctrine, the Olympic Boycott, SALT II collapsed

how did the invasion of Afghanistan lead to the Carter Doctrine?

in 1980, Carter made a speech echoing Brezhnev’s in 1968, saying that if the Soviets continued to expand control in the Gulf there would be direct military intervention

what was the Olympic Boycott?

in 1980, Carter and 61 other countries, boycotted the Moscow olympic games in protest against the invasion of Afghanistan. It was a symbolic act showing detente was dead

why did SALT II collapse?

the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan killed any chances of the American government agreeing to cooperation with the Soviets