The Cold War: A Very Short Introduction

degree, scope, and duration

things that were suprising about the Cold War (4)

“great power condominium”

peaceful alternative for superpower relations (4)

“different aspirations, needs, histories, governing institutions, and ideologies”

reasons for Cold War (6)

“myth-puncturing” of national security after attacks on Pearl Harbor, only to be seen again with 9/11

Even though the US prospered economically and saw comparatively few casualties, how was the country affected? (6)

“two ocean barrier” could be overcome with “air power” that had “contracted the globe” —> response is to set up military bases across the world

first lesson from the Pearl Harbor strike (7)

“US military strenth… must form a core element of the new world order” and never be allowed to atrophy again

second lesson from the Pearl Harbor strike (8)

no enemy should control Europe or East Asia: these locations are strategic because they were a “strategic-economic prize” which Russia took in 1940-1941

third lesson from the Pearl Harbor strike (8)

wanted free, open trade — believing it would cause peace but also because the US produced 50% of the world’s goods: “American ideals here were inextricably interwoven with American interests”

US economic goals after WWII? (9)

Bretton Woods Conference in late 1944 - IMF and World Bank

What institutions did the US set up for the economic goals? (9)

Russia’s geographical size made it hard to defend, resources in remote areas; had been invaded by Germany TWICE in recent history through Poland —> solution: set up friendly governments or annex countries, force Germany to pay crippling reparations

Russia also had a recent memory of war devastation — from past wars too. What other challenges do they have, and what were their policy solutions? (12)

would have been at a disadvantage at the time, hoping to cash in on reconstruction efforts, legitimacy and voice and int. orgs.

Why did the Soviet Union wait? (12)

“messianic” — both sides thought they were sure to win (Russians saw proletarian revolution or economic depression as inevitable), felt they had noble intentions

What was the role of ideology? (15)

Russia was justifiably annoyed that the US did not send military, only financial aid, while they were getting slaughtered. Concern about treatment of Germany after the war - Russia wanted to be very harsh. Debate over Polish government, Russian sphere of influence in Europe (‘percentages agreement’). The Yalta Conference in February 1945: chose pro-Soviet Polish government, Russia agreed to promoting democracy, earmarked half the reparations.

What were issues between Russia and the US during the war? How were they resolved, and where?

the Potsdam conference - division of Germany because the US now believes that economic recovery and future prosperity depends on Germany and won’t let Russia take insane reparations

what was the follow-up to the Yalta conference?

1) economic prosperity, 2) the atomic bomb

What are the US’s 2 “trump cards”

loss of top position on world stage, because Russia was taking advantage of post-war gaps and communism looked favorable

what threatened the US about Russia

In 1947, Britain could no longer aid Greece and Turkey; Truman stepped in with the “Truman Doctrine” which called for active foreign policy against “attempted subjugation” (never naming communism)

Which countries could Britain no longer aid, what did the US do, and when?

the Marshall Plan (officially European Recovery Act) —> $13 billion in aid to Western Europe, Russia did not allow Eastern Europe to access aid

How did the US support reconstruction after the war?

Comunist Information Bureau (Cominform), Soviet-sponsored coup in Czechoslovakia

how did the Soviets react to the Marshall plan?

June 1948 - May 1929: airlift where US comes on top, but divisions deeper

blockade of West Berlin?

April 1948, Brussels Pact is a mutual security agreement between five countries, not the USA —> year later, April 1949 = NATO

creation of NATO? (33)

US is “empire by invitation”

What is a difference between Russian and US spheres of influence? (34)

“product of its fears more than its ambitions”

Why did the US make a sphere of influence in Europe?(34)

1950 Korean War

What “direct military showdown” turned the Cold War into an international struggle? (35)

take formerly Western colonies to be their own colonies under the slogan “Asia for Asians” and ruins “prestige”

In the early months of WWII, what does Japan do?

power vacuums open for local leaders to lead instead of Japanese colonizers

When Japan surrenders, how does the power balance of Asia shift?

yes, they are “inextricably linked” and the Cold war affected “temper, pace, and ultimate outcome” of decolonization

Do the Cold War and decolonization have anything in common?

• USSR wanted to expand to borders formerly seen under tsarist Russia, economic gains in Manchuria and Mongolia, and secure Chinese border

• USA wanted to weaken Japan, sphere of influence in the Pacific, make China an ally, get moderate colonial solution

What were Russian vs US goals in Asia at the outset?

General Douglas MacArthur democratized it, new 1947 Constitution with liberal changes and peace promises

What did the US do in Japan?

Civil war - US had backed Chiang regime. In 1949, the People’s Republic of China led by Mao was established. 

What was going on in China?