Cold War, 4, 6, 10 marker plans

What agreements were made at the Yalta Conference?

1. They agreed that Germany would be split into 4 parts: America, French, British and Soviet

2. The big 3 all agreed to join the united nations organization, which would aim to keep peace after the war

3. The big 3 agreed that they would hunt down any war criminals who were responsible for the genocide from the war, concentration camps

4. Stalin was concerned about the future of the USSR as they lost 20 million people in the war, the big three agreed that Eastern Europe would be known as the ‘soviet sphere of influence’

Why did Stalin impose a blockade on Berlin in 1948?

1. because if successful Stalin would have huge propaganda success at the expense of the west

   • Demonstration of Soviet Power – A successful blockade would have shown that the Soviet Union had the ability to dictate terms in post-war Europe, proving its dominance over the Western powers in Germany.

   • Discrediting the Marshall Plan – The U.S. was using the Marshall Plan to rebuild Western Europe as a strong, capitalist region. A Soviet victory in Berlin would have cast doubt on the effectiveness of American aid and strengthened the appeal of communism.

2. it would mean the west would have to give up control of their zones in Berlin, and allow the whole capital to be run by the soviet union.

   • Stalin felt threatened

   • After World War II, Germany was divided into four occupation zones, with the Soviet Union controlling the eastern part and the Western Allies controlling the western part. The Western Allies began introducing economic reforms in their zones, such as a new currency (the Deutsche Mark) in West Germany, which was seen by the Soviet Union as a step toward the establishment of a separate West German state. Stalin opposed this and wanted to prevent the creation of a West German state that would be aligned with the Western powers.

   • Britain and America created bizonia 1947

   • France joined in 1948 to make trizonia

   • Stalin viewed it as the west ganging up deliberately forcing soviet zone into poverty

USA, 10 marker

1. Dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima on the 6th of August and Nagasaki on the 9th 1945

   • dropped the atomic bomb to end war in Asia 120,000 japanease civilians were killed by the 2 bombs. 12,000 tons of explosive material

   • Stalin was more threatened. He was determined to create a buffer zone of countries sympathetic to communism to protect himself

   • Stalin felt more of a need to make the Soviet Union secure

   • Increased Mistrust Between the Superpowers

     The USSR was not informed about the bombs beforehand, despite being an ally in WWII. This lack of trust deepened the divide between the two nations, making future cooperation difficult.

   • Sparked the Nuclear Arms Race

     The bombings made Stalin realize that the USA had a massive technological advantage. In response, he accelerated Soviet nuclear development, leading to the nuclear arms race—a defining feature of the Cold War. The USSR successfully tested its first atomic bomb in 1949.

     2. Truman doctrine 1947 and Marshall plan 1948

        • us policy of containment, commitment to actively stop the spread of communism

        • Economic aid to European countries who were threatened by communism. 17 billion dollars

        • Commitment to containment and interventionist policy created tension

        • Led to us involvement in the Greek civil war and supporting the monarchists which angered Stalin.

        • Stalin mocked the Marshall aid as dollar imperialism- luring countries to capitalism

        • Led to Comecon 1949- Stalin’s version of the marshall aid

        • It would encourage countries to adopt democracy and capitalism

        • But it made Stalin suspicious

USSR, 10 marker

1. Berlin Blockade; June 1948- May 1949

   • Stalin blocked all land routes into Berlin so the allies couldn’t access their zones

   • led to the Berlin airlift

   • showed west’s commitment to containment

   • Stalin appeared aggressive (food electricity and coal supplies would have ended had it not have been for the berlin airlift) and increased west’s fear of the soviet union and it’s desire to spread communism

   • Resulted in the divisions of Germany East vs West

   • resulted in the division of berlin

   • 1. First Major Conflict of the Cold War

     The blockade was the first direct confrontation between the superpowers. Stalin’s attempt to cut off West Berlin was seen by the West as an act of aggression, proving that the USSR was willing to use force to expand its influence.

   • 2. Violation of Agreements

     At the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences (1945), Germany was meant to be temporarily divided into four zones (controlled by the USA, UK, France, and USSR), with Berlin itself also divided. However, Stalin tried to force the Western Allies out of Berlin, violating these agreements and worsening trust.

     2. Soviet Expansion into Eastern Europe

        • USSR set up communist governments in Eastern Europe which became a buffer zone, lack of free elections

        • Soviet expansion into Eastern Europe was a key factor in causing the Cold War because it heightened tensions between the USSR and the Western Allies

        • Violation of Agreements – The USSR had agreed at the Yalta Conference (1945) to allow free elections in Eastern Europe, but instead, it installed communist governments in countries like Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia. This made the West feel betrayed.

        • Spread of Communism – The USA and its allies feared the spread of communism. Stalin’s control over Eastern Europe confirmed Western fears that the USSR was aggressively expanding its ideology.