SECTION III — SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENTS (Social Studies Study Guide 2025–26 (“From Yalta to Malta”).)

What was the Percentages Agreement?

An informal meeting note between Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin dividing influence in Eastern Europe after WWII (e.g., 90% Soviet in Romania, 90% British in Greece).

Why significant? (Percentages Agreement)

It previewed Cold War spheres of influence before Germany even fell and showed realpolitik over democratic principles.

Who attended the Yalta Conference?

Franklin D. Roosevelt (U.S.), Winston Churchill (U.K.), and Joseph Stalin (U.S.S.R.).

What were its major agreements? (Yalta Conference)

Division of Germany into occupation zones, creation of the United Nations, Soviet entry into the Pacific war, and promise of free elections in Eastern Europe.

Why did Yalta spark tension? (Yalta Conference)

The USSR failed to allow free elections, leading to Western claims that Stalin betrayed the agreement.

What concern did Roosevelt express in his letter to Stalin?

That Soviet actions in Poland were inconsistent with Yalta promises of free and democratic elections.

Why is this letter important? (Roosevelt letter to Stalin)

It revealed early U.S.-Soviet distrust and marked a shift from wartime cooperation to postwar confrontation.

Who authored Vietnam's Declaration of Independence?

Ho Chi Minh.

What influences are found in the text? (Vietnam's Declaration of Independence)

Borrowed language from the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man.

What was its purpose? (Vietnam's Declaration of Independence)

To proclaim Vietnam's independence from France and Japan and appeal to American values for support.

Why is it relevant to the Cold War? (Vietnam's Declaration of Independence)

The U.S. rejected Ho's appeals and later supported France, setting the stage for the Vietnam War.

What were the main terms of the Potsdam Agreement?

Germany to be demilitarized and denazified; war criminals to be prosecuted; Germany divided into occupation zones.

Why did Potsdam increase tensions? (Potsdam Agreement)

Truman's harder stance and atomic bomb knowledge angered Stalin, who tightened control over Eastern Europe.

What happened in China after WWII?

Civil war resumed between Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists and Mao Zedong's Communists; Mao won in 1949, creating the People's Republic of China.

Cold War impact? (to What happened in China after WWII?)

Strengthened the global communist bloc and led to U.S. support for Taiwan.

What did Truman ask Congress for?

$400 million in aid to Greece and Turkey to combat communist movements.

Why was the speech historic? ( Truman ask Congress)

It formally committed the U.S. to a policy of containment and global anti-communist support.

Who announced the Marshall Plan?

U.S. Secretary of State George C. Marshall at Harvard University.

Purpose? (Marshall Plan)

To restore Europe's economy and limit Soviet influence through economic aid.

What did Western powers do during the blockade? (Marshall Plan)

Flew over 200,000 flights to supply food and fuel to West Berlin.

Result? (Marshall Plan)

The USSR lifted the blockade in May 1949; the Airlift proved Western resolve and solidarity.

What is Article 5 of the NATO Treaty?

An attack on one member is an attack on all.

How did NATO change international relations?

Bound the U.S. to European defense for the first time in peace.

What did NSC-68 recommend?

Massive military buildup and global containment to counter Soviet expansion.

Effect? (NSC-68 recommend ->Tripled defense spending and set the stage for Korean War mobilization.)

Tripled defense spending and set the stage for Korean War mobilization.

What did the armistice establish? (NSC-68 recommend ->Tripled defense spending and set the stage for Korean War mobilization.)

Ceasefire and Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) at the 38th parallel.

Why no peace treaty? (NSC-68 recommend ->Tripled defense spending and set the stage for Korean War mobilization.)

Neither side would recognize the other's government as legitimate.

What was its message? (NSC-68 recommend ->Tripled defense spending and set the stage for Korean War mobilization.)

Promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy and create the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Why important? (create the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).)

First major attempt to control nuclear technology through international cooperation.

Who led the revolution?

Fidel Castro and the 26th of July Movement.

Cold War effect?

Cuba aligned with the USSR, becoming the first communist state in the Western Hemisphere.

What Cold War message did Kennedy send?

Promised to "pay any price, bear any burden" to defend freedom worldwide.

What did the U.S. discover? (Cold War)

Soviet medium-range nuclear missiles in Cuba.

Outcome? (U.S. discover Soviet medium-range nuclear missiles in Cuba (Cold War))

Soviets withdrew missiles; U.S. secretly removed missiles from Turkey.

What did the Hotline Agreement create?

A direct communication link between Washington and Moscow to prevent miscalculation.

Why did East Germany build the Wall?

To stop mass emigration to the West.

When did it fall and why? (East Germany build the Wall)

November 9 1989, after peaceful protests and Eastern Bloc liberalization.

What triggered the Resolution? (East Germany build the Wall)

Alleged North Vietnamese attacks on U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Effect? (Resolution of German Wall)

Gave President Johnson authority to escalate U.S. military action in Vietnam without a formal war declaration.

Who signed the Helsinki Accords?

35 nations (including the U.S. and USSR).

What did they affirm? (Helsinki Accords)

Recognition of post-WWII borders and commitment to human rights.

Why did the USSR intervene? (Helsinki Accords)

To support a struggling communist government against Islamic insurgents.

Global reaction? (USSR intervene Helsinki Accords)

Condemnation, 1980 Olympic boycott, and renewed Cold War hostility.

What did Reagan call the USSR?

An "Evil Empire" threatening freedom and faith.

Impact? (of Reagan call the USSR
An "Evil Empire" threatening freedom and faith.)

Re-energized anti-communist rhetoric and justified military buildup.

What did the INF Treaty require?

Elimination of all U.S. and Soviet intermediate-range nuclear missiles.

Why historic? ( INF Treaty)

First treaty to actually eliminate a whole class of nuclear weapons.

Who met at the Malta Summit?

U.S. President George H. W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Outcome? (Malta Summit)

Declared the Cold War "effectively over."