iGCSE History Core Content B: Who Was to Blame for the Cold War

What is a Cold War?

A conflict where there is no direct fighting, but tension and competition through political, economic, and military means.

What are the key ideologies behind the Cold War?

Capitalism (USA): private ownership and democracy; Communism (USSR): state ownership and one-party rule.

What is the Orthodox view of who started the Cold War?

That Stalin and the USSR were to blame for expanding Communism and violating post-war agreements.

What is the Revisionist view of who started the Cold War?

That the USA was to blame for using the atomic bomb, pursuing capitalism, and provoking the USSR.

What was the Grand Alliance?

A wartime alliance between the USA, USSR, and UK to defeat Nazi Germany.

Why did the Grand Alliance break down after WWII?

Different ideologies, USSR's expansion in Eastern Europe, and changes in leadership (Truman and Attlee).

What was agreed at the Yalta Conference (Feb 1945)?

Free elections in Eastern Europe, division of Germany into 4 zones, USSR to join war against Japan.

What caused tension at the Potsdam Conference (July 1945)?

Truman's hardline stance, US atomic bomb test, disagreements on reparations and Eastern Europe.

What impact did the atomic bomb have on US–Soviet relations?

Increased tension; Truman used it to intimidate Stalin, who responded by creating his own bomb.

What was the Long Telegram (Feb 1946)?

US diplomat George Kennan warned Stalin wanted to destroy capitalism; called for containment.

What was the Novikov Telegram (Sept 1946)?

Soviet response saying the USA wanted world domination; predicted a US war with the USSR.

What was Churchill's 'Iron Curtain' speech (1946)?

Warned of Soviet control in Eastern Europe; marked growing division between East and West.

How did the USSR take control of Poland?

Red Army stayed after 1945, elections were rigged in 1947, Communists won 80% of the vote.

How did the USSR control Hungary?

1945: non-Communists won elections; Rakosi used secret police to imprison opponents; by 1949, all other parties banned.

How did the USSR take over Czechoslovakia?

1948 coup by Communist Klement Gottwald, supported by USSR, removed non-Communists.

What were satellite states?

Countries in Eastern Europe under Soviet influence, e.g. Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia.

What was the Truman Doctrine (1947)?

USA would give aid to any country threatened by Communism; began with $400 million to Greece and Turkey.

What was the Marshall Plan (1948)?

US economic aid program: $13 billion given to 16 countries to rebuild Europe and stop Communism.

Why did Stalin oppose the Marshall Plan?

Saw it as 'dollar imperialism'; believed the USA was using money to control Europe.

What caused the Berlin Blockade (1948)?

Introduction of the Deutschmark, Trizonia, and fears of a strong West Berlin in Soviet-controlled East Germany.

What was the Berlin Airlift (1948–49)?

Western Allies flew 275,000+ flights to supply West Berlin; Stalin didn’t shoot planes to avoid war.

What was the impact of the Berlin Crisis?

USSR lifted blockade in May 1949; Germany divided into East and West; increased Cold War tensions.

Why did the USA support containment?

To stop the spread of Communism without direct war; shown in the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan.

How did the USSR justify its control of Eastern Europe?

Needed a buffer zone for protection; claimed to be liberating and stabilising these countries.

What was Stalin's response to Truman's containment policy?

Created COMECON and Cominform; tightened grip on satellite states.

What was the significance of the Cold War starting events?

Established two power blocs, started arms race, created global tension for decades.