The Cold War

Yalta Conference

Held in USSR, Feb 4th - 11th 1945

USSR had upper hand, as many Soviet troops were still occupying Eastern Europe.

It was agreed to divide Germany into four occupation zones, controlled by USSR, US, Great Britain and France.

Tensions over fate of Poland remained, as Stalin used a buffer zone to justify communism in Poland.

The Declaration of Liberated Europe was created.

Potsdam Conference

Held in Germany, July 1945

Tensions between the East and West became evident, as Stalin wanted economic reparations from Germany immediately due to:

¼ of Soviet property destroyed, food strictly rationed = low productivity, wanted to revive Soviet economy

However, US + UK unwilling to meet Soviet demands as US was now in a position of power (in possession of the first ever nuclear bomb)

Salami Tactics/Stalin’s Buffer zone

Stalin claimed that the USSR’s taking over of Eastern European countries from 1945-48 was only to create a buffer zone between Germany and the USSR.

BUT, Western Powers believed Soviets were building an empire in Eastern Europe

Churchill believed Eastern Europeans were “subject to Soviet influence.. totalitarian control (and) police governments”

Iron Curtain 1946

March 1946, Churchill comments on the divide in Europe post WW2, as Eastern Europe was increasingly under the control of Soviet government, whilst the West remained under Allied control.

“An Iron Curtain has descended across the continent” - Winston Churchill

Stalin’s response in Pravda, March 1946 - “Mr. Churchill has called for a war on the USSR”

Long Telegram

After Stalin blamed WWIII on capitalism, acting ambassador of USSR, George Kennan, sent a telegram rallying against the temptation to respond to Stalin’s provocations, stating:

“This is the greatest threat the US has ever faced”

and that the US must maintain steady counterpressure against USSR’s presence in Europe without WWIII by educating the public against communism.

Policy of Containment

countering Soviet expansion through diplomatic, economic + military means, rather than direct confrontation/attempts to overthrow the USSR government.

Truman Doctrine (1947)

12th March 1947, Truman promises financial support to any country wanting to resist communism. It became a way in which the US could wield their ideology and power against the USSR, justifying any errors within capitalism to be the fault of communism

Walter LaFeber quote on Truman Doctrine

“The doctrine became an idealogical shield behind which the US marched to rebuild the Western political and economic system and counter the radical left”

Truman Doctrine effects

$100 million to Greece and Turkey, putting them on the US’s side.

Provided justification for US intervention as long as they were seen resisting communism

Marshall Plan (1948)

Aimed to review European working conditions so America’s economic future was safeguarded + political/social stability in a post WWII climate ensued.

It made clear “the initiative must come from Europe”, to avoid idea that the US govt. was forceful. However, one condition was that the US must investigate financial records of applicant countries, which the USSR would never tolerate.

Essentially, consolidated world system of 2 dominant spheres of influence.

Economic Recovery Act of 1948

Signed on April 3rd, 1948, essentially outlined Marshall Plan and what it would provide:

• markets for American goods

• reliable trading partners

• development of stable democratic governments in West Europe

Berlin Blockade

Stalin imposed from 24th June 1948 - 12th May 1949 after threats to East Germany and Berlin. ‘

• Following Trizonia, establishment of Deutschmark and Marshall Plan

• Stalin cut off land + water transit between West Berlin and West Germany

Berlin Airlift

This was the Allies’ response to the Berlin Blockade, an operation that carried food + fuel into West Berlin by plane. It began in June 1948, American and British forces flying daily over West Berlin to parachute supplies down into fields.

Berlin Airlift Significance

It created a pattern for future conflicts between US + USSR

• Unwillingness to fight a direct war, instead playing out via alliances and perceived threats.

It showed US’s preparedness to secure control in Europe.

NATO

Signed in April 1949, it was collective defence. Countries would cooperate and share intelligence and technology.

• The first NATO secretary general stated the goal was to “keep the Russians out, the Americans in, and the Germans down”

Warsaw Pact

It was established in 1955, led by the USSR, who were determined not to be invaded by Germany after the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact and also after the alliance of NATO.

It was a mutual defence treaty, in which the USSR gained contorl of the pact members’ armed forces.

• Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania

Berlin Wall

When the border between East and West Germany closed in 1952, but 3 million still managed to flee from the East to the West, Khrushchev decided to issue an ultimatum to teh west

• 27th October 1958, Khrushchev demanded withdrawal of Western troops in Berlin.

• August 1961, Khrushchev builds a giant wall between East and West Germany

  • This wall was 154 kilometres around West Berlin

Germany becoming two different countries in 1949

Federal Republic of Germany in May 1949, the West.

German Democratic Republic in October 1949, the East.

Cuban Missile Crisis Causes

Since 1945, US and USSR relations were tense, and both developed powerful nuclear weapons.

After Bay of Pigs 1961, when US failed to contain Castro and communism in Cuba, Castro announced he was a communist and turned to the USSR for support

• Cubans became happy under a communist government

• Castro asked the USSR to help defend Cuba against the USA

14th October 1962, U2 spy planes spot USSR’s missile launch pads in Cuba, after Kennedy warned Khrushchev not to place them there.

Cuban Missile Crisis - Thirteen Days

Kennedy needed to act to ensure USA security + decide how to deal with potential missile strikes/war.

16th October - 28th October was the closest we have come to nuclear war.

• 26th October = Khrushchev offers to remove missiles from Cuba if Kennedy lifts blockade (American warships blocking Cuba) and promises not to invade Cuba

• 28th October = Radio Moscow announces Khrushchev has accepted solution in exchange for non-invasion pledge from US… later their removal of missiles from Turkey + Italy.

Resulted in US + USSR entered a general period of detente + Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty signed in August 1963.

Orthodox Historians on Cold War

They blame the USSR. These perspectives are from the 1950s/60s, and their narrative is shaped by the US government.

Argue communism is expansionist, Stalin violated conference treaties, and USSR was only acting in defense.

Orthodox Historian quote

“Marxism-Leninism gave the Russian leaders a view of the world in which the existence of any non-communist state was by definition, a threat to the Soviet Union” - Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.

Revisionist historians on Cold War

They blame the US. Emerged in 1960s after many questioned their own government during the Vietnam war. They argue US policy linked to the needs of capitalism and the US was aggressive, wanting to dominate the world post WWII.

Revisionist historians quotes

William Appleman Williams argues US policy was a form of “dollar imperialism”.

Gar Alperovitz argues atomic bomb dropped in Japan was to “scare the USSR”.

Post - Revisionist historians on cold war

John Lewis Gaddis argued war grew out of complex misconceptions on both sides.

• overestimated each other’s strength

• long term factors made peace difficult

Post - Revisionist Historian quote

“The Cold War was dangerous and complex.. policymakers on both sides were… scared by what was happening” - Nicholas Guyatt

Joseph Stalin

Leader of USSR 1929 - 1953.

Contributed to Cold War tensions by installing pro-Soviet communist governments in Poland and other Eastern European countries, violating Yalta agreements.

“Stalin’s post war goals were security for himself, his regime, his country and his ideology, in precisely that order” - John Lewis Gaddis.

Harry S. Truman

33rd US president (1945 - 1953).

Contributed to Cold War tensions by announcing containment of communism + supporting Western Europe with considerable financial aid.

Harry S. Truman quote

“It must be the policy of the US to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation”.

Dwight Eisenhower

34th US president 1953 - 1961

Contributed to Cold War tensions by threatening USSR with massive nuclear weapons.

Dwight Eisenhower quote

“The only way to win the next war is to prevent it”.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

President of US 1933-45

Declared war on Japan + joined war in December 1941

Diplomacy was fundamental in post war negotiations at Yalta

Nikhita Khrushchev

leader of USSR 1956 - 1964

Contributed to Cold War tensions by ordering construction of Berlin Wall. establishing nuclear missile bases in Cuba which threatened the US.

Nikhita Khrushchev quote

“Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you!”

John F Kennedy

35th president of US 1961-63

Contributed to Cold War tensions by insisting Khrushchev remove nuclear weapons from Cuba.

John F Kennedy quote

“Do not ask what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country”.

Fidel Castro

Cuban revolutionary + leader of Cuba 1959-2008

Contributed to Cold War tensions by permitting USSR to place weapons in Cuba

Fidel Castro quote

“Condemn me, it does not matter. History will absolve me!”

Winston Churchill

British Prime Minister during WWII, took part in negotiations during Yalta and Potsdam Conferences.

Delivered the infamous Iron curtain speech.