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Which nations formed the Great Alliance and what did they believe in
USSR- Communism: Wants a classless, moneyless, stateless society where the state owns all means of production
USA- Capitalism: Privately owned property where people can profit from it. Means of production owned by individuals
GB- Also capitalist but focused on rebuilding GB to be a top superpower as it started fading
Clash of ideologies and different ideas of how society should be run made the alliance start breaking down
Summarise the Tehran conference of November 1943
Stalin, Roosevelt, Churchill agreed on a second front by attacking Germany from West Europe
Stalin declares war on Japan and supports USA
Germany should surrender and stay weak whilst Poland gains land from Germany
Impact of Tehran conference
Improved international relations due to agreeing on helping each other
Churchill not pleased with Roosevelt as he wanted a second front in the Balkans
Tension between US and GB as Roosevelt viewed British colonialism more of a threat than USSR
Summarise the Yalta conference of Feb 1945
Germany split into 4 zones, each controlled by: US, USSR, GB and France
Germany pay $20 Bil in reparations, $10 going to USSR
UN set up where every nation can join
Governments in East Europe decided by free elections
Poland returns to 1921 borders, giving USSR significant land gains
Impact of the Yalta conference
Roosevelt and Stalin pleased with agreements over free elections and UN
Issue of Poland difficult to solve in future discussions
Britain supported London Poles to be voted in Poland whilst USSR expected a pro-communist government
Summarise the Postdam conference of August 1945
Germany’s economy will be 1 as a whole
Berlin split into 4 zones despite being in Soviet region
Reparations taken from controlled zones respectively
USSR allowed ¼ of industrial equipment from every zone
No agreement over government of East Europe
Impact of the Postdam conference
Truman saw USSR as occupying force
Truman objected to Soviet aggression and communist control of East Europe
Tensions rise between USA and USSR due to USA betraying Stalin by dropping the A bomb
What was the Long Telegram
Written by George Kennan in 1946
Stated how USSR heavily armed and feared the outside world
Soviet Union determined to spread communism and unable to co-exist with USA
USA stronger so capitalism would prevail
What was the Nokikov Telegram
Response to the Long Telegram
Stated USA came out of WW2 economically strong and wanted world domination so USSR protecting itself by securing East Europe
What was Churchill’s Iron Curtain speech
Talked about there being a clear divide between East and West Europe. Eastern Europe dominated by Soviet Influence
Causes of the Berlin Blockade
USA Britain and France forming Trizonia and introducing the Deutschmark
Brewing tensions since Yalta conference
Containment and Iron Curtain speeches
Creation of West Germany
Violating Postdam conference
Events of the Berlin Blockade
Soviets blocked all road and train links into Berlin from West Germany
East German mark introduced
24/7 airlifts provided to give citizens essentials
Soviets left the allied council which administered Berlin
Stalin had to end blockade after failing, embarrassing him and communism
Consequences of Berlin Blockade
Strengthened the clear divide between East and West
Containment worked for first time
USSR looks weak as couldn’t do anything against airlifts
Formation of east and West Germany. NATO and Warsaw Pact formed
What was the Truman Doctrine speech
World divided into two camps: free and not free (communist)
USA will use military and economic power to protect free people
Policies known as “containment” to stop spread of communism and Soviet Influence
Shapes US foreign policies for much of the war
Support and fund Greek Royalists in Greek Civil War to stop communism spreading to West Europe
What was Cominform?
Co-ordinated policies of communist states in East Europe
Satellite states forced to adapt to Soviet economic policies
All communist party officers loyal to Moscow
What was the Marshall Aid plan
$17 billion aid programme to help countries rebuild their economies from the war
Real aim was to stop communism as Truman believed with jobs and money, people wouldn’t support communism
Invited East Europe countries to leave USSR as they didn’t have enough money
Rebuilt Europe would place orders from American firms which strengthens US economy
Impacts of Marshall Plan
Massive redevelopment of Europe as economies were rebuilt
Boomed US economy from European orders
Stalin accused US of dollar imperialism- creating an empire by making countries rely on US economically
Banned countries from receiving Marshall aid
Led to form of comecon
What was Comecon
Soviet version of Marshall Aid
Not as effective due to much less money
Aim to reorganise economies of Eastern bloc so they support USSR
Details of FDR and GDR
FDR- Formed by France, GB and US merging their zones of Germany. New capital of Bonn and elected their own Parliament (Bundestag) First chancellor Kannd Adenever
GDR- Formed by USSR to oppose West Germany. Much smaller than West germany
Both refused to acknowledge the other and only recognised themselves as the real one
Summarise NATO
Formed in 1949. A treaty between the Western Powers (Big 3 plus 9 Western nations)
Protect each other from Soviet Union, if one was attacked all members will aid
British foreign secretary called on other European countries to get involved with US
Ongoing American military presence in Europe till today
Summarise the Warsaw Pact
Formed by USSR, East Germany and Soviet satellite states
Leadership entirely communist and under Soviet command to extend communist control
Formed due to Stalin’s great fear of NATO
Strengthened Iron Curtain
Hostility drove international relations for next 35 years
Summarise phase 1 of the arms race
Aim: build the most destructive bomb
USA develop first atomic bomb 16/8/45 to use against Japan. Truman hoped to pressure and threaten Stalin into obeying his plans
Stalin felt betrayed and alarmed so funded program to build own A bomb in 1949
Truman confident US would regain upper hand and increased spending to build H-bomb
USSR and US built H-bomb within months of each other despite USSR having half the military spending ($25 billion)
Summarise phase 2 of the arms race
Aim: Develop systems to deploy nuclear weapons ASAP
US threatened USSR by deploying b-52 bombers in Europe after forming NATO
Both sides began to develop missiles to carry and deliver nuclear weapons in an attack
USSR develop first ICBM causing significant fear and tension
USA develop a submarine in 1959 which can carry and launch nuclear missiles
Summarise the space race
1957, USSR launched Sputnik- first man-made satellite. Huge propaganda success for Soviets
USA feared they didn’t have technology to match Soviets
Eisenhower created NASA in 1958 and launched first satellite.
1961- Yuri Gagarin first man in space- another propaganda victory for USSR
Followed by Alan Shepard in space in 1961
Summarise events of the Hungarian Uprising 1956
Death of Stalin led to many Hungarians hoping for reform. As a result Nagy elected on 24th Oct.
Nagy asked Khrushchev to remove Russian troops and they left 28th Oct.
3rd Nov, Nagy announced Hungary would leave Warsaw Pact which Khrushchev wouldn’t allow
4th Nov- 1000 tanks and Russian troops rolled into Budapest, killing 20k.
Nagy executed and replaced by communist Janos Kadar.
Consequences/Importance of the Hungarian Uprising
Stopped radicals in satellite states from rebelling as they knew the consequences (Increases Soviet control)
Khrushchev states that Nagy was an example for all leaders of socialist countries
Relations improved as defined limits of CW. US would criticise USSR but never invade, showing unlikeliness of war
Communist control over Hungary re-established
Why was the Berlin Wall built?
Open border made people leave (3.5 mil) due to higher salaries and more consumer goods in West, Leading to brain drain
Soviet countries restricted trade with the West
USSR used land to extract natural resources, weak economy
Many people were leaving due to the higher living standard in West Berlin, Khrushchev had to act
Features of the Berlin Wall
A long wall splitting the border between west and East Berlin, building starting in 1961
20 Bunkers, 132 watchtowers, thousands of landmines, smooth pipe to all prevent people crossing over
Guards ordered to shoot anyone trying to cross
Consequences of the Berlin wall
East German economy became stronger due to end of refugee crisis and brain drain
Ended any hope of Berlin being united under communist rule
Iron Curtain increased, decreasing relations
Relaxed tensions as avoided war
Summarise the Bay of Pigs invasion, 1961
Cuba ally of USA under Batista and had business interests.
1959- Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro becoming leader and establishing socialist government
Castro nationalised American companies and confiscated US property
US stopped aid and trade with Cuba, harming economy so Castro looked to USSR for help
USSR now traded with Cuba and Castro became a communist, threatening US
CIA trained 1300 Cuban exiles to invade Cuba and overthrow Castro but everyone supported Castro.
Huge failure for US and Kennedy embarrassed
Summarise the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962
After BOP invasion, Castro asked for weapons and arms from USSR, missile silos built
15th Oct- Spy planes found missile sites which put US at risk, Kennedy urged for disarmament
US and USSR came to agreement in UN for removal of missiles if Cuba wouldn’t be invaded, avoiding war
Consequences of the Cuban Missile crisis
Missiles removed from Turkey, USSR no longer under direct threat
Hotline set up to increase communications between Washington and Moscow, improving relations
Test Ban treaty- Nuclear weapons could only be tested underground
Non-proliferation treaty- Countries could not get info. on how to build nuclear weapons from US or USSR
Period Of Detente established
What were the causes of the Prague Spring, 1968
Communism very unpopular and hated, led to many political protests as many killed for opposing communism
No freedom- Censorship and always monitored by secret police
Standard of living- Very low, few consumer goods, Czech economy worked to the benefit of USSR
Dubcheck appointed leader, believed communism is right but ppl shouldn’t hate it, Issued reforms
What were the reforms of the Prague Spring
Censorship relaxed and criticism of gov. allowed
Czech people had more freedom to travel
More power given to Czech regional governments
Trade with West increased
Trade unions given wider powers
Government control of industry reduced
Consequences of the Prague Spring
Czech people very happy but Khrushchev heavily disapproved
500k Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia and army stood down.
Dubchek arrested and told to reverse his reforms, Dismissed from office
Brezhnev doctrine- actions of 1 communist country affects everyone. All countries stopped from making reforms and becoming liberal
Summarise SALT 1, 1972
Both sides froze building of ICBMs and SBMs, Didn’t cover new technology
However, not really followed and no limits on new tech.
Improved relations as both sides had confidence and trusted each others
Both sides could use satellites to spy on each other
Summarise SALT II, 1974
Both sides acknowledged what weapons they had and limits would be helpful
Would have ended arms race as every superpower would have same number of weapons
Missiles would be destroyed and limits on MIRVs
Never ratified and was scrapped due to Afghanistan
Summarise the Helsinski Agreements, 1975
USA, USSR, and 33 other countries made agreements on international issues, split into 3 baskets
Security- All country’s borders to be accepted, Settle disputes peacefully and not interfere each other
Co-Operation- Call for closer economic, scientific and cultural links. US and USSR would support each other through trade, Would share scientific info and research
Human rights- Agreed to respect human rights and basic freedoms such as free speech, movement and religion
Summarise the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
Communist Prime Minister died in Sept. 1979, replaced by Amin who entered discussions with the US
Threatened USSR who didn’t want American influence on its border.
24th Dec- Soviet troops invaded and killed Amin, reinstating Soviet control
Many Afghans rejected communism as it opposed Islam, led to creation of Mujaheddin (resistance group)
Carter Doctrine- No trade with USSR or Afghanistan, Will provide weapons and funding to Mujaheddin
Red Army eventually left due to facing many problems eg. unfamiliarity with landscape
Consequences of the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, 1978
Carter doctrine- Salt II abandoned, USA would repel by force any threats in Persian Gulf, Increased economic sanctions on USSR
Second Cold war begins- End of detente
Olympic boycotts
1.5 million civil deaths
War costs USSR $8 billion a year
Star Wars announced- laser satellite technology to shoot Soviet missiles from space
How did Reagan start the Second Cold War
13% Increased spending on arms in 1982, further 8% in 1983 and 84
Reagan doctrine- US supports anti-communist governments and resistance groups
SDI- Announced laser technology which could shoot down Soviet missiles from space using satellites
Labelled USSR as an “evil empire” but US as “forces of good”
What were the problems facing USSR and what did Gorbachev do
Soviet economy failing and couldn’t compete with US technologically
Ppl of USSR fed up with strict control and wanted freedom
USSR could no longer control satellite states due to lack of money
Perestroika- Westernise economy as supply didn’t meet demand, Import wheat from US due to agriculture decline, freer market where businesses flourished.
Glasnost- Policies towards removing censorship,can criticise the state, Government more transparent of their actions, Culture boomed, Improved relations w US
Summarise the summits in 1980s/90s
Geneva Summit, Nov 1985- First face-to-face meeting between Reagan and Gorbachev. Good relationship
Reykjavik Summit, Oct 1986- Gorbachev phase out nuclear weapons if Reagan stopped SDI program. No formal agreement as US won’t give up SDI. Relations improved
Washington summit, Dec 1987- USSR interests lay in disarmament. Both sides wanted to reduce spending on weapons. Led to INF treaty- both countries abolish all land based missiles with range of 500-5500km
Moscow Summit, 1988- Complex details of INF treaty resolved, Gorbachev announced reduction in Warsaw pact troops, Soviet forces leave Afghanistan
Malta Summit, 1989- Both sides saw this as end of the Cold War, Gorbachev announced war would never happen, Both sides agreed on peace, Transforming East-West relationship
What was the Sinatra Doctrine and what effects did it have
Sinatra Doctrine- Rejected the Brezhnev doctrine as reforms were needed, Satellite states to do things their own way so they didn’t lose support of the people and communism stayed
Poland- Organised strikes demanding change, Elections in 1989 where trade union “Solidarity” won landslide majority. Communism no longer polish ideology with Gorbachev doing nothing
Hungary- Reform programme in 1989 with multi-party elections, Border opened with Austria allowing people to move freely between East and West
East Germany- Banned Soviet Publications as they were too liberal, Huge demonstrations in Nov 1989 (1 million protested), Government announced East Germans can cross border in Berlin, Berlin Wall fell (1990) and collapsed. Germany reunited as one and joined NATO
Warsaw pact ended in 1990 as all military co-operation stopped but formally disbanded in 1991
How did the USSR collapse?
and Estonia broke away from USSR, causing it to end in 1991
Gorbachev appeared on TV to resign, creating 15 new states. Yeltsin became new leader and lowered Soviet flag over Kremlin replacing it with Russian flag
