8 mark effects/consequences question on superpower relations

Explain two effects of The Yalta Conference on superpower relations

The first effect of the Yalta Conference was that the tension between the Big Three seemed to decrease due to their agreements on the ways forward for post-war Europe.

- germany would be divided into 4 zones each controlled by a different power, the USA, Britain, France and the Soviet Union

- a united nations would he set up in which all nations could join

- Germany would pay $20 billiom in reparations, half of which would go to the Soviet Union

- the nazi party would be banned and war criminals proscuted

-> the three countries seemed to be in agreement, improving superpower relations

The second effect was that tension between America and Soviet Union was created after the conference due to their different interpretations on 'democracy' and 'free elections'

- to Roosevelt this meant the American system of free speech

- stalin's idea of democracy was a communist one where the communist party represented the people and no opposition were allowed

-> Yalta raised false expectaions in the USA and theu were greatly disappointed when Stalin did not allow wester-style government to be set out in Eastern Europe, increasung tension between the two countries

Explain two effects of The Potsdam Conference on superpower relations

The first effect of the Potsdam Conference was that superpower relations worsened due to change in leaders in both the USA and Britain

- Roosevelt dies and so Truman was the new president of the USA. He was much more suspicious of Stalin as he believed the Soviets were keen to spread communism worldwide and bring down the capitalist democracy

- Truman was determined to take a 'get tough' approach with Stalin and also deliberately delayed the date of the conference until the atomic bomb was ready to give him an edge in discussions

- Attlee, newly elected prime minister, was most concerned to return to Britain

-> with the new leaders who were not used to diplomatic decisions, it was much harder to get their way with Stalin, worsening their relations

The second effect was that the allies found some common ground and important decisions were made at Potsdam

- Germany would be divided into 4 zones, administrated by the Soviet Union, the USA, France and Britain but the German economy would run as a whole

- the German capital, Berlin, would also be divided into 4 zones, each controlled by different countries

- was agreed that each administrating country should take reparations from its own zone. As the Soviet Union controlled the poorest zone, it was allowed to take a quarter of the industrial equipment from the other zones

-> the allies agreed on some decisions and further shaped post-war Europe

Explain two effects of Churchill and his ‘iron curtain’ speech on superpower relations

The first effect of Churchill and his ‘iron curtain’ speech was that tension between the superpowers increased

- in the speech Churchill made it clear that he thought the USSR was a threat to freedom and world peace

- he made the speech in the USA and although he was not speaking on behalf of the USA, he must have shown the speech to Truman before, so Stalin believed that it reflected the US beliefs as well as Britain’s

- therefore, it confirmed Stalin’s view that the USA wanted to dominate Europe

-> worsened US-Soviet relations

The second effect was that Stalin strengthened his forced and began an anti-Western propaganda campaign

- Stalin likened the USA to Nazi Germany in their quest to dominate Europe

- he strengthened his forces as he believed that Truman wanted to use American military power against communism

- led to Stalin’s continued expansion into Eastern Europe

Explain two effects of The Truman Doctrine on superpower relations

The first effect was that the Truman Doctrine was highly successful in providing sufficient economic aid to war-torn Europe facing an economic crisis in 1947 preventing the spread of communism

- when Britain was unable to provide military support to the Greek government against communism guerrillas, Truman took action

- the USA realised that unless conditions improved, there was a high chance that communism could come to power, since it advocated sharing out wealth of the richest people, appealing to the poorer members of society

- therefore, economic aid package was given to Greece and Turkey where USA would provide $400 million in aid and send American civilian and military personnel to the region, which had highly successful outcomes

The second effect of the Truman doctrine was that it showed the world was now divided according to ideology and that the two sides could not cooperate distinguishing the end of the Grand Alliance and the beginning of the Cold War.

- Truman believed choosing democracy over communism was like choosing good over evil

- he said communism should not grow and that the USA was prepared to send troops and economic aid to those countries trying to resist it

- before WWII, the USA had followed a policy of isolationism which was now replaced with containment, setting up the USA as the leader of the fight against communism

-> indicated the beginning of a new approach to international relations where communism and capitalism could not coincide

Explain two effects of The Marshall Plan on superpower relations

The first effect was of the Marshall plan was that the outcome was highly successful

- over four years 1948-52, $13.7 billion of aid was provided

- when the plan ended in 1952, the countries were more economically prosperous

- the plan helped the USA as by rebuilding Western Europe, America was creating wealthy trade partners who would want to buy large amounts of American goods.

- the plan successfully tied Western Europe countries into supporting the USA, known as ‘dollar imperialism’ by the Soviets. As Stalin rejected the plan Europe became divided into 2 economic and political camps

The second effect was that it set Stalin an economic and political challenge, leading him to set up two new organisations for the communist countries of Europe, Cominform and Comecon

- Comiform represented communist parties across Europe under the direction of the USSR, giving Stalin a way of directing and controlling the governments of the satellite states, rejecting the Marshall plan. It spread propaganda, accusing America of being no different from Nazi Germany

- Comecon was an aid aid package based on communist beliefs that was in direct competition with the Marshall Plan and aimed to support economic development in its member states. It discouraged trade with the USA and Western Europe

Explain two effects of the creation of Bizonia on superpower relations

The first effect of the creation of Bizonia was that Stalin set up the ‘Berlin Blockade’ to protect Soviet interests in Germany and show a divided Germany would not work, given that he wanted Germany to be one country following communist ideology

- all roads, canals and railways that led from the West into Western Berlin were closed and so 2 million people in West Berlin were cut off and left to starve as long as the winds out of Berlin remained blocked

- western allies began Operation Vittles, the Berlin Airlift to fly in food, coal and essential supplies into the city along air corridors

- the Soviets gave in nearly a year later, lifting the blockade. Stalin seemed foolish and aggressive compared to the peaceful response of the West

The second effect was that it created a divided Germany, increasing tensions between the East and West

- 3 days after the blockade the Western zones came together as a state known as the Federal Republic of Germany

- the new leader if the government, Adenauer, hated communism and believed very strongly in linking West Germany to the USA and western Europe

- Stalin responded by creating the German Democratic Republic which only the communist bloc countries recognised as a nation

Explain two effects of the Berlin Crisis/Airlift 1948-9 on superpower relations

The first effect of the Berlin Crisis was that it created a divided Germany, increasing tensions between the East and West

- 3 days after the blockade the Western zones came together as a state known as the Federal Republic of Germany

- the new leader if the government, Adenauer, hated communism and believed very strongly in linking West Germany to the USA and western Europe

- Stalin responded by creating the German Democratic Republic which only the communist bloc countries recognised as a nation

The second effect was that the USA, Britain, France and other Western countries joined together to form NATO

- NATO was a specific military alliance between western countries with a specific aim of defending the west against communism

- the members of NATO agree that if any member was attacked, all members if NATO would come to its assistance

- NATO resulted in the Americans keeping bases in Europe through the Cold War

- the Soviet Union responded to NATO by setting up its own military alliance in 1955, established under a treaty called the Warsaw Pact

Explain two effects of the setting up of NATO on superpower relations

The first effect of setting up NATO that it showed the USA and Western Powers’ determination to stand firm against communism.

- NATO was a specific military alliance between western countries with an aim of defending the west against communism.

- the members of NATO agree that if any member was attacked, all members if NATO would come to its assistance

- The alliance was supported with large numbers of troops on the ground and so there was a permanent presence of American forces in Europe so they could continue their policy of containment

The second effect was that the Soviet Union, in response to NATO, set up its own military alliance in 1955, established under a treaty called the Warsaw Pact, increasing hostility between international relations

- the countries within the Warsaw Pact became known as the ‘Eastern Bloc’.

- Despite the pact having many member states, the leadership was entirely Soviet and the alliance was under the command of the Soviet Union

- the Warsaw Pact distinguished that now there were two Europes, one under the protection of the USA, working to defend communist control and the other was led by the Soviet Union and seeking to extend communist control

Explain two effects of the Korean War on superpower relations

The first effect was of the Korean War was that SEATO was formed

- SEATO formed as an anti-communist containment bloc in Asia

- the USA, part of SEATO, now committed itself to supporting other countries in Asia trying to resist communism, tripling their defence budget after the war

-> further reinforcing America as leader in the fight against communism

The second effect was that tension between the USA and Soviet Union and so increased the size of their armed forces and entered an arms race

- they were afraid that the Cold War may develop into a direct military confrontation between the two superpowers

- the USA increased its forces in Europe and the USSR increased troops from 2.8 mil to 5.8 mil between 1959-55

- their desire to have a stronger military force led to a nuclear arms race as both the USA and the Soviet Union tried to gain military supremacy over their rival. For example when the USA developed the hydrogen bomb, the Soviet Union also developed one, one year later

- however both sides understood the risks involved in using nuclear weapons, so they acted as a deterrent

-> the competition reinforced the idea that the superpowers during the Cold War

Explain two effects of the creation of the Warsaw Pact on superpower relations

The first effect of the creation of the Warsaw Pact was that it distinguished a divided Europe, economically, politically and militarily , increasing tension between the superpowers

- Warsaw Pact formed following the formation of NATO, the Federal Republic of Germany joining NATO and the Korean War

- Europe was divided ideologically with the capitalist west and communist east.

- Comecon, an economic aid package based on communist beliefs, was in direct competition with the Marshall Plan

-> the Warsaw Pact distinguished that now there were two Europes, one under the protection of the USA, working to defend communist control and the other was led by the Soviet Union and seeking to extend communist control

The second effect was that the Warsaw Pact contributed heavily to the Soviet invasion of Hungary

- Nagy, the prime minister of Hungary, announced in his set of proposed reform of leaving the Warsaw Pact and becoming a neutral country

- this concerned Khrushchev as if Hungary left, other Eastern European countries may follow, threatening the strategy of achieving security for the Soviet Union by surrounding it with pro-communist governments, part of the Warsaw Pact which formed the ‘Eastern Bloc’

- Khrushchev therefore set up a new pro-communist government under Kadar, executing Nagy

Explain two effects of de-Stalinisation on superpower relations

The first effect was that de-Stalinisation created an idea of peaceful co-existence, improving US-Soviet relations

- Khrushchev openly criticised Stalin’s policies and suggested there should be peaceful-coexistence

- this was based on a growing belief in the Soviet Union that communist philosophy was so superior to that in the west that capitalism would eventually collapse

- so in the meantime, there was little point having open confrontation which may lead to a destructive war between the superpowers

- the more positive approach of both Khrushchev and Eisenhower created hope for reducing tension and moving towards peaceful-coexistence

The first effect of de-Stalinisation was that it led to the Soviet invasion of Hungary, worsening relations between superpowers

- Khrushchev criticising Stalin’s repressive regime and the Soviet Union granting concessions after the revolt in Poland in June 1956 encouraged Hungary to push for reforms

- the former prime minister of Hungary, Rakosi, a firm supporter of Stalin was replaced with Nagy who announced a set of proposal reforms, which included Hungary leaving the Warsaw Pact

- this concerned Khrushchev as if Hungary left, other Eastern European countries may follow, threatening the strategy of achieving security for the Soviet Union by surrounding it with pro-communist governments, part of the Warsaw Pact which formed the ‘Eastern Bloc’

- Khrushchev therefore ordered a Soviet invasion of Hungary and Nagy was later executed

-> de-stalinisation lured Hungary into a false sense of security and the USA strongly opposed the USSR’s actions damaging relations between the two superpowers

Explain two effects of the Soviet invasion of Hungary on superpower relations

The first effect of the Soviet invasion of Hungary was that it strengthened Khrushchev’s position in the USSR and gave him a stronger position in the Warsaw Pact

- members of the Eastern Bloc now knew they must do as they were told as if they rebelled, they could not expect military support from the USA.

- The Soviet communism looked brutal and cruel, which was a fail in terms of propaganda, but further dissuaded other countries from rebellion

- Khrushchev also became more confident in dealing with the USSR as he now knew they were unlikely to risk taking military action

The second effect was that the USA was shown to be powerless, and tensions between the superpowers increased and the thaw ended.

- despite the USA encouraging communist countries to rebel via radio broadcasts, they were not prepared to back their words with military support reflecting badly on the West

- they stuck to their policy of containment for they feared a nuclear war

- the west grew more frightened of the USSR and the Cold War intensified. The idea of peaceful-coexistence was short-lived as the Cold War became even ‘colder’

Explain 2 effects of the U2 incident 1960 on superpower relations

The first effect was that the idea of a ‘thaw’ in tensions created during de-Salinisation was over and tensions were high again.

- the Americans claimed that the spy plane which shot down was a weather plane that had blown off course

- however, the Soviets interrogated the pilot, Garry Powers, who admitted to being on a spy mission

- this clearly demonstrated how the US mistrusted the Soviet Union, creating tensions

The second effect was that Khrushchev walked out of the Paris Summit in 1960.

- despite all the evidence, humiliated president Eisenhower refused to apologise, claiming spying operations like this could not be avoided

- therefore, the meeting ended with no decisions being made

- it demonstrated that relations were worsening and the next president, Kennedy promised to be tougher on communism

Explain 2 effects of the Paris Summit Conference 1960 on super power relations

The first effect was that the ‘thaw’ in tensions created during de-Stalinisation was over and that tensions were high between the superpowers .

- this is as Khrushchev formed out the conference mid-way following the U2 crisis

- the Americans claimed that the spy plane which shot down was a weather plane that had blown off course

- however, the Soviets interrogated the pilot, Garry Powers, who admitted to being on a spy mission

- this clearly demonstrated how the US mistrusted the Soviet Union, creating tensions

The second effect was that no decisions were made at the conference worsening relations

- due to Khrushchev walking out and President Eisenhower refusing to apologise, claiming that spy missions could not be avoided, no decisions were made

- ‘peaceful coexistence’ between capitalism and communism which was previously proposed looked highly unlikely

- the next president of the USA, Kennedy, promised to be tougher on communism, worsening relations

Explain 2 effects of the construction of the Berlin Wall 1961 on superpower relations

The first effect was it improved relations between the USA and Soviet Union as it solved the refugee crisis for Eastern Germany.

- the issue of refugees crossing into the West had been a problem which strained relations since 1945.

- now who could enter and leave East Berlin was controlled.

- the number of military alerts in Berlin decreased as the situation there became less tense

The second effect was that Khrushchev suffered a humiliating defeat and the West woman propaganda victory, worsening relations

- the wall showed that the Soviet Union had to 'lock' people into East Germany to stop them leaving, proving that given a choice they preferred capitalism over communism, which was humiliating

- the wall also showed that Khrushchev had been forced to accept Western control in West Berlin and that he could not get away with bullying Kennedy anymore.

- however, due to Khrushchev's humiliating defeat, he decided to place missives in Cuba to show he could stand up to the USA, increasing tensions

Explain 2 effects of the Cuban revolution / Castro's revolution in Cuba (1959) on superpower relations

The first effect was that the relations between USA and Cuba worsened.

- although America recognised Castro's government, when he requested economic aid in 1960, it was denied.

- instead, president Eisenhower reduced US imports of sugar by 95% which and by October 1960 it eventually ended all trade with Cuba

- in January 1961, the USA broke off diplomatic relations with Cuba

The second effect was that the relationship between the USSR and Cuba improved.

- Cuba began to build economic links with the Soviet Union instead of the USA.

- in February 1960, they began trading Cuban sugar for Soviet oil as Khrushchev agreed to provide economic aid

- there was also a secret clause saying that Cuba would receive arms from the Soviet Union given that Castor wanted Soviet military defence and support.

explain 2 effects of the Bay of Pigs on superpower relations

The first effect was that it was a humiliating and embarrassing failure for the USA, weakening President Kennedy’s position

- the USA had previously accused the Soviet Union of trying to build and empire in Eastern Europe

- now it looked like the Americans were acting in the same way to restore American influence in an independent country by supporting an armed uprising against its government.

- the Soviet Union was quick to point out that the people of Cuba were happy under the leadership of the pro-communist Castro and had shown little support for restoring the pro-American and corrupt Batista regime. Khrushchev said this was clear evidence of the popularity of communism.

The second effect was that it led to stronger relations between Cuba and the Soviet Union and a deteriorated relation between the USA and Cuba, whilst Soviet and USA relations increased in tension

- after the invasion, Castro declared himself to be a communist and asked Khrushchev to help him defend Cuba against any future attack from the USA

- in September 1961, Khrushchev publicly announced that he would provide arms to Cuba

- this concerned President Kennedy as Cuba would now have modern military weapons and training from Soviet experts

- the USA would be under direct threat if nuclear weapons were placed in Cuba

- this led to the Cuban missile crisis, where an American spy plane took pictures showing that the Soviet Union was building missile launch sites in Cuba (which could reach most U.S. cities)

Explain 2 effects of the Cuban missile crisis on superpower relations

The first effect of the Cuban Missile Crisis was that the relations and the reputation of Kennedy and Khrushchev changed.

- Kennedy showed himself to be a strong leader, not only in challenging Khrushchev but also challenging the hawks in his own government. His popularity increased significantly in the USA, particularly as the agreement over Turkey (removing the missiles) had not been made public. Therefore, he had more confidence in his dealings with the Soviet Union

- however, Khrushchev became more unpopular as the military felt that they had been forced into a humiliating withdrawal. This led to his dismissal in 1964

The second effect of the Cuban Missile Crisis was that the world became a safer place.

- neither side wanted a nuclear war as they knew such weapons would destroy the world many times over

- the 'hotline' was created. (In June 1963). this was a direct communications line set up between Washington and Moscow. However, this was not used very often - only by Brezhnev and Nixon to discuss the war between Pakistan and India.

- in 1968, the nuclear non-proliferation treaty was signed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. Countries that signed up to the treaty agreed not to share their nuclear technology with other countries, whilst they worked towards disarmament.

Explain 2 effects of Prague spring on superpower relations

The first effect of the Prague spring was that it led to the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia as Brezhnev felt threatened by the reforms of Prague spring.

- Dubcek's reforms called for a relaxation of censorship and allowing criticism to the government actions. Trade unions were given wider powers and government control of i seis try was reduced. Trade with the west was increased

- Brezhnev (Soviet leader) disagreed with this and so sent 500,000 Warsaw pact troops to invade Czechoslovakia and end the Prague spring.

- dubcek was sent to Moscow to reverse his reforms, but then later was removed from office and replaced with Husak, an extreme communist who was very loyal to Moscow. The country was under strict Soviet-approved communism, worsening superpower relations

The second effect was that the Prague spring which caused the invasion of Czechoslovakia caused the Brezhnev doctrine

- this doctrine, set out by the Soviet newspaper, Pravda, stated that actions of any individual communist country affected all communist countries.

- this meant that all communist countries would be prevented from introducing reforms to make their country more liberal

- this worsened superpower relations

Explain 2 effects of Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia on superpower relations

The first effect was that the USA and other western governments were angered by the invasion and many of them made strong protests to the Soviet Union.

- this is as the Prague spring, a set of reforms which called for a relaxation of censorship and allowing criticism to the government actions was ended. It had gave Trade unions wider powers and government control of industry try was reduced. Trade with the west had been increased

- Brezhnev (Soviet leader) disagreed with this and so sent 500,000 Warsaw pact troops to invade Czechoslovakia and end the Prague spring.

- dubcek was sent to Moscow to reverse his reforms, but then later was removed from office and replaced with Husak, an extreme communist who was very loyal to Moscow. The country was under strict Soviet-approved communism, worsening superpower relations

The second effect was that the Brezhnev doctrine was announced.

- this doctrine, set out by the Soviet newspaper, Pravda, stated that actions of any individual communist country affected all communist countries.

- this meant that all communist countries would be prevented from introducing reforms to make their country more liberal

- this worsened superpower relations

- thee was an attempt to pass a formal resolution criticising the invasion in the United Nations but this was vetoed out by the Soviet Union.

explain 2 effects of detente on superpower relations

The first effect of detente was that both the USA and Soviet Union could spend less money on defence and building nuclear weapons and start focusing on other issues like social and economic, improving relations as arms race tensions decreased

- the USA had spent $170 billion on the Vietnam war meaning there was a shortage of money spent on social problems, such as racial inequality

- the Soviet Union had spent 30% of the GDP on defence which was significantly high compared to 13% spent by the USA. this meant that the country's standard of living was low and they were falling behind on modern technology like computers and microchips.

- improve relations

The second effect was the there was decrease in tension between the superpowers and both sides could stop worrying about China.

- USA had been concerned about the growing power of the government of China as they had tested their first atomic comb in 1946 and their first nuclear missile in 1966. Nixon was worried that if China and Soviet Union, 2 communist countries, reached an agreement, it could reheated the USA.

- the Soviet Union had poor relations with China that fighting broke out between troops in the Chinese- Soviet border. There was a risk that this could lead to war

explain 2 effects of SALT 1 on superpower relations

The first effect of SALT 1 was that it had a significant impact on international importance as it provided a major symbolic importance, improving relations.

- both the Soviet Union and USA wanted to reach agreement and wanted to demonstrate their better relations publicly

- after signing SALT1, Nixon visited Brezhnev I'm Moscow and in 1973, the Soviet leader came to Washington

- in 1974,negotiations began for SALT 2 to find agreements in matters not solved by SALT 1.

The second effect was that it had a number of weaknesses.

- it was unrealistic to expect war to be avoided just because the counties had signed a piece of paper, especially as both countries still owned more than enough nuclear weapons to destroy the world many times over,

- the treaty did not cover the latest technology

- this included MIRVs which carries multiple nuclear warheads in a single missile