Reasons for the Cold War

Contrast the "World views" of the USA and the USSR

USA (Liberal Democracy/Capitalism): Valued individual liberty, multi-party elections, and a free-market economy based on private ownership and profit.

USSR (Communism): Valued the "collective good," a one-party state, and a state-controlled "command economy" where the government owned all land and industry.

Conflict: Both saw the other's system as an existential threat; Roosevelt viewed the USSR as a partner in peace, while Truman viewed it as "Good vs. Evil."

What "Under the Surface" tensions weakened the Grand Alliance during WWII?

The Second Front: Stalin was resentful that the US/UK delayed invading France until 1944, believing they wanted the USSR to be weakened by the Nazis.

The Atomic Bomb: The US developed the bomb in secret. Truman's use of it at Hiroshima/Nagasaki was seen by Stalin as "Atomic Diplomacy"—an attempt to intimidate the USSR.

Personal Distrust: Churchill refused to share Enigma codes; Stalin was obsessively secretive with battle plans and restricted Allied sailors in Soviet ports.

Why was the Tehran Conference (1943) significant for Stalin?

Strategic Win: He secured the date for Operation Overlord (D-Day).

Diplomatic Win: He successfully isolated Churchill by building a rapport with Roosevelt.

Commitment: Stalin agreed to enter the war against Japan once Germany was defeated and to join the United Nations.

What were the 4 key "Principles of Settlement" agreed at Yalta (Feb 1945)

Germany/Berlin: To be split into 4 occupation zones (USA, USSR, UK, France).

Reparations: Set at $20 billion (half to the USSR).

Poland: Border moved west; Stalin promised "Free Elections" for the Polish people.

Declaration on Liberated Europe: A promise to help freed nations set up democratic governments.

How did the "Mood" change at the Potsdam Conference (July 1945)

New Leaders: Truman (hardline anti-communist) replaced Roosevelt; Attlee replaced Churchill.

No Common Enemy: Germany had surrendered, removing the glue that held the alliance together.

Atomic Factor: Truman learned of the successful atomic test and became more aggressive, no longer feeling he needed Stalin's help against Japan.

Compare the "Long Telegram" (Kennan) and the "Novikov Telegram" (1946)

Kennan (US): Reported that the USSR was inherently aggressive due to centuries of insecurity. Proposed "Containment"—resisting Soviet expansion with firm force.

Novikov (Soviet): Reported that the USA wanted "world domination" and was preparing for a new war.

Result: Both sides finalized the belief that the other was an enemy, leading Stalin to tighten his "Buffer Zone."

What was the impact of Churchill's "Iron Curtain" Speech (1946)

The Phrase: It described the division of Europe into a democratic West and a Soviet-controlled East.

The Warning: Churchill warned that the Soviets only respected strength and despised military weakness.

Reaction: Stalin called the speech "war-mongering" and "racist," signaling the official start of the Cold War.

Explain "Salami Tactics" with three specific country examples.

Definition: Slicing away non-communist opposition bit-by-bit to ensure a total communist takeover.

Poland (1947): Red Army crushed the Warsaw Uprising; communists rigged elections to win 80% of the vote.

Hungary (1948): Communists won only 17% of the vote but took over the Ministry of the Interior to arrest and discredit rivals.

Czechoslovakia (1948): The last democracy fell when communists seized vacant government spots; Foreign Minister Jan Masaryk was murdered

What was the purpose of "Cominform" (1947)?

It was the Communist Information Bureau.

It allowed Stalin to coordinate and control all communist parties in Eastern Europe, ensuring they followed orders from Moscow and purging any independent-minded leaders (except Tito in Yugoslavia).

What was the "Truman Doctrine" (1947) and its trigger?

Trigger: Britain could no longer afford to support Greece and Turkey against communist rebels.

Policy: Truman pledged that the USA would provide military and economic aid to any "free peoples" resisting communism.

Shift: It officially ended US Isolationism and made Containment the central goal of US foreign policy.

Why did the Marshall Plan (1948) increase Cold War tensions?

Dollar Imperialism: Stalin saw the $13.7 billion aid package as a bribe to keep European countries loyal to the USA.

Division: Stalin forbade his satellite states from taking the money, effectively splitting Europe into two distinct economic and political camps.

Success: It rebuilt Western Europe, making communism look less attractive to desperate people.