D20: Cold war to Détente

Lecture Outline:

1. Establishment of post-war order

2. The early Cold War

3. Major Cold War crises

4. Détente

1. Establishment of post-war order

Post-war violence:

• Population displacements

• Antisemitic programs

• Break-up of overseas empires/decolonisation

  • Britain let go off India

  • France pushed out of Asia: Vietnam and Indonesia

  • Netherlands: Lost colonies in areas that are in modern day Indonesia

  • European self Identity was defined through Imperial possessions of colonies → Because of this there was a new/renewed struggle for identity to gain influence as the loss of imperial possessions led to less influence within Europe

Areas that were decolonised were labelled as being the third world → Why we have the phrase of third world country. Also a form of Neo imperialism as it was a grab for influence as the decolonised countries was than seen as needed help to develop. → Neo imperialism

2. The early Cold War:

Allied War Conferences

The big three conferences that defined Europe's situation during the Cold war

• Yalta Conference (Feb 1945)

  • What to do with Germany after WW2:

  • Denazification

  • Demilitarisation

  • Decision to divide Germany into 4 zones of occupation - USSR, USA, Britain, France

  • Division of Berlin into 4 corresponding zones

• Postdam Conference (July-August 1945)

  • Discussion on practical realisation of Yalta-plans

  • Rise in tensions between Western allies and Russia

  • Truman (Not Roosevelt) represents USA

  • Disagreements over USSR role in Eastern Europe

  • Divisions already starting to form

The Iron Curtain

• By 1948 a clear division is prevalent as the Soviet sphere of influence is very very clear and that the Soviets were exerting their will/influence onto countries → Arresting non communists, only allowing communists to vote etc.

US policy of containment, 1947:

• Truman Doctrine

• Marshall Plan

Marshall Plan Aid:

The Soviets accuse America of dollar imperialism as USA is investing an incredible amount of money to invest against the Soviet Bloc.

3. Major Cold War Crisis

Berlin Blockade & Airlift 1948

• Berlin blockade emerged from France, UK and USA introducing economic reforms, and the Soviets hard disagreeing with the reforms, to the point of escalation → Establishment of the Berlin Blockade

• 15,000 flights going in and out to deliver aid to Berlin, costs $500 million (in era level).

  • The west invested a lot into holding onto West Berlin and not letting the Soviets achieve their symbolic victory

Formation of blocs

• 1949: double state foundation in Germany - creates FRG and GDR

• 1949: NATO

• 1955: Warsaw Pact

• Space race, intensification of (nuclear) arms race

Hungarian Uprising, 1956

• Reforms under Imre Nagy

• Soviet invasion to reestablish control

• West “outraged” but doesn’t intervene - power equilibrium

Berlin Wall, 1961

• Brain-drain from East to West in the preceding years

• Escalation of situation by GDR leadership and USSR

• October 1946: Further escalation through military stand-off between USA/USSR

Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962:

• 1959: Fidel Castro had deposed right-wing government of General Batista

• Cuba aligned itself with the USSR

• This brought a communist country into direct missile-range of USA

Lessons from the crisis

• Establishment of direct phone line between Moscow and Washington DC

• Test Ban Treaty (1963)

4. Détente 1970s

• Easing of tensions, communication between USA/USSR

• 1972: SALT 1 Agreement ( Strategic Arms Limitation Talks)

• 1974: USA withdraw from Vietnam

• 1975: Helsinki Accords