Mind Map: Reasons for the Cold War

Long-term Rivalry

• Soviet Union vs. the West

• Ideological differences: Communism vs. Capitalism

Tensions in WWII

• Disagreements during WWII

• Conferences: Tehran, Yalta, Potsdam

Early Developments (1945-49)

• Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe

• Churchill's 'iron curtain' speech

• Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan

• Cominform and Comecon

Cold War in the 1950s

• Impact of Korean War

• Formation of Warsaw Pact

• Soviet rule on Hungary

• Berlin Crisis (1948-49)

Three Crises

• Berlin Crisis

• Cuban Missile Crisis

• Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia

Thaw and Détente (1963-72)

• 'Hotline' and Test Ban Treaty

• SALT talks and treaty

• Moves towards Détente

Impact of Nuclear Arms Race

• Superpower relations

• NATO formation

• Creation of FRG and GDR

Mind Map: Reasons for the Cold War

The Cold War, a period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the Western powers, was rooted in various factors that shaped the global landscape for decades to come.

Long-term Rivalry

The rivalry between the Soviet Union and the West was deeply entrenched in ideological differences. The contrasting ideologies of Communism in the Soviet Union and Capitalism in the West set the stage for ongoing tensions and power struggles.

Tensions in WWII

During World War II, disagreements arose between the Soviet Union and the Western Allies, leading to pivotal conferences such as the Tehran Conference, Yalta Conference, and Potsdam Conference, where the seeds of future conflicts were sown.

Early Developments (1945-49)

The period from 1945 to 1949 saw significant developments that intensified the Cold War. Soviet expansion into Eastern Europe, Churchill's famous 'iron curtain' speech, the implementation of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan, as well as the establishment of Cominform and Comecon, all contributed to escalating tensions.

Cold War in the 1950s

The 1950s witnessed the Cold War escalating further with events such as the Korean War, the formation of the Warsaw Pact, Soviet intervention in Hungary, and the Berlin Crisis of 1948-49, which divided the city into East and West.

Three Crises

Notable crises during the Cold War included the Berlin Crisis, the Cuban Missile Crisis that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war, and the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, highlighting the intense power struggles between the superpowers.

Thaw and Détente (1963-72)

The period from 1963 to 1972 marked a thaw and détente in Cold War tensions. Initiatives such as the establishment of a 'hotline' for direct communication, the signing of the Test Ban Treaty, and the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) paved the way for a more stable relationship between the superpowers.

Impact of Nuclear Arms Race

The nuclear arms race had a profound impact on superpower relations, leading to the formation of NATO, and the division of Germany into the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the German Democratic Republic (GDR), further solidifying the East-West divide.