Origins of the Cold War Pub Quiz Revision!

List the key details of what was agreed at Yalta Germany divided into 4 zones Berlin also divided into 4 zones Stalin to have some influence in Easter Europe but free and fair elections allowed – especially Poland Germany would pay reparations to the Allies Polish exiles who were anti-communist to be included in the new Polish government

What was different at Potsdam? Different leaders for GB and USA – Atlee and Truman The USA had developed and tested an atomic weapon Stalin had arrested the non-communist politicians in Poland and forced a pro Soviet government into existence They did put in place some of the Yalta agreement The four zones were given formal boundaries and USSR would receive equipment and materials as reparations

Iron Curtain Speech? Given in Fulton, Missouri by Churchill in 1946 He said it stretched from Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic It was a controversial speech – many Americans thought he had gone too far It drew a definite, geographical line between the two sides Stalin and the Soviet Union said it was declaration of war

What was The Truman Doctrine? Truman pledged to help and aid any country that was threatened by communism He pledged to ‘CONTAIN’ communism Details of Marshall Aid? American General George Marshall’s idea Idea was protect vulnerable countries and economies from Communism Congress passed Marshall Aid in March 1948 Open to all countries, inc Communist $15 Billion sent overseas and stimulated economic recovery Communist countries had to reject the offer Stalin claimed it was ‘DOLLAR IMPERIALISM’ and that the USA was Empire Building

Any details on Comecon and Cominform? Stalin’s reaction to the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan 1947 Cominform set up to help spread the communist message and ward off the Truman Doctrine 1949 Comecon set up. Designed to give economic assistance to satellite states. A direct response to Marshall Plan.

Soviet Expansion into Eastern Europe Soviets looked to further increase their ‘sphere of influence’ behind the Iron Curtain In Hungary non-communists won the first post war elections, however power was seized by Rakosi (Communist Party leader) with help of the secret police and military Complete control in Hungary by 1948 In Czecholslovakia, similar situation. Democratic coalition govt set up but Gottwald, leading communist, worked to undermine the govt and control the police, army and media. PM Masyryk fell from a window and eventually Gottwald seized power. In both instances, the presence of the Red Army was critical.

Why did the Soviet Union blockade Berlin? West Berlin had begun to recover economically and USSR felt threatened The Allied zones were joined to create Bizonia and then Trizonia in 1947 June 1948 – a new currency, the Deutschmark, was introduced to the Western zones East Germans were attracted to this new, stronger currency and went to the west to change it up Devalued the Eastern mark badly – economic crisis in the East 24 th June 1948 – Stalin orders a blockade of West Berlin

How did the Allies react to the Blockade? Set up an airlift – flew supplies inc coal, food, grain etc into the three open airports down the air corridors West Berliners joined the airlift and helped unload and distribute supplies at all the airports They counter blockaded the USSR and reduced power and food supplies into the East Stalin had to call off his blockade when he realised that Berlin could be supplied indefinitely In 1949 – Trizonia officially became West Germany and the Soviet zone became East Germany

Details of the Korean War? Post WW2 it had divided in half – communist in the North, democratic in the South Both the USA and USSR were supplying the South and North Koreans respectively with economic and military aid In June 1950 the North attacked the South – massive gains The UN passes a resolution to help the South, the USSR was boycotting the UN at this stage 16 UN countries, led by the USA, go to Korea and force the NKPA back from the Pusan Pocket and also land at Inchon

Details of the Korean War? (2) UN forces push on towards China, who responds with troop involvement UN forces pushed back beyond the 38 th parallel USA puts even more men into action – stalemate comes on the original division line McArthur was to attack China, potentially with Nuclear Weapons. Removed by Truman Cease Fire agreed in 1953 SEATO set up in 1954 to contain the spread of Communism in East Asia

NATO v Warsaw Pact – Safer or More Dangerous? 1949 NATO esatblished Western allies European shield against Communism An attack on one is an attack on all Made it very clear who was on whose side Made any attack escalate into mass war – could deter war or create disaster US troops placed in NATO countries West Germany accepted into NATO in 1955 – 10 days later the USSR created the Warsaw Pact. Highlights the importance of Germany and Berlin Did this alliance system make war more or less likely?

Start of the Arms Race USA’s development of the atomic bomb had shifted the balance of power massively USSR worked overtime to develop atomic weapons and did so by 1949 They then developed even bigger and more powerful weapons – H bombs – by 1953 USA places strategic nuclear warheads in Europe The USA maintained a large lead in atomic weapons but USSR had massive conventional weapons lead (troops, tanks etc) Risk of a hot war developing was increased if one side could ensure a pre-emptive strike would be successful

Peaceful Co-Existence? Policy devised by Khrushchev – 1953 onwards Released Austria as a sovereign state 1956 Secret Speech denouncing Stalin and the worst excesses of his regime Policy of Destalinisation was introduced – statues removed, cities renamed and the secret police were less tyrannical Khrushchev wanted to peacefully co-exist with the West whilst recognising their differences This led to a thaw in relations However, it also encouraged calls for reform in the Satellite States, which would ultimately bring about the Hungarian Uprising that launched the crises of the Cold War

Why was the USSR so worried about the Hungarian uprising? Nagy was a popular and effective leader Feared Hungary would leave the Warsaw Pact Could pave the way for other satellite states to leave Feared continuing reforms after Poland USSR seen as weak if it does not respond Feared Khrushchev’s thaw and peaceful co- existence had gone too far

What was the biggest cause of the Cold War?