Eastern Europe during the Cold War Flashcards
What were Alexander Dubcek’s policies? (Prague 1968)
“socialism with a human face”, more freedom of speech, reduction in the activities of the secret police.
How did the USSR initially respond to the Prague Spring?
Tried to slow Dubcek Down by negotiating with him.
Soviet, Polish and East German troops performed very public training exercises on the Czech Border
(Thought about imposing sanctions e.g., Cancelling wheat exports to Czechoslovakia, but they feared that the Czechs would ask the West for help.)
- Why did Brezhnev feel threatened by Dubcek’s reforms?
He felt that Dubcek’s reforms would encourage other Eastern European countries to demand the same rights.
He was afraid that once freedom of speech was introduced, the communist government would be challenged.
He thought Dubcek’s reforms would make Hungary leave the Warsaw pact and if they did, he knew that if Hungary left the Warsaw pact, US forces could march from West Germany to soviet controlled Ukraine.
Warsaw Pact
The military alliance between the USSR and its allies.
Signed in Warsaw, Poland.
Containment
A strategy introduced by Truman to prevent further
expansion of the Soviet Union. It partly consisted of
Marshall Aid, where resources and money were provided by
the US to its allies.
Prague Spring
A diplomatic attempt by Dubcec, Czechoslovakia’s
president, to reform communism. This included greater
freedom to the media and the ability of firms to set
prices, for example. Eventually, the government was
dissolved by the Soviets and Dubcec demoted.
Prague Spring Reasons
Czechslovakia was struggling economically in the 1960s
The communist party was replaced by Dubcek
A recession had led to more freedom for all workers
Brezhnev Doctrine
A Soviet foreign policy that proclaimed that any threat to socialist rule in any state of the Soviet bloc would be crushed. They must remain a 1 party state and remain in the Warsaw Pact.
Similarities between Czechoslovakia and Hungary
- Long term hatred against USSR control
- Wanted more rights for people
- People protested
- USSR got involved
- Leaders were removed and mass emigration
Berlin blockade
In response to Soviet blockade of land routes into West Berlin, the United States begins a massive airlift of food, water, and medicine to the citizens of West Berlin.
Solidarity
Polish trade union created in 1980 to protest working conditions and political repression.
How successful was the BEF?
Their purpose was largely to aid the French by preventing a breakthrough by the Germans on the Western Front. They played an arguably decisive role in stopping the German advance at the Battle of the Marine at the start of the war. In the Battle of the Somme, they arguably achieved the goal as they spread the German army further, reducing the pressure in Verdun. In addition, land, albeit little, was gained. That being said, the perhaps avoidable and reckless deaths were large in number and displayed inefficiency in their operations. While they were relatively successful on paper, the many lives lost provide a sizeable counterargument.
How was the Schlieffen Plan intended to work?
Germany wanted to defeat France, especially before the Russian army fully mobilized. The hope was that if the support of the French was lost, Britain and Russia would withdraw. So, they were going to send a majority of their troops to attack France largely through Belgium and seemed to target Paris as a main objective.
