Chapter 3 - USA's involvement in Europe Flashcards
What did Dean G. Acheson warn in 1945
- The situation in Europe mirrored wider international problem
- Threat to stability of international democracy based on capitalism
- In Europe, railway and power systems collapsed and financial system come to complete standstill
- Chaos in foundations of structures and ordered society
What was US strategic planning in Europe based on by 1947?
- Ensuring economic recovery in wake of World War 2
- Promoting unity within Europe
- = would lead to bloc of stable, independent, pro-American states
Why did Britain value its special relationship with USA?
- Needed to preserve its own international status
- Wanted mutual support instead of dependence upon USA
- Wanted USA to contribute to Britain’s security
Why did USA value its special relationship with Britain?
- Needed to form relationship with Western powers
- Britain most receptive to these advances
- Other Western European states had left-wing, socialist political groups = less reliable than British Labour movement
What did Clayton conclude in May 1947?
- Failure to revive economies of European States –> damage USA economically
- Predicted loss of markets for goods + unemployment in USA
- Exaggerated importance of Europe to USA
What did George Kennan’s Policy Planning Staff Group conclude in May 1947?
- Didn’t regard Communist activities in W Europe as the problem there
- Real issue = impact of WW2 on political, social and economic structure of Europe
- US aid in Europe should be focused on restoring its economic strength instead of combating communism
What were the conditions for recipients of Marshall Plan aid?
- Some of the money must be spent on importing goods from USA
- Must share economic info with USA
Why was the Marshall Plan introduced?
- Part of US strategy to benefit US economy by helping in European economic reconstruction
- Aimed at promoting European unity
- Stable European bloc = reinforce Truman’s ‘containment’
- Not meant to prevent Soviet military intervention in Western Europe
2 countries that received the most Marshall Plan aid, and 2 that received the least:
Most =
- Great Britain ($ 3,100 million)
- France (£ 2,700 million)
Least =
- Sweden ($ 100 million)
- Yugoslavia ($ 100 million)
How did the Soviets view the Marshall Plan?
- Act of American economic imperialism
- Believed US influence could spread into Europe = undermine their sphere of influence and security
- Believed they needed to tighten Soviet control over Eastern Europe
How did the Soviet Union respond to the Marshall Plan?
- July 1947 = walk out of Paris Peace Conference
- September 1947 = establish Cominform
What was the impact of the Marshall Plan?
- Accelerated rate of division of Europe
- Undermined possibility of international relations based on cooperation between the 2 superpowers
How did the USA manage the Western zones of Germany?
- British and American occupation zones of Germany and Berlin = merged into single zone (Bizonia)
- February 1948 = New currency introduced into Bizonia
How did the Soviet Union respond to a new currency being introduced into Bizonia?
- Imposed blockade on Berlin
Why did US not want Germany reunified?
- Reunified Germany = too powerful through manipulation of Eastern and Western powers
- Germany could align itself with USSR
- Extent of US influence could be undermined as Germany became more economically dominant
