3 - Cold war in the 1950s Flashcards
How did the Korean war causes tension between the west and the Soviets?
When Korea was freed from Japanese control. Forces from SU entered north of the country and those from the USA entered the south.
Division was agreed between ‘North’ and ‘South’ Korea along the 38th parallel. Country split into 2.
Peoples democratic republic of Korea (NK) and the Republic of Korea (SK). North Korea received aid and military equipment from the SU. South received similar support from US.
Truman was determined for SK to not become communist. They were trying to stop the spread of communist in Europe and feared if Korea fell to communism other countries would become communist.
On 25th of June 1950 NK invaded SK a request of the USA UN met to consider action. NK was told to withdraw from SK but this failed so a UN force from 16 countries was put together to help South Korea. Many US troops and NK were pushed back across the 38th parallel and continuing advanced till reaching the Chinese border. China entered the war and pushed the UN out of NK Mao didn’t want to see US forces defeat a communist ally. War continued for 2 year before peace treaty agreed along 8th parallel UN stopped NK takeover.
What impact did the Korea war have on US-SU relations?
US had committed to supporting other countries in Asia trying to resist communism. Strengthened land forces encouraged Greece and Turkey to join NATO. Defence Budget tripled after Korean war.
In SEP 1954, SEATO was formed the purpose to stop the communist spread in Asia.
SU was worried by US strengthening armed forces so increased size of own army 2.8 million soilders in red army in 1950 by 1955, number was 5.6 million
When West Germany joined NATO SU responded by brining 8 countries to form Warsaw pact organisation expected members to come to the defence of any members attacked by external force.
Suspicion increased and distrust of each other increased developed into direct military conflict led to nuclear arms race.
Although the Korean war has taken place in Asia it was a war between 2 small Asain countries. Major impact on global relations between the US and SU. Suspicions and distrust grew and both sides increased the size of their armed forces. In case of military confrontation. Nuclear arms race caused because of this
What was the Arms race between the SU and the USA.
Since developing the atomic bomb in 1945 USA was secure as it was the only country with such a weapon. It could counter the SU larger stock of weapons. However Stalin and the SU developed the atomic bomb in 1949. US the developed the hydrogen bomb in 1952, 1,000 times more powerful than the atomic bomb restored American advantage. 1953 the SU also had a hydrogen bomb. In 1957, USA developed the inter continental ballistic missile (ICBM) could fire a nuclear weapon at a target 5,000 km away. Few months later SU developed it.
What was the impact of the nuclear arms race?
Arms race made each side more powerful. The development of of the arms race made the US AND SU spent huge sums of money on developing large armies navies and submarine fleets and nuclear missiles. It was important to stay ahead in the nuclear arms race to emphasise military superiority. This led to a change in thinking about war previously weapons and armed forced were developed to win wars. But such wage the power of the new weapons that they were being developed to ensure the other side would not go to war with it. Both ides acted deterrent.
How did the change in leader lead to change in relations between the SU and the US relations in the 1950s?
1953 both the SU and USA had new leaders. Dwight Eisenhower (USA), Nikita Khrushchev (SU). Eisenhower was extremly anti communist but was aware of the dangers caused by nuclear weapons made him want to improve relations.
Khrushchev politically critised Stalin policies and suggested there should be a peaceful co-existence with the west.
What was peaceful co-existence?
Peaceful co-existence was based on belief by the SU that its communist philosophy was superior to that in the west capitalism would eventually collapse. So little point of open war confrontation. Khrushchev and Eisenhower hoped the two superpowers could reduce tension and move to peaceful co-existence.
Borders between capitalist west and the SU were clearly defined. Iran curtain agreed boundary. There was acceptance.
In 1950 been war in Korea USA and SU supported different sides war handed.
Both USA and SU spent large sums on their armed forces. They reduced spending on armed forces would be good for their economies
How did the Geneva conference affect relations?
The new hope of relations was strengthened in 1955 on how Austria should be governed and a summit meeting in Geneva in July 1955. Geneva summit failed to to reach agreement over disarmament and the future of Germany but the atmosphere of co-operation that existed at the meeting reduced tension.
Relations short Lived. In 1955 West Germany joined NATO. With full support of the western powers who would come to aid in any dispute with the SU. The SU created its own military alliance
What was the Warsaw pact of 1955?
When west Germany was allowed to join NATO in May 1955. Stalin’s fears were increased. Real dangers pf am armed and powerful Germany on the borders, bordering the SU controlled countries. The SU formed its own communist defensive military alliance the Warsaw pact. Members mainly SU, Poland Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Controlled entirely by SU.
Europe was effectively 2 Europe’s one under control and protection of the USA working to defeat communism. The other controlled and protected by the SU. Wanting to extend communist control/ Confrontation and hostility lasted a ling time
What was the impact of the Soviet Rule on Hungary?
Since 1945, When the red army liberated Hungary from German occupation. Hungary had been under strict Soviet control. Non communist political parties were banned a key officals in the gov police and army were chosen by Stalin. The Hungarian communist party, Matyas Rakosi was a firm supporter of Stalin and dealt strongly with opponents of communist rule. In the years, 1949-56 more than 300,000 Hungarians were sent to prison and more than 2,000 were executed.
How did the SU De-Stalinise Hungary?
Khrushchev’s speech in 1956 criticising Stalin’s repressive regime gave the SU satellite states to push for a relaxation of Soviet control in their own countries. The Hungarians pushed for a new reform for changes to their own country.
During 1956, the people of Hungary began to protest about their lack of political freedom and problems created by fuel shortages and poor harvest. In October their were riots in the capital, Budapest, police fought protestors. The policy of de-Stalinisation was affecting the stability of the Warsaw pact. Khrushchev sent the red army into Hungary to restore order. However he agreed to replace the prime minister with Imre Nagy. A former prime minister who has been thrown out of the communist party. He believed there was more personal freedoms within communism. Red army then withdrew.
At the end of October 1956, Nagy announced a set a proposed reforms. These included Hungary leaving the Warsaw pact and becoming neutral country. Also having a degree of [power it non-communist groups
Why did the Soviets Invade Hungary?
Nagy’s proposal gave Khrushchev serious cause for concern. If Hungary broke away from the Warsaw pact, other Eastern European. The whole statergy of achieving security for the SU by surrondings it with pro- communist governments would be under threat. Khrushchev ordered a Soviet invasion of Hungary/ On the 4 November, tanks rolled into Budapest. Supporters of Nagy put up a fight and begged for support but nothing came. 20,00 Hungarians were killed as Soviet forces re-established control. Pro communist government was set up and Nagy was executed.
How was the international reaction to the Soviet invasion of Hungary?
When Nagy proposed leaving the Warsaw pact, he and his fellow rebels expected support from the US and other western nations A US government radio station. They regularly Broadcasted messages encouraging the people to rebel against communist regime. Since the USA offered financial aid through the Marshall plan the people of EE assumed they would receive help.
Eisenhower was sympathetic and some NATO members did take in Hungarian Refugees. No military support was offered to the Hungarians during the uprising. The US policy of containment meant while the US would take military action to prevent the SU from spreading communism beyond satellit states. Not prepared to interfere in the fairs of a communist country . To prevent nuclear war. So the US left the rebels to fight the Soviets alone.
What was the Impact of the Hungarian Uprising on the international relations?
The Hungarian uprising made Khrushchev position in the SU much stronger and gave him a stronger position in the Warsaw pact. They could not expect military support from the USA. Khrushchev also became more confident in dealing with the USA because he now knew that they were unlikely to risk taking military action
The failure of the Hungarian Uprising reflected badly on the west. The USA and its allies had encouraged communist countries to rebel against the SU. Yet they were not prepared to back their own words wit military support
Even though the USA did not take military action strongly opposed the Soviet invasion of Hungary. And Khrushchev tough policy damaged relations between the superpowers/ Short lived relations after the Geneva conference had died out.
