Class Test 2 POLI 283 Issues and Trends in World Politics Flashcards
1
Q
Causes of the Cold War
Domestic Level of Analysis
A
Moscow’s Fault
- Soviet aggression and expansionism.
- subjugation of Eastern Europe.
- If they hadn’t, US would have retreated in to pre-war isolationism.
- Without containment, Soviet’s would have continued to expand.
Washington’s Fault
- Expansion of overseas markets in Eastern Europe.
- Use of the atomic bomb at the end of the war. Used as a warning not to encroach on Asia not as a tool to end the war. Destroyed international balance.
- Failed to understand USSR security problems, protecting themselves by being surrounded by buffer states.
- Mistook security measures for aggression.
2
Q
Causes of the Cold War
Ideological Conflict
A
- Capitalism v.s Communism; an inevitable conflict.
- Democracy vs. Totalitarianism
- Western resistance to global communist revolution.
- Domestic Level Argument
3
Q
Causes of the Cold War
Individual Level of Analysis
A
Truman
- Had little experience with international relations.
- Suspicious of USSR.
- Unnecessarily harsh policies- strained relations.
- Marshall Plan- regulations made accepting US aid impossible/insulting.
Stalin
- Paranoid and brutal totalitarian rule.
- Raised fears among democracies.
- Suspicious nature forced Western leaders to react.
4
Q
Causes of the Cold War
Systemic Level of Analysis
A
Bipolarity
- Real politik and security dilemma. Everybody wants to rule the world (would’ve happened with anyone)
- U.S & USSR only two powers capable of projecting influence post WWII.
- Zero-sum game, axtion/rxn
- Post-war international structure
It was All a Misunderstanding
- Not hostile intentions but rather misinterpretation.
- U.S misunderstood USSR’s actions to guarantee security post Hitler sneak attack.
- USSR misunderstands US’s efforts to aid trading partners/allies.
- Bipolarity prevented through communication, policies were made without enough information.
5
Q
Initial Confrontation of the Cold War
A
IRAN
- During WWII- USSR and GB feared Nazi expansion in to the Middle East.
- Joint occupation- GB south USSR north. Secure supply lines & keep Nazi’s out.
- Agreement to withdraw postwar but GB did and USSR didn’t. (1945)
- Truman Get Tough stance, warns USSR with an aircraft carrier. US determined that standing firm best way to deal with USSR. (Munich Analogy)
- USSR eventually withdraws w/establishment of joint Iranian-Soviet Oil Company. (1946)
6
Q
Iron Curtain Descends
Britain’s Place in the International Order Post WWII
Greece and Turkey
A
-Churchill warned an Iron Curtain would divide Europe (1946)
-Britain concedes leading role in world affairs to US.
-Withdraw from Greece and Turkey, tell U.S that they cannot counter Soviet troop advancement without help.
-Withdrawing from colonies.
-Risk of a power vacuum.
-Withdrawal- shock to Truman who still believed they were threatened by Soviet encroachment.
Major Turning Point- U.S no longer isolationist
7
Q
Truman Doctrine
A
- Deny USSR any possible expansion.
- Persuades congress to aid Turkey and Greece. Need to scare the American people to draw them out of their isolationist viewpoint.
- Aid to states attempting to resist communist insurgencies. Unable to clarify limits.
- Declaration of Cold War. A global and moral responsibility. (1947)
8
Q
Marshall Plan
A
-Program of economic aid to the war demolished nations of Europe. Most successful policy plan.
-Three lasting effects :
1. Revitalized Western European economies.
2. Thwarted Communist influence in Western Europe.
3. Facilitated European economic and political integration. Starting point for European Union.
(1947)
Offered to Soviet States but refused (1948) because of its infringement on their sovereignty.
Administered in Economic Cooperation Act (1948)
9
Q
Berlin Blockade
A
(1948-1949)
- Post WWII- 4 zone France, GB, USSR, U.S.
- in response to currency change, USSR cuts all land access to the Western Occupied Sectors of Berlin. Assumption it will be a done deal.
- Truman appears to have two options, go to war or give up Berlin
- U.S organizes airlift for basic necessities for months.
- USSR and Western Allies try to set up government in their respective occupies zones.
- Reinforced USSR’s aggressive image.
- USSR not prepared to go to war. Lift blockade (1949) Attempt to use military force to gain political conceptions did not work.
- Federal Republic of Germany & Democratic German Republic
10
Q
NATO
A
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (1949)
- A result of the Berlin Blockade- Western European countries need to be protected.
- First peace time alliance for the U.S (1949)
- Western Europe, Canada, U.S
- West Germany rearms and joins. (1954)
11
Q
Warsaw Pact
A
- As a response to NATO, the USSR creates its own collective security organization.
- Easter European client states (1955)
12
Q
Transformation of the World Economy
A
- U.S becomes the hegemon.
- Financed war and produced war materials.
- Dominated world in terms of production.
- Massive increase in GNP, international trade, investment and living standards (1950’s).
13
Q
Bretton Woods
A
- Designed to facilitate economic cooperation.
- Created the IMF and the World Bank. (1945)
- Free trade, high level of interdependence.
14
Q
IMF
A
- Established through Bretton Woods.
- International Monetary Fund (assistance provider)
- Global lending agency to aid industrialized nations in stabilizing their economies post WWII and the Great Depression.
- Today promotes free trade and high growth rates.
- Biggest contribution, biggest voting rights. US MOST INFLUENCE
- Conditions (liberalism) attached to money.
- Coordinated currencies by establishing fixed exchange rates: peg other currencies value on that of the dollar.
- In serious financial crisis, devalue currency.
15
Q
IBRD
A
- Known today as the World Bank.
- International Bank of Reconstruction and Development.
- Lending money to newly independent nations following the collapse of imperialism.
16
Q
GATT
A
- General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
- Sought to open world markets and increase trade.
- Protect against protectionism.
- Interim set of rules (1947-1997).
17
Q
Chinese Revolution
A
- Struggle between Communists and Nationalists.
- Declining strength and popularity post WWII of Nationalist Kuomintang, Lead by Kai Shek.
- Let civil war ensue. Mao uses anti-west, anti-american sentiments to gain momentum.
- Mao Zedong and the commies win (1949). Establish People’s Republic of China.
- Nationalists retreat to Taiwan.
- U.S give just enough support to alienate communists but this policy failed.
- USSR offers guidance but there is no automatic alliance. USSR interests first, leads to hostility.
18
Q
NSC-68
A
- Cold War in full bloom (1949).
- Communist victory in China seen as a catastrophe along with USSR first test of an atomic bomb.
- Numerous spies, develop tech in 4 years.
- NSC-68 increase in armed forces, comes from National Security Council. In addition to economic and political containment.
- Rejected initially due to fear of high military spending would ruin U.S economy.
- Leads to Korea and Vietnam involvement.
- Truman initially not ready to increase spending b unexpected events in Asia change his mind.
19
Q
The Korean War
A
- Divided post WWII along the 38th parallel. Wanted union but couldn’t reach an agreement.
- North rigged election that brings Kim il Sung to power.
- Both USSR and US withdrew forces (1950).
- North, massive attack on south. Stalin and Mao send troops reluctantly think that US won’t intervene b/c Korea’s exclusion from Pacific Defense Perimeter. WRONG Munich lesson learned.
- UN Security Council backs an international force to repel North Korean invasion. US led coalition.
- Front moves rapidly and China intervenes (1950).
- UN pushed back (1950) Eisenhower huge retaliation, stalemate at the 38th parallel. technically not over.
- Globalization of cold war.
20
Q
UN Security Council Beef Korean War
A
- 5 permanent members have a veto. clearly favors repulsion of communism.
- China should have held the fifth seat but they were in the midst of a civil war. Nationalist have seat at UN.
- U.S and Britain against the seat being taken by communists.
- USSR and China boycott UN, only three members present to approve the international force.
21
Q
Korean War- Turning Point in the Cold War
A
- Expansion of military forces set out in NSC-68
- NATO buildup
- Stimulated US involvement in Asia. Confrontation with China & USSR.
- Solidified bipolar competition for clients around the globe.
- Limited war. USSR and US both have nuclear weapons but limited. Restricted action throughout Cold War period.
22
Q
The Third World
A
- Nationalism leads to independence in the colonial world.
- Zero-Sum game
- Khrushchev, USSR establishes ties with newly independent nations in Asia and Africa.
- US wanted to limit USSR influence.
- Vietnam War, Coup in Iran (1953) remove Mozzadq burger, Coup in Guatemala, Suez Crisis 1965 enough u 2 ur cutt off till u fix ur behavior.
23
Q
Nonaligned Movement
A
- Assert independence and play superpowers off of one another.
- Choose not to pick a side.
- India, Yugoslavia, Egypt.
- Lots of aid to other countries through education, an alternative to capitalism.
- US lots of assistance to more reliable US allies.
24
Q
Berlin: The Trouble Spot
A
- Soviets demand Western allies withdraw (1958).
- Berlin Wall (1961). Khrushchev.
- Effort to stop flow of refugees. Brain Drain.
- Kennedy unable to respond effectively to USSR challenge.
25
Q
Cuban Missile Crisis: The Trouble Spot
A
- 1960’s highest point of tension. Most acute
- Fidel Castro , overthrew Batista.
- US Sanctions, Castro turns to USSR.
- Bay of Pigs, invasion by Cuban exiles facilitated by US, disastrous. (1961) Declining American power.
- Closest to nuclear war.
- US ahead of USSR long range missiles (1962).
- USSR withdraw missiles in exchange for withdrawal of US missiles from Turkey.
26
Q
Cuban Missile Crisis Consequences
A
- Abatement of cold war tensions.
- Limited nuclear test ban treaty.
- Moscow Washington hotline.
- Soviet want to catch up with US nuclear superiority with renewed urgency. (1960’s) Catch up but with a great cost to industry and social welfare. Eventual economic collapse.
- US overconfident, underestimate third world communist containment.
27
Q
Vietnam War
A
- Kennedy, Initially US military advisers in South Vietnam.
- National Liberation Front (Vietcong) attack South with support from North.
- Diem killed, US doesn’t intervene in military general succession.
- Johnson stronger effort (1965).
- More troops, endless/unsuccessful, turn public against war.
- US credibility compromised. US vilified.
- Fail to defeat Vietcong.
- US could not strengthen corrupt southern regime. Withdraw (1973)
- Vietnam falls to communists (1975).
28
Q
End of Fixed Exchange Rate
A
- US backer of entire economy but not longer in a position to do that.
- Nixon: US won’t pear disproportionate burden, suspending conversions and price controls (1971).
- Nixon blows up fixed rate system and moves to market driven exchange systems. (1973)
- Global economy changes as a result of Vietnam
