1943-53

Question 1

Yehan (1943)postdam (1945)and yelta (1945)

Answer 1

Decisions made about end of war and Germany (divided into 4 parts, de-Nazified etc). Old suspicions and mistrust emerged, especially over Soviet control of Eastern Europe (US didn’t tell USSR about A Bomb)

Question 2

Iron curtain speech 1946

Answer 2

Churchill made famous speech to warn about spread of Communism in Europe. Upset Stalin, increased tension.

Question 3

Truman doctrine 1947

Answer 3

President Truman pledged US support to defend countries from “outside pressures” (Greece 1947). Worsened relations.

Question 4

Marshall plan 1948

Answer 4

Marshall Aid provided money ($17bn) to help Europe recover. Offered to E Europe countries, USSR ordered them not to take it. Provoked Stalin, increased East-West divide

Question 5

Cominform 1947

Answer 5

Communist information Bureau set up to co-ordinate Communist parties across Europe under the control of the USSR.

Question 6

Berlin blockade 1948-9

Answer 6

After new currency in W Berlin Stalin blockaded it to force West out. US refuse to give it up and begin Berlin Airlift.
Massive propaganda victory for US, Stalin lifts blockade.

Question 7

NATO founded 1949

Answer 7

China became Communist and USSR developed A Bomb in 1949. NATO formed as a “defensive alliance”. USSR saw this as a threat.

Question 8

Comecon 1949

Answer 8

Council for Mutual Economic Assistance aimed to co-ordinate Eastern European economies – Stalin’s answer to Marshall Plan

Question 9

Korean war 1950-3

Answer 9

US sent troops to help South Korea fight against Communist north. Shows US willing to fight communism. Clear sign to USSR

Question 10

Death of starlin 1953

Answer 10

Eventually replaced by Khrushchev – de-Stalinisation, criticises Stalin’s policies. Talks of “peaceful co-existence” leads to hope for better relations. Appears less hard-line than Stalin