Cold War Flashcards
(100 cards)
1
Q
Give 3 differences between Capitalist Countries and Communist Countries?
A
- Capitalist voting system free and people able to vote for parties. Communists only allow people to vote for 1 party, as that is only one there is
- Capitalist allows Freedom of Press and Speech. Communists don’t allow Freedom of Speech and Press prints only what government allows
- Capitalist allow individuals to keep the profits they make in industry. All industry controlled by Government in Communism
2
Q
Give 4 ways in which Capitalists showed they didn’t trust Communists?
A
Didn’t invite Russia to 1919 Paris Peace Settlement
Russia not allowed to join League of Nations
British didn’t recognise Communist Regime as government till 1924
Britain and France refused to ally with Russia against Nazis
3
Q
What did Stalin seek the creation of in order to protect Russia from an invasion?
A
Buffer Zone
4
Q
What 6 agreements were made at Yalta February 1945?
A
- Germany and Austria divided in 4 zones, administrated by Britain, France, USA and USSR
- Germany would pay Reparations
- UN would be established
- USSR would declare war on Japan 3 months after Germany’s surrender
- Agreement over new borders of Poland
- Agreement that Eastern Europe would come under control of USSR, however elections in these countries would be democratic
5
Q
What 6 changes had occurred between Yalta and Potsdam?
A
- WWII over and Hitler dead
- Soviet troops spread throughout Eastern Europe
- Plans made to return US troops home
- Roosevelt dead, replaced by Truman
- Churchill replaced by Attlee
- USA and Britain more distrustful of USSR due to Puppet Governments in Eastern Europe
6
Q
Give 4 ways USA - USSR suspicions changed by 1946?
A
- USSR and USA far stronger than any other nation
- Each feared the other wanted to spread their influence
- Each believed they wanted to destroy each other, due to Hiroshima and USSR Red Army
- Each suspicious of each other’s actions
7
Q
When was Yalta?
A
February 1945
8
Q
When was Potsdam?
A
July 1945
9
Q
When was Churchill’s Fulton Speech?
A
March 1946
10
Q
What happened in Churchill’s Fulton Speech?
A
He condemned Stalin and demanded creation of an Anglo - American Alliance to stop spread of Communism. The term ‘Iron Curtain’ was coined in this speech
11
Q
By 1947, what 5 Eastern European countries became controlled by Communists?
A
Albania Bulgaria Hungary Poland Romania
12
Q
What 3 trends were common in each Eastern European country that became Communist?
A
- Russian pressure to ensure Communists trained in Moscow received key positions in temporary governments set up after war
- Russia suggested radical changes to help economic recovery
- Elections were controlled by Communists
13
Q
What resulted of the Communist Take over in Eastern Europe?
A
- Huge increase in International Tension. American diplomat Kennan recommended that a policy of ‘containment’ would have to be acted upon the USSR.
- America also saw this as an attempt to have more power,,increasing fear and hostility
14
Q
What events in Greece motivated Truman to create his Doctrine?
A
The Greek Army was fighting a civil war against Greek Communists. In March 1947 Britain said it could no longer fund the Greek Army, and this worried Truman that if Communists controlled Greece, they may gain control of oil - rich Middle East
15
Q
What was the Truman Doctrine? What was its aim?
A
This was a new foreign policy where in the USA would use military and economical means to stop countries falling to Communism. In this he aimed to end poverty in Europe so that Communism would fail to take control of Europe and be contained
16
Q
What was the name of the U.S. Secretary of State that agreed with Trumans Doctrine?
A
George Marshall
17
Q
What did George Marshall propose, in order to implement Trumans Doctrine and contain Communism? What did it become known as?
A
A massive $13.3 Billion investment in Europe over a 4 year period. This investment became known as the Marshall Plan
18
Q
What company overseen the implementing of Marshall Aid in Europe?
A
The Organisation of European Economic Co-Operation
19
Q
How did Stalin respond to the Marshall Plan?
A
- Established the Communist Information Bureau (Cominform) which aimed to ensure communist nations worked together
- Established Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (Comecon) which was the Communist version of the Marshall Plan
20
Q
Give 3 positive impacts of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan?
A
- USA was indicating its intent to remain in European affairs
- Economies of European countries improved rapidly
- The US economy developed rapidly
21
Q
Give 2 negative impacts of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan?
A
- Political and Economical divisions between East and West deepened
- USSR strengthened grip over Communist countries with Cominform and Comecon
22
Q
Describe and Explain the 2 causes of the Berlin Blockade?
A
- Divisions over Future of Germany. West wanted Germany to recover and be a barrier against further spread of Communism. East wanted Germany to remain weak since they had invaded Russia twice since 1914
- Introduction of a new currency. West had created Deutschmark to help economic recovery. Stalin saw this as threat to Russia, and he became worried that development of East Germany could create discontent in West Germany
23
Q
When was Berlin Blockade?
A
June 1948, Stalin closed all road, rail and canal links in to West Berlin
24
Q
How did the USA respond to the Berlin Blockade?
A
They employed an Airlift to drop supplies in to Berlin
25
How long did the Airlift last? Give 3 facts and figures of Airlift?
It lasted 11 months. 13,000 tons of supplies dropped everyday, over 2 million supplies airlifted in total and 101 men had died due to plane crashes
26
When was Berlin Blockade lifted?
May 1949
27
Give 4 consequences of the breaking of the Berlin Blockade?
- Policy of Containment seen as effective tactic
- NATO established
- Warsaw Pact established
- Hopes of reunification of Germany now gone
28
When did Stalin die?
March 1953
29
When did Khrushchev become leader of USSR?
1955
30
What 5 things did Khrushchev do that set a positive tone?
- Visited Yugoslavia and apologised for way Stalin had treated the country
- Agreed to meet the Western leaders in Geneva
- Khrushchev had 'Secret Speech' where he denounced Stalin's policies and urged development of " peaceful co existence "
- 'Began a policy of Destalinisation
- Ordered dissolution of Cominform
31
What is a Superpower?
A nation with large population, armies, resources and a large arsenal of conventional and nuclear weapons
32
How did Khrushchev respond to the emergence of opposition in Poland in July 1956?
He sent in Soviet Tanks to crush the protests, although gave concessions by appointing moderate communist, Gromulka as leader. Although he insisted Poland stay in the Warsaw Pact
33
Describe and give the dates of the 4 events during the Rebellion in Hungary 1956?
- 23 October, Hungarian students demand reforms
- 26 October, Moderate Communist Imre Nagy appointed as leader
- 1 November, Nagy announced free multi party elections, and that Hungary would leave the Warsaw Pact
- 4 November, 6000 Soviet Tanks cross border to put down revolt, 30,000 deaths and 250,000 refugees fled to the West. Nagy executed
34
Give 3 reasons why West did not intervene with USSR's actions in Hungary?
- Western Powers pre occupied and divided by Suez Crisis
- USA in the middle of Presidential election campaign
- West felt it too risky to confront USSR in Europe, but less risky to confront them in Asia
35
When did China become Communist?
October 1949
36
How did the USSR react to China becoming Communist?
USSR delighted, Stalin determined to establish link with Communist neighbour, by creating Treaty of Friendship in 1950
37
How did the USA react to China becoming Communist?
USA seriously concerned, China vast country with many resources. Saw this as Stalin's scheme to spread Communism around the world
38
What 2 responses did the USA make to China's Communist Takeover?
- Refused to recognise the regime as China's legitimate government
- Tried to ignore communist China and continued to support Kai - Shek's right to represent China in the UN
39
What Theory became created after the Fall of China to Communism?
The Domino Theory, in which neighbouring countries will fall to Communism one after the other
40
What did the USA and USSR want Korea to become?
- USA wanted establishment of Capitalist Democracy
| - USSR wanted election of government friendly to Communism
41
What 2 governments were set up in Korea, who were their leaders?
- Communist regime set up by Kim Il Sung in North Korea
| - Capitalist Dictatorship established by Syngman Rhee in South Korea
42
How did the Korean War start? How did UN respond?
June 1950, wanted to reunify Korea, so invaded the South within a few days. UN condemned invasion and set up a military force to stop invasion, which successfully pushed North Korean forces back to 38th parallel. General MacArthur leading the UN force wished to invade North Korea, with support of Truman, which he did
43
How did China respond to the invasion of North Korea?
China gathered 250,000 volunteers and invaded North Korea in November 1950, and pushed UN forces back to 38th parallel. Truman did not wish for MacArthur to retaliate, as he felt Containment was more effective. For a further 2 years US and Soviet pilots fought in the air, which resulted in the loss of 6000 planes. This was kept secret from the U.S. population.
44
How did the Korean War end?
In 1953 a change in leadership in USA and USSR offered opportunity to end war. Eisenhower and Khrushchev sought peace and a ceasefire was agreed in July 1953.
45
Give 7 results of the Korean War?
- 2 million people died
- Containment worked
- North and South relations in Korea were very bitter
- USA - China relations deteriorated further
- USA signed Peace Treaty with Japan and invested in their economy
- USA signed treaties with Philippines Australia and other countries in the region that made it as Protector of those countries
- NATO changed from political association to full blown military alliance
46
What 2 things did the events in Hungary demonstrate?
- Khrushchevs criticism of Stalin didn't mean change to Russia's defence, and his thoughts of peaceful coexistence meant keeping things the way they were
- It was impossible for Eastern European countries to escape communist control
47
How did Khrushchev respond to people fleeing to West Berlin? (2 points)
- 1958 attempted to pressure the West in to leaving, by threatening to give East Germany control of access points to the city
- 1960 attended summit meeting but talks collapsed after revelation of Soviets shooting down U2 spy plane
48
When was the Berlin Wall constructed and why?
August 1961, prevented people from fleeing to West Berlin, due to increased number of people leaving Soviet control and emerging labour shortage
49
When was Khrushchev removed from power and who replaced him?
1964, replaced by Brezhnev
50
Who was Alexander Dubcek and what 5 reforms did he put in place to achieve," socialism with a face"?
Dubcek became the leader of Czechoslovakia in January 1968
- Freedom of Speech and press
- Less centralised economic control
- Development of foreign trade
- Removal of restrictions on travel abroad
- Reduction of powers of secret police
51
How did Brezhnev react to Dubceks reforms? (3 points)
- Brezhnev feared other Eastern European countries would follow in these reforms
- He and other communist leaders wrote a letter of concern to Czechoslovakia
- Brezhnev ordered 400,000 troops in to country in August 1968
52
How did Dubcek respond to the invasion? (3 points)
- Dubcek encouraged people to show opposition through passive resistance
- Dubcek announced that the reforms were ending, and then resigned
- Replaced by hardline Gustav Husak
53
What was the Brezhnev Doctrine? When was it created?
It's the duty of communist countries to prevent another country falling to Capitalism. November 1968 after events in Czechoslovakia
54
When was Detente?
For late 1960s and most of the 1970s
55
What was Detente?
An improvement in relations between the East and the West. Detente is French for relaxation
56
Why did Detente emerge?
Strained relations between USSR and China, encouraged the US to take advantage of the rising tensions, by improving their relations with China.
57
Give 5 things that caused Sino - Soviet relations to deteriorate since the Treaty of Friendship in the 1950s?
- They both differed on best methods of agriculture
- China believed the USSR wanted to dominate it
- USSR refused to share nuclear technology with China
- China was against public criticism of Stalin by Khrushchev
- China saw Khrushchev as being too soft with the West
58
Give 3 benefits that China and the USA would revive through improved relations?
- Economic advantages such as the opening of new markets between the countries
- Military benefits, such as how China could pressure North Vietnam to end the Vietnam War
- Each country could use the other in ongoing power struggles with the USSR
59
Give 3 pieces of evidence to show an improvement of relations between the US and China?
- US table tennis team was invited to visit China in 1971
- China entered the UN in 1971
- President Nixon visited China in 1972
60
Why did the USSR wish to improve relations with the USA?
They wished to keep China isolated, so as to prevent them from undermining their superiority
61
Give 3 other reasons why the USSR wanted to improve relations with the USA?
- Each side needed to reach a new understanding in hindsight of the Cuba Missile Crisis
- Each side needed to cut back on military spending
- USA needed new export markets and USSR needed foreign supplies of grain
62
Give 2 agreements reached in the 1970s in summit meetings?
- 1972, SALT 1 ( Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) which limited the number of certain types of weapons
- 1975 Helsinki Agreement, Acceptance of current borders in Europe by USA, and agreement by USSR to improve human rights
63
What event ended Detente and sent the Cold War back in to the deep freeze?
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979
64
Who became president of the USA in November 1980?
Ronald Reagan
65
What was Reagan's initial attitude towards the USSR and Detente?
Anti communist and opponent of detente
66
What did Reagan begin to invest massive amounts of the US budget on? (3 points)
Defence systems
- Introduced a range of up to date missiles
- Based a significant number of missiles in Europe
- The Strategic Defence Initiative, a laser defence system which would protect the USA from any Soviet missiles
67
Give evidence of how East - West relations had deteriorated since the end of detente?
USSR boycotted Los Angeles olympics in 1984
68
Who was the new leader of the USSR in March 1985?
Gorbachev
69
Give 6 reasons why Gorbachev knew that the USSR couldn't afford to keep up with USA defence spending?
- Living standards very low
- Significant corruption in communist party
- Millions on the verge of starvation
- Many industries in need of modernisation
- USSR decades behind the west technologically
- War in Afghanistan draining billions from the economy
70
What was Gorbachevs foreign policy?
- Indicated USSR desire to get rid of all nuclear weapons
| - Indicated willingness to get rid of old Cold War policies like peaceful co existence or the Brezhnev doctrine
71
Why did Gorbachev introduce this new foreign policy?
USSR needed economic reform, so cuts in defence spending were required. This meant a better relationship with the West was necessary
72
Give 4 summit meetings between Gorbachev and Western leaders?
- 1987 Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty, ensured removal of 4000 nuclear warheads
- 1988 withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, as well as Iron Curtain countries
- 1989 in Malta, Gorbachev and Bush declared Cold War to be over
- 1991 Warsaw Pact dissolved
73
What was Perestroika?
Restructuring of Soviet economy through introduction of Western policies
74
What was Glasnost?
Openness, freedom of debate, media and freedom from government control
75
Who was Fidel Castro? (4 points)
- leader of Cuba since 1959
- Initially a nationalist, eventually became communist in 1961
- Nationalised Cuban industry and removed control the USA had over Cuba
- Made an agreement with USSR to trade oil and sugar for machinery in 1960
76
What was the Bay of Pigs invasion? (3 points)
- Shortly after JFK became president, the CIA informed him of an invasion of Cuba being planned
- Invasion went horribly wrong, overestimated the support the invasion would receive from Cubans
- Made Kennedy look inexperienced and Castro a national hero
77
When did missiles arrive in Cuba? Why?
Arrived in August 1962, as Castro became more and more threatened by American attempts to overthrow him
78
What 5 possible actions was JFK advised to take in the Cuba Missile Crisis?
- An invasion of Cuba
- A naval blockade of Cuba
- Air attacks on missile bases
- A nuclear attack on Cuba
- Allowing missile bases to be erected
79
Who advised JFK during the Cuba Missile Crisis?
The National Security Council, which included Attorney General Robert Kennedy, the presidents brother
80
What action did JFK take in the Cuba Missile Crisis and when?
Naval Blockade of Cuba in October 1962
81
How did the Cuba Missile Crisis play out after the blockade? (4 points)
- On reaching the blockade soviet ships were either stopped or turned away
- Khrushchev sent Kennedy a telegram that promised to remove any missiles in Cuba if the USA promised not to invade Cuba
- Then Khrushchev sent another telegram stating they would only remove missiles if the USA removed their missiles in Turkey
- Khrushchev and Kennedy reached an agreement, and the missiles in Cuba were removed
82
6 Results of the Cuba Missile Crisis?
- Nuclear War avoided
- JFK seemed like a hero to the public
- Missiles in Turkey and Cuba removed
- Both sides agreed a confrontation like this should be avoided in future
- Telephone hotline set up between Washington and Moscow
- Partial Test Ban Treaty signed in 1963
83
What 2 countries occupied Vietnam before it became independent?
France and then Japan during WWII
84
How were the Japanese overthrown?
The Vietminh led by Ho Chi Minh attacked their Japanese invaders
85
When the French returned, who opposed them? Did the opposition change their stance on the French trying to recolonise Vietnam? Why?
The USA saw this act by the French as colonialism, however by 1950 they began to support the French, due to the ongoing struggle against communism
86
Who led the communist North Vietnam?
Ho Chi Minh
87
Who led the capitalist South Vietnam?
Anti Communist Dictator, Ngo Dinh Diem
88
Why did US involvement in Vietnam increase?
- In order to provide support for the South Vietnamese government
- Against the spread of communism in Asia
89
Why did JFK increase US involvement in Vietnam further?
Increasing number of Guerrilla attacks by the Vietcong, which was supported by Ho Chi Minh
90
Why was Ngo Dinh Diem not a popular leader?
- Brutal and corrupt regime
- Government mostly made up of Catholic landowners who were out of touch with its people
- Increasing support for the Vietcong
91
When was Diem overthrown?
November 1963
92
What was the Tonkin Resolution? Why was it created?
This Resolution was passed by the US congress and allowed the new president of the USA, Lyndon B Johnson, to fight a war in Vietnam as he saw fit. It was formed after the Vietminh attacked the USS Maddox in the Gulf of Tonkin in August 1964
93
What were the results of the Tonkin Resolution?
- Massive numbers of troops landed in Vietnam
- US Air Force launched bombing raids ( Operation Rolling Thunder)
- Use of chemical weapons, like Agent Orange and Napalm
94
By 1968 how many troops were in Vietnam?
500,000
95
Give 5 reasons as to why it wasn't surprising that the USA were having difficulties in Vietnam?
- The Vietnamese had seen off foreign invaders previously
- US army was mostly conscripts
- US troops were fighting an enemy that used Guerrilla Tactics
- Vietcong developed a vast network of underground tunnels
- The Vietnamese people had no reason to support the US forces
96
When was the Tet Offensive and what resulted from it?
In January 1968, a massive counter offensive by the Vietcong which mostly ended in failure. However Americans began to feel that they couldn't win this war
97
4 Other reasons as to why Americans began to feel they couldn't win the war in Vietnam?
- TV pictures of the war made it unpopular among the American people
- More and more Americans being conscripted, and sent home on body bags
- Complaints about the cost of the war
- Student protests over the governments policies
98
What 3 things did Nixon do before ending the war, so as to make sure it didn't seem like the USA lost?
- Increased levels of bombing
- Ordered secret bombings of neighbouring countries like Cambodia and Laos in 1970
- Introduced policy of Vietnamisation, US troops withdrawn, while South Vietnamese forces do the fighting
99
When was a peace treaty for the Vietnam War signed?
1973
100
Give 6 results of the Vietnam War?
- Huge military and civilian losses
- Many US veterans suffered mental damage
- Vietnam was devastated by the war
- Cambodia and Laos also became Communist
- USA spent $120 billion on the war
- War proved that an enemy that uses suitable tactics could humble the USA
