Cold War Europe

Question 1

What does the term ‘Cold War’ refer to?

Answer 1

A state of hostility between nations without actual fighting.

The term originates from a book by Walter Lippmann.

Question 2

What two superpowers were involved in the Cold War?

Answer 2

USA and USSR

Question 3

What were the ideological differences between the USA and USSR?

Answer 3

USA: democracy and capitalism
USSR: communism

Question 4

Define Communism.

Answer 4

A doctrine advocating a classless society with community ownership of production.

Often associated with one-party states and strong censorship.

Question 5

Define Capitalism.

Answer 5

An economic system based on private ownership and a competitive market.

Question 6

Define Democracy.

Answer 6

A government system based on the will of the people through elected representatives.

Question 7

What historical events contributed to the Cold War tensions?

Answer 7

Bolshevik Revolution, Russian Civil War, and the mistrust developed during World War I.

Question 8

What was the Grand Alliance?

Answer 8

An alliance formed by the USA, Britain, and USSR to defeat Nazi Germany.

Question 9

What led to tensions within the Grand Alliance during WWII?

Answer 9

Soviet casualties, delay of second front, and secrecy of the atomic bomb.

Question 10

What was decided at the Teheran Conference?

Answer 10

No Anglo-American invasion through the Balkans; recognition of Soviet supremacy in Eastern Europe.

Question 11

What were the key agreements made at the Yalta Conference?

Answer 11

• Division of Germany into four zones of occupation
• Promise of free elections in Poland
• USSR’s participation in the United Nations

Question 12

What was a major disagreement at the Potsdam Conference?

Answer 12

Disagreements on German reparations and the future of Eastern Europe.

Question 13

Fill in the blank: The USSR established _______ in Eastern Europe after WWII.

Answer 13

communist governments

Question 14

What were Soviet satellite states?

Answer 14

Countries in Eastern Europe under Soviet control, economically and politically dependent on the USSR.

Question 15

Why did Stalin seek to control Eastern Europe?

Answer 15

To create a buffer against potential Western threats.

Question 16

What was the impact of the atomic bomb on Soviet-Western relations?

Answer 16

Increased Soviet fears of Western aggression.

Question 17

True or False: The Cold War involved direct military conflict between the USA and USSR.

Answer 17

False

Question 18

What was the main result of the disintegration of the USSR in 1991?

Answer 18

It marked the end of the Cold War.

Question 19

What led to the mistrust between the USA and USSR before WWII?

Answer 19

Ideological differences and historical grievances.

Question 20

What was the initial governmental structure in Eastern Europe after liberation?

Answer 20

Coalition governments including non-communists were established

These governments were soon overtaken by communists who eliminated non-communist opposition.

Question 21

Why did Stalin want control over Eastern Europe?

Answer 21

To create a buffer against Germany and to develop the Soviet economy

He viewed these countries as sources of cheap goods and raw materials.

Question 22

What was the West’s reaction to Soviet control in Eastern Europe?

Answer 22

The West grew alarmed, viewing Stalin as a dictator

This led to Churchill’s ‘Iron Curtain’ speech in March 1946.

Question 23

What is the definition of containment in the context of the Cold War?

Answer 23

Action taken to restrict the spread of a hostile element like communism

Question 24

What was the ‘domino theory’?

Answer 24

If one country fell to communism, nearby countries would also be at risk

Question 25

What triggered the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 25

Events in Greece, Turkey, and Iran prompted the USA to act against communism

Question 26

What did Truman announce in March 1947?

Answer 26

America would support free people resisting subjugation by armed minorities or outside pressures

Question 27

How much aid did the USA provide to Greece and Turkey?

Answer 27

$400 million to combat communist revolutions and uphold democracy

Question 28

What was the outcome of the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 28

Defeat of communists in Greece and Turkey, increased hostility between the USA and USSR

Question 29

What was the Marshall Plan?

Answer 29

USA's response to Europe's economic needs offering aid to prevent communism

Question 30

What conditions were imposed on countries receiving Marshall Aid?

Answer 30

Countries had to remove trade barriers and cooperate economically

Question 31

What was the financial commitment of the USA under the Marshall Plan by 1953?

Answer 31

$17 billion to help rebuild European economies

Question 32

What was Cominform?

Answer 32

Communist Information Bureau set up to link communist parties and counter the Marshall Plan

Question 33

What was the Molotov Plan?

Answer 33

A Soviet response to the Marshall Plan, creating Comecon for economic assistance to satellite states

Question 34

What was the main issue regarding Germany post-World War II?

Answer 34

Disagreement on reparations and the treatment of Germany among occupying powers

Question 35

What action did Stalin take in 1948 regarding West Berlin?

Answer 35

Cut off all road, rail, and canal links to assert control over West Berlin

Question 36

What were the three options available to Western powers during the Berlin Blockade?

Answer 36

Ignore the blockade, pull out of Berlin, or airlift supplies to West Berlin

Question 37

How long did the Berlin airlift last?

Answer 37

327 days

Question 38

What was the outcome of the Berlin Blockade?

Answer 38

The blockade was lifted on May 12, 1949, marking a victory for the Western powers

Question 39

What was established as a result of the Berlin Blockade?

Answer 39

The division of Germany into East and West became permanent

Question 40

What military alliance was formed by Western powers in response to Soviet aggression?

Answer 40

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Question 41

What was the significance of the Berlin Wall's construction in 1961?

Answer 41

It symbolized the division between East and West and the ongoing Cold War tensions

Question 42

What did the anti-Soviet demonstrations in East Berlin in 1953 demand?

Answer 42

Greater political and economic freedom, union with West Berlin, end of communism

Question 43

What was the main consequence of the demonstrations in 1953?

Answer 43

Harsh suppression by Soviets, leading to executions and increased emigration to the West

Question 44

What did Khrushchev demand regarding Berlin in 1958?

Answer 44

That the West hand over Berlin to East Germany

Question 45

What was the response of the Western powers to Khrushchev's demands in 1958?

Answer 45

They refused to give in to these demands

Question 46

What was the primary reason for the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961?

Answer 46

To stop East Berliners from escaping to West Berlin due to poor conditions in East Berlin ## Footnote By June 1961, East Berliners were escaping at a rate of 500 per day.

Question 47

Who was the American president when the Berlin Wall was built?

Answer 47

John F. Kennedy

Question 48

What significant action did East German troops take on August 13, 1961?

Answer 48

Sealed off West Berlin with roadblocks and barbed wire

Question 49

What was the nature of the Berlin Wall?

Answer 49

A high, fortified wall manned 24 hours a day with machine-gun posts and searchlights

Question 50

What major event did Kennedy's 1963 speech in West Berlin signify?

Answer 50

A major morale booster for West Germans and a strong message to the Soviet Union

Question 51

What phrase did Kennedy famously declare during his West Berlin speech?

Answer 51

'Ich bin ein Berliner!'

Question 52

What was NATO, and why was it formed?

Answer 52

A Western defensive military alliance formed to counteract the Soviet threat ## Footnote Formed in April 1949 in response to events like the Soviet takeover of Czechoslovakia.

Question 53

List the key principles agreed upon by NATO member states.

Answer 53

* Military co-operation * Fight only if attacked * An attack on one is an attack on all * Contribution to NATO troops * Use of military force to defend member interests * Establishment of a joint NATO Command Organisation

Question 54

What was the Soviet response to the formation of NATO?

Answer 54

Formation of the Warsaw Pact in 1955

Question 55

What was the Warsaw Pact?

Answer 55

A military alliance formed by the USSR and Eastern Bloc countries in response to NATO

Question 56

What were the implications of NATO and the Warsaw Pact on Cold War relations?

Answer 56

Increased tension and hostility, creating two opposing armed and politically hostile camps in Europe

Question 57

True or False: The formation of NATO represented communism and was led by the USSR.

Answer 57

False

Question 58

Fill in the blank: The Berlin Wall physically divided _______ and _______.

Answer 58

East Berlin, West Berlin

Question 59

What did the construction of the Berlin Wall signify for East Berliners?

Answer 59

Cut off from family, friends, and jobs

Question 60

What was the initial military initiative that led to NATO's formation?

Answer 60

A mutual protection agreement among Britain, France, Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg

Question 61

Who was the first Commander-in-Chief of NATO?

Answer 61

General Dwight Eisenhower

Question 62

What did the USSR view NATO as a step towards?

Answer 62

The spread of American militarism and imperialism