⭐️Cold War Simplified

Question 1

What was agreed and disagreed at the Yalta and Potsdam Conferences (1945)?

Answer 1

Agreed: Division of Germany, free elections, UN creation.
Disagreed: Poland’s borders, reparations, and Soviet influence; Potsdam worsened relations due to leadership changes (Truman/Stalin tension).

Question 2

What was the Truman Doctrine (1947) and why was it important?

Answer 2

US policy to support countries threatened by communism. Marked start of containment and Cold War rivalry.

Question 3

What caused the Berlin Blockade (1948–49), and how did the Allies respond?

Answer 3

The allies were uniting in west Germany with first ‘Bizonia’ then ‘Trizonia’ and they also created the West Germany & West Berlin currency: the Deutschmark.

Stalin blocked West Berlin to force Allies out. USA launched the Berlin Airlift — successful. Increased tension, led to NATO.

Question 4

Why was the Korean War (1950–53) a Cold War conflict?

Answer 4

USA and USSR supported opposite sides (North = communist, South = capitalist). First proxy war showing superpower rivalry.

Question 5

What was the Warsaw Pact (1955)?

Answer 5

Military alliance of Soviet-controlled countries. USSR’s response to NATO. Increased division of Europe.

Question 6

What happened during the Hungarian Uprising (1956)?

Answer 6

Hungarians protested Soviet control. USSR invaded, crushed uprising. USA did not help → showed USSR’s control and US limits.

Question 7

Why was the Berlin Wall built in 1961 and why was it significant?

Answer 7

To stop East Germans escaping to West Berlin. Symbol of Cold War division. Reduced tension but showed failure of communism.

Question 8

What happened during the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)?

Answer 8

USSR placed missiles in Cuba. USA blockaded island. Agreement: USSR removed missiles; USA removed missiles from Turkey. Closest to nuclear war.

Question 9

What was the Prague Spring (1968), and why was it important?

Answer 9

Czechoslovakia tried to reform communism. USSR invaded to stop it. Led to Brezhnev Doctrine. Showed USSR would not allow reform.

Question 10

What was SALT I (1972), and why was it significant?

Answer 10

First arms limitation treaty between USA and USSR. Sign of improving relations – start of détente.