Consequences Flashcards
(22 cards)
Tehran
Several agreements were made, and the relationship was good, as the Superpowers all had a common enemy in Hitler.
Yalta
The relationship was still very good at this point, as all countries got something they wanted, although there was still some disagreement over the government of countries freed from Nazi occupation.
Potsdam
The relationship between the Allies was growing tenuous, as they no longer had a common enemy to unite them. Stalin was also determined to exert his influence over Eastern Europe, and was reluctant to hold free elections.
The Long and Novikov Telegrams
These telegrams confirmed the suspicions of the respective leaders, and led to the permanent destruction of the trust between the two superpowers.
The Creation of the Eastern Bloc
This greatly raised the tensions between the superpowers, as it proved the USSR was not committed to allowing free elections in Eastern European countries, and allowed them to further spread Communism.
The Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan
- Thanks to Marshall Aid, many countries recovered far quicker from the war than they might have otherwise done.
- The USA gained trading partners, and their economy was also boosted.
- Communism was successfully prevented from spreading any further.
- Stalin was greatly angered by this, criticising the US for their dollar imperialism. He responded by forming Cominform and Comecon.
Cominform and Comecon
- These organisations allowed Stalin to tighten his control of eastern Europe, which worried Truman and worsened their relationship.
- However, many Eastern Bloc countries’ economies struggled because of not accepting Marshall Aid, which made Communism look weak, further heightening tensions.
The Berlin Blockade and Airlift
- The Blockade and Airlift led to the formal creation of East and West Germany.
- It greatly increased tensions, as Berlin became a symbol of capitalist strength, and remained under contention for the remainder of the Cold War.
- It also led to the formation of NATO, and alliance of Western European countries and the USA who would defend each other if and when it was required. The USSR saw NATO as offensive, and created the Warsaw pact several years later, with countries from the Eastern Bloc. This further divided the superpowers, and tensions grew when the USA set up weapons bases in the UK and West Germany, close to the USSR.
The Hungarian Uprising
200000 Hungarians fled during the uprising. After the revolt, Nagy was arrested (later executed) and replaced with Kadar, who placed Hungary back under Soviet control. This discouraged other Warsaw Pact countries from leaving the alliance, as Khrushchev had proven that he would use extreme force to keep Eastern Europe under control. It also showed how, despite the Truman Doctrine, the USA were not willing to risk war by interfering with the Eastern Bloc.
The Berlin Crisis
After rejecting the ultimatum, Kennedy increased US spending on defence, which greatly increased tension, as does the West’s refusal to agree to the ultimatum. The continued refugee crisis eventually led to the construction of the Berlin Wall.
The Berlin Wall
Because of the Berlin Wall, many families were separated, and those hoping to defect were stuck living under Communism. 41 people were shot attempting to cross the barrier in the first year of the wall, including a man named Peter Fechter. In some ways, the wall helped to reduce tensions, as it ended the refugee crisis, however tensions rose when the East Germans began making it very difficult for non-Germans to cross the border, as this broke a key agreement of the Yalta Conference. There was still much animosity between the two sides, as demonstrated by the stand-off at Checkpoint Charlie 2 months after the wall’s construction. The wall was seen as a propaganda victory for the US, as the Soviet’s need to fence in East Berliners was seen as a sign that Communism was unsuccessful.
The Cuban Revolution
Castro had rather left-wing political beliefs, and under his leadership, many of Cuba’s industries were taken into state ownership. Some of these industries were owned by Americans. The USA were unwilling to work with Castro, and Eisenhower refused to meet with the new leader. Because of this, Castro turned to the USSR, which provided oil and loans for Cuba. In response to this, the USA placed an embargo on Cuba in 1961, further pushing Cuba into the arms of the USSR.
The Bay of Pigs
Castro had won a great victory, but knew the Americans would not give up. The invasion pushed Cuba closer to the USSR, increasing tensions between the Superpowers. Despite the lack of US planes, American involvement was clear. The failure of the plan made the USA look weak, and Kennedy appeared inexperienced in dealing with superpower relations.
The Cuban Missile Crisis
Tensions reached their highest point in the Cold War. The US had to secretly remove their missiles from Italy and Turkey, which was a huge win for Khrushchev, although he could not claim credit for it. A hotline was created between the two countries to avoid future misunderstandings. The incident showed both sides the dangers of nuclear war, so, in an attempt to slow the Arms Race, the Limited Test Ban Treaty, the Outer Space Treaty, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty were signed. Tensions eased greatly in the aftermath of the crisis.
The Prague Spring
The invasion was supported by many Warsaw Pact leaders, who did not want rebellion in their respective countries. However, most Western countries criticised the invasion, and it increased tensions with the US. Despite this, neither country wanted to lose the progress they had made since Cuba, particularly since the US were preoccupied with the Vietnam war. In response to the Prague Spring, the Brezhnev doctrine was introduced, stating that any country following the example of Czechoslovakia would meet the same consequences.
Détente
During détente, tensions decreased dramatically, both sides wanting to slow the arms race and ease the economical strain on their respective countries. However, tensions increased when SALT II was never approved, and détente came to an end when the Soviets invaded Afghanistan.
The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan officially ended détente. Key trade agreements between the superpowers were abandoned, and the USA armed and funded the Mujahideen. President Carter also introduced the Carter Doctrine, which created a Rapid Deployment Force to move troops quickly into the area, and allowed neighbouring countries to receive military aid. Carter also put pressure on the USA to withdraw from the 1980 Moscow Olympics, which 61 countries also boycotted. The Soviets and 13 other Eastern Bloc countries boycotted the 1984 LA Olympics.
President Reagan
US spending of defence and arms increased by 21% overall.
This signalled a definitive end to détente and revitalised the Cold War.
This also restarted the arms race, which put financial pressure on the USSR, especially as the threat of SDI increased tensions with the USA.
The Reagan Doctrine stated that the USA would support anti-communist groups and governments across the world. Reagan aimed not only to contain Communism but to roll it back.
Gorbachev’s new thinking
Gorbachev’s reforms convinced Reagan that he might be able to work with the USSR to attempt to stop or slow the arms race. The two leaders had several meetings, including in Washington DC in 1987, where they agreed to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Unlike previous treaties, this agreement focused on arms reduction, rather than just arms control, with both sides agreeing to get rid of all medium- and short-range nuclear weapons.
The collapse of Soviet control in Eastern Europe
The speech at which countries in Eastern Europe abandoned communism greatly undermined the power of the USSR and Gorbachev’s position as leader. It also proved to the USA that communism had only survived due to force and control. There was violent unrest in many former Eastern Bloc countries for some time after the communist governments came to an end, particularly in Romania.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
The fall of the Berlin Wall meant that countless people were reunited with relatives they hadn’t seen for nearly 30 years since the wall had separated them. The fall of the Berlin Wall was also seen as a huge symbolic victory for the West, demonstrating how the USSR had completely given up control of Eastern Europe. From this point, the end of the Cold War seemed inevitable.
The collapse of the Soviet Union
Due to the collapse of the Soviet Union, the USA remained the only superpower, and the Cold War came to a definitive end.
