Flashpoints Outside Europe And The Impact On International Relations (unrefined) Flashcards

1
Q

What key development in the USSR shifted the balance of power, when was this

A

The Soviets exploded their first atomic bomb, levelling the arms race

August 1949

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2
Q

What was the significance behind the conclusion of the Chinese civil war to the US and USSR?

A
  • The communist party won and China was proclaimed communist (Oct 1st 1949)
  • This meant that there was another massive communist power base which worried the US

(The US funded the nationalists in the war)

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3
Q

What was the effect of the McCarthy trials and McCarthyism? (3)

A
  • The US population became engulfed in mass paranoia and a culture of fear
  • foreign policy became more aggressive to communists
  • politicians were forced to act tough on communism
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4
Q

Why did the US and USSR find themselves in Korea?

A

after WWII:
- soviet troops had held the north
- US troops held the south

(Japanese territory)

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5
Q

How was Korea partitioned before the war in Korea?

A

The 38th parallel

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6
Q

What are the official names for North and South Korea?

A

North - DPR Korea (democratic people’s republic)
South - DR Korea (democratic republic)

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7
Q

Who were the leaders of North and South Korea in 1948?

A

North - Kim Il Sung
South - Syngman Rhee

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8
Q

When did North Korea attack South Korea?

A

25th June 1950

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9
Q

Why were the Americans particularly annoyed about the invasion of South Korea?

A

They didn’t view it as strategically important and did not want to intervene but felt obligated in the name of containment

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10
Q

Why did the USSR support Kim Il Sung in Korea?

Where they explicitly involved?

A

Stalin feared losing the status of leader of the communist world

No, Stalin had to disguise involvement

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11
Q

How did the US get involved in Korea?

A

They went to the UN and helped escalate the UN response to armed force

Diplomatic —> economic —> military

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12
Q

Why could the USSR not veto the UN’s decision to use force in Korea?

A

The USSR had boycotted the UN for not recognising China’s government

between January and August 1950

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13
Q

Who led the UN forces in Korea?

A

General Douglas MacArthur

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14
Q

What percentage of each UN fleet were American in Korea? (3)

A
  • 50% land
  • 86% naval
  • 93% air
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15
Q

When did North Korea reach Pusan?

Where did the UN force them back a month later?

A
  • September 1950
  • 38th parallel
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16
Q

By late October, where in Korea had the UN forces pushed the North Koreans?

What key player became involved as a result, and why?

A
  • The Yalu river
  • china - perceived the advance to be a threat
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17
Q

Which suggestion made general Douglas Mac Arthur appear particularly deranged?

A

He wanted the US to use the atomic bomb in Korea

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18
Q

Where did the Chinese military force the UN forces back to?

How many fought in the Chinese military?

A
  • the 38th parallel
  • 250 000
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19
Q

When was an armistice signed in Korea?

A

1953

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20
Q

How many died in Korea?

A

2 million

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21
Q

What was significant about the manner in which Korea was fought?

A

It was virtually the first proxy war of the Cold War

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22
Q

What happened in the US in 1952?

A

The democrats lost, Truman replaced by Eisenhower

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23
Q

What did Korea emphasise about US foreign policy?

A

The US commitment to containment

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24
Q

What was the name of the Vietnamese organisation who resisted the Japanese in WWII?

A

The Vietminh

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25
Q

Who led the Vietminh?

A

Ho Chi Minh

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26
Q

Why did the US become involved in Vietnam? (5)

A
  • policy of containment - fearing an Asian domino effect
  • vital to US trade - ‘cornerstone of the free world’
  • rich in natural resources - tungsten, tin, rubber etc.
  • underestimated the NLF (Vietcong)
  • propaganda - US needed a victory
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27
Q

Why did the US try to disguise their support of the French in Vietnam? (2)

A
  • Supporting France would appear as supporting colonialism - US are a Republic
  • lesser of two evils in their view
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28
Q

How much money did the US give France in their attempt to regain control of Vietnam?

Give dates.

A
  • $1.4 Bn
  • between 1946 and 1954
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29
Q

What major setback caused the French to sign an armistice in Vietnam in 1954?

How many troops did they lose?

A

Dien bien phu

13500 of 16500

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30
Q

How was Vietnam partitioned after the Geneva peace conference?

A

Along the 17th parallel

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31
Q

What was the official name of the Vietcong

A

NLF - National Liberation Front

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32
Q

Who led south Vietnam between 1956 and 1963?

What were his views?

A

Ngo Dinh Diem - a catholic nationalist (most Vietnamese were Buddhist)

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33
Q

Who was the leader of North Vietnam during the Vietnam war?

What where his views?

A
  • Ho Chi Minh
  • communist keen on reunification
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34
Q

What event gave the US an excuse to enter Vietnam?

Was this the only reason for their intervention?

A

August 1964 apparent bombing of USS Maddox destroyer in gulf of Tonkin

No, Johnson had planned to get involved beforehand

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35
Q

In retaliation to events in the Gulf of Tonkin, what document was passed by congress?

When was it passed?

A
  • Tonkin resolution
  • august 1964
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36
Q

What was stated by the Tonkin Resolution?

A

President had the right to use “all necessary measures” in Vietnam

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37
Q

where the NLF and North Vietnam the same?

A

No, however both were closely linked

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38
Q

After the assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem, how many governments were formed between 1963 and 1965?

What did this highlight?

A
  • 12
  • severe instability in South Vietnam
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39
Q

When was Operation Ranch Hand and what methods were used?

A
  • January 1962
  • chemicals such as Agent orange and napalm used to try and find N Vietnamese supply routes
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40
Q

In what ways did the USSR get involved in Vietnam? (6)

A
  • weapons and fuel - was the main supplier of N Vietnam after 1969
  • Surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft guns, artillery and tanks
  • military advisors - 3000 soldiers
  • medicines and fuel
  • pushed Hanoi to negotiate peace around 1971 - the end
  • trained N Vietnamese pilots and gave 63 fighter planes
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41
Q

In what ways did the PRC get involved in Vietnam? (6)

A
  • recognised N Vietnamese state - Jan 1950 - legitamised
  • built and repaired roads, rail and air strips
  • sent political advisors in 1965
  • used as a supply route for USSR
  • encouraged N Vietnam to continue fighting at the end - 1971 on
  • 170 000 troops and military equipment
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42
Q

Adjusted for inflation, how much did the Vietnam war cost the US?

A

$1 trillion

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43
Q

When was the My Lai massacre?

A

March 1968

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44
Q
  • When did Operation Rolling Thunder start?
  • How long did it last
  • what was it?
A
  • March 1965
  • 3 years
  • sustained bombing in N Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh trail
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45
Q
  1. when was the start of the Tet Offensive?
  2. how many troops where involved
  3. What was its significance?
A
  • Jan 1968
  • 70 000 N Vietnamese troops
  • turning point - propaganda loss for US and win for NV - loss of US will
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46
Q
  • when did the Vietnam war start (US)?
  • At the peak of the War, how many US soldiers were in Vietnam?
  • after Vietnamisation, what was this figure in 1972?
A
  • 1964
  • 549 000 - 1969
  • 69,000 - 1972
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47
Q
  1. What was the policy of Vietnamisation?
  2. Under which president?
  3. Over what period?
A
  • gradually reducing the number of US forces in South Vietnam, shifting to SV troops
  • Richard Nixon
  • 1969 - 1972
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48
Q

When did Saigon fall?

A

1975

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49
Q

In Vietnam, how many:

  • US troops died
  • SV troops died
  • NV and NLF troops died
  • civilians died
A
  • 58 000 US
  • 250 000 SV
  • 1.1 million NV and NLF
  • 2 million civilians
50
Q

Previous to Fidel Castro’s coup, who led Cuba?

What year were they overthrown?

A
  • US backed Fulgencio Batista govt - a military dictatorship
  • 1959
51
Q

What action early in Castro’s leadership of Cuba created tensions with the US

A

Castro began to nationalise land and buisnesses - a majority of which were owned by US companies

52
Q

Before nationalisation, what Cuban resources did US companies hold? (3)

A
  • 50% sugar industry
  • majority of cattle ranches
  • majority of mines and utilities
53
Q

Why did the US oppose Castro?

(3)

A
  • he made Cuban trade expensive
  • US suspected communism - communist neighbour a threat
  • Castro traded heavily with the USSR - 80% by 1962
54
Q

When did the US initiate their trade embargo with Cuba?

A

October 1960

55
Q

What happened between Eisenhower and Castro that soured relations?

A

Eisenhower refused to meet him at a UN conference in 1959

56
Q

Who approved the Bay Of Pigs invasion?

A

Eisenhower

57
Q

Did Castro know about the Bay of Pigs invasion?

A

Yes, the covert plan was compromised

58
Q

What was the name of the Cuban exile force sent to the Bay of Pigs?

And

How many were in the force?

A
  • brigade 2506
  • 1500 exiles
59
Q

What key changes did Kennedy’s administration make to the plan for the Bay of Pigs invasion?

A
  • WWII B26 bombers used in air strikes
  • changed landing site
60
Q

When was the failed Bay of Pigs invasion?

A

April 1961

61
Q

What was the goal of the Bay of Pigs invasion?

A

To have the Cuban population rise against Castro

62
Q

How many exiles where killed / imprisoned after 24hrs in Bay of Pigs?

A
  • 114 killed
  • 1100 imprisoned
63
Q

What were the results of the Bay of Pigs incident? (3)

A
  • huge propaganda and foreign policy loss for US
  • prisoners released in exchange for $53 million worth of pharmaceuticals and baby food
  • Cuba closer to USSR - led to missile crisis
64
Q

When were soviet missiles first stationed in Cuba?

When were they sited? By whom?

A
  • May 1962
  • September 1962 - by French Intelligence
65
Q

Why did Khrushchev put missiles in Cuba? (4)

A
  • he claimed later (1971) it was for protection of Cuba
  • probably to equalise military strength - (Turkey, Italy)
  • needed a foreign policy success
  • thought Kennedy was weak due to his youth
66
Q

When did the USSR boycott the UN over the absence of PRC officials?

A

January to August 1950

67
Q

How many rifles did the USSR send to North Korea?

A

15000 by 1949

68
Q

On what day did the U2 spy planes confirm missile sites in Cuba?

A

14th Oct 1962

69
Q

When did Kennedy establish Excomm? (Cuba)

A

16th Oct 1962

70
Q

On what day did Khrushchev try to bluff Kennedy about missiles (Cuba)

A

17th Oct 1962

71
Q

When did Kennedy decide on Naval blockade/quarantine (Cuba)

When was it established?

A
  • 20th Oct 1962
  • 23rd Oct 1962
72
Q

When did Kennedy make his address (Cuba)

A

22nd Oct 1962

73
Q

What did Khrushchev’s first letter say (Cuba)

and

when was it received

A
  • missiles removed if US didn’t invade
  • 26th Oct 1962
74
Q

What did Khrushchev’s second letter say (Cuba)

and

when was it received

A
  • demanded removal of US missiles from Turkey and Italy
  • 27th Oct 1962
75
Q

When was the U2 spy plane shot down (Cuba)

and

what did the military urge to do

A
  • 27th Oct 1962
  • strike Cuba
76
Q

When did the Cuban missile crisis end

and

what was the immediate result?

A
  • 28th Oct 1962
  • US remove missiles from Turkey and Italy and USSR from Cuba
77
Q

How many nuclear missiles were in Cuba?

A

9 short range and 36 medium range

78
Q

How many soviet troops were in Cuba?

A

42000

79
Q

what was détente?

How was is evident?

A
  • The easing of tensions between the superpowers - a thaw in the Cold War
  • a series of agreements e.g. SALT 1 and Helsinki
80
Q

Why did détente come about? (5)

A
  • both sides feared nuclear war
  • the arms race was too expensive to keep up
  • both had economic problems
  • control over satellite states became difficult
  • USSR issues e.g. 1968 Czechoslovakia and Chinese disputes
81
Q

Why did the US and USSR fear nuclear war (détente) (2)

A
  • ABMs protected cities - not as effective
  • mutually assured destruction (MAD) was no longer a deterrent
82
Q

why did the cost of the arms race worry the US? (détente) (2)

A
  • ABMs (used against nuclear weapons) were very expensive
  • Soviets were equal militarily due to their expenditure
83
Q

What economic problems faced the superpowers? (leading to détente) (4)

A
  • USSR needed grain and computer technology
  • 1972 grain harvest fails USSR
  • US needed new markets - not as competitive
  • 1971 US have trade deficit for the first time since 1945
84
Q

How were satellite states becoming difficult to control for the superpowers? (détente) (3)

A
  • US in Vietnam - unpopular and without NATO support
  • Willy Brandt - Ost Politik in FRG - more independent policy of relations with GDR
  • 1968 Czechoslovakia
85
Q

What issues in the communist world led to détente for the USSR? (2)

A
  • 1968 Czechoslovakia
  • Chinese border disputes
86
Q

What did both superpowers expect from détente? (Not individual opinion)

A

not a lasting peace - politically expedient

87
Q

What did the US expect from détente? (2)

A
  • a way to control the Soviets - trade in grain or arms control for help in Vietnam (ceasefire)
  • containment in a different form
88
Q

How did the USSR view détente?

A
  • A way to stabilize the arms race and reduce costs
  • extend influence in Africa and Central America
89
Q

How successful was détente? (5)

A
  • no further crises in Germany - √ for both
  • greater cooperation e.g. Vietnam - √ for both
  • US benefitted from USSR/PRC issues - √ for US
  • US increased trade with USSR and PRC (dependent on west) - √ for both but especially US
  • agreements on arms control - X not really successful - but √ for happening

Overall was good - disputes settled by negotiation - thaw

90
Q

How did some Americans view détente?

A

Weak on communism

91
Q

When was SALT 1?

A

May 1972

92
Q

When was the Helsinki Agreement?

How did Reagan refer to it and Carter’s diplomacy?

A
  • Aug 1975
  • ’weak-kneed’
93
Q

When was SALT 2?

Why was it not ratified?

A
  • June 1979
  • USSR invaded Afghanistan in December
94
Q

What reasons did the USSR have to invade Afghanistan? (3)

A
  • a route to oil
  • to fulfill the 1968 Brezhnev doctrine (communists at risk of being overthrown)
  • to prevent Islamic fundamentalism spreading to soviet republics e.g. Chechnya
95
Q

How did Reagan differ from Carter (foreign policy)

A

Reagan was a hardline anti-communist as opposed to Carter who was more diplomatic

96
Q

When did the USSR invade Afghanistan?

What happened to US / USSR relations?

A
  • 24th December 1979
  • détente ended and Carter began acting defensively
97
Q

What was the Carter Doctrine? (2)

A
  • if outside forces tried to gain control of the Persian gulf, it was regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the US
  • repelled by any means necessary, including military force
98
Q

How did the US enforce the Carter Doctrine? (4)

A
  • increased defense budgets
  • Cancelled grain exports to USSR
  • boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics
  • senate refused to ratify SALT II
99
Q

When did the communist regime emerge in Afghanistan?

A

April 1978

100
Q

Who led the Afghan regime upon the soviet invasion?

Why was he assasinated?

Who replaced him?

A
  • Hafizullah Amin
  • he met with Islamic fundamentalists and was deemed untrustworthy (despite being communist)
  • Babrak Kamal
101
Q

How long did the USSR spend in Afghanistan?

A

9 years

102
Q

List 6 actions taken by Reagan which displayed his aggressive foreign policy

What made his actions different to other presidents?

A
  • increased defense spending - in Jan 1981 to 30% total spending
  • US funding in El Salvador civil war
  • funding of Contras in Nicaragua
  • 1982, troops in Beirut
  • 1983 invasion of Grenada
  • 1986 bombing of Tripoli, Libya

None of these were prolonged conflicts/involvements like Vietnam

103
Q

Which Saudi-born dissident was funded by the US in Afghanistan and later led Al-Qaeda?

A

Osama bin Laden

104
Q

What was the name of the Islamic fundamentalist rebel group in Afghanistan (USSR war)

A

The mujahideen

105
Q

In what year did the soviet war in Afghanistan appear unwinable?

Why?

A

1985:

  • it was a drain on morale and finances
  • the USSR only controlled 20% of the country
106
Q

What advantages did the mujahideen have in Afghanistan? (5)

A
  • local knowledge
  • they used guerrilla warfare - particularly effective in the mountainous terrain
  • they had support of locals
  • US financial and military backing - sent SAMs in 1986
  • ideologically motivated and cohesive
107
Q

How did China respond to the USSR invasion of Afghanistan?

A

They denounced it and cancelled sino-soviet talks in 1980

108
Q

Prior to the invasion of Afghanistan, where else had the USSR been involved in communist expansion? (5)

A
  • Angola 1975
  • Ethiopia 1977
  • Yemen 1978
  • Nicaragua
  • El Salvador
109
Q

How was Babrak Kamal viewed in Afghanistan?

A

A soviet puppet - unpopular

110
Q

On what date was Amin replaced by Kamal in Afghanistan?

A

27th of December 1979

111
Q

Between 24th and 27th of December 1979, how many soviet troops where flown into Kabul?

A

50 000

112
Q

At the peak of the Soviet-Afghan war, how many troops where in the:

  • Mujaheddin
  • USSR (stationed in Afghanistan)
A
  • 200 000 mujaheddin
  • 100 000 soviet
113
Q

How did the US send weapons and financial aid to the mujaheddin?

A

Through Pakistan

114
Q

What middle Eastern nation was subject to a revolution in 1979?

How did this affect the US?

A
  • Iranian Islamic revolution
  • the US backed Shah was overthrown - loss of control in the region
115
Q

What were the results of the Soviet-Afghan war? (6)

A
  • 1 million Afghans died, 3 million fled to Pakistan
  • bankrupted the USSR - led to fall of Berlin Wall 1989
  • first open criticisms of Soviet government in the USSR
  • funding of jihadist groups led to the war on terror
  • Nuclear weapons stationed in Europe 1979 onwards
  • Strategic defense initiative (SDI or ‘star wars’) under Reagan - laser defense systems to shield US from nukes
116
Q

How did the USSR get involved in Korea? (4)

A
  • sent weapons
  • trained North Korean forces
  • financed North Korea
  • encouraged North Korea to continue

Etc

117
Q

How many nations were involved in the UN intervention in Korea?

A

16

118
Q

Who did Douglas MacArthur get his orders from (Korea)

A

Truman, not UN officials

119
Q

By which two names is the Korean War known as?

A
  • century’s nastiest little war
  • forgotten war
120
Q

Where and when did the UN forces enter Korea?

A
  • Inchon
  • September 1950