Flashpoints Outside Europe And The Impact On International Relations Flashcards
(120 cards)
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
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)
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
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)
5
Q
How was Korea partitioned before the war in Korea?
A
The 38th parallel
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)
7
Q
Who were the leaders of North and South Korea in 1948?
A
North - Kim Il Sung
South - Syngman Rhee
8
Q
When did North Korea attack South Korea?
A
25th June 1950
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
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 - he reluctantly supported the North
No, Stalin had to disguise involvement
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
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
13
Q
Who led the UN forces in Korea?
A
General Douglas MacArthur
14
Q
What percentage of each UN fleet were American in Korea? (3)
A
- 50% land
- 86% naval
- 93% air
15
Q
When did North Korea reach Pusan?
Where did the UN force them back a month later?
A
- September 1950
- 38th parallel
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
17
Q
Which suggestion made general Douglas Mac Arthur appear particularly deranged?
A
He wanted the US to use the atomic bomb in Korea
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
19
Q
When was an armistice signed in Korea?
A
1953
20
Q
How many died in Korea?
A
2 million
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
22
Q
What happened in the US in 1952?
A
The democrats lost, Truman replaced by Eisenhower
23
Q
What did Korea emphasise about US foreign policy?
A
The US commitment to containment
24
Q
What was the name of the Vietnamese organisation who resisted the Japanese in WWII?
A
The Vietminh
25
Who **led** the **Vietminh**?
Ho Chi Minh
26
Why did the **US** become **involved in Vietnam**? (**5**)
- **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
27
Why did the **US** try to **disguise their support** of the **French in Vietnam**? (**2**)
- Supporting France would appear as **supporting colonialism** - US are a Republic
- lesser of two evils in their view
28
How much **money** did the *US give France* in their attempt to regain control of Vietnam?
Give dates.
- $1.4 Bn
- between 1946 and 1954
29
What **major setback** caused the **French** to **sign an armistice** in Vietnam in **1954**?
How many **troops** did they **lose**?
Dien bien phu
13500 of 16500
30
How was **Vietnam partitioned** after the Geneva peace conference?
Along the 17th parallel
31
What was the **official name** of the **Vietcong**
NLF - National Liberation Front
32
Who **led south Vietnam** between **1956 and 1963**?
What were his **views**?
Ngo Dinh Diem - a catholic nationalist (most Vietnamese were Buddhist)
33
Who was the **leader of North Vietnam** during the Vietnam war?
What where his **views**?
- Ho Chi Minh
- communist keen on reunification
34
What **event** gave the **US** an **excuse to enter Vietnam**?
Was this the only reason for their intervention?
**August 1964** apparent bombing of USS Maddox destroyer in **gulf of Tonkin**
No, Johnson had planned to get involved beforehand
35
In retaliation to events in the **Gulf of Tonkin**, what **document** was **passed by congress**?
**When** was it passed?
- Tonkin resolution
- august 1964
36
What was **stated** by the **Tonkin Resolution**?
**President** had the right to use **“all necessary measures”** in Vietnam
37
where the NLF and North Vietnam the same?
No, however both were closely linked
38
**After** the *assassination* of **Ngo Dinh Diem**, *how many* **governments** were **formed** between *1963 and 1965*?
What did this highlight?
- 12
- severe instability in South Vietnam
39
*When* was **Operation Ranch Hand** and what *methods* were used?
- **January 1962**
- **chemicals** such as **Agent orange and napalm** used to try and find N Vietnamese supply routes
40
In what ways did the **USSR** get **involved in Vietnam**? (**6**)
- **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**
41
In what ways did the **PRC** get **involved in Vietnam**? (**6**)
- 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*
42
Adjusted for inflation, how much did the **Vietnam war cost** the **US**?
$1 trillion
43
When was the **My Lai massacre**?
March 1968
44
- *When* did **Operation Rolling Thunder** *start*?
- *How long* did it last
- what was it?
- March 1965
- 3 years
- sustained bombing in N Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh trail
45
1. **when** was the start of the **Tet Offensive**?
2. how many **troops** where involved
3. What was its **significance**?
- Jan 1968
- 70 000 N Vietnamese troops
- **turning point** - propaganda loss for US and win for NV - loss of US will
46
- 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**?
- 1964
- **549 000** - 1969
- **69,000** - 1972
47
1. What was the **policy of Vietnamisation**?
2. Under which president?
3. Over what period?
- gradually **reducing** the number of **US forces** in South Vietnam, **shifting to SV troops**
- Richard Nixon
- 1969 - 1972
48
When did **Saigon** fall?
1975
49
In **Vietnam**, how many:
- **US troops** died
- **SV troops** died
- **NV and NLF** troops died
- **civilians** died
- **58 000** US
- **250 000** SV
- **1.1 million** NV and NLF
- **2 million** civilians
50
Previous to Fidel Castro’s coup, who **led Cuba**?
What **year** were they **overthrown**?
- US backed Fulgencio Batista govt - a military dictatorship
- 1959
51
What **action** early in Castro’s leadership of **Cuba** created **tensions** with the **US**
Castro began to **nationalise land and buisnesses** - a majority of which were owned by US companies
52
*Before nationalisation*, what **Cuban resources** did **US companies** hold? (**3**)
- 50% sugar industry
- majority of cattle ranches
- majority of mines and utilities
53
*Why* did the **US** *oppose* **Castro**?
(**3**)
- he made **Cuban trade expensive**
- US suspected **communism** - communist neighbour a threat
- Castro **traded** heavily with the **USSR** - **80% by 1962**
54
**When** did the **US** initiate their **trade embargo** with **Cuba**?
October 1960
55
What happened between **Eisenhower** and **Castro** that soured relations?
Eisenhower refused to meet him at a UN conference in 1959
56
**Who approved** the **Bay Of Pigs** invasion?
Eisenhower
57
Did **Castro know** about the **Bay of Pigs** invasion?
Yes, the covert plan was compromised
58
What was the **name** of the **Cuban exile force** sent to the *Bay of Pigs*?
And
**How many** were in the force?
- brigade 2506
- 1500 exiles
59
What key **changes** did **Kennedy’s administration** make to the *plan* for the **Bay of Pigs** invasion?
- WWII B26 bombers used in air strikes
- changed landing site
60
**When** was the failed **Bay of Pigs** invasion?
April 1961
61
What was the **goal** of the **Bay of Pigs** invasion?
To have the Cuban population rise against Castro
62
**How many** exiles where **killed / imprisoned** *after 24hrs* in **Bay of Pigs**?
- 114 killed
- 1100 imprisoned
63
What were the **results** of the **Bay of Pigs** incident? (**3**)
- 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
**When** were **soviet missiles** first stationed in **Cuba**?
**When** were they **sited**? By whom?
- May 1962
- September 1962 - by French Intelligence
65
Why did **Khrushchev** put **missiles** in **Cuba**? (**4**)
- 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
When did the **USSR boycott** the **UN** over the *absence of PRC officials*?
January to August 1950
67
*How many* **rifles** did the **USSR send** to **North Korea**?
15 000 **by 1949**
68
**On what day** did the **U2 spy planes** *confirm **missile sites*** in **Cuba**?
14th Oct 1962
69
**When** did Kennedy establish **Excomm**? (Cuba)
16th Oct 1962
70
**On what day** did **Khrushchev** try to **bluff** Kennedy about missiles (Cuba)
17th Oct 1962
71
**When** did Kennedy *decide* on **Naval blockade/quarantine** (Cuba)
**When** was it **established**?
- 20th Oct 1962
- 23rd Oct 1962
72
**When** did **Kennedy** make his **address** (Cuba)
22nd Oct 1962
73
What did **Khrushchev’s first letter** say (Cuba)
and
**when** was it received
- missiles removed if US didn’t invade
- 26th Oct 1962
74
What did **Khrushchev’s second letter** say (Cuba)
and
**when** was it received
- demanded removal of US missiles from Turkey and Italy
- 27th Oct 1962
75
**When** was the **U2 spy plane shot down** (Cuba)
and
*what did* the **military urge to do**
- 27th Oct 1962
- strike Cuba
76
**When** did the **Cuban missile crisis *end***
and
what was the **immediate result**?
- 28th Oct 1962
- US remove missiles from Turkey and Italy and USSR from Cuba
77
*How many* **nuclear missiles** were in **Cuba**?
9 short range and 36 medium range
78
*How many* **soviet troops** were in **Cuba**?
42000
79
what was **détente**?
How was is evident?
- The easing of tensions between the superpowers - a thaw in the Cold War
- a series of agreements e.g. SALT 1 and Helsinki
80
**Why** did **détente** come about? (**5**)
- 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
**Why** did the US and USSR **fear nuclear war** (*détente*) (**2**)
- **ABMs protected cities** - not as effective
- mutually assured destruction (**MAD**) was **no longer a deterrent**
82
**why** did the **cost of the arms race** *worry the US*? (*détente*) (**2**)
- **ABMs** *(used against nuclear weapons)* were very expensive
- Soviets were equal militarily due to their expenditure
83
What **economic problems** faced the **superpowers**? (*leading to détente*) (**4**)
- 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
**How** were **satellite states** becoming **difficult to control** for the superpowers? (*détente*) (**3**)
- US in Vietnam - unpopular and without NATO support
- **Willy Brandt - Ost Politik in FRG** - more *independent policy of relations with GDR*
- 1968 Czechoslovakia
85
What **issues in the communist world** *led to détente* for the USSR? (**2**)
- 1968 Czechoslovakia
- Chinese border disputes
86
What did **both superpowers expect from détente**? (Not individual opinion)
not a lasting peace - *politically expedient*
87
What did the **US expect from détente**? (**2**)
- a way to control the Soviets - trade in grain or arms control for help in Vietnam (ceasefire)
- containment in a different form
88
How did the **USSR view détente**?
- A way to stabilize the arms race and reduce costs
- extend influence in Africa and Central America
89
How **successful** was **détente**? (**5**)
- **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
How did **some Americans view détente**?
Weak on communism
91
**When** was **SALT 1**?
May 1972
92
**When** was the **Helsinki Agreement**?
How did Reagan refer to it and Carter’s diplomacy?
- Aug 1975
- **’weak-kneed’**
93
**When** was **SALT 2**?
**Why was it not ratified?**
- June 1979
- USSR invaded Afghanistan in December
94
What **reasons** did the **USSR** have to **invade Afghanistan**? (**3**)
- 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
**How** did **Reagan** *differ* from **Carter** (foreign policy)
Reagan was a hardline anti-communist as opposed to Carter who was more diplomatic
96
**When** did the **USSR invade Afghanistan**?
What happened to US / USSR relations?
- 24th December 1979
- détente ended and Carter began acting defensively
97
What was the **Carter Doctrine**? (**2**)
- 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
**How** did the US **enforce** the **Carter Doctrine**? (**4**)
- increased defense budgets
- Cancelled grain exports to USSR
- boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics
- senate refused to ratify SALT II
99
**When** did the **communist regime** emerge in **Afghanistan**?
April 1978
100
**Who led** the **Afghan regime** upon the **soviet invasion**?
**Why** was he assasinated?
Who replaced him?
- Hafizullah Amin
- he met with Islamic fundamentalists and was deemed untrustworthy (despite being communist)
- Babrak Kamal
101
**How long** did the **USSR** spend in **Afghanistan**?
9 years
102
List **6 actions** taken by **Reagan** which displayed his **aggressive foreign policy**
What made his actions different to other presidents?
- 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
Which **Saudi-born dissident** was *funded by the US in Afghanistan* and later led Al-Qaeda?
Osama bin Laden
104
What was the name of the **Islamic fundamentalist rebel group** in **Afghanistan** (*USSR war*)
The mujahideen
105
In what **year** did the **soviet war in Afghanistan** appear **unwinable**?
Why?
1985:
- it was a drain on morale and finances
- the USSR **only controlled 20%** of the country
106
What **advantages** did the **mujahideen** have in **Afghanistan**? (**5**)
- 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
How did **China respond** to the **USSR invasion** of **Afghanistan**?
They denounced it and cancelled sino-soviet talks in 1980
108
*Prior to the invasion of Afghanistan*, **where** else had the **USSR** been **involved** in **communist expansion**? (**5**)
- Angola 1975
- Ethiopia 1977
- Yemen 1978
- Nicaragua
- El Salvador
109
How was **Babrak Kamal** *viewed* in Afghanistan?
A soviet puppet - unpopular
110
On what **date** was **Amin replaced by Kamal** in Afghanistan?
27th of December 1979
111
Between **24th and 27th of December 1979**, how many **soviet troops** where **flown into Kabul**?
50 000
112
At the peak of the Soviet-Afghan war, **how many troops** where in the:
- Mujaheddin
- USSR (stationed in Afghanistan)
- 200 000 mujaheddin
- 100 000 soviet
113
**How** did the **US send weapons and financial aid** to the *mujaheddin*?
Through Pakistan
114
What **middle Eastern nation** was subject to a **revolution** in **1979**?
**How** did this **affect** the **US**?
- Iranian Islamic revolution
- the US backed Shah was overthrown - loss of control in the region
115
What were the **results** of the **Soviet-Afghan war**? (**6**)
- **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
**How** did the **USSR** get involved in **Korea**? (**4**)
- sent weapons
- trained North Korean forces
- financed North Korea
- encouraged North Korea to continue
Etc
117
How many **nations** were **involved** in the **UN intervention** in **Korea**?
16
118
**Who** did **Douglas MacArthur** get his **orders from** (Korea)
Truman, not UN officials
119
By which **two names** is the **Korean War** known as?
- century’s nastiest little war
- forgotten war
120
**Where** *and* **when** did the **UN forces enter Korea**?
- Inchon
- September 1950
