Origin Flashcards
(40 cards)
What ideological differences contributed to the Cold War?
Capitalism/liberalism vs. Communism/Authoritarianism
Capitalism supports democratic elections, free markets, and individual freedoms, while Communism promotes state control and equality at the cost of personal freedoms.
What was the Russian Civil War (1918-21) about?
Conflict between Whites (Royalists) and Reds (Bolsheviks) following the Bolshevik Revolution.
The Bolsheviks’ victory in 1921 led to a long-lasting resentment towards Western intervention.
What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939?
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact
A non-aggression pact between Germany and the USSR that included a secret clause to divide Poland.
It allowed Germany to start WWII, increasing mistrust towards the USSR from the West.
What was Stalin’s vision for post-war Europe?
A buffer zone of Communist governments in Eastern Europe and reparations from Germany.
This vision conflicted with the West’s desire for democratic elections in Eastern Europe.
What were the personality issues affecting the leaders during the Cold War?
Stalin’s paranoia, Roosevelt’s easy-going nature, and Truman’s anti-Soviet stance.
Leadership changes and differing personalities impacted the relationships between the superpowers.
What was the Manhattan Project?
The American project to build the first atomic bomb, starting in 1942.
It was initially top-secret but was infiltrated by Soviet spies.
What was the significance of D-Day in the context of the Cold War?
It was the Western Allies’ liberation of Nazi-occupied France, which Stalin perceived as delayed.
Stalin believed the delay allowed the USSR to suffer greatly in fighting Germany.
What was the nuclear arms race?
A competition between the US and USSR to develop nuclear weapons
It began with the US developing its first atomic bomb and escalated with both countries testing hydrogen bombs.
What was the Lend-Lease Act?
A program allowing the US to supply Allied nations with war material before officially entering WWII.
It provided significant aid to the UK and USSR during the war.
What was established at the Tehran Conference in 1943?
Agreements for a second front against Germany and post-war plans including the establishment of the UN.
Disagreements arose regarding the timing of the second front and territorial claims.
What was the Percentage Agreement of 1944?
A secret agreement dividing Eastern Europe into spheres of influence between Churchill and Stalin.
It acknowledged Stalin’s need for a buffer zone.
What were the main agreements made during the Yalta Conference in 1945?
Division of Germany into zones, trial for war criminals, and free elections in liberated countries.
Disagreements included the amount of reparations Germany should pay.
What was the Potsdam Conference’s outcome in 1945?
Further clarification of policies from Yalta and division of Germany into four parts.
It also addressed reparations and the establishment of the UN.
What does the term ‘Salami tactic’ refer to?
A strategy of defeating opponents slice by slice, isolating and removing anti-communists.
This was used by the USSR to establish control in Eastern Europe. (Albania 1945, Bulgaria 1945, Poland 1947, Hungary 1947, Romania 1947, Czech 1948, GDR 1949)
What was the Long Telegram of 1946?
An analysis by George Kennan warning of Soviet expansionism and the threat to the American way of life.
It framed Soviet foreign policy as aggressive and expansionist.
What was the cornerstone of Kennan’s recommendations for dealing with the USSR?
Avoid direct military confrontation and instead, engage in policy of positive propaganda that would make capitalism & democracy attractive to countries
What did Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech call for?
Firmer action against communists and an alliance between the US and Britain.
What was one of the consequences of Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech?
Some historians argue it marked the start of the Cold War.
What does the term ‘Salami Tactics’ refer to in the context of Soviet expansion?
Red Army remaining in liberated states, setting up coalition govt and put communists in leading roles, arrest opposing leaders, rig elections
What was the Clifford-Elsey Report?
A policy based on the Long Telegram that became the basis of the containment policy.
Idea that US needed to maintain superiority
What was the Truman Doctrine?
US military and economic aid to anti-communist forces.
What was COMECON?
Council for Economic Assistance, a Soviet response to Marshall Aid.
What triggered the Berlin Blockade in 1948?
The introduction of a new currency in West Berlin.
What was the response to the Berlin Blockade?
The Berlin airlift.
