outbreak and early development (1946-1953)

Question 1

Iron curtain speech

Answer 1

USSR set up pro-Soviet communist regimes in eastern Europe

Churchill accused USSR of building an iron curtain around Eastern Europe and that Western countries should unite to stop the expansion of communism (American president agreed)

Stalin said that they were only used to safeguard the security of USSR and that UK was provoking war -> cold war

Question 2

Truman Doctrine

Answer 2

by US
to help countries threatened by communism
(Turkey, Greece)

Question 3

Marshall Plan

Answer 3

by US
to rebuild the economy of European countries so they will support capitalism instead of communism

result: helped, stop the expansion of communism and strengthened ties

Question 4

Molotov Plan

Answer 4

by USSR
to counter-balance the Marshall Plan and to tighten control over satellite states

result: divided Europe into two economic blocs

Question 5

Berlin Blockade

Answer 5

West Berlin : France Britain US
East Berlin: USSR

France Britain and US wanted to unite and reconstruct Germany -> USSR feared it would threaten its security -> forced Western powers out of West Berlin

USSR closed all land and sea routes and the western powers sent supplies by air
Western powers formed North Atlantic Treaty Organization and USSR ended the blockade

result: Germany divided
Western powers : NATO
USSR : Warsaw Treaty Organization

Question 6

Establishment of the People’s Republic of China

Answer 6

communist won

US
feared communism would spread further in Asia so they started intervening in military conflicts
Sino-American relations remained tense

Question 7

Korean War

Answer 7

US led UN forces and forced North Korea back to the 38th Parallel which threatened the security of China -> sent voluntary armies to help NK

result: Korea divided
US saw it as an success and was determined to stop the spread of communism in Asia