Red Flashcards
(306 cards)
When was Cominform created?
September 1947
What was Cominform?
A coordination of communist parties in Europe.
Why did Stalin create Cominform?
He did it in response to the Marshall Plan as he believed it posed a threat to the USSR and he believed that the US were creating an anti-soviet global alliance. So, he wanted to strengthen the USSR’s infleunce in Eastern Europe under Warsaw’s rule to become a united whole.
Stalin’s belief in 1947 about capitalists
Believed they would all collapse due to competition.
Andrei Zhdahov
Creates a doctrine that discussed how Europe was now in 2 camps - relating to Cominform.
What did Dulles say in July 1945 relating to Europe?
Threatened that the rest of the situation in Europe mirrored the rest of the world so the US needed to do something about it.
Who was Clayton and what did he say in 1947 relating to Europe?
The under-secretary of state - said that if the US did not aid Britain and Europe, they would deteriorate massively on a regional scale.
What was the US’ route into Europe?
US and Britain’s ‘“special relationship”
What was the focus of Us strategic planning in Europe in 1947?
Focused on ensuring economic recovery after WW2 promoting unity within Europe which would lead to a stable bloc of pro-US states
US support of Britain (1945-48)
Contributed to Britain’s security. However, Britain didn’t want to have to depend on the US, they wanted mutual support.
What was the Soviet Zone like in Germany?
- 4 political parties (KPD, SPD, LDPD & CDU) but the Soviet intention was that Communists would be the dominant group but this did not happen.
- Newly formed party - German Socialist Unity Party (SED)
- Stalin was able to dominate politics in Soviet Zone but not the whole of Germany
- policies: land reform, nationalisation of large industrial production and compulsory tuition of Russian in schools
What was the British Zone like in Germany?
- included Ruhr industrial area (France and USSR were trying to control)
- large population (22.5 mill.) meant it was costly to feed - depended on US
What was the US zone like in Germany?
- free elections
- USA regarded it as the basis for a future national structure based on federalism
When was the FRG created?
1949
Who was the first leader of the FRG?
Konrad Adenauer
How did the USSR feel about the division of Germany?
Initially reluctant as they wanted to create a pro-Soviet united Germany but then created their own East German State (GDR) in late 1949 with the one-party state system with SED as the party.
What does NATO stand for?
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
When was NATO formed?
1949
What was the purpose of NATO?
- a means of reassuring Western European states in the face of possible Soviet military aggression
- complemented containment
- political defence system rather than military organisation
- ‘to settle any international disputes…by peaceful means.’
- ‘eliminate conflict’
Why did the US decide to form NATO?
Due to:
- the communist government around Eastern Europe
- the Berlin Blockade
- China becoming communist in 1949
What was the Soviet response to NATO?
- believed it was an aggressive organisation designed to pressurise states into complying with the interests of the West
- they emphasised how they did not intend to attack any European state
What was Japan’s ‘reverse course’?
The US were not focused on punishing Japan and instead wanted to develop democratic institutions and practices which would lead to economic construction and therefore political stability
When was Japan’s ‘reverse course’ introduced?
1947
What was the US’ undisguised strategy in Japan (1947)?
Ensuring Japan remained aligned to US and less vulnerable to communist influences as Japan’s recovery was seen as an essential element of the US’ power base in eastern Asia.