Soviet Expansion / Cold War beginning Flashcards
(10 cards)
What was the Iron Curtain?
The ‘Iron Curtain’ stood for the border between East and West set up by Stalin.
Western Zones merge =
In December 1946, Britain and the USA agreed to unite their German zones for economic purposes.
The Soviets were furious. Not only had they acted without agreement from the Soviets, but they also appeared to be rebuilding Germany, when Stalin wanted to keep it weak.
- Which European countries did not fall under USSR control/ influence (ie did not become “satellite states”)?
France & Britain & Greece = all remained outside/ distinct from the USSR. There were communist parties in France and Britain but they do not take control. Greece stays independent from the USSR as it is supported by the USA and GB.
Yugoslavia - in E Europe - Marshal Tito had resisted the Nazis in the war. Elected President in 1945. Determined to apply communism in his own way, so Yugoslavia was expelled from Cominform in 1948. Never fully under USSR control.
What happened in Hungary?
1947: the communists become the largest party in the 1947 elections. Imprison opposition leaders and attacked Church leaders.
What happened in E Germany?
At the end of the war, the USSR is given control of Eastern Germany as its “zone”. It was run by the red army until the creation of the GDR in 1949.
Facts about Greece: List 8-10 facts:
1944 - Nazi retreat
Rivals = Monarchists and Communists
Communists = wanted to be a Soviet Rebublic
Monarchists = wanted restore King
1945 - Churchill sent troops for law and order (aka. support monarchists)
1946 - USSR protests to UN
UN take no action
GREEK CIVIL WAR DEVELOPS
Feb 1947 - British cannot afford to be caught up in a civil war (withdraws)
Truman/US steps in + paid Br troops to stay
1950 - Monarchists in control BUT Gr gvt. was weak
What did it reveal?
Increased the divide between US/GB and USSR:
Revealed the US and GB’s suspicion of USSR and communism
(intervention showed their opposition to the spread of communism)
USSR’s suspicion of US
US was prepared to steps (financially and otherwise) prevent the spread of communism
Encouraged the US to seek financial support for countries against the spread of communism (foundations for Truman doctrine)
Long telegram =
1946: The Long Telegram
In February 1946, the U.S. State Department asked George F. Kennan, then at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, why the Russians opposed the creation of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Kennan responded with a wide-ranging analysis of Russian policy now called the “Long Telegram.”
In the “Long Telegram,” Kennan emphasized that the Soviet Union did not see the possibility for long-term peaceful coexistence with the capitalist world and that the best strategy was to “contain” communist expansion around the globe.
A year later, Kennan published an article under the anonymous pseudonym “X” summarizing and clarifying his analysis in the “Long Telegram.”
The attitudes and strategies promoted in these two documents, namely the strategy of “containment,” formed the basis of America’s approach to the USSR for most of the Cold War.
Novikov telegram =
1946: The Novikov Telegram
What was the Novikov Telegram? The Novikov Telegram was a secret report sent to Stalin.
When was the Novikov Telegram sent? It was sent in September 1946.
Who sent the Novikov Telegram? Nikolai Novikov, the Soviet Ambassador in the USA, sent the Novikov Telegram to Stalin, the leader of the USSR.
Where was the Novikov Telegram sent? The Novikov Telegram was sent from the Soviet Embassy in Washington to Moscow.
What did the Novikov Telegram contain?
The Novikov Telegram stated that:
The USA wanted to be the world’s leading power.
The USSR was the only power that could stand up to them.
The USA was preparing for war against the Soviets.
