The USA’s Involvement In Europe Flashcards
(29 cards)
What was the USA’s policy towards Britain and Europe at first?
Intention to work towards the reconstruction of a democratic region.
What was Assistant Secretary of State dean Acheson’s opinion on Europe in 1945?
That Europe mirrored a wider international problem which represented a threat to the stability of international democracy based on capitalism.
When was Acheson the US Secretary of State?
1949 - 1953
By 1947, what were the USA’s strategic plans for Europe?
- Economic recovery
- Unity
- Stable and independent bloc of pro-American states
- Europe would be divided
What relationship did the USA and Britain have?
A ‘special relationship’
Why did Britain preserve the ‘special relationship’?
Needed to preserve international status and security. Wanted a mutual relationship not one of dependency.
Why did the USA preserve the ‘special relationship’?
Needed Britain’s role and influence in Europe. Britain’s politics were inline with the USA (left-wings weren’t extreme)
When was Marshall Plan?
June 1947
What was the purpose of the Marshall Plan?
Reinforce the Truman Doctrine
How much money did the Marshall Plan give to __ countries?
$13.5 billion
16
How many years would the Marshall Plan provide aid to the 16 countries?
5 years
What did the Marshall Plan allow?
The reconstruction of Europe
What did the Marshall Plan prevent?
The spread of communism
What was one condition of the Marshall Plan?
Recipients had to share economic information with the USA, part of the American Economic Strategy and promote unity.
What were the USA’s economic motivations for the Marshall Plan?
- rebuild economies in Europe to aid USA’s economy (trade)
- stronger economy promotes capitalist ideologies
What were the USA’s ideological motivations for the Marshall Plan?
- promote unity
- capitalism as a positive
- strengthen W.Europe
What were the USA’s humanitarian motivations for the Marshall Plan?
- prevent hunger and poverty
- secure and stable countries with a good SoL would be beneficial for USA’s economy (trade)
How did the Marshall Plan work (7 steps)?
Step 1: USA offers aid
Step 2: Aid = rejuvenated industry
Step 3: Industry creates jobs
Step 4: Jobs give people money
Step 5: Money improves quality of life
Step 6: Better quality of life reduces the appeal of communism
Step 7: No communism = rejuvenates trade and industry
What was the USSR’s reaction the the Marshall Plan?
- Seen as economic imperialism
- Walked out of Paris Peace Conference
- Established Cominform then plans for Comecon
How did Stalin respond to countries who expressed an interest in Marshall Plan? Give an example of a country.
Ordered them to reverse their decision
Czech
Why did so much money go to UK, France, Italy and West Germany?
UK - Churchill encouraged gestures to rebuild economy
France + Italy - rebuild economies so they don’t fall to communism
W.Ger - prevent Stalin taking over
How much money went to UK, France, Italy and West Germany?
UK - $3,176 million
France - $2,706 million
Italy - $1,474 million
W.Germany - $1,389 million
What happen to the British and American occupied zones in Germany in Berlin in January 1947?
Merged to form Bizonia
When was a new currency introduced into the Western zones of Berlin and Germany?
June 1948
