Untitled Deck Flashcards
(43 cards)
When was the Yalta Conference, who were the leaders and what was agreed?
February 1945. Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill and agreed for the USSR to join the war against Japan. Agreed to the declaration of liberated Europe to hold free and fair elections in Nazi liberated countries. Disagreed over which polish government should be installed. Germany and Austria to be divided into 4 occupation zones.
When did Petru Groza (fellow traveller) become prime minister of Romania?
March 1945
How did Stalin ensure Moscow sympathising governments were installed across Europe?
Stalin created coalition governments between Social democrats and communist parties in order to get more votes for them
When and where did the USA successfully test the First atom bomb?
July 1945 at the Manhattan project. However, information has leaked by spies allowing Soviets to eventually get it
When was the Potsdam conference and what disagreements were there?
July-August 1945 following the defeat of Nazi Germany. Attended by Stalin, Truman and Attlee. There were disagreements about the extent of reparations for Stalin, the occupation of German and the continued influence of US presence in Europe
When did the USA drop the Atom bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
August 1945
What happened on the 8th November 1945?
Anti-communist demonstrations outside the royal palace in Bucharest.
What was founded in October 1945?
The United Nations. Had 5 permanent members: USA, Britain, France, USSR and China(Jiang)
What was the membership to the Italian communist party in 1945?
1.7million
When was Kennan’s long telegram and what did it argue for?
Was announced in February 1946 and suggested Moscow’s foreign policy was inherently expansionist due to it’s communist ideology. It encouraged the USA to contain it’s spread in Europe
When was Churchill’s ‘iron curtain’ speech?
March 1946. He emphasised there was an ‘increasing measure of control from Moscow’ and that we must ‘not let this happen again
When was the Paris conference of foreign minister?
April-July 1946. Growing hostilities between the superpowers became clear and Truman was ‘tired of babying the Soviets’. Agreed to a 4-power occupation of Japan and a council to control nuclear energy.
When was the SED formed in East Germany?
April 1946. Formed by the coalition of the Social democrats and the Communists. Seen by the allies as a soviet attempt to take over Germany. Was prevented forming in the West by the Allies.
When did Gottwald become Czech prime minister?
Gottwald became prime minister in May 1946 after the Czech communist party won the election with 38% of the votes. Used ‘salami tactics’ in order to do so by intimidating opposition and rigging elections.
When did the US and Britain stop the soviets extracting reparations form their zones?
July 1946. Was led by Lucius D. Clay
What was Brynes’ resentment of policy on Germany?
September 1946 ‘Hope speech’ which emphasised the need for economic reform in Germany.
Which political parties were popular in November 1946?
The BDP (Romania) won 84% of the votes, yet were characterised by widespread fraud and intimidation - ‘salami tactics’.
Westad - ‘Soviet aim was to weaken foreign powers through splits and subversions until Moscow’s predominance was complete.
By Nov ‘46 the PCF had become the largest party in French parliament, with 29% of the seats.
What action by the USA and Britain caused lots of outrage from Stalin?
January 1947 Bizonia was formed with the merging of the British and US zones. This contradicted the aims of Stalin to create a united and politically weak Germany.
Why was February 1947 a turning point?
USA replaced Britain in the Greek civil war in order to prevent domino theory in south-east Europe.
Truman ‘The existence of the Greek state is threatened by the terrorist activities of several thousands led by Communism’
What happened in March 1947? and why was it such a turning point
Truman doctrine introduced in order to passively contain communism in Europe. $300 million given to Greece and $100 million given to Türkiye to
Truman - ‘It must be the policy of the US to support free peoples who are resisting subjugation by outside pressures’
Acheson - ‘It is a question of whether 2/3 of the world is to be controlled by communism’
Truman forces coalition governments in the west to dissolve.
What conference was a response to Bizonia?
March 1947 Moscow conference of foreign ministers aimed to destroy Bizonia. Bevin argued ‘political unity must come before economic unity’
When was Clayton’s speech on Economic deterioration?
May 1947 and suggested the USA had ‘grossly underestimated the destruction’ and that ‘political, social and economic disintegration will overwhelm Europe’
Marshall Aid
Was announced June 1947 and Implemented April 1948. Offered to all nations and would provide $12.4 billion funding for rebuilding Europe. Accelerated divisions in Europe.
Britain - $3.2 billion
France - $2.7 billion
Conditions:
- 60% goods bought from US
-USA gain access to economic information
Stalin ‘Dollar imperialism’
What were the Aims of Marshall aid?
- Prevent the further expansion of the USSR
- Try and woo states away form the USSR
-Apply pressure to the USSR to modify behaviour
-Prevent the further advance of the left in Eastern Europe - Create a united bloc of capitalism under USA political leadership
