Rivalry, mistrust and accord:
The breakdown of the Grand Alliance and the emergence of superpower rivalry in Europe and Asia (1943-1949): role of ideology; fear and aggression;
economic interests; a comparison of the roles of the US and the USSR
The US, USSR and China – superpower relations (1947-1979): containment; peaceful co-existence; Sino-Soviet and Sino-US relations; détente
Confrontation and reconciliation; reasons for the end of the Cold War (1980-1991): ideological challenges and dissent; economic problems; arms race
Leaders and nations:
The impact of two leaders from different regions on the course and development of the Cold War
The impact of Cold War tensions on two countries (not USSR or US)
Cold War crises:
Two Cold War crises from different regions: examination and comparison of the causes, impact and significance of the two crises
Rivalry, mistrust and accord:
Breakdown of Grand Alliance and emergence of superpower rivalry in Europe and Asia
US and USSR
Role of ideology:
Grand Alliance held together by the common enemy of Germany. Fractures grew post-war due to their ideological differences and a desire to extend their
influence in Europe
− Suspicious of Communism as it threatened their way of life
− West intervened in Russian Civil War – attempted to overthrow Bolshevik Government
− USSR didn’t receive diplomatic recognition or join the League of Nations until 1934
− Appeasement of Hitler partly motivated by a greater fear of Soviet communism than German fascism
Potsdam Conference Aug 1945:
− Roosevelt → Truman – very anti-communist and suspicious of Stalin, Churchill → Attlee
− As Soviet troops liberated eastern European countries, Stalin left troops there, stating it was a defensive measure against possible future attacks, forming a
buffer between Germany and USSR
− New Communist Polish government, Stalin had ignored British and US protests against this
− Stalin wanted Germany to pay heavy reparations, but Truman was concerned about the impact on the economy
− Truman was unhappy at the growing communist influence in eastern Europe. Stalin argued that he was following the Yalta agreements
− Conference ended without final agreements being reached
Long Telegram Feb 1946 – Stalin called for destruction of capitalism and there could be no peace while they opposed it
, Novikov’s Telegram 1946 – US wanted to rule the world, not interested in co-operation with USSR
Iron Curtain March 1946 – Churchill called for an alliance between Britain and US to meet Soviet expansion. Moscow saw it as provocative and accused Churchill
of being a warmonger. Damaged relations – USSR withdrew from IMF, increased anti-West propaganda, initiated Five-Years Plans to strengthen
Truman Speech 1947 – US will make its influence known in Europe. World peace needed as Soviet communism expands – threatens peace
Truman Doctrine 1947 – believed Stalin would encourage communist revolutions across Europe as communism more appealing post-war. US would send troops
and economic resources to governments threatened by communists. Communism should not be allowed to grow and gain territory. Committed to a new foreign
policy of containment – work to stop spread of communism
Fear and aggression:
Created satellite states – forced to obey Moscow due to use of Red Army, salami tactics, state police and spy networks, and Comecon
Berlin
− 1947 Britain and France joined for Bizonia
− 1948 US joined Bizonia for Trizonia
− Introduced the Deutschmark – angered the Soviets as it separated its economy from the East and acknowledged the two areas of Germany
− Berlin Blockade 23 June 1948 – Stalin blocked land routes to show West that a divided Germany wouldn’t work, direct challenge to Truman, Trizonia invasion
to reach Berlin would look like Western aggression
− Berlin Airlift – flew resources along the air corridors, Jan 1949 170,000 tonnes sent in, May 1949 Stalin lifted blockage, propaganda stunt backfired as West
responded peacefully making him look aggressive
− Confrontation showed the importance of Berlin and the two ideologies facing each other
− Sept and Oct 1949 Germany officially divided into East and West
− NATO and Warsaw Pact set up 1955
Economic interests:
Marshall Plan 1947 – US committed $13 billion to rebuild European economies – aim to weaken attraction of communism. USSR saw it as first steps in creating a
military alliance and dividing Europe
Cominform Sept 1947 – aimed to establish Moscow control, encourage trade between members and discourage contact with non-communist countries
Comecon Jan 1949 – aimed to provide aid to communist countries, competition to Marshall Aid to support economic development, discouraged trade with West
Europe divided into two groups: West with US to receive Marshall Aid, East with USSR for Cominform and Comecon
US, USSR and China superpower relations
Containment:
US containment:
The breakdown of the Grand Alliance and the emergence of superpower rivalry in Europe and Asia (1943-1949): role of ideology; fear and aggression;
economic interests; a comparison of the roles of the US and the USSR
The US, USSR and China – superpower relations (1947-1979): containment; peaceful co-existence; Sino-Soviet and Sino-US relations; détente
Confrontation and reconciliation; reasons for the end of the Cold War (1980-1991): ideological challenges and dissent; economic problems; arms race
Leaders and nations:
The impact of two leaders from different regions on the course and development of the Cold War
The impact of Cold War tensions on two countries (not USSR or US)
Cold War crises:
Two Cold War crises from different regions: examination and comparison of the causes, impact and significance of the two crises
Rivalry, mistrust and accord:
Breakdown of Grand Alliance and emergence of superpower rivalry in Europe and Asia
US and USSR
Role of ideology:
Grand Alliance held together by the common enemy of Germany. Fractures grew post-war due to their ideological differences and a desire to extend their
influence in Europe
− Suspicious of Communism as it threatened their way of life
− West intervened in Russian Civil War – attempted to overthrow Bolshevik Government
− USSR didn’t receive diplomatic recognition or join the League of Nations until 1934
− Appeasement of Hitler partly motivated by a greater fear of Soviet communism than German fascism
Potsdam Conference Aug 1945:
− Roosevelt → Truman – very anti-communist and suspicious of Stalin, Churchill → Attlee
− As Soviet troops liberated eastern European countries, Stalin left troops there, stating it was a defensive measure against possible future attacks, forming a
buffer between Germany and USSR
− New Communist Polish government, Stalin had ignored British and US protests against this
− Stalin wanted Germany to pay heavy reparations, but Truman was concerned about the impact on the economy
− Truman was unhappy at the growing communist influence in eastern Europe. Stalin argued that he was following the Yalta agreements
− Conference ended without final agreements being reached
Long Telegram Feb 1946 – Stalin called for destruction of capitalism and there could be no peace while they opposed it
, Novikov’s Telegram 1946 – US wanted to rule the world, not interested in co-operation with USSR
Iron Curtain March 1946 – Churchill called for an alliance between Britain and US to meet Soviet expansion. Moscow saw it as provocative and accused Churchill
of being a warmonger. Damaged relations – USSR withdrew from IMF, increased anti-West propaganda, initiated Five-Years Plans to strengthen
Truman Speech 1947 – US will make its influence known in Europe. World peace needed as Soviet communism expands – threatens peace
Truman Doctrine 1947 – believed Stalin would encourage communist revolutions across Europe as communism more appealing post-war. US would send troops
and economic resources to governments threatened by communists. Communism should not be allowed to grow and gain territory. Committed to a new foreign
policy of containment – work to stop spread of communism
Fear and aggression:
Created satellite states – forced to obey Moscow due to use of Red Army, salami tactics, state police and spy networks, and Comecon
Berlin
− 1947 Britain and France joined for Bizonia
− 1948 US joined Bizonia for Trizonia
− Introduced the Deutschmark – angered the Soviets as it separated its economy from the East and acknowledged the two areas of Germany
− Berlin Blockade 23 June 1948 – Stalin blocked land routes to show West that a divided Germany wouldn’t work, direct challenge to Truman, Trizonia invasion
to reach Berlin would look like Western aggression
− Berlin Airlift – flew resources along the air corridors, Jan 1949 170,000 tonnes sent in, May 1949 Stalin lifted blockage, propaganda stunt backfired as West
responded peacefully making him look aggressive
− Confrontation showed the importance of Berlin and the two ideologies facing each other
− Sept and Oct 1949 Germany officially divided into East and West
− NATO and Warsaw Pact set up 1955
Economic interests:
Marshall Plan 1947 – US committed $13 billion to rebuild European economies – aim to weaken attraction of communism. USSR saw it as first steps in creating a
military alliance and dividing Europe
Cominform Sept 1947 – aimed to establish Moscow control, encourage trade between members and discourage contact with non-communist countries
Comecon Jan 1949 – aimed to provide aid to communist countries, competition to Marshall Aid to support economic development, discouraged trade with West
Europe divided into two groups: West with US to receive Marshall Aid, East with USSR for Cominform and Comecon
US, USSR and China superpower relations
Containment:
US containment:
