7.1 Origins of the Cold War
End of Second World War
During Russian Revolution, West helped those against the Communists + in 1920s, US
deported thousands of suspected Communists.
Neville Chamberlain signed Appeasement, so USSR saw them letting Germany grow as a
threat.
Communism = rights of the people less important than society as a whole + equality
Capitalism = rights of people more important than equality
After WW2 both sides emerged as ‘superpowers’ and both were determined to be the most
powerful (Britain + France too small and weak)
Yalta February 1945:
What should they do with Germany?
Russia would join the UN.
Divide Germany + Berlin into 4 sections.
Nazi war criminals should be trialled.
European countries should be helped in order to re-establish democratic governments, but
they agreed that Eastern Europe would be seen as ‘a Soviet sphere of influence’.
Wait until Germany has recovered before looking into reparations (Treaty of Versailles)
Disagreement over Poland – Stalin wanted to extend his border into Poland, so they let him
do that, but he agreed not to interfere in Greece.
Potsdam July 1945:
Stalin was occupying most of Europe + insisted it was all a defensive measure – Truman saw
it as protection for a future attack.
Harry Truman was a very strong anti-Communist.
America had developed a bomb behind the Soviets’ back although they knew this already -
mistrust.
Stalin wanted to cripple Germany + he wanted massive reparations.
What had changed?
1. Truman was much less co-operative with Stalin.
2. Attlee had less presence than Churchill.
3. Beginning of Arms race as atomic bombs developed in secret.
4. Stalin had control over much of Eastern Europe.
The Iron Curtain and the Evolution of East-West rivalry
Iron Curtain
Salami tactics = divide and conquer process of threats and alliances used to overcome an opposition.
With it, the aggressor can influence and eventually dominate a political landscape piece by piece.
Division between East and West increasing – USSR getting further and further away.
Cold – spying, mistrust and tensions building.
, Secret police imprisoning anyone who opposed Communist rule.
COMINFORM (Communist Information Bureau) - an international organisation of Communist
parties. This meant Stalin could keep a close eye on all the leaders and expel anyone who
was independent minded.
West had not expected such domination as they at least expected the free elections to be
held.
Stalin insisting it is all for security, but Truman only saw the spread of Communism.
Yugoslavia:
Marshall Tito led wartime resistance to Nazis + was elected President in 1945. He wanted to apply
Communism in his own way which led to him being expelled from COMINFORM in 1948.
Hungary:
Communists became the biggest single party in 1947 + any opposition members were imprisoned.
Church leaders were also attacked.
Bulgaria:
Left-wing coalition won in 1945 but the Communist members of the coalition executed the leaders
of the other parties.
Greece and Turkey:
1948, Greece + Turkey only non-Communist Eastern European countries
Monarchy in Greece had been supported by Britain but after war, support couldn’t carry on,
so Greece was open to Communism which worried Truman. Civil war in Greece between
monarchists and communists – Britain couldn’t help.
Turkey could be used as a stepping stone for Soviets into the Middle East
Truman Doctrine – 1947:
TRUMAN DOCTRINE = CONTAIN COMMUNISM (worried about domino effect)
Stalin spreading his influence with COMINFORM + leaders didn’t expect domination, they
thought it would be ‘a Soviet sphere of influence.’ Stalin saw it as security, but Truman saw it
as the spread of Communism.
Truman convinced Americans that it was in their best interest to be involved in foreign
affairs despite the expense. Truman passed the Greece and Turkey Aid Bill in 1947 which
meant that 400,000,000 dollars was sent to secure Western allies. Turkey also became a
major American air base.
Building of tensions between the two sides - in his speech in 1947, Truman spoke of two
opposing ways of life.
Marshall Plan, Greece defeated Communists, COMINFORM set up + USA abandoned
isolationism.
Marshall Plan:
Truman believed Communism succeeded when people faced poverty + hardship so he decided to
provide Europe with money to fight Communism. It provided economic benefits through
encouraging trade – in return for support, countries would buy American goods. Led by General
George Marshall. Truman exaggerated so Congress would allow it.
1948-52, 16 countries given $17 billion with the aim of rebuilding economy.
End of Second World War
During Russian Revolution, West helped those against the Communists + in 1920s, US
deported thousands of suspected Communists.
Neville Chamberlain signed Appeasement, so USSR saw them letting Germany grow as a
threat.
Communism = rights of the people less important than society as a whole + equality
Capitalism = rights of people more important than equality
After WW2 both sides emerged as ‘superpowers’ and both were determined to be the most
powerful (Britain + France too small and weak)
Yalta February 1945:
What should they do with Germany?
Russia would join the UN.
Divide Germany + Berlin into 4 sections.
Nazi war criminals should be trialled.
European countries should be helped in order to re-establish democratic governments, but
they agreed that Eastern Europe would be seen as ‘a Soviet sphere of influence’.
Wait until Germany has recovered before looking into reparations (Treaty of Versailles)
Disagreement over Poland – Stalin wanted to extend his border into Poland, so they let him
do that, but he agreed not to interfere in Greece.
Potsdam July 1945:
Stalin was occupying most of Europe + insisted it was all a defensive measure – Truman saw
it as protection for a future attack.
Harry Truman was a very strong anti-Communist.
America had developed a bomb behind the Soviets’ back although they knew this already -
mistrust.
Stalin wanted to cripple Germany + he wanted massive reparations.
What had changed?
1. Truman was much less co-operative with Stalin.
2. Attlee had less presence than Churchill.
3. Beginning of Arms race as atomic bombs developed in secret.
4. Stalin had control over much of Eastern Europe.
The Iron Curtain and the Evolution of East-West rivalry
Iron Curtain
Salami tactics = divide and conquer process of threats and alliances used to overcome an opposition.
With it, the aggressor can influence and eventually dominate a political landscape piece by piece.
Division between East and West increasing – USSR getting further and further away.
Cold – spying, mistrust and tensions building.
, Secret police imprisoning anyone who opposed Communist rule.
COMINFORM (Communist Information Bureau) - an international organisation of Communist
parties. This meant Stalin could keep a close eye on all the leaders and expel anyone who
was independent minded.
West had not expected such domination as they at least expected the free elections to be
held.
Stalin insisting it is all for security, but Truman only saw the spread of Communism.
Yugoslavia:
Marshall Tito led wartime resistance to Nazis + was elected President in 1945. He wanted to apply
Communism in his own way which led to him being expelled from COMINFORM in 1948.
Hungary:
Communists became the biggest single party in 1947 + any opposition members were imprisoned.
Church leaders were also attacked.
Bulgaria:
Left-wing coalition won in 1945 but the Communist members of the coalition executed the leaders
of the other parties.
Greece and Turkey:
1948, Greece + Turkey only non-Communist Eastern European countries
Monarchy in Greece had been supported by Britain but after war, support couldn’t carry on,
so Greece was open to Communism which worried Truman. Civil war in Greece between
monarchists and communists – Britain couldn’t help.
Turkey could be used as a stepping stone for Soviets into the Middle East
Truman Doctrine – 1947:
TRUMAN DOCTRINE = CONTAIN COMMUNISM (worried about domino effect)
Stalin spreading his influence with COMINFORM + leaders didn’t expect domination, they
thought it would be ‘a Soviet sphere of influence.’ Stalin saw it as security, but Truman saw it
as the spread of Communism.
Truman convinced Americans that it was in their best interest to be involved in foreign
affairs despite the expense. Truman passed the Greece and Turkey Aid Bill in 1947 which
meant that 400,000,000 dollars was sent to secure Western allies. Turkey also became a
major American air base.
Building of tensions between the two sides - in his speech in 1947, Truman spoke of two
opposing ways of life.
Marshall Plan, Greece defeated Communists, COMINFORM set up + USA abandoned
isolationism.
Marshall Plan:
Truman believed Communism succeeded when people faced poverty + hardship so he decided to
provide Europe with money to fight Communism. It provided economic benefits through
encouraging trade – in return for support, countries would buy American goods. Led by General
George Marshall. Truman exaggerated so Congress would allow it.
1948-52, 16 countries given $17 billion with the aim of rebuilding economy.
