IB HL History: The Cold War questions and Answers level A

IB HL History: The Cold War Discuss the ideological beliefs of the West in terms of the economy. - •Capitalism: Individuals should be able to compete w/ each other w/ a minimal state interference & make as much $ as they wish • Individuals thus encouraged to work hard by the promise of individual reward Discuss the ideological beliefs of the West in terms of politics. - liberal democracy: • Individuals choose the gov't through voting. There is a range of political parties to choose from • Individuals have certain rights, such as freedom of speech & freedom of press Discuss the ideological beliefs of the USSR in terms of the economy. - Communism (extreme version of socialism): No desire to produce a better good b/c government will do for you • Capitalism creates divisions between rich & poor->all businesses & farms should be owned by the state on behalf of the people • Goods will be distributed to individuals by the state -> Everyone will get what is needed & will be working for the collective good Discuss the ideological beliefs of the USSR in terms of politics. - • There is no need for a range of political parties, as the Communist Party truly represents the views of all the workers & rules on behalf of the people • Individual freedoms valued by the West aren't necessary • This is a one-party state Discuss the increasing hostility between the West and the USSR. - The mutual suspicion between the West and the USSR manifested itself in various ways between the Bolshevik Rev (1917) and the start of WWII (1939): o The intervention of the West in the Russian Civil War () o The fact that the USSR did not receive diplomatic recognition nor join the League of Nations until the 1930's o The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact (1939) allowed Hitler to concentrate on attacking the West Discuss the sef-interest of the US. - • No need to est markets & open doors to free trade • The desire to avoid another economic of the magnitude of 1929 • President Truman and most of the post-war US admin behind.... Describe the military reasons the US and USSR became superpowers. - • The US had acquired the largest air force in the world, with almost 73,000 aircraft. Additionally, 12 million men were in the armed forces, and the navy consisted of over 70,000 vessels. Oh yea...and we had the A-bomb. • The USSR had acquired the largest land army in the world • France and Britain's inability to defeat Describe the economic reasons the US and USSR became superpowers. - • The US economy was able to out-produce all the other powers put together. • US was committed to open trade, wanting to insure liberal trade conditions and market competition. The US took a lead in international collaboration: International Monetary Fund (IMF); General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) • The US had the economic strength to prevent a return to instability in Europe. • Small Eastern European countries were not economically viable on their own; the Soviet Union would support them. Describe the political reasons the US and USSR became superpowers. - • USA: Democracy and international collaboration had triumphed over fascism; therefore, the US political system was the right path for the future. • USSR: Communism had triumphed over fascism; communism gained widespread respect throughout Eastern Europe because of its part in resisting the Germans. • The USSR's huge losses and the role of the Red Army in defeating the Nazis gave Stalin a claim to a large role in forming the post-war world. • The USSR had the political and military strength to prevent a return to instability in Eastern Europe. Describe the state of the war (WWII) during the Tehran Conference of 1942. - o Germany in a state of retreat in Eastern Europe & North Africa o Stalin places pressure on Churchill & FDR to open a 2nd front o Situation in the Pacific discussed Describe what was discussed about Germany during the Tehran Conference of 1942. - Discussed what to do w/ Germany once it was defeated. Soviet ideas differed greatly from GB and the US on the following: • Wartime experiences • Lessons learned from the failure of the Treaty of Versailles • Differing ideologies Describe what was discussed about Poland during the Tehran Conference of 1942. - Stalin wanted to secure his western border by gaining territory from Poland, and ensure that Poland's government was pro-Soviet. Results: • Allies allow USSR to keep Polish territory achieved in 1939, and Poland would be granted German territory • Does not guarantee a truly independent Poland • Future tension between Poland & Germany possible Describe what was discussed about Eastern Europe during the Tehran Confernece of 1942. - USSR allowed to keep territory seized between 1939 and 1940, including the Baltic States, parts of Finland and Romania in Eastern Europe Describe what was discussed about the United Nations during the Tehran Conference of 1942. - All gave approval of creating the organization, with hopes of improving from the disaster that was the League of Nations Describe the state of WWII during the Yalta Conference of February 1945. - o Germany was on the verge of defeat: The Normandy landings opened a 2nd front, successfully removing the Germans from France; The soviets removed the Germans from Eastern Europe & were poised to invade Germany o Japan was still fighting on but was under heavy aerial bombardment: The US in control of the air & sea in the Pacific; Japanese were preparing for the final desperate defense of their homeland Describe what was discussed about Germany during the Yalta Conference of February 1945. - o The allies decided that Germany would be disarmed, demilitarized, de-Nazified, and divided: 4 zones of occupation between the US, GB, France, and the USSR o An allies control commission would be set up to govern Germany: Germany to be run as one country despite zones of occupation o Germany would pay $20 billion in reparations: 50% of that to go to the USSR Describe what was discussed about Poland during the Yalta Conference of February 1945. - The debate on how Poland's borders would be drawn & what its political makeup would be was very tense. The results: • Borders: The border between Poland & the USSR was to be drawn @ the Curzon Line- This placed the frontier between the 2 nations back to where it had been before the Russo-Polish War of 1921; The Poles were compensated by gaining Germany territory East of the Oder-Neisse Line • Political Makeup: Stalin agreed to the establishment of a more democratic gov't in Poland, following "free elections" Describe what was discussed about Eastern Europe during the Yalta Conference of 1945. - o Stalin agreed that the countries of E. Europe would be able to decide who governed them in "free elections": Considered the most significant wartime deal made w/ the Soviets by the British & Americans Describe what was discussed about Japan during the Yalta Conference of 1945. - o Stalin agreed to enter the war w/ Japan as soon as Germany surrendered: Stalin demanded territory from Japan as a reward, including South Sakhalin & the Kurile Islands. The other allies agreed Describe what was discussed about the United Nations during the Yalta Conference of 1945. - o Stalin agreed that the USSR would join the UN o Allies agreed there would be 5 permanent members of the Security Council, each w/ the power of the veto o Stalin demanded that all 16 Soviet Republics have separate seats in the Gen. Assembly. The British & US only agreed to 3: Russia, the Ukraine, & Belarus Outline the crucial developments between Yalta and Potsdam. - o Pres. Roosevelt dies & replaced by Truman: Truman would adopt a more hardline policy towards the Soviets o Germany surrendered unconditionally on May 7, 1945 o Churchill's Conservative Party lost the 1945 UK General Election, him being replaced by Labor Party Leader Clement Atlee o The Soviet Union occupied territory as far West as deep inside Germany o On July, 1945, a day after the Potsdam Conference began, the US successfully tested its 1st A-bomb Describe what was discussed about Germany during the Potsdam Conference (July-August 1945). - o Allies could not agree on how to disarm, demilitarize, de-Nazify and divide Germany o Decided that each would carry out the de-Nazification and demilitarization of Germany in their own way in their zones of occupation... potential diplomatic problems w/ this? o The German economy was to be run as a whole, but was limited to domestic industry & agriculture o Soviets were to receive 25% of their reparations from the Western occupation zones. The more agricultural Eastern zone was to give food in exchange Describe the State of WWII during the Potsdam Conference (July-August 1945). - o Germany surrendered unconditionally on May 7, 1945 o War in the Pacific raged on, w/ the US poised to invade the Japanese mainland o US planned to use the atomic bomb if tests went well Describe what was discussed about Poland during the Potsdam Conference (July-August 1945). - o Truman challenged the new Western frontier between Poland & Germany o Truman insisted on an entirely new government, feeling that a "free & democratic" vote had occurred in the country Describe what was discussed about Eastern Europe during the Potsdam Conference (July-August 1945). - o Truman became increasingly concerned over the amount of Soviet control in Eastern & Southeastern Europe, especially in Romania & Bulgaria: Soviet military presence in these countries made changing this a problem; Outside of a military threat, Truman could do nothing Describe what was discussed about Japan during the Potsdam Conference (July-August 1945). - o While at the conference Truman was informed that the A-bomb test was a success o On Aug 6 Hiroshima = bombed o Aug 9 Nagasaki o Truman didn't tell Stalin "the full story" about the atomic bomb, and never encouraged the Soviets to join the war against Japan while at Potsdam Describe what was discussed about the UN during the Potsdam Conference (July-August 1945). - o Made official @ the Treaty of San Francisco in 1945 o The USSR was the only communist nation permanently seated on the UN Security Council: Stalin used his veto powers to block any initiatives he believed to be against Soviet interests Describe the "Salami Tactics" used by the USSR. - o Phrase coined by Hungarian Communist leader Rakosi, commenting on how the USSR secured Communist control in E. Europe, "like slicing off salami piece by piece": The USSR rigged the elections of E. Europe in order to set up communist governments, deported people to Siberia, and even carried out murders Describe the Iran Crisis. - o After the end of the war, the USSR refused to remove its troops from Iran o Stalin believed he was entitled to the Black Sea Straits and Iranian oil as his former allies were o Truman feared open war w/ the USSR, and after a formal protest to the UN by Iran, the Soviets withdrew o Instability in Greece & Turkey Describe Kennan's Long Telegram (February 1946). - - A key US diplomat in Moscow - Telegram focused on the nature of Soviet conduct & foreign policy - Key ideas: o USSR's view of the world was a traditional one of insecurity o Soviets wanted to advance Muscovite Stalinist ideology (not simply Marxism) o The Soviet regime was cruel & repressive & justified this by perceiving nothing but evil in the outside world: That view of a hostile outside environment would sustain the internal Stalinist system o The USSR was fanatically hostile to the West—but they were not suicidal Describe Churchill's Iron Curtain. - - By 1946, Soviet-dominated Communist governments were set up in Poland, Romania, & Bulgaria: Went against the "free & democratic" elections promised at Yalta - Communist regimes not linked to Moscow were established in Albania & Yugoslavia : In 2-3 years this Soviet influence would move into East Germany & Czechoslovakia - A cloak of secrecy had descended over Eastern Europe within few months of the end of the war Describe the Truman Doctrine. - - A radical change in US foreign policy - Stimulated by the instability seen in Turkey & Greece: Feb 1947, Great Britain informs the US it could no longer offer support to the Greek monarch (who they reinstated after WWII); Truman issues his "doctrine" in the name of preserving democracy over Communism; US & military advisors go to Greece - Soviet view this as evidence of US determination to expand its influence, leading to further the decline of US Soviet relations - Containment of Communism Describe the Marshall Plan. - - Followed quite naturally from the Truman Doctrine - 2 clear aims: Revive European working economies so that political & social stability could ensue; Safeguard the future of the US economy - Problem: Decide whether or not to "allow" the Soviets to join the plan, or indeed to avoid specifically excluding them - Solution: Strict criteria to qualify for American economic aid- US allowed to investigate the financial records of applicant countries; USSR would never abide this - 4-year aid program of $17 billion - Didn't pass the US congress until March 1948 - Success due to the effect of the Czechoslovakian Coup of Feb 1948 Describe the Czechoslovakian Coup (February 1948). - - Stalin organizes pressure on Czechoslovakian government: 12 non-Communist members forced to resign - Czech communist leader demanded the formation of a Communist-led government - Czech President Eduard Benes agrees - Truman denounces the event, and uses it as an opportunity to pass the Marshall Plan Describe the Soviet Response to the Marshall Plan. - COMECON o Jan 1949 o Council for Mutual Economic Assistance o Purpose: Linked the economies of Eastern Europe to Moscow; Designed to "stimulate" and control their economic development; Support the collectivization of agriculture & the development of heavy industry Describe Cominform. - o The Communist Information Bureau, founded Sept 1947 o Instrument to increase Stalin's control over the Communist parties of other countries o Comprised of Communists from USSR, Yugoslavia, France, Italy, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, & Romania o West concerned that the organization would actively spread Communism & destabilize democratic govts in the Wests own "sphere of influence" Describe the Soviets' "Satellite Empire." - o E. Europe countries kept their separate legal identity but were tied to Moscow by: • Soviet military power (Warsaw Pact 1955) • Salami tactics • State police & security/spy networks • COMECON Describe the Berlin Crisis of 1948. - - Berlin's governance was the responsibility of the Allied Kommandantura made up of 4 military governors - Why did the post-war powers fail to unify Germany?- Germany's key strategic position & the differing aims of the main powers; The increasing lack of trust between E & W as the Cold War developed; The specific disputes between the post-war powers w/in Germany itself - March 1948, Stalin started putting transport restrictions on Western interests in Berlin - The West introduces a new currency into the Western sectors of Berlin, severely upsetting Stalin - June 23-24, Stalin begins the total blockade of Berlin: Roads, railways, waterways linking West Berlin to the Western sector of Germany were all closed; Electricity from East to West was also cut; USSR left the Berlin Kommandantura - The 1st crisis of the Cold War - The West tried to supply Berlin from the air - American & British planes flew more than 200,000 flights to Berlin in 320 days - Vital supplies such as fuel & coal were flown to 2.2 million West Berliners - May 1949, seeing that his gamble was failing, Stalin lifted the blockade: Showed him he had a rough road ahead, no appeasement Describe the consequences of the Berlin Airlift. - - The division of Germany: The failure of the blockade meant that the division of Germany was bound to stay- West Germany is the Federal Republic of Germany, Sept 1949, led by Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, East Germany is the German Democratic Republic; Neither side could contemplate the idea of a unified Germany which could possibly become an ally to the other side - The continuation of 4-power control in Berlin - The formation of North Atlantic Treaty Organization: The Czech Coup, combined w/ the resource demands of the Berlin airlift, emphasized the need for a US defense commitment to Europe; April 1949, NATO is formed between the USA, Canada, the Brussels Pact powers, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, & Portugal - May 1954, West Germany joins NATO: Stalin now has an armed Germany on his border Describe US foreign policy from . - Both the Us and Soviet Union had advantages in Europe up through late 1949. • USA: The NATO alliance and the atomic bomb • USSR: Largest land force in Europe- The United States had demobilized its fighting men following the end of the war. • Autumn 1949, two key events shift the balance of power in favor of the USSR: The Soviet Union gets the bomb; China falls to Mao Zedong's Communist forces. Describe how China became Communist. - o The Bulk of the Chinese Civil War lasted from . o The US gave limited support to the Nationalist forces under Chang Kai-shek. o The White Paper report on the failure of the Nationalists stated that the US could not substantially have altered the outcome. Asia now became an area of increased interest. Describe McCarthyism and the Red Scare. - o Started by Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy of Wisconsin: Alleged that the Soviet Union had a conspiracy to place Communist sympathizers into key positions of American life o McCarthy's accusations led to "purges" & "show trials" of those accused of "un-American" behavior o The trial of Julius & Ethel Rosenburg & was most infamous of all Describe NSC-68 "Total Commitment" - o A report of the US Nat'l Security council, 1950: Warned of an 'indefinite period of tension & danger'; Advised the US government to be ready to meet each and every challenge promptly; Recommended an increase in military strength & spending to $35-$50 o Encouraged military & economic aid to be given to ANY country perceived by the US to be resisting Communism. Describe the background of the Korean War. - • Japan occupies Korea from • US & USSR take joint responsibility for repatriating the Japanese forces in Korea • 38th Parallel = the dividing point, confirmed in 1947: USSR + N. Korea + Kim Il Sung; USA + S. Korea + Synghman Rhee; The division wasn't intended to be permanent. Describe Kim Il Sung's responsibility for the Korean War. - o Kim Il Sung & Synghman Rhee both wanted to unify the country: Civil war would've existed, with or w/o superpower involvement; Neither could do it on his own, meaning US or Soviet involvement was crucial for success o Kim relentlessly attempts to persuade Stalin to back a North Korean attack on the South o Stalin gives in due to Kim's persistence: The impetus for war came from Pyongyang, NOT from Moscow Describe Joseph Stalin's responsibility for the Korean War. - What caused Stalin to have a change of heart towards Kim Il Sung's requests? o Stalin may have been hopeful about the chances of world revolution o The US presence in Korea could have provided an impetus to gain influence specifically in Korea o Stalin was an opportunist Stalin warned Kim Il Sung o Do not expect much aid o You must get approval from Mao Describe Mao Zedong's responsibility for the Korean War. - o Mao = initially skeptical like Stalin o Kim Il Sung falsifies Stalin's enthusiasm for the invasion o Mao was currently planning an invasion of Taiwan: If no support was shown for N. Korea, then Soviets may deny support for his invasion of Taiwan o Kim Il Sung denies initial officers of troops from Mao Describe the Korean War itself. - o June 25, 1950, 90,000 N. Korean troops launch an invasion of S. Korea: The initial push put the N. Koreans deep into S. Korea, trapping S. Korean & UN forces at Pusan o The US sponsors a resolution in the UN calling for military action against N. Korea: Since the USSR was boycotting the Security Council, the resolution passed on June 27 , 1950 o US troops arrive in Korea on July 1st under the command of American General Douglas MacArthur o General MacArthur led the UN forces amphibious landing at Inchon: In one month he retakes Seoul and drives North Koreans back across the 38th parallel. o US policy changes from "containment" to "rollback" o The UN march towards the Yalu River greatly concerned China. o November 27, 1950, 200,000 Chinese join 150,000 North Koreans and sent the UN troops into rapid retreat: Pyongyang was recaptured in December and by the end of 1950, the North Koreans and Chinese were at the 38th parallel. o A stalemate develops around the 38th parallel o Truman decides to switch policy back to one of containing Communism above the 38th parallel o MacArthur disagreed: "Here in Asia is where the Communist conspirators have elected to make their play for global conquest. Here we fight Europe's war with arms while the diplomats there still fight it with words." o MacArthur was subsequently fired. o Peace talks start in 1951 with focus on the repatriation of prisoners of war. o The war lasts another two years, causing serious casualties (over 40% were American). o The U.S. puts pressure on China by threatening the use of the atomic bomb. o A military armistice was finally signed in July, 1953 at Panmunjom. Describe the results of the Korean War. - o NSC-68's recommendation to triple the defense budget was implemented. o US land forces in Europe were greatly strengthened. o NATO was strengthened: Greece and Turkey brought in; Military bases set up in Turkey. o The need for West Germany to become armed and integrated into NATO was made a priority. o The US took several important steps against what it saw as a Communist threat in Asia: The Treaty of San Francisco (1952)- Allowed the USA to maintain military bases in Japan; Taiwan had to be defended; China was now isolated by the United States; The U.S. became committed to supporting other regimes in Asia that it believed were resisting Communism; SEATO (South-East Asia Treaty Organization) was formed as an anti-Communist containment bloc in the Asian area. Describe what the Korean War meant for Korea. - o Massive cost in human lives and property. o Hopes for reunification were gone. o Korea entered into the forefront of the Cold War. Describe what the Korean War meant for China. - • Relations with the USA disintegrated. • China becomes a major power in the region: Mao preserved China's revaluation, took on the USA, and saved North Korea. • Relations with the Soviet Union somewhat weakened. Describe what the Korean War meant for the USSR. - Though not directly involved, the results were not good for the USSR. • USA decides to triple its defense budget, rearm West Germany, maintain troops in Europe and fight Communism in Asia. • Further embroiled the USSR in an even more intense and broader Cold War standoff. Describe the background behing the Cuban Missile Crisis. - • The Pro-USA backed government of General Fulgencio Batista was overthrown by Fidel Castro in 1959 • Cuba lies on 90 miles from the Florida coast: US considers it within its sphere of influence • US determined that any government in Cuba should reflect and protect interests: Guantanamo Bay a consequence of the Platt Amendment; US companies controlled most of the financial, railway, electricity, telegraph, and sugar industries. Describe how Castro took over Cuba. - • January 7, 1959, the US recognizes the new government of Fidel Castro: Castro fought a guerilla war campaign for seven years to achieve this. • Castro insists he is not a Communist, traveling to the US in April 1959 to request economic aid • Revolutionary reforms by Castro include nationalization of US economic interests: US refuses economic aid to Castro, so he turns to the Soviet Union. USSR offers economic aid in February, 1959 Describe the US response options to Castro's control of Cuba. - The United States decided to deal with this threatening situation in two ways: • Economically, by proclaiming an embargo on all exports to Cuba except for foodstuffs and medicine. • Militarily, by organizing an invasion force of Cuban exiles to overthrow Castro Describe the Bay of Pigs. - • April 17, 1961: Cubans from US bases in Guatemala, trained by the US and using US equipment, landed at several sites in Cuba, primarily the Bay of Pigs • Castro's troops had infiltrated the CIA and knew the invasion was coming: 1214 of the original 1400 invaders were captured • Castro agrees to repatriate prisoners in exchange for $54 milllion worth of food and medicine. Describe the consequences of the Bay of Pigs. - • Severe humilitation for President Kennedy: Blamed for the the failure of the mission and condemned internationally. • Primarily the fault of the CIA: Underestimated support for Castro within Cuba- A popular uprising was not much stimulated by the invasion as the CIA hoped, Events strengthened popular support for Castro; Invasion plans were severely glowed- Shortageof ammunition and lack of air cover • Castro announced that he had been converted to Marxism, and that Cuba would become a socialist country • The USSR almost immediately becomes Cuba's chief supporter and trade partner, forming a defensive alliance Describe the United States Joint Chiefs of staff plan in 1962. - Use covert means to lure or provoke Castro into an overt hostile reaction against the United States: o Speedboat strafing attacks on a Cuban seaside hotel o Attacks on Cuban cargo ships o The contamination of Cuban sugar shipments Describe the new ideas during the Cold War from . - o Decrease nuclear arms yearly, see things from the other side's POV, fix the Germany issue, joint space mission Describe Eisenhower. - • Elected President in 1952 • US Army Chief of Staff and Commander-in-Chief of NATO • Highly unlikely to be criticized as being "soft on Communism" • John Foster Dulles is his Secretary of State Describe roll-back. - • The idea of liberating countries currently held by the Soviets in Eastern Europe...not a reality • Quietly encourage rebellions in Eastern Europe