AQA HISTORY 9-1 GCSE (COLD WAR)
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
What was the Truman Doctrine and why was it significant? - ANSWER-1) On March
1947, the Truman Doctrine was released and it stated:
• The world had a choice between communist tyranny and democratic freedom.
• America had a responsibility to fight for liberty (freedom) wherever it was
threatened.
• America would help (militarily and economically) any country threatened by
communism.
• Communists should not be allowed to grow and gain territory.
2) The Truman Doctrine was significant because it suggested that America, rather
than the United Nations, had a responsibility to protect the world. It meant there
would be no further co-operation between East and West. The USSR was now in no
doubt as to America's intentions; any chance of an alliance between the two
superpowers was over.
What was the Marshall Plan? - ANSWER-1) The Marshall Plan (aka Marshall Aid) -
was the financial part of the Truman Doctrine.
• It was an attempt to weaken the attraction of communism.
• It offered $13 billion to rebuild the shattered economies of Europe.
• In order to get money, countries had to agree to trade with America.
• 16 countries, including Britain & France, welcomed the offer.
• It formed an economic alliance between the western allies.
What was Stalin's reaction to the Marshall plan? - ANSWER-1) Stalin argued it was
America's attempt to split Europe into 'two camps' and spread capitalism. He
declared Marshall Aid to be 'dollar imperialism' and claimed the USA was throwing
its economic weight around, using it to gain influence in Europe.
2) Stalin insisted that countries within the Soviet 'sphere of influence' refuse the offer.
What was the Communist Information Bureau (COMINFORM)? - ANSWER-1) Stalin
set up the Communist Information Bureau, in 1947, to extend his control over
satellite states, to build collective heavy industry in those countries and to create a
trade network between Communist countries. It published its own newspaper to
spread Communist ideals and held conferences in the Eastern Bloc. However, its
effectiveness was limited, as demonstrated when Yugoslavia left the group in June
1948.
2) He used it to ensure the loyalty of satellite states by investigating their
governments and employees and removing those who were not loyal to Stalin (often
using violence).
3) It consolidated the power of the USSR, stamping out opposition and ensuring
loyalty.
,What was the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (COMECON)? - ANSWER-1)
It was set up in 1949 by Stalin as an answer to the Marshall aid. Having ordered the
satellite states not to take Marshall Aid he had to offer them something. He
administered his own 'Molotov Plan' of financial aid to keep the Eastern Bloc
countries on side. Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and Romania all
joined the Soviet Union in this group and were joined by Albania and East Germany
shortly after. The group was not as successful as it might have been as the USSR
dominated in terms of industrial production and total economy size, however all
countries were committed to Communist economic theory such as state-ownership
and state-planning of the economy. The group became more important after
Cominform disbanded in 1956.
2) The aim of COMECON was to encourage economic development and prevent
trade with America and the west.
3) He hoped to minimise US influence in Eastern Europe and this ensured that
economic recovery in the east remained in the Soviet 'sphere of influence'.
4) It meant that Eastern Europe didn't have access to the prosperity of the west.
What were the causes of the Berlin Blockade (June 1948-May 1949)? - ANSWER-1)
1947 US & Britain join their zones in Germany creating 'Bizonia'.
2) 1948 France join their zone and the three become Trizonia.
3) Trizonia produced a new currency for Germany - the Deutschmark.
4) Stalin was angry because he had not been consulted - he did not want Germany
to become powerful; he didn't want US influence in Germany and he didn't want US
troops to remain in Germany.
5) He was angry about how US propaganda portrayed communism in the East.
What was the Berlin Blockade? - ANSWER-Stalin blocked all the supply zones to
Berlin, the roads, railways & canals cutting off the 2 million population of West Berlin
from western help because he believed it would force the allies out of Berlin and
make Berlin entirely dependent on the USSR. He also knew that if the US tanks tried
to ram the road-blocks it would be seen as an act of war.
What was America's reaction to the Berlin Blockade? - ANSWER-Truman wanted to
show he was serious about containing communism. He was concerned that if Stalin
were allowed to take control of Berlin he would not stop there and attempt to take
control of western Germany.
What were the Berlin Airlifts? - ANSWER-1) The only way into Berlin was by air so,
on June 1948, the allies started to air-lift supplies into Berlin.
2) Stalin did not shoot down the planes as this would have been seen as an act of
war.
, 3) The allies air-lifted food, clothing, building materials, oil etc. Despite the many air-
lifts there were still shortages and many people decided to leave Berlin.
4) However, by May 1949 Stalin realised the blockade would not make the western
allies give up so he re-opened all transport links.
What was the Arms race during the Cold War? - ANSWER-1) Both countries
competed to produce a large number of nuclear weapons. The US developed and
used the atomic bomb in 1945 and by 1949 the USSR had developed their own.
America then developed hydrogen bombs swiftly followed by the Soviet Union.
Throughout the 1950s and 60s both sides attempted to 'out do' each other. However,
America were firmly in front and able to produce many more than the USSR.
2) It was significant as it prevented a war in Europe. The USSR had 3 million troops
& could easily capture West Germany. However, the soviet leaders would never
order an invasion because they feared an American nuclear retaliation. Essentially, it
was this fear that meant neither side was ever willing to declare war on one another.
What were the effects of the Berlin Blockade? - ANSWER-1) It was the first
confrontation of the Cold War. The Berlin Blockade was a propaganda success for
America and a complete failure for the USSR.
2) On September 1949, West Germany was created as an independent state (the
Federal Republic of Germany: FDR).
3) On October 1949, the USSR created East Germany (German Democratic
Republic: GDR).
4) The western allies formed NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation).
What was NATO? - ANSWER-NATO was formed 1949 and was a military alliance
between America and many of the countries in Western Europe including Britain &
France. They agreed that if any member of NATO came under attack, all members
of NATO would come to their defence and attack the aggressor. It had a specific aim
of defending the west against communism.
What was the Korean War? - ANSWER-In 1945, Korea was split along the 38th
parallel between a communist north led by Kim IL Sung, and a non-communist south
led by Syngman Rhee. But, communism was growing in the Far East. In 1949, the
Communists had taken power in China. The US developed the 'domino theory' - the
idea that, if one country fell to communism, others would follow like a row of
dominoes. Then, in 1950, a report by the American National Security Council
('NSC68') recommended that the US stop containment and start to roll back
communism.
The war:
In 1950, after getting the support of Russia and China, Kim IL Sung invaded South
Korea. The North Korean People's Army (NKPA) easily defeated the Republic of
Korea's army (the ROKs). By September, the NKPA had conquered almost the
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
What was the Truman Doctrine and why was it significant? - ANSWER-1) On March
1947, the Truman Doctrine was released and it stated:
• The world had a choice between communist tyranny and democratic freedom.
• America had a responsibility to fight for liberty (freedom) wherever it was
threatened.
• America would help (militarily and economically) any country threatened by
communism.
• Communists should not be allowed to grow and gain territory.
2) The Truman Doctrine was significant because it suggested that America, rather
than the United Nations, had a responsibility to protect the world. It meant there
would be no further co-operation between East and West. The USSR was now in no
doubt as to America's intentions; any chance of an alliance between the two
superpowers was over.
What was the Marshall Plan? - ANSWER-1) The Marshall Plan (aka Marshall Aid) -
was the financial part of the Truman Doctrine.
• It was an attempt to weaken the attraction of communism.
• It offered $13 billion to rebuild the shattered economies of Europe.
• In order to get money, countries had to agree to trade with America.
• 16 countries, including Britain & France, welcomed the offer.
• It formed an economic alliance between the western allies.
What was Stalin's reaction to the Marshall plan? - ANSWER-1) Stalin argued it was
America's attempt to split Europe into 'two camps' and spread capitalism. He
declared Marshall Aid to be 'dollar imperialism' and claimed the USA was throwing
its economic weight around, using it to gain influence in Europe.
2) Stalin insisted that countries within the Soviet 'sphere of influence' refuse the offer.
What was the Communist Information Bureau (COMINFORM)? - ANSWER-1) Stalin
set up the Communist Information Bureau, in 1947, to extend his control over
satellite states, to build collective heavy industry in those countries and to create a
trade network between Communist countries. It published its own newspaper to
spread Communist ideals and held conferences in the Eastern Bloc. However, its
effectiveness was limited, as demonstrated when Yugoslavia left the group in June
1948.
2) He used it to ensure the loyalty of satellite states by investigating their
governments and employees and removing those who were not loyal to Stalin (often
using violence).
3) It consolidated the power of the USSR, stamping out opposition and ensuring
loyalty.
,What was the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (COMECON)? - ANSWER-1)
It was set up in 1949 by Stalin as an answer to the Marshall aid. Having ordered the
satellite states not to take Marshall Aid he had to offer them something. He
administered his own 'Molotov Plan' of financial aid to keep the Eastern Bloc
countries on side. Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and Romania all
joined the Soviet Union in this group and were joined by Albania and East Germany
shortly after. The group was not as successful as it might have been as the USSR
dominated in terms of industrial production and total economy size, however all
countries were committed to Communist economic theory such as state-ownership
and state-planning of the economy. The group became more important after
Cominform disbanded in 1956.
2) The aim of COMECON was to encourage economic development and prevent
trade with America and the west.
3) He hoped to minimise US influence in Eastern Europe and this ensured that
economic recovery in the east remained in the Soviet 'sphere of influence'.
4) It meant that Eastern Europe didn't have access to the prosperity of the west.
What were the causes of the Berlin Blockade (June 1948-May 1949)? - ANSWER-1)
1947 US & Britain join their zones in Germany creating 'Bizonia'.
2) 1948 France join their zone and the three become Trizonia.
3) Trizonia produced a new currency for Germany - the Deutschmark.
4) Stalin was angry because he had not been consulted - he did not want Germany
to become powerful; he didn't want US influence in Germany and he didn't want US
troops to remain in Germany.
5) He was angry about how US propaganda portrayed communism in the East.
What was the Berlin Blockade? - ANSWER-Stalin blocked all the supply zones to
Berlin, the roads, railways & canals cutting off the 2 million population of West Berlin
from western help because he believed it would force the allies out of Berlin and
make Berlin entirely dependent on the USSR. He also knew that if the US tanks tried
to ram the road-blocks it would be seen as an act of war.
What was America's reaction to the Berlin Blockade? - ANSWER-Truman wanted to
show he was serious about containing communism. He was concerned that if Stalin
were allowed to take control of Berlin he would not stop there and attempt to take
control of western Germany.
What were the Berlin Airlifts? - ANSWER-1) The only way into Berlin was by air so,
on June 1948, the allies started to air-lift supplies into Berlin.
2) Stalin did not shoot down the planes as this would have been seen as an act of
war.
, 3) The allies air-lifted food, clothing, building materials, oil etc. Despite the many air-
lifts there were still shortages and many people decided to leave Berlin.
4) However, by May 1949 Stalin realised the blockade would not make the western
allies give up so he re-opened all transport links.
What was the Arms race during the Cold War? - ANSWER-1) Both countries
competed to produce a large number of nuclear weapons. The US developed and
used the atomic bomb in 1945 and by 1949 the USSR had developed their own.
America then developed hydrogen bombs swiftly followed by the Soviet Union.
Throughout the 1950s and 60s both sides attempted to 'out do' each other. However,
America were firmly in front and able to produce many more than the USSR.
2) It was significant as it prevented a war in Europe. The USSR had 3 million troops
& could easily capture West Germany. However, the soviet leaders would never
order an invasion because they feared an American nuclear retaliation. Essentially, it
was this fear that meant neither side was ever willing to declare war on one another.
What were the effects of the Berlin Blockade? - ANSWER-1) It was the first
confrontation of the Cold War. The Berlin Blockade was a propaganda success for
America and a complete failure for the USSR.
2) On September 1949, West Germany was created as an independent state (the
Federal Republic of Germany: FDR).
3) On October 1949, the USSR created East Germany (German Democratic
Republic: GDR).
4) The western allies formed NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation).
What was NATO? - ANSWER-NATO was formed 1949 and was a military alliance
between America and many of the countries in Western Europe including Britain &
France. They agreed that if any member of NATO came under attack, all members
of NATO would come to their defence and attack the aggressor. It had a specific aim
of defending the west against communism.
What was the Korean War? - ANSWER-In 1945, Korea was split along the 38th
parallel between a communist north led by Kim IL Sung, and a non-communist south
led by Syngman Rhee. But, communism was growing in the Far East. In 1949, the
Communists had taken power in China. The US developed the 'domino theory' - the
idea that, if one country fell to communism, others would follow like a row of
dominoes. Then, in 1950, a report by the American National Security Council
('NSC68') recommended that the US stop containment and start to roll back
communism.
The war:
In 1950, after getting the support of Russia and China, Kim IL Sung invaded South
Korea. The North Korean People's Army (NKPA) easily defeated the Republic of
Korea's army (the ROKs). By September, the NKPA had conquered almost the
