HISTORY A LEVEL
Europe 1950-91
Timeline US Presidents:
- Roosevelt
- Truman 1945-53
- Eisenhower 1953-61
- JFK 1961-63
- Johnson 1963- 69
- Nixon 1969-74
- Ford 1974-77
- Carter 1977-81
- Reagan 1981-89
- Bush 1989-93
Timeline USSR leaders:
- Stalin 1924-53
- Malenkov 1953
- Khrushchev 1953-64
- Brezhnev 1964-82
- Andropov 1982-84
- Chernenko 1984-85
- Gorbachev 1985-91
Content:
• Impact of the death of Stalin
US• Peaceful coexistence
• Impact of key events in Asia and Europe, e.g. Korea, Hungary, Berlin, the Prague Spring
• Détente and the outbreak of the Second Cold War
• US reaction to the Cuban revolution
• Khrushchev’s aims in Cuba
• The crisis and its resolution
• Consequences of the conflict, e.g. hotline, Test Ban Treaty
• The development of the nuclear arms race
• The impact of the arms race on US–Soviet relations
• The successes and failures of attempts to control nuclear weapons, e.g. NPT, SALT and
START
• Problems facing the USSR: economic and political stagnation, Afghanistan and Eastern
Europe
• The impact of Reagan and Gorbachev
• The collapse of the Soviet system
1 of 38
,Asia 1945-91—
Content:
• Attempts to re-establish colonial control (British, Dutch and French)
• Growth of nationalist movements
• The establishment of the People’s Republic of China (PRC)
• Changing Sino–Soviet relations
• Division of Korea and subsequent tensions
• US reaction to the invasion of South Korea
• International involvement, e.g. UN, PRC
• Growing US presence in the Eastern Pacific including the formation of SEATO
• Reasons for growing US involvement in Vietnam
• Importance of support from PRC and USSR for North Vietnam
• Reasons for US withdrawal, e.g. military failings, heavy losses, public opinion
• Unification of Vietnam (1975) and its implications
• Ideological divides
• Issues over Taiwan
• Impact of Korean and Vietnam Wars
• Improvement of relations in the 1970s and 1980s including ‘ping pong diplomacy’
Middle East 1948-91
Contents:
• Long-term factors: Arab unity; strategic importance of the Middle East; foreign involvement;
persecution of Jews
• Jewish resistance to the British mandate
• Reasons for, and effects of, the UN decision to partition Palestine
• Involvement of the USA
• Challenges to the state of Israel between 1948 and 1973: Arab-Israeli War (1948–49), Suez
Crisis (1956); Six-Day War (1967); Yom Kippur War (1973)
• The role of key individuals including Nasser, Ben Gurion, Sadat, Meir
• Consequences of the wars for Arabs and Israelis
• Reasons for the growth of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and the changing
role of Arafat
• Attempts at reconciliation and peace agreements
• Reasons for superpower involvement including oil
• American policies and their impact
• Soviet policies and their impact
2 of 38
, • The Iranian Revolution (1979): causes and outcomes for Iran and the region
• Iran–Iraq War (1980–88): causes and outcomes for the region
• Gulf War (1990–91): causes and immediate results for the region
Impact of death of Stalin
He dies in 1953
Marxist-Leninist view that war with the West is inevitable
- 53-55 Khrushchev and Malenkov fight
for Stalin’s place, Khrushchev wins (e.g.
of how is that he executes Beria,
EUROPE TIMELINE Malenkov's ally, also managed to tie
Malenkov to one of Stalin’s key purges of
officials and Malenkov was demoted.)
Korean War
1950-53 Khrushchev comes to power in 1953 and
Death of Stalin
1953
introduces his Peaceful coexistence
Power struggle--> Khrushchev De-salinisation begins: Prisons, erasing
to power
1953-55
Stalin’s name and cult of personality,
Warsaw Pact
moving Stalin’s body, peaceful foreign
Secret Speech
1955 policy. Temporary thaw in Cold War
25 feb 1956
Hungarian Uprising
tensions
October 1956
Sputnik launched *Secret Speech 25th Feb 1956
1957
Fidel Castro comes to power in Cuba
-> Polish uprising 1956- - starts because
Kennedy elected President 1959
of economic instability, Stalin’s past
1960 Bay of PIgs; Berlin Wall up
oppression, political destabilisation
1961 inspired workers’ protests (demanding
Cuban Missile Crisis
October 1962
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty; pay compensation) and their escalation to
Kennedy assasinated
1963
violence.
Richard Nixon elected President -June 18th Soviet troops intervened to
Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia
1968
crushed
support the Polish government in
1968
suppressing it - -> Western criticism of
Ostpolitik 1969 the use if violence over human rights
SALT I signed -Moscow began protecting its satellites
1972
Helsinki accords even more, China supported the Polish
1975 SALT II signed communist party
1979 JULY
Solidarity Union formed. leader
- -> It demonstrated the limits of Soviet
Lech Walesa 1980 Reagan proposes SDI
control as Moscow allowed some reforms
1983
in Poland to avoid broader rebellion but
Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader of crushed the Hungarian Uprising later that
USSR--> Glasnost and Perestroika
1985 INF Treaty
1987
year.
Poland becomes independent
june 1989
-> Hungarian uprising 1956- - Suppressed
Hungary becomes independent
september 1989
personal freedoms, economic hardships
and influence of other events like Poland
Berlin Wall down led to protestors demanding the
Novemebr 1989
resignation of the communist government.
-led to Imre Nagy being appointed who
Communist governments fall in
Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and on November 1st withdraws Hungary
Romania form Warsaw Pact.
december 1989
End of Soviet Union and -Nov 4 full scale Soviet invasion and by
the Cold War Ends Nov 11 uprising crushed. Refugee crisis
1991 follows. West non-intervention
3 of 38
, highlighted their limitations and reluctance to risk direct confrontation- ->
proved Stalin’s complete control over Eastern Europe. Soviet force was restored
over Hungary.
- Imre Nagy executed 1958
Note: Khrushchev wanted to redefine the relationship between USSR and its satellite
states.
About Berlin Wall:
After WW2 no clear border until Stalin ordered wired fence in 1952 BUT Berlin
loophole that led to brain drain. Walter Ulbricht (east leader FDR) pressures
Khrushchev to end brain drain. Kennedy (who just came to power in 1961) makes the
mistake of admitting he wouldn’t actively oppose a Wall (said in Vienna 1961).
- August 12 1961 Ulbricht signs the deal and next day is Barbed Wire Sunday.
- Later on: Kennedy speech 1963 “Ich bin ein Berliner”. Soviets angered, Khrushchev
himself mentioned that this seemed like a “different man” to the one who only weeks
ago had talked of improving relations with the USS
Evaluation- ->putting up of Berlin Wall also became a source of propaganda for the
West- it showed the failings of communism- they have to build a wall to keep their
people in.
Paris Peace Talks 1960 scheduled when in 59 Khrushchev visits USA and spends time
at Camp David with Eisenhower (at power 53-61)
Key topics: future of Berlin (Soviets propose Free City) → peace treaty with East
Germany BUT after U2 incident deal gone (see next paragraph)
Tensions at the summit because of U2. Khrushchev publicly attacks US, demands end
to spy planes. Eisenhower offers temporary suspension of flights, which angers
Khrushchev and he storms out. Summit collapses without further negotiations.
About U2 Spy Incident 1960
Soviets shot down CIA spy plane and capture its pilot Gary Powers. US initially deny
but Soviets have proof from Powers’ confession - -> US and Eisenhower embarrassed
with damaged credibility
*This incident at Paris 1960 marks the return to Cold War tensions and ends
hopes for peaceful coexistence.
Détente
*Detente- 1969 to 1979 period of reduced tensions between the USA and USSR,
marked by treaties, diplomacy, and efforts to avoid nuclear confrontation.
Key events:
- Nixon visits China (1972) and USSR (1972), which symbolised a new phase in
diplomacy.
- SALT I 1972 (explained later on)
- Helsinki Accords 1975 discusses borders in Europe, economic cooperation and human
rights
- SALT II 1979 (Carter and Brezhnev) never ratified due to Afghanistan invasion
(Outbreak of Second Cold War after 1979): Return to hostility between superpowers.
Increased arms race, rhetoric, and proxy conflicts.
4 of 38
R
Europe 1950-91
Timeline US Presidents:
- Roosevelt
- Truman 1945-53
- Eisenhower 1953-61
- JFK 1961-63
- Johnson 1963- 69
- Nixon 1969-74
- Ford 1974-77
- Carter 1977-81
- Reagan 1981-89
- Bush 1989-93
Timeline USSR leaders:
- Stalin 1924-53
- Malenkov 1953
- Khrushchev 1953-64
- Brezhnev 1964-82
- Andropov 1982-84
- Chernenko 1984-85
- Gorbachev 1985-91
Content:
• Impact of the death of Stalin
US• Peaceful coexistence
• Impact of key events in Asia and Europe, e.g. Korea, Hungary, Berlin, the Prague Spring
• Détente and the outbreak of the Second Cold War
• US reaction to the Cuban revolution
• Khrushchev’s aims in Cuba
• The crisis and its resolution
• Consequences of the conflict, e.g. hotline, Test Ban Treaty
• The development of the nuclear arms race
• The impact of the arms race on US–Soviet relations
• The successes and failures of attempts to control nuclear weapons, e.g. NPT, SALT and
START
• Problems facing the USSR: economic and political stagnation, Afghanistan and Eastern
Europe
• The impact of Reagan and Gorbachev
• The collapse of the Soviet system
1 of 38
,Asia 1945-91—
Content:
• Attempts to re-establish colonial control (British, Dutch and French)
• Growth of nationalist movements
• The establishment of the People’s Republic of China (PRC)
• Changing Sino–Soviet relations
• Division of Korea and subsequent tensions
• US reaction to the invasion of South Korea
• International involvement, e.g. UN, PRC
• Growing US presence in the Eastern Pacific including the formation of SEATO
• Reasons for growing US involvement in Vietnam
• Importance of support from PRC and USSR for North Vietnam
• Reasons for US withdrawal, e.g. military failings, heavy losses, public opinion
• Unification of Vietnam (1975) and its implications
• Ideological divides
• Issues over Taiwan
• Impact of Korean and Vietnam Wars
• Improvement of relations in the 1970s and 1980s including ‘ping pong diplomacy’
Middle East 1948-91
Contents:
• Long-term factors: Arab unity; strategic importance of the Middle East; foreign involvement;
persecution of Jews
• Jewish resistance to the British mandate
• Reasons for, and effects of, the UN decision to partition Palestine
• Involvement of the USA
• Challenges to the state of Israel between 1948 and 1973: Arab-Israeli War (1948–49), Suez
Crisis (1956); Six-Day War (1967); Yom Kippur War (1973)
• The role of key individuals including Nasser, Ben Gurion, Sadat, Meir
• Consequences of the wars for Arabs and Israelis
• Reasons for the growth of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and the changing
role of Arafat
• Attempts at reconciliation and peace agreements
• Reasons for superpower involvement including oil
• American policies and their impact
• Soviet policies and their impact
2 of 38
, • The Iranian Revolution (1979): causes and outcomes for Iran and the region
• Iran–Iraq War (1980–88): causes and outcomes for the region
• Gulf War (1990–91): causes and immediate results for the region
Impact of death of Stalin
He dies in 1953
Marxist-Leninist view that war with the West is inevitable
- 53-55 Khrushchev and Malenkov fight
for Stalin’s place, Khrushchev wins (e.g.
of how is that he executes Beria,
EUROPE TIMELINE Malenkov's ally, also managed to tie
Malenkov to one of Stalin’s key purges of
officials and Malenkov was demoted.)
Korean War
1950-53 Khrushchev comes to power in 1953 and
Death of Stalin
1953
introduces his Peaceful coexistence
Power struggle--> Khrushchev De-salinisation begins: Prisons, erasing
to power
1953-55
Stalin’s name and cult of personality,
Warsaw Pact
moving Stalin’s body, peaceful foreign
Secret Speech
1955 policy. Temporary thaw in Cold War
25 feb 1956
Hungarian Uprising
tensions
October 1956
Sputnik launched *Secret Speech 25th Feb 1956
1957
Fidel Castro comes to power in Cuba
-> Polish uprising 1956- - starts because
Kennedy elected President 1959
of economic instability, Stalin’s past
1960 Bay of PIgs; Berlin Wall up
oppression, political destabilisation
1961 inspired workers’ protests (demanding
Cuban Missile Crisis
October 1962
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty; pay compensation) and their escalation to
Kennedy assasinated
1963
violence.
Richard Nixon elected President -June 18th Soviet troops intervened to
Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia
1968
crushed
support the Polish government in
1968
suppressing it - -> Western criticism of
Ostpolitik 1969 the use if violence over human rights
SALT I signed -Moscow began protecting its satellites
1972
Helsinki accords even more, China supported the Polish
1975 SALT II signed communist party
1979 JULY
Solidarity Union formed. leader
- -> It demonstrated the limits of Soviet
Lech Walesa 1980 Reagan proposes SDI
control as Moscow allowed some reforms
1983
in Poland to avoid broader rebellion but
Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader of crushed the Hungarian Uprising later that
USSR--> Glasnost and Perestroika
1985 INF Treaty
1987
year.
Poland becomes independent
june 1989
-> Hungarian uprising 1956- - Suppressed
Hungary becomes independent
september 1989
personal freedoms, economic hardships
and influence of other events like Poland
Berlin Wall down led to protestors demanding the
Novemebr 1989
resignation of the communist government.
-led to Imre Nagy being appointed who
Communist governments fall in
Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and on November 1st withdraws Hungary
Romania form Warsaw Pact.
december 1989
End of Soviet Union and -Nov 4 full scale Soviet invasion and by
the Cold War Ends Nov 11 uprising crushed. Refugee crisis
1991 follows. West non-intervention
3 of 38
, highlighted their limitations and reluctance to risk direct confrontation- ->
proved Stalin’s complete control over Eastern Europe. Soviet force was restored
over Hungary.
- Imre Nagy executed 1958
Note: Khrushchev wanted to redefine the relationship between USSR and its satellite
states.
About Berlin Wall:
After WW2 no clear border until Stalin ordered wired fence in 1952 BUT Berlin
loophole that led to brain drain. Walter Ulbricht (east leader FDR) pressures
Khrushchev to end brain drain. Kennedy (who just came to power in 1961) makes the
mistake of admitting he wouldn’t actively oppose a Wall (said in Vienna 1961).
- August 12 1961 Ulbricht signs the deal and next day is Barbed Wire Sunday.
- Later on: Kennedy speech 1963 “Ich bin ein Berliner”. Soviets angered, Khrushchev
himself mentioned that this seemed like a “different man” to the one who only weeks
ago had talked of improving relations with the USS
Evaluation- ->putting up of Berlin Wall also became a source of propaganda for the
West- it showed the failings of communism- they have to build a wall to keep their
people in.
Paris Peace Talks 1960 scheduled when in 59 Khrushchev visits USA and spends time
at Camp David with Eisenhower (at power 53-61)
Key topics: future of Berlin (Soviets propose Free City) → peace treaty with East
Germany BUT after U2 incident deal gone (see next paragraph)
Tensions at the summit because of U2. Khrushchev publicly attacks US, demands end
to spy planes. Eisenhower offers temporary suspension of flights, which angers
Khrushchev and he storms out. Summit collapses without further negotiations.
About U2 Spy Incident 1960
Soviets shot down CIA spy plane and capture its pilot Gary Powers. US initially deny
but Soviets have proof from Powers’ confession - -> US and Eisenhower embarrassed
with damaged credibility
*This incident at Paris 1960 marks the return to Cold War tensions and ends
hopes for peaceful coexistence.
Détente
*Detente- 1969 to 1979 period of reduced tensions between the USA and USSR,
marked by treaties, diplomacy, and efforts to avoid nuclear confrontation.
Key events:
- Nixon visits China (1972) and USSR (1972), which symbolised a new phase in
diplomacy.
- SALT I 1972 (explained later on)
- Helsinki Accords 1975 discusses borders in Europe, economic cooperation and human
rights
- SALT II 1979 (Carter and Brezhnev) never ratified due to Afghanistan invasion
(Outbreak of Second Cold War after 1979): Return to hostility between superpowers.
Increased arms race, rhetoric, and proxy conflicts.
4 of 38
R
