Cold War to 1949 - Overview
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Basic reasons for conflict was opposite ideologies
Causes of Cold War
- Stalin's takeover of Europe as they defeated the Nazis
- The West believed Stalin was committed to spreading communism
- US and British politicians were hostile to the USSR
- Truman was suspicious - dropped A-Bomb to warn USSR
- They delayed opening a second front - Stalin felt they wanted communism crushed
- They didn't tell Stalin about the A- Bomb, until shortly before it was dropped
- Rejected USSR taking part in occupation of Japan
- They had A-Bomb, USSR didn't
Who was to blame for the War?
1950's - was close to beggining of Cold War. Strong emotions. American historians [George Kennan] blamed Stalin (Communist expansionism). This is known as the TRADITIONAL VIEW.
1960's-1970's - Soviet and American historians - Stalin was reacting naturally (to protect USSR).US overacted [Howard Zinn] USSR had suffered as well. Thre reason for American criticism was due to negative affect of Vietnam War. This is known as the REVISIONIST VIEW.
1980's - American historians found new evidence. Both countries were to blame
- US - Marhsall Plan - To spread influence
- USSR - Control of Eastern Europe and spread of communism
- [Martin McCauley]
This is known as the POST-REVISIONIST VIEW
Communism established in Eastern Europe
- USSR set up pro-communist governments
- Used underhanded methods to bring pro-Soviet governments in
Stalin said Communism would defeat Capitilism
Note: Iron Curtain Speach - 1946 - Churchill
US reaction to Soviet Expansion
March 1947 - Truman Doctrine
- Stated that US was committed to a policy of containing Communism
June 1947 - Marshall Plan
- Economic extension of the Truman Doctrine
- By US Secretary of State George Marshall
- Also known as European Recovery Programme
- Was to provide billions in aid to Europe
- A strong economy won't fall to communism
- used to expand sphere of influnce
- A strong economy won't fall to communism
Cominform - September 1947
- To bring together all communist parties
- So USSR could control them
Comecon - Economic control of sattelites
Communist takeover of Czechoslavakia - Feburary 1948
- only democratic state left
- Prime Minister was communist, but President and Foreign Minister were not.
- communists were set to do badly in the elections, because Marshal Aid had been refused by communist leader, and then country was poor.
- So there was an armed coup by the communists
The Berlin Blockade - June 1948 to May 1947
- Germany was in 4 zones (British, French, American, USSR)
- Russia drained their zone
- West-Germany with Marshall Aid was prosperous
- Stalin didn't want to unite his Germany
- West-Germany (Berlin) introduced a new currency
- Stalin was outraged, and cut off all links to West-Berlin
- The West (US) sent supplies by plane to West-Berlin
- Stalin was outraged, and cut off all links to West-Berlin
Results
- Psychological boost to the West
- Worsened West-USSR relations
- NATO formed
- doomed Germany to be split
Why did Eastern Europe fall so easily
- The allied leaders had come to an unwritten agreement about their individual spheres of influence. Only in Europe
- That is why Stalin didn't interfere with the Greek civil war. Greece was Britain's area
- Many Soviet armies were already in E. Europe after beating the Nazi's
- Buffer zone
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by: Admin
Total views: 1089
Word Count: 1056
Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 Time: 12:00 AM
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