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Summary Answer to past paper question: Explain the importance of the Truman Doctrine and construction of the Berlin Wall for US-USSR relations£2.99
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Complete answer to past paper question:
Explain two of the following:
− The importance of the Truman Doctrine (1947) for the development of the Cold War
− The importance of the construction of the Berlin Wall for relations between the USA
and the Soviet Union in the years 1961-63 [16 mark...
− The importance of the Truman Doctrine (1947) for the development of the Cold War
− The importance of the construction of the Berlin Wall for relations between the USA
and the Soviet Union in the years 1961-63 [16 marks]
The Truman Doctrine 1947 was important for the development of the Cold War as it stated
clearly that communism and capitalism were in opposition, therefore, unofficially ending
the Grand Alliance. The Doctrine stated that the USA would provide economic and military
aid to any country’s government if they opposed communism. This aid was called Marshall
Aid.
The USSR banned its’ satellite states from accepting Marshall Aid, therefore, splitting Europe
clearly into two halves, the capitalist West and the communist East. The Truman Doctrine
also led to the formation of Cominform in 1947 and Comecon in 1949. Both were groups for
communist countries, where members made trade agreements with other members rather
than with western countries, and could receive economic aid from the Soviet Union for
accepting communism. However, the money govern by the Soviet Union was significantly
less than the US was offering through Marshall Aid.
The Truman Doctrine was important for the development of the Cold War as it led to
Marshall Aid, Cominform and Comecon which divided Europe into two camps and ended a
period of co-operation between East and West.
7/8 Target: so deepened tensions… need to link back to the question a little more
1948 Berlin blockage and airlift – direct consequence of Truman Doctrine
The construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961 was important for relations between the USA
and the Soviet Union as it formally split Germany in half, showing communist and capitalist
ideals could no co-exist even within the same city. It split families and friends apart, forcing
them to live completely different lives. West Germany and West Berlin became prosperous
and the quality of life was high. In East Berlin, the opposite was true. The quality of life was
low due to the communist leadership. Media was censored, freedom of speech was limited
and movement between East and West Berlin was forbidden. Armed guards patrolled the
Wall, shooting anyone attempting to cross. The Wall became a symbol of communism,
keeping people in rather than keeping people out.
The construction of the wall in 1961 was important for relations between the USA and the
Soviet Union as it formally divided the city and the communist and capitalist ideals within
Berlin, but also forced the recognition of East Germany as a separate country. The wall not
only divided a city, but also a country.
Also in 1961, the Bay of Pigs in Cuba embarrassed the USA, making them look like bullies
and as controlling in the internal affairs of other countries as the USSR. This was a low point
in their relationship, bringing the Cold War close to Hot War with the Cuban Missile Crisis in
1962. Therefore, tensions were already high between the superpowers in 1961 when the
Berlin Wall was constructed, further increasing tension to the brink of active war. The Berlin
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