Hi, my name is Soph
Here are my IGCSE revision notes for the USA - a divided union module of EDEXCEL/ PEARSON’S IGCSE. I got an A* overall using these notes which cover every area of the syllabus (within the USA module). Hopefully you will find them helpful and I put a lot of effort into writting...
Reasons for the red scare
- communist Soviet Union and capitalist west fought together in WW2
- After the war their political differences caused tensions
- ^ the Cold War (Soviet Union thought west should be communist and vise versa)
- US people were fearful of nuclear war
- US wanted to keep the secret of atomic bomb making out of Soviet hands
- The US’ determination to find + prosecute communists = the red scare
Cold War tensions
- many countries the SU occupied in the war became communist and ‘satilite states’ of the USSR
- The Marshall plan (set up by US gov) provided aid to European countries which the SU saw as a
bribe to keep them capitalist
The Berlin crisis
- Berlin was in SU-controlled Germany
- As capital it was split in 4 (SU, USA, France and Britain)
- SU pressed Berliners to vote to become communist in ‘free elections’
- June 1948, SU cut off transport links to Berlin, stopping other countries getting their supplies to
their sectors
- It also cut off west Germany from its capital, disrupting gov
- Western powers flew in supplies
- April 1949, British, French and USA unite their German sectors = Federal Republic of West
Germany
- SU = German Democratic Republic
- Berlin + Germany was split in 2
Korea
- N Korea = communist, S Korea = non-communist
- 1950, NK invades SK and war broke out
- SU support NK
- USA sent economic aid, advice, supplies and troops
Villains or victims?
- red scare fulled by belief that American communists were working with SU to overthrow the US
gov
- FBI built up files on communists
- HUAC (the house committee on un-American activities) set up by gov
- HUAC investigations grew starting with gov workers, fulled by allegations of McCarthy
The Hollywood ten
- HUAC investigated Hollywood as he feared they may use film to spread propaganda
- 10 Hollywood writers refused to give evidence to HUAC and were imprisoned
- HUAC began to investigate their supporters
The Hiss Case
- 1948, Alger Hiss had been adviser to president Roosevelt, was accused of being communist
- HUAC sent him to trial during which the SU tested an atomic bomb (inc fear of nuclear war), the
evidence was complicated and confused and he was sent to prison for lying to the court
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller skhhowarth. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £3.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
