A complete set of notes on the The Cold War Theme 1 topic. This includes an in-depth analysis The Cold War in Germany and The Cuban Missle Crisis. (Doesn’t include China as a case study). These notes are based on the IEB Matric / Grade 11 Syllabus. I achieved an A+ using these notes for final gra...
What were the Origins of the Cold War?
What was the Cold War? (conceptual understanding)
End of the Second World War (introduction) – why did a Cold War develop? (Yalta
and Potsdam Conferences; division of Germany)
USSR and USA and the creation of spheres of interest:
– creation of satellite states in Eastern Europe (in brief/no detail);
– USA's policy of containment: Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan and Soviet reaction;
– Berlin Crises 1948 to 1961; and
– opposing military alliances: NATO and Warsaw Pact (broadly);
Containment and brinkmanship: the Cuban Missile Crisis (as an example of
containment and brinkmanship); and
Who was to blame for the Cold War? (interpretation; differing points of view)
Was the United States' policy of containment in Germany effective between 1945 and
1949?
WHAT WAS THE COLD WAR?
- After the Second World War, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as the
two dominant world powers, deemed powerful enough to be called “superpowers”
- The term “Cold War” may be defined as a state of tension between countries
in which each side tries to strengthen itself and weaken the other side, gain
influence for advantage without coming involved in a “hot” war where there is
shooting.
- The term is used to describe the conflict of ideologies which existed between
the western capitalist powers (especially the USA) and the USSR and other
communist countries.
Context:
• Nazi Germany defeated by May 1945
• Allied invasion from West and East led to the occupation of Europe
• Western Allies seen as "liberators"
• Soviet Allies impose harsh rule on occupied Europe – support for local Communists
increases
• Origins of clash between USA and USSR – rival political ideologies (competing social
and economic systems) – The emergence of a one- party state and Stalin’s purges and show
trials of the 1920s demonstrated that the USSR had become a totalitarian regime and
worries western democracies
Content:
Tensions
- rival political ideologies (competing social and economic systems) – The emergence of
a one- party state and Stalin’s purges and show trials of the 1920s demonstrated that
the USSR had become a totalitarian regime and worries western democracies
, - US secrecy regarding atomic bomb. The USA’s dropping of the atomic bomb on
Hiroshima, Japan, caused the USSR to feel threatened since it could be used against
them too. Despite the fact that the USSR had been an ally of the USA in its war against
Japan, the USA kept the atomic bomb a secret from the USSR. Consequently, their
suspicions escalated. Moreover, the technological advancement achieved in the
perfection of the atomic bomb meant that the USA would be ahead of the USSR, thus
contributing to tensions.
-
YALTA CONFERENCE, FEBRUARY 1945
• Roosevelt (USA), Stalin (USSR), Churchill (UK) meet
• Each leader with own agenda
- Roosevelt wanted Soviet support in the U.S. Pacific War against Japan
- Churchill wanted free elections and democratic governments in Eastern and Central
Europe
- Stalin wanted soviet sphere of political influence in Eastern and Central Europe, an
essential aspect of the USSR’s national security strategy.
• Discussed:
‒ Future of Germany and German occupied territory
Division of Germany into zones of occupation under Allied control Council (USSR, UK,
USA & France)
Not agreed how much Germany would have to pay in reparations
‒ Allies bound together to defeat Germany but attempts to prevent Soviets gaining
more control
GERMANY SURRENDERS MAY 1945
POTSDAM CONFERENCE, JULY/AUGUST 1945
17 July – 2nd August
• Truman, Stalin, Churchill/Attlee – more agreements and compromises
‒ Issue of German reparations – Stalin in favour of crippling Germany
‒ Soviet backed government in Poland (no democratic elections in Poland)– communist
expansion
‒ Growth of Communist activity in Eastern Europe
‒ Division of Germany into zones of occupation. Each power would take reparations from
its own zone.
- 6th August :US drops Atomic bomb on Hiroshima, JAPAN
- 9th August: US drops Atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan
- 14th August: Japanese surrender, bringing an end to world war II
• Foundation of spheres of influence ("blocs"): USA Western Zone and W. Berlin and
Soviet Eastern Zone
• Attempts to curb Soviet demands and expansionist agenda viz containing USSR
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