The Cold War (Topic 1) IEB History
History The cold war
Contents
Why the Cold War Developed:........................................................................................................................... 3
The Wartime Conferences 1941 To 1945........................................................................................................... 3
THE BIG 3........................................................................................................................................................... 4
Disagreements made.............................................................................................................................................6
The USSR and USA and the creation of spheres of interest...................................................................................6
Salami tactics:.........................................................................................................................................................7
The reaction of the West to USSR Control over Eastern Europe...........................................................................7
The Policy of Containment, the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan.................................................................9
Greece:...................................................................................................................................................................9
Turkey:....................................................................................................................................................................9
Iran:........................................................................................................................................................................9
Italy.........................................................................................................................................................................9
France.....................................................................................................................................................................9
Truman Doctrine (1947):.............................................................................................................................. 10
The consequences of the Truman doctrine.........................................................................................................10
Marshall Plan (1948-1951):.......................................................................................................................... 10
The Marshall Plan had significant consequences:...............................................................................................10
How did the USSR react to the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan..................................................................11
The Soviets were concerned about the impact Marshall Aid would have on her Eastern satellite states.........12
The Berlin Crisis 1949 to 1961.......................................................................................................................... 13
The issue with reparations was not settled at Yalta and Potsdam Conference it was agreed that:...................13
Who did the western powers respond to the blockade?....................................................................................14
The western powers responded to the blockade by considering three options:................................................14
Why did the berlin continue to be a focal point of the cold war.........................................................................14
Berlin wall 1961............................................................................................................................................ 15
Why was the berlin wall built and how did it reflect the situation between the superpowers..........................15
What were the consequences of the building of the Berlin Wall?......................................................................16
Opposing Military Alliances: NATO and the Warsaw Pact............................................................................16
What was NATO and why was it formed?...........................................................................................................16
What was the Soviet response to NATO?............................................................................................................17
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,The Cold War (Topic 1) IEB History
What implications did the formation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact have on Cold War relations?..................17
The Cuban Revolution...................................................................................................................................... 19
Containment and the brinkmanship the Cuban missiles crises.........................................................................19
Containment:............................................................................................................................................... 20
Brinkmanship:.............................................................................................................................................. 20
The Cuban Missile Crisis.................................................................................................................................. 21
The Americans had 5 choices...............................................................................................................................21
Turkey's involvement in the Cuban missile crisis.............................................................................................. 22
What were the consequences of the Cuban Missile crisis for the Cold War.......................................................23
13 days of the Cuban missile crisis in 1962..........................................................................................................23
Results of the Cuban missile crisis.......................................................................................................................24
Terminology..................................................................................................................................................... 29
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,The Cold War (Topic 1) IEB History
Why the Cold War Developed:
Ideological Differences:
Capitalist West (U.S., Britain) vs. Communist East (Soviet Union).
Conflicting beliefs about how countries should be governed and economies organized.
World War II Aftermath:
Allies won, but wartime cooperation gave way to distrust.
Different visions for the post-war world emerged.
Yalta and Potsdam Conferences:
Allied leaders met to plan Europe's future.
Disagreements over rebuilding and governing countries, especially in Eastern Europe.
Soviet Expansion in Eastern Europe:
Soviet influence increased in countries liberated by the Red Army.
U.S. and allies saw this as a threat to freedom and democracy.
Nuclear Arms Race:
U.S. developed atomic bomb, and the Soviet Union followed.
Fear of nuclear war intensified global competition.
Proxy Wars and Alliances:
Conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, and other regions became battlegrounds for superpower influence.
U.S.-led NATO and Soviet-led Warsaw Pact formed opposing alliances.
Fear and Mistrust:
Both sides built up military strength, leading to a constant state of tension.
The fear of a direct conflict, along with ideological differences, defined the Cold War era.
The Wartime Conferences 1941 To 1945
The wartime conferences from 1941 to 1945 were crucial meetings where Allied leaders discussed strategies and
plans for defeating the Axis powers during World War II. These conferences, including Yalta and Potsdam, shaped
post-war Europe and set the stage for the Cold War by deciding the division of Germany and outlining the terms
for Japan's surrender.
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,The Cold War (Topic 1) IEB History
THE BIG 3
WORLD WAR II ERA: POST-WORLD WAR II ERA:
1. Winston Churchill (Britain): 1. Harry S. Truman (U.S.):
Role: Prime Minister of the United Role: Became President of the
United
States after
Roosevelt's
death.
Contributi
ons:
Implemented the Truman Doctrine,
Kingdom. the Marshall Plan, and containment
Contributions: Led Britain through policies, shaping U.S. foreign policy
the latter part of World War II, during the early Cold War.
known for his inspiring speeches Significance: Authorized the use of
and strong leadership during atomic bombs, played a central role
challenging times. in the formation of NATO, and
Significance: A key figure in the adopted a more confrontational
Allied leadership, working closely stance toward the Soviet Union.
with Roosevelt and Stalin to shape
wartime strategy.
2. Franklin D. Roosevelt (U.S.):
Role: 3. Clement Attlee (Britain):
Role: Succeeded Churchill as Prime
Minister of
the United
Kingdom
after the war.
Contribution
s: Oversaw
post-war
President of the United States.
Contributions: Led the U.S. through reconstruction, initiated
most of World War II, implemented nationalization of key industries,
the New Deal, and initiated policies and played a role in the
to address the Great Depression. establishment of the welfare state.
Significance: Coordinated with Significance: Led the Labour Party
Churchill and Stalin in major to a landslide victory in the 1945
wartime conferences, laying the general election, contributing to the
groundwork for the post-war world transformation of British domestic
order. policies.
Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union):
3. Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union): Role: Continued as Premier of the
Role: Premier of the Soviet Union. Soviet Union after World War II.
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,The Cold War (Topic 1) IEB History
Contri Contributions: Consolidated Soviet
bution control over Eastern Europe
s: Led through the establishment of
the satellite states with communist
Soviet governments.
Union Significance: Maintained an
during influential role in global politics but
World faced increasing tensions with the
War II, Western Allies as the Cold War
began to intensify.
overseeing the defense against Nazi
invasion and contributing
significantly to the Allies' victory.
Significance: Participated in
wartime conferences, where
agreements were made regarding
the division of post-war Europe and
the establishment of the United
Nations.
Atlantic Charter (August 1941):
Churchill and Roosevelt.
To outline their goals for the post-war world and
establish the foundation for the United Nations.
Agreed on self-determination, free trade, and no
territorial expansion among other principles.
Laid the foundation for the United Nations and
influenced post-war policies.
Casablanca Conference (January 1943):
Churchill and Roosevelt.
To discuss strategies for winning the war.
Agreed on unconditional surrender terms for the
Axis powers and focused on the invasion of Sicily
and Italy.
Cairo Conference (November 1943):
Churchill, Roosevelt, and Chiang Kai-shek.
To discuss future cooperation in the Pacific War.
Agreed on the principles for the post-war Asia,
including China's territorial integrity and
independence.
Tehran Conference (November 1943):
Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin.
To discuss the opening of a second front in Europe.
Agreed on Operation Overlord (D-Day) and post-war spheres of influence in Europe.
Bretton Woods (July 1944):
Representatives from 44 Allied nations.
To create a new international monetary system.
Established the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
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,The Cold War (Topic 1) IEB History
Yalta Conference (February 1945):
Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin.
To discuss the post-war reorganization of Europe.
Agreed on the division of Germany, the formation of the United Nations, and the Soviet entry
into the war against Japan.
Potsdam Conference (July 1945):
Churchill, Truman, and Stalin.
To discuss the post-war administration of Germany and the punishment of war criminals.
Agreed on the division of Germany, the expulsion of Germans from Eastern Europe, and the trials
of Nazi leaders.
Disagreements made
The Big Three powers, namely the USSR and the West, struggled to reach agreements on several key issues. For
instance, while Stalin proposed a crippled Germany, Truman opposed the reparation of the Treaty of Versailles.
Stalin hoped for reparations for the loss of 20 million Russians, but Truman was reluctant to repeat the mistakes
made at the end of WWI. Additionally, although it was agreed at the Yalta Conference that post-Soviet
governments could be set up in Eastern Europe, Truman was firmly opposed to this notion.
The USSR and USA and the creation of spheres of interest
The USSR installed friendly governments in its satellite states,
gaining territory in the process. When Germany attacked
Poland in 1939, the USSR occupied a large part of eastern
Poland under the terms of the non-aggression pact. After the
war, while Europe focused on rebuilding, the USSR expanded
its territorial control in Eastern Europe. The Red Army, having
liberated much of Europe from the Nazis, remained in
occupation, establishing communist governments closely
controlled by Moscow in Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia,
Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, and East Germany. These
countries became known as Soviet satellite states,
economically and politically dependent on the USSR.
The USSR took over Eastern Europe for several reasons. Even
though Russia had defeated Nazi Germany and Stalin was
seen as a strong world leader, the USSR still felt threatened by
the West. Stalin believed that the West could be dangerous to the USSR, especially since the USA had the atomic
bomb. He wanted to protect the USSR by taking control of countries in Eastern Europe during the war.
The war had badly hurt the Russian economy, so Stalin wanted Germany to pay reparations. Germany was now
seen as the new frontline in the USSR's defense. This is why Stalin was not cooperative at the Yalta and Potsdam
conferences when they talked about Germany. He saw any suggestions to settle issues as a threat to the USSR's
safety.
Stalin wanted Eastern Europe to act as a buffer between Germany and the USSR to stop another invasion of the
USSR. He also saw these countries as important for the USSR's economy. They could provide cheap goods and raw
materials, and they would have to trade with the USSR.
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, The Cold War (Topic 1) IEB History
Salami tactics:
Spreading Stalins ideology in order to command Esat Europe.
A term used to describe the gradual expansion of communist influence in Eastern Europe by Stalin and the
Soviet It involved the establishment of communist governments, manipulation of elections, suppression of
opposition, integration into the Soviet sphere, and economic control.
The Soviet Union established communist governments in Eastern European countries by supporting local
communist parties and movements, often through political manipulation, intimidation, and military force.
Communist governments held elections that appeared democratic but were heavily rigged in favor of the
communists, allowing them to consolidate power while maintaining a façade of legitimacy.
The new communist governments suppressed any opposition through censorship, imprisonment, and
violence, eliminating political challenges to their rule: The countries under communist control joined
organizations like the Warsaw Pact and COMECON, solidifying their alignment with the Soviet Union and
ensuring their dependence on it.The Soviet Union exerted economic control over these countries,
exploiting their resources and directing their economic policies to benefit the Soviet Union.
Western Europe East Europe
US: democratic and capitalist USSR: Communism
UK: Romania: Socialism
France: Poland: Lenism
West Germany: Eastern Europe:
Italy: Hungary : Stalinism
Belgium :
The reaction of the West to USSR Control over Eastern Europe
The West became more worried about the situation in
Eastern Europe. They saw Stalin as a dictator who had
gotten rid of his opponents. This led Winston Churchill
to give his famous Iron Curtain speech in Fulton,
Missouri (USA) in March 1946. In his speech, he said that
an iron curtain had come down across Europe, dividing it
into two parts. On one side were free democratic
countries, and on the other side, behind the iron curtain,
were countries under communist control by the USSR.
He called on the Western alliance to fight against the
threat of communism.
Stalin was angry about this speech and accused Churchill
of trying to start a war against the Soviet Union. The
speech made the gap between the USSR and the West even wider, but it didn't do much to stop communist
expansion in Eastern Europe.
Iron Curtain: The term used by Winston Churchill to describe the division of Europe between the capitalist
West and the communist East, symbolizing the ideological and physical separation.
Warmonger: A person who tries to stir up war or encourages aggressive actions.
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