Good notes for The origins of the Cold War and expansions of the Cold War being China and Vietnam. It is a good summary that includes all the details needed. The layout is simple enough for one to adapt it for their own use and style.
- A period of ongoing hostility, just before “hot war”
o (Use of nuclear/ atomic weaponry)
- A term used to describe relations between two superpowers
o USA and USSR
- Opposing views lead to mistrust and competition
- Both want to advance their economic interest, spread their ideologies,
gain allies and weaken their rivals
- Term “cold war” first used by Bernard Baruch
o Close advisor of Truman
USA
- Democratic
- Capitalist
o Economic system where trade and industries are owned and
controlled privately
o Operating best within a democratic political system
- Depicted as “Uncle Sam” or an eagle with stars and strips
USSR
- One-part rule
- Communist
o Based on Marx and Engels theories that emphasizes common
ownership of the means of production and distribution
o Everyone should work for the common benefit according to their
own capacity
o Would receive according to their specific needs
o Private ownership was abolished
Basic characteristics of the cold war
- Economic or money hand outs
o Buying friends, Dollar vs. Ruble
o Propaganda
o Diplomacy
A war of words
o The Arms Race
Then Space Race
, How did World War 2 intensify the Cold War?
Relationship during the war
- “Marriage of convenience”
o Set aside differences to defeat a common enemy
After Nazi’s invaded USSR 1941
Enemy of my enemy is my friend
- USA provides Britain and USSR with weapons and supplies
o Lend-lease system
- There was tension before the end of the war
o Made tributes in public, behind scenes was bickering
Cause of tension
- USSR fought two years before USA opened a 2nd and invaded France
o Stalin saw this as a deliberate weakening
- USA ended Lend-Lease program with the USSR
- Stalin was suspicious over Western secrecy of the atomic bomb
o He was not informed about it
Teheran conference (November 1943)
- Decision that there will be no Anglo-American invasion of Germany
through Balkans
o Left only USSR to clear Eastern Europe of Nazi’s
o Recognized USSR’s supremacy in Eastern Europe
o Limited West’s participation in post war political affairs here
- Made Stalin believe he had a free hand in Eastern Europe
- Convinced him West would accept Soviet rule in these areas
Yalta/ Crimea conference (February 1945)
Decisions made
- Germany will be divided
o No decision as to what system will govern these zones
- Capital City of Berlin, in USSR zone, will be divided
- USSR set up pro-soviet provisional government during the war
o Stalin promised free democratic elections
- “Allied Declaration on Liberated Europe”
o USSR must allow the countries it occupied to hold free elections
o Stalin’s idea of democracy was very different to other allies
- They would join the United Nations
o Aim was to keep peace after war
- USSR agreed to join war against Japan after the war in Europe ended
- Stalin wanted a buffer zone against Germany as she suffered much loss
What did they disagree on?
- No agreement on the scale of German reparations
- Stalin wanted Soviet boarder to move Westward towards Poland
, o And Poland to move West into Germany
Potsdam Conference (July/August 1945)
- A continuation of Yalta
- But the war in Europe was over
o They were to discuss post-war settlements
- Issues discussed were the same
- Discussions highlighted differences between West and East
o Relations even more strained
o Stalin even more uncompromising
o USA and Britain had new leaders
Main discussions
- Details about the four zones were finalized
- Each power could collect reparations from their zones
o Soviet zone was rural so they got additional reparations form
other zones
- Germans in Czechoslovakia, Poland and Hungry must return to Germany
Disagreements
- Stalin wanted to cripple Germany
- Issues of Reparations
o Stalin wanted compensation for the 20 million lost
o Truman did not want to repeat the mistakes of WW1
- Agreed at Yalta that pro-soviet governments could be set up in East
o Truman was totally opposed to this
Soviet expansion into Eastern Europe
Soviets territorial gains
- Germany attacked Poland in 1933 and occupied a large part of Eastern
Poland as a term of the Non-Aggression Pact
- Europe was concerned with rehabilitation
o USSR made significant territorial advances into Europe
- Having freed much of Europe during the war
o The red army remained and set up communist governments
Poland, Hungry, Czechoslovakia, Albania, Bulgaria and East
Germany
Reasons for the Soviet take over in Eastern Europe
- USSR felt threatened and vulnerable to the West (atomic bomb)
o Used wartime acquired states as a defensive barrier
- The war strained the economy, this is why Stalin wanted reparations
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 EFT, credit card or Stuvia-credit 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 this summary from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller hannahashleighsteven. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy this summary for R150,00. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.