Grade 12 History summaries on Topic 1, The Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis and a case study on Vietnam. Topic 3, Civil Society Protest 1950’s and 1970’s.
Good preparation for Prelim paper 1 and IEB students who take history or any history student covering these topics.
• Topic 1: The Cold War, Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam.
• Topic 3: Civil Society Protest 1950s to 1970s.
Topic 1: The Cold War.
How did the Cold War period shape international relations after the Second World War?
What was the Cold War?
Tension between the Super Powers (USA and USSR) from 1945 till 1991. Represent two different
ideologies, Capitalism/USA with a democratic system and Communism/USSR with principles of
communism and one-party state. Most countries were involved either through proxy wars or groups in
countries supported either of the Super Powers.
What were the origins of the Cold War?
Caused by military and political tension between the USA and USSR. The mistrust was a cause when
in 1917 a communist government came into power in Russia. WWII widened the rift between the 2
Super Powers, methods used: espionage, propaganda, backing up allies in conflicts. Due to
ideological differences.
What was the situation at the end of the Second World War?
Durning the Cold War, USA and USSR temporarily set differences aside because of the threat of
Hitler and Nazi Germany. 1941 they formed the Grand Alliance (USA, USSR and Britian) to defeat
Germany. Stalin intruded Eastern Europe towards the end of the war and the Red Army reached
Poland first. After WWII the allies discussed plans for Germany and rebuilding of Europe. This was
discussed in the TEHRAN, YELTA, POTSDAM CONFRENCES. Decided that Germany would be
divided into 4.
,How did the Cold War Develop?
It developed due to ideology struggles, capitalism vs communism. Allied war conferences held after
WII further increased tension for the Cold War to happen.
TEHRAN CONFRENCE – 1943.
• Meeting between US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston
Churchill and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin in Tehran, Iran between 28 November and 1
December 1943. The big 3.
Aims:
• They coordinated military strategies against Germany and Japan. (2 Wars: European War –
USSR, Italy, Germany later also fighting against Germany. Pacific War – USA, Britian against
Japan)
• Plan on how to defeat Hitler, discuss what is going to happen to Europe post WWII era. Not
punish the same as in WWI.
Decisions:
• Stalin agreed in principle that USSR declare war against Japan after Allied victory over Germany.
Soviet would in return: Roosevelt conceded the demands of Stalin for the Kurile islands and
Southern half of Sakhalin, access to ice-free ports Dairen and Port Arthur in Liaodong Peninsula
Northern China. Deal was not finalized until the Yelta conference.
• Discussed issues about the fate of Eastern Europe and Germany post war.
• Stalin pressed revision of Poland east border with Soviet Union to match border line set by British
Foreign Secretary Lord Curzon in 1920.
• To compensate for Poland’s loss of land, 3 leaders would agree to move the German-Polish
border to the Oder and Neisse rivers, decision not formally ratified until Potsdam Conference in
1945.
• Roosevelt secured from Stalin assurance that Republics of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia would be
reincorporated in the Soviet Union only after fair votes were held by citizens in each country
about the question. Stalin felt it had to be resolved in accordance with Soviet constitution. No
consent to any international control over elections.
• Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill questioned possible post war partition of Germany into Allied
zones of occupation. Agreed the European Advisory Commission had to carefully study the
question of dismemberment before any final decision.
• International cooperation also a theme in negotiations in Tehran. Roosevelt and Stalin discussed
privately the composition of the UN.
Impact:
• Moscow Conference of Foreign ministers in Oct and Nov 1943, US, Britian, China, and Soviet
Union signed 4 power declaration, called for creation of general internation organisation to
promote international peace and security.
• Roosevelt showed his vision to Stalin for the proposed organisation, future UN would be
dominated by the 4 and would have all the power to stop any threats to peace and emergency that
needs action.
• Roosevelt secured many of his objectives during the conference and the Soviet Union had
committed to joining the war against Japan.
, YELTA CONFERENCE – 1945.
• Held in Russia from 4 to 11 February 1945 during WWII. Plans for the defeat of Germany and
future progress of the war and post war world.
Aims:
• Knew Allied victory was inevitable but less convinced the Pacific War was nearing its end.
• Victory over Japan required protracted fight.
• Discussed conditions under which Stalin would enter war against Japan. Agreed in exchange for
Soviet participation in Pacific, Soviets would get sphere of influence in Manchuria following
Japan surrender.
Decisions:
• All three agreed to include France in post war governing of Germany, Germany assume some but
not all as responsibility for reparations.
• Agreed countries bordering USSR, friendly with communism. USSR hold free elections.
• UN, American plan for voting procedures of Security Council with 5 permanent members
inclusion of France.
Impact:
• FDR died on 12 April 1945; Harry S Truman become thirty-third president of the US.
• Clash between Soviet Union and USA over influence in Eastern Europe and UN lack of
cooperation on soviets.
• Germany divided into four zones of occupation – Russia, America, France and Britian.
• Berlin capital of Germany was situated in the Russian zone, divided into four sections one for
each 4 major powers.
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