A complete set of notes on the The Cold War Theme 1 topic. This includes an in-depth analysis The Cold War in Germany, The Cuban Missle Crisis and the Vietnam War. of These notes are based on the IEB Matric / Grade 11 Syllabus. I achieved 90% for the History prelim using these notes.
- A period of prolonged confrontation, tension & rivalry between USA and The Soviet
Union & their respective allies from the end of WWII to the end of the 1980s
- The period is characterised by mutual mistrust and suspicion of each other’s
intentions
- Confrontation was generated and sustained by a clash of ideological interests &
underpinned by a nuclear arms race and permanent threatening shadow of politics
- There was no actual fighting or “hot” war
- There were occasional areas of conventional warfare whereby the superpowers
supported opposing sides: Wars by Proxy
- Germany became the “playground” for both sides
The Roots of the Cold War
- Roots began before 1945
TENSIONS BETWEEN THE USA & THE USSR BEFORE WWII
I. The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917
- Communism is born in Russia under Lenin
- Lenin withdrew Russia from World War I
- West feels abandoned by Russia & suspicious of communism
,II. Civil War 1918
- The USA and her allies as the “Whites” fought against the “Reds”
• Caused communists to feel threatened and betrayed by the West
III. Competing Ideologies
- Communism & Capitalism are directly opposed to each other
IV. Stalin’s policies during his Reign [1927 onwards]
- USA disliked his dictatorial & violent approach to power
- The purges resulted in 40 million Russians being murdered by Stalin
V. Stalin’s non-agression pact with Hitler in 1939
- This caused the West to mistrust the USSR who were seen to appease Hitler &
tolerate German Nazi agression against the West
AMERICAN CAPITALISM
- People should be free to make as much money as they can.
- Factories and other property should be owned by individuals and companies.
- The government should interfere as little as possible in the lives of ordinary
people.
- At elections people should be allowed to choose anyone they want for the
government.
- The Press should be allowed to criticise the government.
- The government should not interfere with religion.
, SOVIET COMMUNISM
- Rich people are wicked and selfish. They should be forced to share their wealth.
- Factories and other property should be owned by the state on behalf of all the
people.
- A communist government should get involved in every aspect of life.
- At elections people should only be allowed to choose communists for government.
- The Press should never criticise a communist government.
- Religious belief is nonsense and should be wiped out by the government.
TENSIONS BETWEEN THE USA & THE USSR DURING WWII
- Between 1941 and 1945 the USSR & USA were uneasy allies because they had a
common enemy in Germany
- United with a common goal to defeat Nazi Germany
- Hitler defied his non-agression pact with Stalin & invaded the USSR in 1941
I. The West Delayed opening a 2nd Front in 1941
- A 2nd Front aimed to assist Russia when she was attacked by Germany
- Stalin asked for assistance BUT the Allies delayed responding & sent troops to North
Africa instead
- Russia experienced massive losses initially & blamed the West
- Suspicion & Mistrust increased
II. USA remained silent & secretive about testing the Atomic bomb
, - USA did not inform the USSR of their decision to drop the bomb on Japan in August
1945
- FDR started this program & Truman continued it after FDRs death
- Stalin knew of the program but was still mistrustful of the West
- After WWII & the defeat of Nazi Germany there was no need for this uneasy alliance
- Before his death, Hitler predicted the start of the cold war:
• There will only be two powers in the world: The United States and Soviet Russia.
• Through the laws of history and geographical position these giants are destined to
struggle with each other either through war, or through rivalry in economics and
political idea.
TENSION AFTER WORLD WAR II CENTRED AROUND THE
DECISIONS TAKEN OVER THE PARTITION AND
ADMINISTRATION OF GERMANY.
Yalta Conference
- February 1945 (Before Germany had surrendered)
- To discuss the issue of Germany
- Leaders present: The Big 3
1. Churchill
2. Stalin
3. Roosevelt
AGREEMENTS REACHED AT YALTA
1. Once war was over: 3 zones of occupation in Germany
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