Origins of the Cold War
Name the author of the 'Long Telegram' and the Soviet response telegram
George Kennan
Novikov Telegram
Name the 2 examples of successful containment in Europe
Greece and Turkey
What was the main goal of the Marshall Plan?
To provide economic aid to help European countries rebuild after World War II and prevent the spread of communism
What does the acronym NATO stand for?
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Who coined the term 'The Iron Curtain' and what is the significance?
Winston Churchill
Stalin responded by accusing the West of warmongering and comparing Churchill to Hitler. This exchange intensified hostility and reinforced the idea that Europe was now divided into two opposing blocs.
Why was the Truman Doctrine considered a turning point in the Cold War?
It marked a shift in US foreign policy to actively containing communism. The USA provided military and economic aid to Greece and Turkey to prevent Soviet expansion.
Explain Domino Theory and give one example
If one country falls to communism all of the countries around it will fall to communism, ex) Greece, Turkey, Vietnam, Korea, Cuba
How did the Marshall Plan help strengthen the USA’s position in the Cold War?
It helped Western European economies recover, making them less likely to turn to communism. It also increased US influence in Europe by encouraging trade and cooperation with America.
Why was NATO created?
NATO was created for the Western nations to coordinate their defense system against USSR
Which two countries were the first to receive aid under the Truman Doctrine, and why?
Greece and Turkey received aid because they were under threat from communist expansion.
What was discussed and agreed upon during the Yalta Conference?
Agreements included the division of Germany into four zones, the formation of the United Nations, and Stalin’s promise to hold free elections in Eastern Europe. However, there were tensions over Poland’s future government and Soviet influence in Eastern Europe.
How did the Truman Doctrine support the policy of containment?
Truman Doctrine provided military and economic aid to countries threatened by communism. It signaled the USA’s commitment to stopping the spread of communism worldwide.
Why did the Soviet Union reject the Marshall Plan, and how did they respond?
The USSR saw it as an attempt to spread American influence and undermine communism. Stalin created Comecon (Council for Mutual Economic Assistance) in 1949 in response
What event in 1948-49 convinced the US that NATO was needed? What is the goal of NATO?
Berlin Airlift
Provide collective security in Europe, against the Soviet Union
Name 6 out the 8 countries that were apart of the Warsaw Pact
Bulgaria, Albania, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, USSR, East Germany
Why did tensions between the USA and the USSR increase at the Potsdam Conference?
Truman took a harder stance against the USSR than Roosevelt. The USA had successfully tested the atomic bomb, which increased Soviet mistrust. Stalin refused to allow free elections in Eastern Europe, and disagreements over Germany’s future led to further divisions between East and West.
Why was the Turkish Straits Crisis important for the USA’s containment policy?
The USSR pressured Turkey for control over the Turkish Straits, which were strategically important for Soviet access to the Mediterranean. The USA responded with military and economic support for Turkey, making it clear that it would resist Soviet expansion.
In what ways did the Marshall Plan contribute to increasing tensions between the USA and the USSR?
It deepened Cold War divisions, as Stalin accused the USA of ‘dollar imperialism.’ It also led to the USSR tightening control over Eastern Europe, worsening East-West relations
What event triggered the creation of the Warsaw Pact?
West Berlin being admitted into NATO in 1954 which confirmed the Soviet Union’s fears concerning the dangers of a return to an armed Germany on the Soviet Union’s borders
Stalin began using clandestine and internal political intrigue and manipulation in 1945 in many Eastern European nations. What was this process called, and name one country it was used in?
Salami Tactics
Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland, Austria, Romania
What was the Berlin Blockade and how did it worsen relations between the USA and the USSR?
Stalin blockaded West Berlin to force the Allies out and prevent the unification of Western Germany. In response, the USA and its allies organized the Berlin Airlift, supplying West Berlin for nearly a year. This deepened mistrust between the superpowers, led to the official division of Germany, and prompted the formation of NATO in 1949, escalating Cold War tensions further.
How did the Greek Civil War contribute to the development of containment?
Communist and anti-communist forces fought for control of Greece. Britain initially supported the anti-communists but withdrew due to financial difficulties. The USA stepped in with aid under the Truman Doctrine, preventing a communist takeover. This was one of the first direct applications of containment.
How did the Marshall Plan contribute to the division of Europe after 1945?
The Marshall Plan strengthened the divide between Western and Eastern Europe. Western countries that accepted US aid became more closely aligned with the USA, while the Soviet Union responded by tightening control over its satellite states and creating Comecon. This economic division reinforced the political and ideological split between the two blocs, solidifying the division of Europe
Why was the formation of the Warsaw Pact a turning point in the Cold War?
The Warsaw Pact officially divided Europe into two opposing military blocs, solidifying the division between East and West. It also ensured Soviet military dominance in Eastern Europe, making it harder for countries to break away from Soviet control. This formalized Cold War rivalry and made future conflicts more likely
Define Dollar Diplomacy and give an example
The use of economic aid, loans, and trade agreements to promote pro-Western governments and prevent Soviet expansion.
Ex) Greece, Turkey, any country that received Marshall Aid