Expansionism of communism in Europe
What ideology did the Soviet Union promote in Eastern Europe after WWII?
Communism. The Soviet Union supported communist governments and political systems based on Soviet-style socialism.
What was the main purpose of the Marshall Plan?
To provide economic assistance to help rebuild European countries after WWII and encourage economic and political stability.
Which country used atomic bombs against Japan in 1945?
The United States.
What was Truman's general approach toward the spread of communism?
Containment — preventing communism from spreading into additional countries.
Which three major Allied leaders attended the Yalta Conference?
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin.
Name two Eastern European countries that came under Soviet influence after WWII.
Poland and Hungary. Other examples include East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania.
Which U.S. president introduced the Truman Doctrine?
Harry S. Truman.
What happened when the Soviet Union successfully tested its first atomic bomb in 1949?
The U.S. lost its nuclear monopoly, and the nuclear arms race between the USA and USSR intensified.
Why did Stalin want friendly or communist governments in Eastern Europe?
Stalin wanted a buffer zone between the USSR and Western Europe. The Soviet Union had suffered enormous destruction during WWII and had previously been invaded from the West.
In what year did the Yalta Conference take place?
1945.
What was the term used to describe the Soviet-controlled states of Eastern Europe?
The Eastern Bloc. These countries were politically and economically aligned with the Soviet Union.
What was the Truman Doctrine designed to prevent?
It aimed to contain the spread of communism, particularly by supporting countries threatened by communist movements or Soviet pressure.
Why did the development of nuclear weapons create fear between the USA and USSR?
Both countries gained the ability to cause enormous destruction. Each feared that the other could use nuclear weapons or gain enough power to threaten its security.
Why could Truman argue that his policies were responses to Soviet actions rather than attempts to provoke conflict?
The USA could point to Soviet consolidation of power in Eastern Europe and argue that policies such as the Truman Doctrine were responses designed to protect countries from further communist expansion.
What major issue concerning Eastern Europe was discussed at Yalta?
The future of Poland and Eastern Europe, including questions about governments, elections, and Soviet influence.
How did Stalin strengthen communist control over Eastern European countries?
Soviet influence was established through communist parties taking control of governments, political opposition being suppressed, and countries becoming increasingly tied to the USSR economically and militarily.
Why did the Soviet Union view the Marshall Plan as a threat?
Stalin believed U.S. economic assistance could increase American influence in Europe and weaken Soviet influence. The USSR therefore rejected the plan and pressured Eastern European countries to reject it as well.
What is meant by the term “arms race”?
A competition between countries to develop and accumulate increasingly powerful military weapons, especially nuclear weapons during the Cold War.
What security concerns could Stalin use to justify Soviet influence over Eastern Europe?
The USSR had suffered catastrophic losses during WWII and had been invaded through Eastern Europe. Stalin could argue that governments friendly to Moscow would create a defensive buffer against another potential invasion.
How did the situation at Potsdam differ from Yalta in terms of the leaders involved?
At Potsdam, Harry Truman represented the USA instead of Roosevelt, and Clement Attlee replaced Churchill during the conference after becoming British prime minister.
Why did the expansion of communism in Eastern Europe increase tensions between the USA and USSR?
The USA saw the spread of Soviet-backed governments as evidence that Stalin intended to expand communism beyond the USSR. The Soviets, meanwhile, argued that friendly governments in Eastern Europe were necessary for Soviet security. This created a security dilemma, where each side interpreted the other's actions as threatening.
How could the USA argue that the Marshall Plan was primarily about economic recovery rather than American imperialism?
The U.S. can point to the fact that the plan provided economic assistance to rebuild European economies after WWII. It was also offered broadly to European countries, although Soviet-controlled governments ultimately did not participate. The USA could argue that economic stability would reduce poverty and political instability that could make extremist movements more attractive
Why might the USA argue that maintaining strong military forces was necessary for deterrence rather than simply threatening the USSR?
The USA could argue that military strength discouraged Soviet aggression by making the potential cost of conflict extremely high. The idea was that if both sides knew an attack could lead to devastating retaliation, neither would want to start a war.
Why was Churchill's description of the Soviet expansion important?
It helped communicate to Western audiences that Europe was becoming divided into two competing political spheres. It also reinforced concerns about Soviet influence and encouraged Western countries to cooperate against further communist expansion.
Why did disagreements over Poland and Eastern Europe at Yalta and Potsdam contribute to growing tension?
The Allies had different visions for Eastern Europe. The USA and Britain wanted genuinely representative governments and elections, while Stalin wanted governments that would be friendly to the USSR. Disagreements over how much political freedom Eastern European countries would have became a major source of mistrust.