Origins
Define the Grand Alliance.
The war-time alliance of the UK, US, and USSR
The Berlin Crisis was partly caused by the introduction of which currencies to West and East Germany?
The Deutschmark (West) and Ostmark (East)
The border between North and South Korea; became permanent after armistice in 1953
Define the two sides & leaders in the Chinese Civil War.
Nationalists/Kuomintang/KMT (Chiang Kai-shek) vs. Communists/CCP (Mao Zedong)
Define the 'Iron Curtain'
The metaphor for the permanent divide between Western and Eastern blocs in Europe (Churchill's speech 1946)
Explain the role of the atomic bomb in the origins of the Cold War.
How did the US respond to the Berlin Blockade? How long did it last?
With an airlift of goods lasting 11 months
Define the two sides, leaders, & supporters of the Korean War.
North Korea, Kim Il-sung, USSR & PRC vs. South Korea, Syngman Rhee, USA/UN
When did the Chinese Civil War restart after WWII and when did it end?
Restarted full-scale in 1946; ended in Dec. 1949 when KMT fled to Taiwan
List three countries in the Western bloc and three in the Eastern bloc.
West: France, West Germany, UK, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway
East: Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Hungary, etc.
How did the liberation of Europe set the stage for the Cold War?
West Europe liberated by US/UK -> aligned with US/capitalism; East Europe liberated by USSR -> forced into communist regimes
Explain how the Berlin Blockade led to the creation of NATO.
Fear of Soviet aggression encouraged West European countries to seek an alliance (with the US) for mutual protection
List three long-term causes of the Korean War
NSC 68; Red Scare in the US/McCarthyism; Berlin Crisis increasing fear of USSR; Chinese Revolution (PRC)
How did NSC 68 escalate the Cold War in Asia?
It's portrayal of the imminent Soviet threat led to US willingness for military intervention to contain communism, as happened in Korea and Indochina
Define the 'domino effect' and its influence on the Cold War.
The US fear that if one country fell to communism, others would follow its lead and communism would spread like wildfire (dominos falling); influence Truman Doctrine declaration & Marshall Plan aid
Define the Truman Doctrine and its influence on the Cold War.
The US will commit to containing communism by helping to resist communist uprisings; led to clear divide between capitalist west opposed to communist east
The unification of West Germany in June 1948 (threatened Soviet interests in Germany)
When and why did PRC forces join the Korean War?
PRC joined when UN forces nearly reached the Yalu River (northern border) with Manchuria to drive them away from China
Define and explain the terms of the Sino-Soviet Friendship Treaty (1950).
Mutual assistance and defense between USSR & PRC; PRC gives cheap metals to USSR in return for military aid
What was the Czechoslovakia Coup (1948) and why is it significant?
When Czechoslovakia tried to accept Marshall Plan aid, Stalin bullied into refusing & government collapsed when non-communists resigned, leading to communist coup; it partially inspired Truman to stand up to Stalin during the Berlin Crisis out of fear
Explain two disagreements at the Potsdam Conference.
Reparations from Germany; Poland border with Germany; division of Berlin
Led to permanent creation of West (FRG) and East Germany (GDR) and Berlin remained divided under 4-power occupation, with separate currencies
Why did North Korea invade South Korea? (list 3 specific reasons the war started)
Ideological differences; Kim Il-sung's persistence in getting Stalin's support; Mao's impression that Stalin was very committed -> PRC support
Why did Stalin sign the Sino-Soviet Friendship Treaty of 1945?
He believed the KMT were the legitimate Chinese government who could return his pre-1905 rights to Port Arthur & Manchuria
Explain McCarthyism and its impact on cold war crises.
Red Scare in early 1950s when Senator McCarthy witch hunted communists in US government; spread fear in US leading to US willingness to take stronger action vs. the USSR, e.g. in Korean War