What are different ideas of causes of the Cold War?
- opposing political ideologies
- power balances
- differing economic policies
- both attempting to take the same place as hegemon once the other nations were weakened
- at the heart of Lenin’s ideology, he challenged the capitalist class system, which the west benefits from. This ideology threatens western colonies and would weaken europe, so it no longer posed a threat to the USSR
- the soviet threat seen in WW2 did not die, without common enemy could be aimed at the west
- UN charter right to self determination, part of USSR, is incompatible with European colonialism
What caused the positive relations between the US and USSR in WW2?
- common enemy brought alliance
- Roosevelt- non ideological, not limited by Stalin’s ideology, built a relationship
What happened between 1944-45 to create tension?
Problems developed over Poland, as USSR were in control and changed its borders. In Yalta 1945 it was agreed that the polish government was to contain soviet regime and democratic elements.
What growing ensigns were there there from 1946-47?
- soviet expansion threatened west
- decline of European powers led them to need US support
- Truman came into power with no understanding of Roosevelt, viewing the USSR and Yalta differently
- Truman doctrine- 1st policy change
- anti- communist forces entered Greece
- rhetoric change- Churchill’s Fulton speech in 46
- Stalin’s re-election speech marked the ideologies incompatible
What changes were made between 1947 and 50?
- June- Marshall Plan
- Kennan gave long telegram
What did the Marshall plan imply?
It undercut the attraction of communism by providing the means for Europe to redevelop. It forced the accepting countries to open their economies to the US, making them accept capitalism. Hence, it can be seen as more aggressive than beneficient
What were the Cold War events between 1948-50?
- 48: communist seizure of Czechoslovakia marked domination of Eastern Europe
- 48: Berlin was blockaded and airlift as USSR took goods from US/ UK sphere
- 49- east and west Germany were 2 separate states
- 49- soviet explosion of atomic weapon
- NATO formed- alliance against USSR
- 49: deutchmark in west Germany
- Comecon and Warsaw Pact creates in soviet response
When did Mao win power in China?
1949
What were the implications of Mao’s victory?
US loses its strong position in Asia
When was the Korean War?
1950-53
What happened in the Korean War?
- north invasion of south
- UN approved US led military intervention
- Chinese intervention drove US out
- creation of spheres
When did Stalin die?
1953
What were the implications of Stalin’s death?
Kruschev was more flexible. Mao was against weak USSR rule so became a more independent communist state.
What impact did the invention of the H bomb have?
It was unstoppable, as there were no practical defence measures. Increased threat of mutually assured destruction.
What happened in 1962?
Cuban missile crisis
What happened in the Cuban missile crisis?
- result of Castro coming to power in 59, 90 miles off Florida coast
- following the Bay of Pigs attack, soviet aid was given
- missiles placed on Cuba
- US blockaded Cuba
- US compromised and pledged not to overthrow Castro and remove missiles from turkey if USSR removed them from Cuba
When was the Vietnam war?
1965-73
What were the implications of the Vietnam war for the US?
They were hit by economic struggle as it dragged on. They went from being half the world’s production to 25%.
What actions were made in deténte?
- 1972- Nixon- Salt 1
- 1975- ford- Helsinki accords: all European states are equal and legitimate
- 1979- salt 2
- Carter- prioritised human rights over hard power balancing
What were the actions resulting from the Brezhnev doctrine?
- 1956: intervention in Hungary
- 1968: intervention in Czechoslovakia
- 1968: martial law in Poland
- 1979: soviet invasion of Afghanistan
What were US actions in the ‘2nd cold war’?
- JFK pledges man on moon by 1969
- reagan: Star Wars (sdi)- violation of existing treaties to soviets
- failure to ratify SALT 2
What ideological shift took place in the 70s/80s in the US/UK?
Anti- communist ideology as reagan and thatcher were elected, promoting Neo-liberal values.
What were gorvachev’s actions to descale the Cold War?
- 1988: soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan and Eastern Europe
- declaration of end of Brezhnev doctrine
What happened in 1989?
The fall of the Berlin Wall and end of the Romanian communist rule.
