-
President in exile Edvard Benes made an agreement with Stalin, felt betrayed by the other Allies since the Munich Conference. Communist leader Gottwald accepted Benes as the president. Coalition government was created, but with communists in key positions.
-
Agreements to open a second front in France, USSR to join war against Japan. Agreed to withdraw from Iran 6 months after the end of the war and guarantee its economic reconstruction.
-
44 countries met in New Hampshire to discuss post-war finances. They decided that to prevent war, economic stability must be preserved. The IMF (international monetary fund) and the IBRD (international bank for reconstruction and development- later the World Bank) was created to fund reconstruction and give loans and grants to war-torn countries.
-
Created by Churchill and Stalin at the Tolstoy conference in Moscow. Set out how the spheres of influence in liberated Europe would be set up, e.g. Greece- Britain/US 90%, Romania- USSR 90%, Bulgaria- USSR 75%, Hungary/Yugoslavia- 50% each
-
USSR formally recognised the communist Committee for National Liberation as the provisional government. Against the wishes of the Allies, who supported the government-in-exile in London. The US and UK did not protest heavily as they needed to maintain the Alliance.
-
Stalin did not trust or respect Truman or Atlee, and believed that the US wanted to dominate western Europe. Truman attempted to use the atomic bomb to ensure Stalin's cooperation. Decisions: demilitarisation, democratisation, denazification, decentralisation. Truman wanted to create more global trade, limit Soviet expansion and ensure future US influence. Atlee wanted to focus on domestic policy, and ensure the US support of western Europe.
-
Ultra right wing Arrow Cross party had taken over in september 1944. After liberation, the communist party was weak and unpopular, so had to cooperate with socialist and smallholders parties. Stalin removed anything that could be considered reparations, but was unsure whether to integrate Hungary into the Soviet bloc
-
Stalin wanted Germany to remain weak with extreme reparations. Roosevelt wanted to develop liberal democracy in Europe and create the UN. Germany/Berlin divided into 4 occupation zones. USSR gained land from Poland according to the Curzon line, while Poland expanded westwards. Declaration on Liberated Europe was signed, Roosevelt believed that Stalin would hold to it.
-
Secret meeting between US, UK and German officials in Bern to discuss a German surrender. USSR purposefully excluded, seen by Stalin as proof of how the US and UK were untrustworthy.
-
Labour Party won a landslide victory. Stalin thought Attlee was weak, Attlee wanted to focus on Britain and secure the special relationship and was unwilling to fight with Stalin. Foreign minister Ernest Bevin was very anti-communist.
-
Hiroshima Nagasaki- 6th and 9th of August. Japan surrenders, ending the war in the Pacific.
-
Oversaw the occupation and reconstruction of Japan.
-
After the coalition 'Fatherland Front' took power at the end of the war, the monarchy was abolished by public vote and the communists eventually took over, declaring a people's republic under Dimitrov
-
George Kennan- US diplomat in Moscow. He believed that communism was an uncompromising ideological threat, with no chance of US-USSR cooperation. He advised Truman that the US must be prepared to use force, as Soviet policy was aggressive and expansionist
-
After the UK and US forces withdrew from Iran, the USSR refused on the grounds that the UK/US wanted to undermine the southern Soviet border. The US protested at the UNSC and accused the USSR of interfering, but the USSR eventually obtained oil concessions to match the US and UK.
-
Fulton, Missouri. Stalin saw this as proof that the US and UK were working together to carry out an ideological assault against the USSR. Many Americans thought it was too aggressive, although Churchill was not Prime Minister any more and did not represent the UK.
-
Nikolai Novikov argued that the US were economic imperialists with a wish for global dominance. Mainly a response to the Long telegram.
-
After communists staged a coup and took over the National Democratic Front in march 1945, King Michael I was eventually forced to abdicate, and a communist republic under Groza was established.
-
Written by George Kennan, although he denied it. Introduced the idea of containing communism (although after the TD)
-
Communist government imposed against the wishes of the UK and US, who believed that Stalin was going back on his word and betraying their trust
-
US under secreatary of state. Found that the weak European economies would in turn damage the US. Believed that US aid was needed to help recovery.
-
British and US zones merged into Bizonia. The British were struggling to support their zone, particularly considering the influx of immigrants from the East and their population of 22.5 million people. They wanted to avoid French or Soviet influence over the industrial Ruhr region- Stalin was demanding joint control, De Gaulle wanted an international control with French influence.
-
Called by the UK and France to discuss the Marshall Plan. A Soviet delegation under Molotov attended initially, but walked out after declaring it an attempt of 'economic imperialism' by the US. Molotov accused the West of dividing Europe into 2 camps. Soviet spies in London had access to diplomatic reports: West never intended to give it to the East, just a gesture. 16 countries took part in the final Plan. Eastern European governments (e.g. Czechoslovakia) were threatened into rejecting it.
-
Initially began as a way to support Greek royalists against communist forces (Britain could no longer intervene). Aimed to protect democracy (aid the "free peoples of the world"), stop the expansion of the USSR and develop their own world power. Demonization of the USSR began, to justify the Doctrine and a shift away from isolationism.
-
Speech at Harvard. $13.5 billion had been given by 1952 to 16 countries in the form of money, goods and equipment (20% loans, 80% grants). Recipients had to import US goods, share any economic information. Aim to prevent communist regimes gaining popularity, develop markets enough for the US to trade with. UK- 24%, France- 21%, West Germany and Italy- 11% each. Ended in 1951 (2 years early) due to Korean war, Republican Congress.
-
Reaction to the Marshall Plan and so called dollar imperialism. Aimed to unite communist groups across Europe and coordinate their action under Soviet leadership. Inspired by the Zhdanov doctrine, where he said the US wanted to create an anti-Soviet empire etc.
-
Stalin and Tito did not get on: Tito did not want to take orders from Moscow. Stalin had stopped Tito sending aid to Greek communists and forming a federation with the southern states
-
British, French, US and Benelux (Belgian, Dutch, Luxembourg) officials met in London, agreed to introduce a new currency to create economic stability. French zone merged with Bizonia and a new currency (the Deutsche Mark) was created. This divided Germany into two economic blocs, and had been done without consulting the USSR or the ACC. They planned to create a West German state that was relatively independent, with a formal constitution (7th June).
-
Had been divided into Soviet and US zones along the 38th parallel after the end of Japanese occupation. The USA orchestrated the creation of the Republic of Korea under Syngman Rhee (Aug) and the USSR created the Democratic People's Republic of Korea under Kim Il Sung (Sep). Both Rhee and Kim wanted to unite Korea under their own form of governance. Rhee tried to convince Truman to help him invade the North. Kim began guerilla attacks on the South.
-
USSR closed all ground links between West Berlin and West Germany to try and force the Allies out of Berlin. The Allies began to airlift supplies from the 24th June (Operation 'Vittles' by USA) and implemented a counter-blockade. 2k tons of supplies a day were delivered, e.g. coal, food, chocolate for children. Easter Sunday 1949, 13k tons of supplies. Called off due to failure. Heightened tensions, showed how trust had disintegrated. Stalin seen as unpredictable, cruel, Allies as compromising.
-
Communists under Gottwald seize power after there was a crisis over Czechoslovakia trying to enter the Marshall Plan. Communists had previously won 38% of the vote in may 1946 but remained part of the National Front coalition. Benes was forced to capitulate. This encouraged Congress to approve the ERP, proof that the USSR was an aggressive threat.
-
Economic advisor Joseph Dodge and finance minister Hayato Ikeda worked to create a directive with plans for economic reconstruction. This included: regulation of trade and foreign exchange, stricter lending criteria, price freezes, efficient taxation. Had a target of 157 million yen. Japan joined the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in 1955 and was not allowed to trade with communist China.
-
Set up in response to the Marshall Plan to provide economic aid to the satellite states: in reality it was used to coordinate the economies of the eastern bloc. Strived for economic self-sufficiency within the bloc. Countries were encouraged to specialize in one area of industry.
-
US commitment to the defense of Europe was uncertain. US wanted Europe to contribute more, reduce dependency. NATO was created with 12 initial members as a primarily political organization, although article 5 stated that an attack against one was an attack against all. USSR perceived this as aggressive, an attempt to dominate Europe.
-
Triggered by the end of US nuclear monopoly and the loss of China. Policy review that advised Truman to build up political, economic and military power in the world, as a globalized Cold War was now inevitable.
-
In elections in August, KPD won only 5.7% of the vote, Konrad Adenauer (CDU) became the Chancellor of the FRG. An occupation statute was set up, with the Western Allies having final decisions on foreign policy and security. Stalin reluctantly created the GDR (East Germany) in October with a 'make-believe' constitution that disguised a one party dictatorship under Wilhelm Piek.
-
This ended the USA's nuclear monopoly: the USSR was able to be more forceful when dealing with Korea etc. Triggered the start of the arms race. The USA feared that they were losing the fight against communism and felt that they had to be more aggressive, particularly in defense of democratic allies e.g. South Korea. Begin to develop a hydrogen bomb to take back nuclear dominance.
-
Mao Zedong's communist party wins the civil war against Jiang Jieshi and the nationalists. Jiang flees to Taiwan and asks for support from the USA. In the China White Paper (July 1949) the USA agreed to secretly support Jiang and the KMT to undermine Mao and weaken the Sino-Soviet alliance, but gave no direct military support.
-
Stalin had previously told Kim not to invade, but gave his approval in March 1950. Kim visited Moscow, then Beijing, to get the support of Stalin and Mao. USSR was in a stronger position after Mao's victory, atomic bomb. Stalin gave 1600 pieces of artillery, 258 T-34 tanks and 178 military aircraft to Kim. He did not send troops to avoid direct confrontation with the USA, but Soviet pilots and planes bombed the US/UN/South Korean forces.
-
Secretary of State Dean G. Acheson discussed a 'defensive perimeter' in the Pacific, which included Japan, the Philippines etc. South Korea was not included in this, leading Kim to believe that the USA would not intervene to protect them against a communist invasion
-
Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance: established a cooperative relationship between the two communist nations. Emphasized mutual support, collective security
-
Kim invaded, pushed southern forces to Pusan. UN force lands at Inchon in Sep and push Kim's forces back over the 38th parallel to the Yantu river. Mao sends 300,000 troops in Oct. MacArthur asked to use nuclear air strikes on China, Truman dismissed him in April. Stalemate from June 51 to July 53, eventually signed an Armistice in Panmunjom. Rhee refused to sign a peace treaty but a demilitarized zone was created. Negotiations dragged due to mistrust, POW debates.
-
US had requested a meeting of the UNSC and used the USSR's absence (boycotting) to pass a resolution requiring an immediate ceasefire. A UN force led by MacArthur (mainly US troops) landed at Inchon and helped the South Korean forces. The UNSC condemned China for intervening, called it an aggressor. 29 countries sent military or medical aid to South Korea. This showed that the UNSC could be effective, but that the US dominated it, could use it to legitimize its intervention.
-
European Coal and Steel community. European industry grew by 35% between 1948-52. Western Europe began to form a single market. Economic growth in the West, with income up 20% by the 1970s.
-
Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were tried and sentenced to death for spying for the USSR. Judge refused to intervene else be accused of being a communist: huge atmosphere of fear.
-
Between Japan, the US, UK and France. Japanese PM Shigeru Yoshida knew that Japan was vital in the US policy of containment in the Far East, saw an opportunity to take back more control. Japan was given full sovereignty (on the condition of renouncing territorial claims) with no war guilt, reparations or economic/military restrictions. The US was given unrestricted access to military bases, complete control of Okinawa and the right to intervene in Japanese politics if necessary.
-
National Police Reserve: 75,000 strong
NSA: 110,000 ground troops, 7600 maritime troops
John Foster Dulles (US diplomat) wanted Japan to build up ground forces. By July 1954, they had 140,000 Self Defense Forces that had been given $240 million from the US. -
Ran alongside Nixon on a platform of McCarthyism. Heavily criticized Truman and the Democrats for being 'soft' on communism, promised he would take a tougher, more aggressive stance. He helped to negotiate the armistice in Korea.
-
Replaced by Malenkov temporarily. This sped up the peace negotiations in Korea, as Stalin had been pushing Kim to be demanding, not give in to the US.
-
Armistice is signed to end the war, but Rhee refuses to sign a peace treaty. Korea remains divided along 38th parallel (return to status quo).
-
After investigating the film industry, Democrats, the State Department and universities, McCarthy was finally discredited after accusing prominent army generals of communism. In December, the Senate voted him guilty of bringing them into disrepute.
-
European Economic Community: early EU. Created a single European trading bloc/market.