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USSR requested for $6b loan from US
US imposed a condition: opening up eastern european market for US manufactured products -
Yalta conference
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US terminated lend lease with the USSR
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Potsdamn conference
Truman offered Stalin information about bomb in retuen for reorganization of Soviet controlled government in Romania and Bulgaria -
Further loan request of $1b claimed to be 'lost' by US state department
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The USSR boycotted the World Bank and International Monetary Fund
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US imposed conditions of dropping trade barriers in Eastern Europe and compensation for US assets seized in Romania and Bulgaria
Early 1946 -
Kennan;s Long Telegramme
Kennan's analysis of Soviet foreign policy emphasised role of communist ideology. Saw leadership as suspicious and aggressive. Audience: US policy makers -
Churchill's Iron Cutain Speech
Used to gauge reaction of the people towards new policy to the USSR. Some terms discussed in the Long Telegramme aired in public for the first time. Hardened attitude of the American public -
All negotiations over loans ended by 1946
Marked the start of economic schism -
Clifford Elsey Report
Truman commissioned two of his advisers ti review US-Soviet relations. Report highlighted example of soviet aggression on Iran and Manchuria, as well as identified ideology and not security concerns as driver of Soviet foreign policy -
Baruch Plan
Concerned frequent inspection of atomic energy installations in UN member states as part of effort to regulate atomic energy. Plan demanded for provision of soviet information about their level of research and development but Americans allowed to retain atomic capabilities -
Truman Doctrine announced
Laid foundation for formulation of Marshall Plan. First US declaration of American resolve to contain communist aggression -
Marshall Plan announced
To restore economic and political stability in Western Eupope.
Primary aim: Contain communism
Secondary aim: Create a captice european market for American goods
Soviets initially willing to cooperate, sent 100 men delegation headed by Molotov to discuss
However the Americans insisted on economic coordination, which meant that the Soviets had to give up exclusive control of their economy. Unacceptable to the USSR -
Czech Coup
Communist seized power in Czechoslovakia. To the west, this was a further insistance of soviet aggression which increased fears in Europe. Catalytic effect on formation of marshall Plan -
Marshall Plan approved
Senates approved plan with a vote of 69-17 while House of representatives approved plan with a vote of 316-75
Cemented economic schism.
The Russians ensured eastern european countries did not participate and produced thier own version of the Marshall Plan- Molotov Plan. This divided europe into 2 economic blocs -
Brussles Pact
Organised to protect eurpoe from communism -
Deutschemark established
US, Britain and France introduced thie new currency that would circulate freely in all 4 zones
Soviets rightly interpreted the creaion of a single currency as the signal for the establishemtn of a new west Germany -
Soviet's introduction of their own currency
The Soviets introduced their own currency reform in their occupation zone, declared its application to whole of Berlin. -
Berlin blockade began
Russian blocked of all roads and rail routes into Berlin.
Western response: Berlin airlift. US and Britain flew more than 200000 flights to Berlin in 320 days and deliverd vital supplies of coal and food to 2.2m west Berliners
Came close to the 1st amred clash between 2 sides. Point where CW might have turned hot
Ended any hope of agreement between east and west
Microcosm of the division of europe -
NATO founded
Armed attack against one or more of the states in NATO= Attack against all.
Increased feeling of military insecurity in south, west and north europe after Berline blockade lead to pressure for common military force to defend the region. Berline blockade hence lead to the formation of NATO -
Berline BLockade lifted