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Period: to
Origins of the Cold War
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Yalta Conference
Decided to divide Germany into 4 zones, each zone taken care of by each superpower. Extract reparations from each zone. -
Potsdam conference
Each superpower took reparations and transfered it to Soviets in exchange for raw materials and food. However, Soviets did not do as promised. -
The Long telegram
By George Kennan
Explained Soviet mindset as to why they want to expand their territory - history of invasion from the West
It gave Americans a cleare and tougher policy towards the Soviets
Shaped future policies -
Iron Curtain Speech
Winston Churchill
Explained what the Soviets wanted to do and that they need to learn from the mistakes of appeasement - needed to be firmer in negotiations -
Truman Doctrine
Britain withdrawing from Greece - US feared that Soviets will fill the gap.
Truman gave a speech insisting that US must supply assistance
This shaped US participation in the future - $400 million given to Greece and Turkey
A clear policy that saw Soviets as threats - shaped public perception -
Marshall Plan
George Marshall announced an economic assistance programme for western Europe - grants to purchase food, raw materials and machinery from the US.
Aims : contain communism
Economic motives - captive market or American goods -
Czech Coup
Example of Stalin's tightening grip on the Soviet Bloc
Czech communists seized power and murdered pro-Western Czech foreign minister, Jan Masaryk when he pursued interests in the Marshall Plan -
Marshal Plan implemented
Opposition to financial aid crumbled after Czech Coup.
Congress granted the President $17 billion -
Deutschmark introduced in Berlin
The old currency in Berlin lost its value and US introduced Deutschmark in Berlin.
Soviets were angry as they wanted Germany to be weak -
Berlin Blockade
Soviets cut off all roads, rail and inland waterway routes to Berlin.
Aim: Cancel US, France and Britain's plans for a west German state. In the very least, drive western powers out of Berlin. -
Berlin Airlift
Marshall - " we are in Berlin and we intend to stay "
American and British planes flew more than 200,000 flights to Berlin in 320 days to drop off supplies.
US did not want to appear weak, wanted to contain communism -
NATO
NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
principle of collective security where an attack on one or more member state is considered as attack on all and could be met with armed force.
American commitment to contain and repel communism - shift from isolation
Aclear military strategy to counter Soviets on the ground in Europe.
Lacked military strength on the ground and initially relied on US threat of nuclear retaliation against Soviet's much larger ground forces. -
Berlin Blockade ended
Berlin Blockade ended in a major victory for Americans. -
Warsaw Pact