-
USSR's problem w/ Germany
-invaded twice by Ger in first half of 20th century, losses incalcuable = security
-Germany's dominance of central EU, potential economic + military strength, wealth =security + economic
-Stalin wanted Russian zone developed as buffer = security
-Soviet determination to extract heftiest reparations possible from Ger, Br + USA allowed USSR to extract limited reparations from their zones = economic -
Motives + Aims of W Govs to USSR
-Before WW2 USA not motivated to spread democracy beyond borders, after it changed-Truman convinced only capitalism + democracy would guarantee stability of world order, USSR WR threat
-primary aim political stability-Churchill + Roosevelt wanted to maintain Grand Alliance + work w/ Stalin
-Stalin clear he was going to influence E EU, Truman insisted he follow the Declaration, Stalin found it hypocritical due to Japan = antagonism -
The Moscow Conference of Minister
-June 1945 Stalin told German Communists of "two Germanies"
-1945 suggested "moment has come to reach into W zones", hesitant
-1946 he told Yugoslavs "all Germany must be ours"
-Next 18 months Stalin managed Communist control over the Soviet part of Ger
-Violence in E Ger created fear + suspicion preventing success
-Compromise over reparations breaking down- Br + USA wished to delay deliveries to USSR for Ger economic recovery
-Bizonia + Deutchmark created, USSR threatened + tried to destroy -
Cominform
-Communist Information Bureau, exerting Soviet influence + co-ordinate policies + tactics of communist parties + satellite states + W EU
-no co-op w/ moderate socialist parties
-successful in Stalinising E EU -
Truman Doctrine
-Feb 1946 Kennan's "Long Telegram", based pn USSR's insecurity, insisted USA pursued long term Containment
-1947 Truman Doctrine, commitment of US gov containing spread of Communism = main driving force in W foreign policy in Cold War
-immediate response to communist insurgence in Greece + Turkey-forced to act after Br gov no longer able to support from Feb 1947
-USA leading role in implementing containment -
Period: to
Marshall Aid
-Truman hoped declaration of containment would suffice
-Secretary of State Marshall thought there was more needed, oversaw drawing up of Eu recovery-$13bil spent to revive economies, 10% of US budget 48-51-improving living standards
-sub motivation to undermine Soviet control-tempting them w/ financial aid
-rebuilding Ger within sectors
-1948 Deutschmark-Soviet not allowed to reverse
-Berlin Airlift response to BB 1948, establishment of FRG-W Berlin showcasing capitalism="economic miracle" -
USSR Aims
-Security
-Economic
-Ideology -
West (USA) Aims
-Political stability
-Containment -
Pro-Moscow Governments in East EU
-Stalin's treatment of satellites direct defiance of Declaration, Soviet authority imposed
-Stalin refused to withdraw Red Army until pro Soviet regimes established- "whoever occupies a territory also imposes his own social system"
-force and threats used, and elections rigged to produce Communist majorities
-purges occured to ensure countries would remain loyal to Moscow-"slicing the salami" -
Period: to
Berlin Blockade
-W determined strong independent W Ger
-London Foreign Ministers' Conf authorised W Ger to draft constitution on 7 June 1948
-Deutschmark W zones 20 June, Stalin responded w/ Ostmark in Soviet zone, allies extended use of Deutschmark in W Berlin
-Stalin cut off road, water + rail links + electricity + fuel to W Berlin, dependent on them
-Stalin protecting USSR, USA saw as violation, Berlin pivotal, Lenin "Berling=Ger=EU=world"
-Stalin believed he could force W to abandon plans
-GDR -> FRG -
Period: to
Berlin Blockade response
-2.3 tonnes of food, coal + necessities, 2000 tonnes a day
-lifts blockade as not prepared to go to war
-failure of Blockade=moral defeat for Stalin -
Comecon
-representatives of Bulgaria, Cz, Hungary, Poland, Romania + USSR set up Council for Mutual Economic Assistance-aim to organize economic cooperation-dominated by USSR
-counterweight to Marshall Plan
-nations behind Iron Curtain wanted to sign up for Marshall Aid, political control
-paper organisation until late 1950s, couldn't compete w/ Marshall Plan + failed with control -
Soviet Control examples + reactions
-USSR nuclear power
-Cominform-sovietisation of satellite states-combat Titoism
-threatens w/ Red Army
-ban on joining hostile alliance =NATO
-make countries reliant on USSR, asking leaders to go there
/ - People's Republic of China established
-America developed hydrogen bomb
-McCarthyism in USA = witchhunt of communists in USA -
NATO
-military alliance committed USA to use of military means to defend status quo in W EU against Soviet aggression-success of Soviet atomic bomb in Aug 1949 + Communist revolution in China Oct 1949=USA fearful
-Korean War 1950, NATO full scale alliance-USA escalating commitment to containing
-W Ger incorporated in NATO 1955-Soviet responded w/ Warsaw Pact-security dilemma -
Successes of W govs?
-greatest disappointment=unavoidable acceptance of Soviet domination E EU
-despite offering USA money to USSR to rebuild + indulging in "atomic diplomacy" to threaten Stalin, W govs had to accept Soviet control of Iron Curtain
-containing communism beyong IC success,USA unrivalled leadership of W govs, united by fear of Red Army
-W/ strong support from USA, W govs succeeded in restoring stability across W EU + established democratic + capitalist govs who had ties to USA=9% growth per annum