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Period: to
WW2
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Tehran Conference
(linked to the Polish Issue)
Chruchill said to Stalin that the USSR could absorb part of eastern Poland (thereby regaining its 1914 boundaries) while the latter would gain part of eastern Germany. This was not objected by Roosevelt but he said that he could not publicly agree so as not to alienate Polish-American votes which amounted up to 7 million at that time. -
Period: to
Origins of the Cold War
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Percentages Agreement
(linked to the Polish Issue)
Churchill informally mentioned to Stalin that Britain would have 90% influence in Greece while the USSR would have 75% infleunce in Romania and 90% in Bulgaria. Though this was not attneded by Roosevelt, he did not openly oppose to the terms. -
US Dollar Diplomacy #1
(linked to US aggression)
The USSR asked for a loan of $6 billion from the US. The US immediately responded by imposing the condition of opening Eastern European markets to US-manufactured products. A further request of $1 billion loan in August was claimed 'lost' by the US. *date is incorrect -
Yalta Conference
(linked to the Polish Issue)
Besides drawing up plans for finishing the war in Europe and the Far East, it also attempted to lay the foundations of the coming peace. THe leaders were only able to reach agreement through a series of ambiguous compromises which coud be interpreted differently by each leader, which included conducting of free elections in Poland and including democratic politicians in the Polish Provisional Government. The terms were crafted so vague that it could be manipulated. -
Trieste
(linked to USSR's actions)
The ownership of Trieste had historically been disputed between Yugoslavia and Italy. Tito's forces entered the port city in May 1945. The US perceived this internvetion as Soviet expansionism even though Tito was acting independently. The Greek Civil War and involvement of Greek communists increased the US' fear due to increased presence of communists in Balkan states and Yugoslavia. -
US Atomic Diplomacy #1
(linked to US aggression)
Truman offered Stalin information about the atomic bomb in refurn for the reorganisation of Soviet-controlled governments in Bulgaria and Romania (by including more democratic elements). This marked the start of the nuclear arms race with the Soviets speeding up their own atomic programme instead of being intimidated. (*date is wrong) -
Manchuria (WW2)
(linked to USSR's actions)
The USSR recognised KMT as the legitimate government of China but handed Japanese weapons to the CPC and allowed them to establish foothold in Manchuria and northern China. IN September 1945, the US responded by sending 50000 US marines to north CHina to assist the KMT armies in the area. This contributes to the outbreak of the Cold War as it had severe implications on the level of trust the US had with USSR, thereby causing a breakdown in their relations. -
Korea
(linked to USSR's actions)
The USSR moved its troops into North Korea to take over from the Japanese after they surrendered near the end of WW2. The US was worried about a further spread of communism and quickly sent troops to occupy the South. Stalin did not object to US occupation, therefore creating a division of Korea along the 38th parallel. This contributes to the start of the Cold War as it displays the elements of ideology conflict between the two superpowers. -
Iran Crisis of 1946
(linked to USSR's actions)
Soviet troops had been stationed in Iran to stop seizure of the Persian Oilfields by the Axis powers during WW2. Soviet troops still remained in Iran and encouraged separatist movements in the Northern provinces of Azerbaijan and Kurdistan. The US saw this as an attempt by Stalin to create a sphere of ineluence on its southern perimeter and immediately took the issue to the UN when the Soviets did not observe the deadline of March 1946 to withdraw.
(*date is wrong) -
US Dollar Diplomacy #2
(linked to US aggression)
In early 1946 (*date is wrong), the US imposed the condition of dropping trade barriers in Eastern Europe and compensation for US assets seized in Bulgaria and Romania on a request by the Soviets for a loan. By June 1946, all loan negotiations ceased between them. However, this does not mean that the USSR no longer wants to cooperate with the US economically. -
Kennan's Long Telegramme
(linked to US internal changes)
Kennan's analysis of Soviet foreign policy emphasised role of communism and saw the leadership as suspicious and aggressive. He believed there should be no compromise with the Soviets and yet offered no solutions. This was the decisive factor which caused Truman's administration to change their policy towards one that was more anti-USSR. Hence, the US would no longer be compromising towards the USSR nor willing to cooperate. -
Churchill's Iron Curtain Speech
(liniked to US' internal changes)
This was the first time the US publicised what was privately discussed in the Long Telegramme to the US public, which hardened the attitude of the public towards the Soviets. The USSR took no concrete action but only called Churchill a warmonger and accused him of trying to start another war. -
Clifford-Elsey Report
(linked to US' internal changes)
It consisted of a review of US-Soviet relations and highlighted examples of Soviet aggression in Iran and Manchuria as well as identified ideology and not security concerns as the driver of Soviet foreign policy. This reflects the US perception of the USSR which had fully crystallised and justified US actions.
(*date is wrong) -
Truman Doctrine
(linked to US Containment)
This was created due to British withdrawal from Greece during its civil war as well as threat posed by Soviets in Turkey. It was the first public declaration of US's intention to contain communism, albeit implicitly. It was accompanied by increase in US military preparedness in the form of National Security Act. The fact that there was no Soviet response meant that the Truman Doctrine did not mark the start of the Cold War, or at least from Soviet's POV. -
Marshall Plan
(linked to US Containment)
This was launched by George Marshall when he saw the economic devastation in Western Europe which would make it vulnerable to communism. It aims to contain communism primarily as well as to create a captive European market for US goods. The Soviets were still willing to cooperate initially as they send a 100-man delegation to US. Yet unacceptable conditions imposed by the US ended all economic cooperation after that. This cemented the economic schism. -
Berlin Blockade
This was one aspect of the German Qns. Actions taken by the US to revive the German economy (being the lynchpin of European market) was seen as a threat to national security by Soviets as it meant a revival of its wartime enemy. The creation of the Deutschemark on 20th June 1948 was the triggering point. -
NATO
This came after Brussels Pact (March 1948) which did not involve the US. The initiation from Western European countries after realising that the defence of Western Europe would only be viable with US involvement. This began a military split in Europe with the formation of Warsaw Pact (1955). However, the Warsaw Pact was not formed in direct response to the NATO. -
Warsaw Pact
This was formed in response to the joining of NATO by West Germany. The pact was primarily motivated by Soviet desires to maintain control over military forces in Central and Eastern Europe.
