Cold War - Topic 2: Early Developments 1945-49
Causes of the 1st Berlin Crisis (specifically the Berlin Blockade), June 1948-May 1949
How did the USSR gain control of Eastern Europe: How did the ‘war of words’ increase hostilities between the US and Truman Doctrine: At the Potsdam Conference, the Big 3 agreed to divide Germany and Berlin into 4 zones. Division = meant to be temporary.
ACC = was the main organisation for the zones + soldiers on the streets & military checkpoints between the zones.
Yugoslavia: 1945 = A communist, Tito became the president = wanted to apply the USSR, 1946? Stalin responded to Truman’s speech
by creating the Cominform = Different views on Germany:
communism in his own way. Yugoslavia = never taken over by the Red Army - had more The 3 W powers & the USSR = had different ways of looking at Germany. Stalin = wanted to keep Germany weak because a
organisation = was created to bring
independence than other satellite states. Stalin & Tito disagreed so much - Yugoslavia = The Long Telegram, 22nd Feb 1946: unity to communist countries behind strong Germany was a threat to the USSR (invaded 1941 + lost 20 million men WW2). USSR = wanted to take as many
expelled from Cominform in 1948. George Kennan = the US’ ambassador in Moscow + worked in the USSR = diplomat = sent an 8,000 word materials, including industrial
the ‘iron curtain’. Stalin = used =
technology, as possible from Germany to help rebuild the USSR , whilst the w countries wanted to build up Germany’s
telegram to the US on the 22nd February 1946 = views were taken seriously by the US government. organisation = directing + controlling economy. The West hoped that, if Germany could become wealthy, it would be a better trading partner + easier to resist
Bulgaria: 1945 = Left-wing coalition government won elections through the use of Contained a message = worried US government. Kennan said = Stalin wanted the destruction of capitalism + the governments of the satellite states. communism + become a buffer against EE. W zones were encouraged to make improvements. E.g: free elections +
intimidation. Communist members of the coalition executed the leaders of the other parties said that Stalin believed that the world outside the USSR was unfriendly and looking to destroy communism. Cominform = spread propaganda establishment of democracy.
so it was only the communists in the government. Telegram outlined his fears about Soviet ambitions.The USSR wanted to spread its influence + saw the US as the about America = like the Nazis.
enemy. However, Kennan believed that the USSR = not self-destructive = if it faced strong resistance, it would Actions of the West: 1. Bizonia: 1947: US & Britain merged their German zones to form Bizonia = seen as a provocative
soften its position. The Truman Doctrine = US’ previous act from Stalin’s perspective= believed this was the W’s way of: stronger, unified Germany. This = also against what had been
Romania: 1945 = Communist was elected as the Prime Minister of Romania in a left- The US government agreed with what Kennan said + introduced a policy of ‘containment’ (the Truman Doctrine, policy of isolationism (during WW1 and previously agreed (Yalta-1943) + broke what agreement at Potsdam - that all economic decisions about Germany must be
wing coalition. 1947 = Communists abolished the monarchy in Romania. WW2) = replaced with policy of agreed to by all 4 powers in the ACC.
1947) to stop communism from spreading (contain communism to Eastern Europe). This confirmed Truman’s
worst fears of the USSR - its intention to spread communism throughout Europe. containment + became more involved in
European Affairs = big change = to 2. The London Conference and Trizonia:
Hungary: 1947 = communists became the largest party in the elections after previous policy of isolationism. To fulfil
1948 = conference (London) between 3 W’s - USSR = not invited. Aim = create a democratic government in the W Allies zones
intimidation. They imprisoned opposition politicians and attacked Church leaders. By 1949, > Effects: Increased tensions, Formation of the Policy of Containment the policy of containment, the US
of G - recent communist takeover (Czechoslovakia 1948) made it urgent. Agreed that 3 W’s zones = merge to create a new
country called Trizonia( March 1948).
Rakosi (leader of the CP) had established himself as the communist dictator of Hungary -
very pro-Stalin.
Churchill’s Iron Curtain speech, March 1946: decided on the Marshall Plan/Aid = US > Stalin: West ‘ganging up’ on the USSR = deliberately forcing the Soviet zone into poverty = now even more determined to
March 1946 = Churchill = no longer British prime minister but still had enormous influence. When visiting gave money to countries in Europe = stand strong & protect Soviet interests in G + G = should follow a communist ideology. Trizonia became the Federal Republic
Missouri, in the US = gave a speech = made it clear that he thought the USSR was a threat to freedom + world risk of falling to communism. Truman of Germany (West Germany) in May 1949. The 3 W powers = made it clear to the USSR at a meeting of the ACC in March 1948,
Poland: After WW2 the communists joined a coalition government, then became the peace. Churchill criticised the actions of the USSR, accusing it of attempting to spread its influence and gain Doctrine = committed the US to the
defence of WE = contributed = division
that they wanted Trizonia to work as one economic unit. This caused the USSR to quit the ACC and walk out.
3. Marshall Plan:
outright leaders in 1947 when they forced the non-communist leader into exile. more power at all costs - communist governments had recently been set up in countries in Eastern Europe + Trizonia = included = one of the countries = receive Marshall Plan + benefit from the financial support, becoming more affluent
Churchill = worried. of Europe into E & W into 2 rivals +
linking Western nations to the US. + capitalist + created a big difference in the living standards between Trizonia and the Soviet zone (economic disparity). Stalin
Czechoslovakia: After WW2, a coalition government was set up to try and restore Churchill = invisible dividing line between E & W = ‘iron curtain’ = ended almost all contact between countries on
either side of it, including trade and tourism.
Thanks to the Truman Doctrine = Greek
= didn't want demands for capitalism in the Soviet zone of G.
4. New currency:
democracy. Stalin = saw this as a threat to the buffer zone. Feb 1948: communists Civil War ended in royalist victory + the
June 1948: The Trizonia created a single currency, the Deutschmark (DM): To give economic unity.USSR = furious = separate
(supported by the USSR) staged an uprising and non-communists were removed from Greek communists fled. economic unity from the E + gave impression of 2 Germany's’: W & E (more difficult for Stalin to unite Germany under
power and a pro-Soviet communist government was set up under the leadership of > USA: Convinced Truman to take a tougher approach towards the USSR + helped shift US public + political communism). The day after the new currency was put in place, Stalin set up the blockade of Berlin.
Gottwald. They banned all other political parties. opinion = still somewhat supportive of the USSR (Grand Alliance during WW2), against Stalin + the USSR = On 12th March 1947 = Truman = speech Soviet actions:
easier for Truman to take a tougher stance against the USSR = believed that Churchill’s ‘iron curtain’ speech = Truman promised support (economic ● 1947: W powers wanted to have a mayor of the W zones in Berlin = Reuter was elected. USSR did not support him because
convinced Truman to deliver his Truman Doctrine Speech in 1947. aid) to nations to contain the spread of he abandoned communism.
Albania: = never occupied by the Red Army during WW2 - had more independence than > USSR: Stalin saw the speech as a deliberate + unfair attempt to show the USSR as aggressive + communism + also announced that the
other Soviet satellite states. However, communists gained power immediately after the war - untrustworthy. Churchill = speaking in the US + shown his speech to Truman beforehand. Stalin thought US would give economic aid to Greece
not much opposition. Churchill's beliefs aligned with Americans beliefs. This speech increased tension + led the USSR to strengthen + Turkey. They would provide these 2 Impact of Berlin Crisis:
its forces by ensuring more countries in Eastern Europe became communist. Stalin also increased Soviet anti- countries = $400 million + send in Superpower rivalry: Berlin Crisis Events: 14th June
American military help. Publicly stated
East Germany: The Allies had given the USSR control of the eastern sector of Western propaganda, for eg he called Churchill a “warmonger” along with his “friends” in the US.
= world was divided between 2 ways of
Berlin Crisis = increased rivalry between the superpowers = US portrayed the airlift
= significant victory + portrayed the blockade = aggression from Stalin. But Stalin
1948: Stalin decided to shut off the
land routes across Soviet-controlled
Germany after WW2. It was run by the USSR using the Red Army until the creation of a pro- > Effects:Increased tension, stronger western unity life: the free, non-communist and the saw the first Berlin Crisis = humiliation (he hadn’t managed to force the Western G into B =‘Berlin Blockade’ = to force
Soviet German Democratic Republic (GDR) in 1949. unfree, communist = insulted powers permanently out of Berlin) that he had to fix = explain why the USSR the W Allies to not carry out any more
actions on G that he didn’t agree with
Novikov Telegram, September: communism. The TD showed a clear pushed ahead with their nuclear weapon testing = successfully tested their first
atomic bomb in August 1949. = wanted Allies to withdraw from B.
Novikov = Soviet diplomat in Washington = telegram to the government in Moscow (USSR) shows that some shift in approach = US’ change from
What was the Marshall Plan, 1948-52? Soviets equally did not trust the West. cooperating with the USSR (during
WW2) to a degree of confrontation = Division of Germany: Creation of (FRG/West Germany):
Problems in WG:E.g: Restriction on
the freedom to travel outside B for all
USA = not suffered the same damage to infrastructure + industry during WW2 that European His telegram = US wanted to use its massive military power to dominate the world. Since Roosevelt’s death = US shows to Stalin the US’s willingness to
As a result of the Berlin Crisis = breakdown = superpower’s cooperation over Gs, food shortage = WB only had
countries had = America = better position to provide economic aid to Europe. Furthermore, no longer wanted to cooperate with USSR + American people = support their government if this led to war. This Germany. 23rd May 1949, 3 days after the blockade had ended, the W powers =
act to contain the spread of enough food for 36 days + lack of
Czechoslovakia became communist in 1948 = worried America. came together = Federal Republic of Germany (WG).14th Aug 1949, Germans in WG
view = impact in Moscow. Stalin believed = important to develop as much protection as possible in EE. Stalin communism. basic goods like fuel&medicines
= allowed to elect their own parliament called the Bundestag. 15 th Sept 949 = 1st
accepted the telegram + it encouraged him to take control of the countries on his border. democratically elected chancellor of WG, Konrad Adenauer took power + the
After the Truman Doctrine in March 1947, a speech was made by US secretary of state, Stalin = not prepared to use force to
>Effects: Increased soviet control in EE, increased tensions capital of WG was Bonn + WG = bigger than EG. People living in WB = given the
George Marshall = every country in Europe = poor that it was in danger of turning Greece: opportunity to move to EB - only 3% moved.
keep the W Allies from supplying the
communist by calling Europe ‘a breeding ground of hate’. This led to the creation of the > The Greek Civil War began in 1946 +
W zones of B by air because he did
Marshall Plan in 1948. Truman saw Marshall Aid = defensive measure to contain not want to risk a war.
Britain = originally helped the Greek Creation of the German Democratic Republic (GDR/East Germany)
communism. The Marshall Plan = outcome of Truman Doctrine + provided economic aid to royalists against the Communists. Stalin = responded WG by creating the German Democratic Republic (EG) in Oct W Allies = responded by launching
help war-torn countries - to stop communism in Western Europe. > But the British government 1949 = only communist countries recognised it as an actual country. Operation Vittles on the 26th June
Between 1948-52, the US gave $13.7 billion of aid. 16 OEEC (Org for Euro Eco Coop)
His response: Comecon 1949: announced in 1947 = no longer provide 1948 = also called the Berlin Airlift. W
countries received this aid such as: Stalin wanted communist countries to be independent from capitalist governments. Therefore, he would not allow military support to the Greek Creation of military alliances: NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), 1949 Allies = flew food, coal, & other
the satellite states to accept Marshall Aid. Comecon = alternative to maintain control of the SS = aid package based government against communists Stalin’s blockade of Berlin persuaded Truman + W powers = create a formal supplies into the city for 11 months =
on communist beliefs = aimed to support economic development & the less developed members gained help military alliance to protect themselves from the USSR + send a strong united anti- cost the US $350 million.
● Greece (over $370 million) (Britain was nearly bankrupt after
through the sharing of technological advances. Comecon = discouraged trade with the US and WE + gave the USSR communist message to Stalin.
● West Germany ($1.4 billion) WW2). ⅔ goods flown = coal - USSR had
access to the resources of these countries so the USSR could take advantage of the SS. = Created in Jan 1949. > After the Nazis were defeated + left shut off the electricity to the W zones
April 1949:3 powers + 9 W countries joined together the NATO. In 1952, Greece +
Members: USSR, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. Albania & EG = 1950. Greece, 2 groups in Greece (Greek Turkey joined. Members agreed that if any member = attacked = all members of = 📈concerning in the winter months/
Economic impact in WE = enormous but it took until the 1950s for the full effect = British communists + the royalists) = conflict = NATO would help. NATO = significant = first time in American history that the US =
type of government Greece should tied to a formal alliance during peacetime + led to an ongoing American military W Allies = soon able to fly in at least
government called it a “lifeline".Conditions for the Marshall Plan = a country to receive it Impact of the Marshall Plan: 1,000 tonnes of supplies every day.
they would have to agree to a thorough review of their finances. Hungary, and have after the Nazis had been defeated. presence in Europe through the CW. May 1955 = WG joined NATO = made it
> Stalin’s suspicions of W increased. He believed he now had evidence that the US was trying to destroy the USSR. unlikely that Germany = reunite in the near future. WG = rearmed + allowed an air Jan 1949: 170,000 tonnes = sent
Czechoslovakia = interested = Stalin did not allow. > It contributed to the economic recovery of the West European nations who accepted this aid, with their GDP > Communists = defeated + through the
force. Stalin = “aggressive” military alliance.
surpassing pre-war levels by the early 1950s, increasing the disparity with the E bloc. help of US, Turkey = no longer under 12th May 1949, the USSR lifted the
Marshall Plan = ended in 1952 - industrial output in Europe = 35% higher than pre-WW2. US > Tied Western European countries into supporting the US (informal Western alliance) and because Stalin rejected threat of falling to communism. NATO = US could place weapons in NATO member states = US placed nuclear blockade. 2.3 +/- mil tonnes of
benefited = the money given to these countries = spent buying materials + goods from it, Europe became divided into 2 economic and political sides. weapons in Turkey + Italy in 1961 + WG 1958 = more effective defence - Soviet supplies = been delivered by the W
America. RESPONSE: Stalin set up Cominform attack. Allies to the people in the W zones.
Effects: Increased division between East and West(eco disparity, more support for West), Increased tensions The formation of the Warsaw Pact, 1955
(Comecon,Stalin - humiliated. (1947) = linking the communist parties
The Soviet response Truman Doctrine: Establishment of Marshall Plan. in the satellite states. Stalin used this
When WG joined NATO in 1955 = USSR’s fears increased = there was a danger of
an armed +powerful G on the borders of USSR-controlled EE. Within a week in WG
Berlin Airlift = showed that the West
had responded to the blockade
> Stalin believed = Truman Doctrine/Marshall Plan showed the USA was trying to spread its organisation as a way of directing + joining NATO = USSR formed their version = the Warsaw Pact, 1955 = communist peacefully, & Stalin = saw it as an
influence in Europe. controlling the governments of the defensive military alliance = one Warsaw Pact member state was attacked, the aggressive act.
> The US’ ability to provide Marshall Aid highlighted the economic weaknesses of the USSR satellite states. other members would help defend it. The members were: the USSR, Poland,
- humiliated & angered Stalin. Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, and EG + USSR = able to
> Argued = way for the US to use their economic strength to divide Europe in 2 + establish place its troops into the countries.
an American economic empire in WE. Soviets called this ‘dollar imperialism’.
Causes of the 1st Berlin Crisis (specifically the Berlin Blockade), June 1948-May 1949
How did the USSR gain control of Eastern Europe: How did the ‘war of words’ increase hostilities between the US and Truman Doctrine: At the Potsdam Conference, the Big 3 agreed to divide Germany and Berlin into 4 zones. Division = meant to be temporary.
ACC = was the main organisation for the zones + soldiers on the streets & military checkpoints between the zones.
Yugoslavia: 1945 = A communist, Tito became the president = wanted to apply the USSR, 1946? Stalin responded to Truman’s speech
by creating the Cominform = Different views on Germany:
communism in his own way. Yugoslavia = never taken over by the Red Army - had more The 3 W powers & the USSR = had different ways of looking at Germany. Stalin = wanted to keep Germany weak because a
organisation = was created to bring
independence than other satellite states. Stalin & Tito disagreed so much - Yugoslavia = The Long Telegram, 22nd Feb 1946: unity to communist countries behind strong Germany was a threat to the USSR (invaded 1941 + lost 20 million men WW2). USSR = wanted to take as many
expelled from Cominform in 1948. George Kennan = the US’ ambassador in Moscow + worked in the USSR = diplomat = sent an 8,000 word materials, including industrial
the ‘iron curtain’. Stalin = used =
technology, as possible from Germany to help rebuild the USSR , whilst the w countries wanted to build up Germany’s
telegram to the US on the 22nd February 1946 = views were taken seriously by the US government. organisation = directing + controlling economy. The West hoped that, if Germany could become wealthy, it would be a better trading partner + easier to resist
Bulgaria: 1945 = Left-wing coalition government won elections through the use of Contained a message = worried US government. Kennan said = Stalin wanted the destruction of capitalism + the governments of the satellite states. communism + become a buffer against EE. W zones were encouraged to make improvements. E.g: free elections +
intimidation. Communist members of the coalition executed the leaders of the other parties said that Stalin believed that the world outside the USSR was unfriendly and looking to destroy communism. Cominform = spread propaganda establishment of democracy.
so it was only the communists in the government. Telegram outlined his fears about Soviet ambitions.The USSR wanted to spread its influence + saw the US as the about America = like the Nazis.
enemy. However, Kennan believed that the USSR = not self-destructive = if it faced strong resistance, it would Actions of the West: 1. Bizonia: 1947: US & Britain merged their German zones to form Bizonia = seen as a provocative
soften its position. The Truman Doctrine = US’ previous act from Stalin’s perspective= believed this was the W’s way of: stronger, unified Germany. This = also against what had been
Romania: 1945 = Communist was elected as the Prime Minister of Romania in a left- The US government agreed with what Kennan said + introduced a policy of ‘containment’ (the Truman Doctrine, policy of isolationism (during WW1 and previously agreed (Yalta-1943) + broke what agreement at Potsdam - that all economic decisions about Germany must be
wing coalition. 1947 = Communists abolished the monarchy in Romania. WW2) = replaced with policy of agreed to by all 4 powers in the ACC.
1947) to stop communism from spreading (contain communism to Eastern Europe). This confirmed Truman’s
worst fears of the USSR - its intention to spread communism throughout Europe. containment + became more involved in
European Affairs = big change = to 2. The London Conference and Trizonia:
Hungary: 1947 = communists became the largest party in the elections after previous policy of isolationism. To fulfil
1948 = conference (London) between 3 W’s - USSR = not invited. Aim = create a democratic government in the W Allies zones
intimidation. They imprisoned opposition politicians and attacked Church leaders. By 1949, > Effects: Increased tensions, Formation of the Policy of Containment the policy of containment, the US
of G - recent communist takeover (Czechoslovakia 1948) made it urgent. Agreed that 3 W’s zones = merge to create a new
country called Trizonia( March 1948).
Rakosi (leader of the CP) had established himself as the communist dictator of Hungary -
very pro-Stalin.
Churchill’s Iron Curtain speech, March 1946: decided on the Marshall Plan/Aid = US > Stalin: West ‘ganging up’ on the USSR = deliberately forcing the Soviet zone into poverty = now even more determined to
March 1946 = Churchill = no longer British prime minister but still had enormous influence. When visiting gave money to countries in Europe = stand strong & protect Soviet interests in G + G = should follow a communist ideology. Trizonia became the Federal Republic
Missouri, in the US = gave a speech = made it clear that he thought the USSR was a threat to freedom + world risk of falling to communism. Truman of Germany (West Germany) in May 1949. The 3 W powers = made it clear to the USSR at a meeting of the ACC in March 1948,
Poland: After WW2 the communists joined a coalition government, then became the peace. Churchill criticised the actions of the USSR, accusing it of attempting to spread its influence and gain Doctrine = committed the US to the
defence of WE = contributed = division
that they wanted Trizonia to work as one economic unit. This caused the USSR to quit the ACC and walk out.
3. Marshall Plan:
outright leaders in 1947 when they forced the non-communist leader into exile. more power at all costs - communist governments had recently been set up in countries in Eastern Europe + Trizonia = included = one of the countries = receive Marshall Plan + benefit from the financial support, becoming more affluent
Churchill = worried. of Europe into E & W into 2 rivals +
linking Western nations to the US. + capitalist + created a big difference in the living standards between Trizonia and the Soviet zone (economic disparity). Stalin
Czechoslovakia: After WW2, a coalition government was set up to try and restore Churchill = invisible dividing line between E & W = ‘iron curtain’ = ended almost all contact between countries on
either side of it, including trade and tourism.
Thanks to the Truman Doctrine = Greek
= didn't want demands for capitalism in the Soviet zone of G.
4. New currency:
democracy. Stalin = saw this as a threat to the buffer zone. Feb 1948: communists Civil War ended in royalist victory + the
June 1948: The Trizonia created a single currency, the Deutschmark (DM): To give economic unity.USSR = furious = separate
(supported by the USSR) staged an uprising and non-communists were removed from Greek communists fled. economic unity from the E + gave impression of 2 Germany's’: W & E (more difficult for Stalin to unite Germany under
power and a pro-Soviet communist government was set up under the leadership of > USA: Convinced Truman to take a tougher approach towards the USSR + helped shift US public + political communism). The day after the new currency was put in place, Stalin set up the blockade of Berlin.
Gottwald. They banned all other political parties. opinion = still somewhat supportive of the USSR (Grand Alliance during WW2), against Stalin + the USSR = On 12th March 1947 = Truman = speech Soviet actions:
easier for Truman to take a tougher stance against the USSR = believed that Churchill’s ‘iron curtain’ speech = Truman promised support (economic ● 1947: W powers wanted to have a mayor of the W zones in Berlin = Reuter was elected. USSR did not support him because
convinced Truman to deliver his Truman Doctrine Speech in 1947. aid) to nations to contain the spread of he abandoned communism.
Albania: = never occupied by the Red Army during WW2 - had more independence than > USSR: Stalin saw the speech as a deliberate + unfair attempt to show the USSR as aggressive + communism + also announced that the
other Soviet satellite states. However, communists gained power immediately after the war - untrustworthy. Churchill = speaking in the US + shown his speech to Truman beforehand. Stalin thought US would give economic aid to Greece
not much opposition. Churchill's beliefs aligned with Americans beliefs. This speech increased tension + led the USSR to strengthen + Turkey. They would provide these 2 Impact of Berlin Crisis:
its forces by ensuring more countries in Eastern Europe became communist. Stalin also increased Soviet anti- countries = $400 million + send in Superpower rivalry: Berlin Crisis Events: 14th June
American military help. Publicly stated
East Germany: The Allies had given the USSR control of the eastern sector of Western propaganda, for eg he called Churchill a “warmonger” along with his “friends” in the US.
= world was divided between 2 ways of
Berlin Crisis = increased rivalry between the superpowers = US portrayed the airlift
= significant victory + portrayed the blockade = aggression from Stalin. But Stalin
1948: Stalin decided to shut off the
land routes across Soviet-controlled
Germany after WW2. It was run by the USSR using the Red Army until the creation of a pro- > Effects:Increased tension, stronger western unity life: the free, non-communist and the saw the first Berlin Crisis = humiliation (he hadn’t managed to force the Western G into B =‘Berlin Blockade’ = to force
Soviet German Democratic Republic (GDR) in 1949. unfree, communist = insulted powers permanently out of Berlin) that he had to fix = explain why the USSR the W Allies to not carry out any more
actions on G that he didn’t agree with
Novikov Telegram, September: communism. The TD showed a clear pushed ahead with their nuclear weapon testing = successfully tested their first
atomic bomb in August 1949. = wanted Allies to withdraw from B.
Novikov = Soviet diplomat in Washington = telegram to the government in Moscow (USSR) shows that some shift in approach = US’ change from
What was the Marshall Plan, 1948-52? Soviets equally did not trust the West. cooperating with the USSR (during
WW2) to a degree of confrontation = Division of Germany: Creation of (FRG/West Germany):
Problems in WG:E.g: Restriction on
the freedom to travel outside B for all
USA = not suffered the same damage to infrastructure + industry during WW2 that European His telegram = US wanted to use its massive military power to dominate the world. Since Roosevelt’s death = US shows to Stalin the US’s willingness to
As a result of the Berlin Crisis = breakdown = superpower’s cooperation over Gs, food shortage = WB only had
countries had = America = better position to provide economic aid to Europe. Furthermore, no longer wanted to cooperate with USSR + American people = support their government if this led to war. This Germany. 23rd May 1949, 3 days after the blockade had ended, the W powers =
act to contain the spread of enough food for 36 days + lack of
Czechoslovakia became communist in 1948 = worried America. came together = Federal Republic of Germany (WG).14th Aug 1949, Germans in WG
view = impact in Moscow. Stalin believed = important to develop as much protection as possible in EE. Stalin communism. basic goods like fuel&medicines
= allowed to elect their own parliament called the Bundestag. 15 th Sept 949 = 1st
accepted the telegram + it encouraged him to take control of the countries on his border. democratically elected chancellor of WG, Konrad Adenauer took power + the
After the Truman Doctrine in March 1947, a speech was made by US secretary of state, Stalin = not prepared to use force to
>Effects: Increased soviet control in EE, increased tensions capital of WG was Bonn + WG = bigger than EG. People living in WB = given the
George Marshall = every country in Europe = poor that it was in danger of turning Greece: opportunity to move to EB - only 3% moved.
keep the W Allies from supplying the
communist by calling Europe ‘a breeding ground of hate’. This led to the creation of the > The Greek Civil War began in 1946 +
W zones of B by air because he did
Marshall Plan in 1948. Truman saw Marshall Aid = defensive measure to contain not want to risk a war.
Britain = originally helped the Greek Creation of the German Democratic Republic (GDR/East Germany)
communism. The Marshall Plan = outcome of Truman Doctrine + provided economic aid to royalists against the Communists. Stalin = responded WG by creating the German Democratic Republic (EG) in Oct W Allies = responded by launching
help war-torn countries - to stop communism in Western Europe. > But the British government 1949 = only communist countries recognised it as an actual country. Operation Vittles on the 26th June
Between 1948-52, the US gave $13.7 billion of aid. 16 OEEC (Org for Euro Eco Coop)
His response: Comecon 1949: announced in 1947 = no longer provide 1948 = also called the Berlin Airlift. W
countries received this aid such as: Stalin wanted communist countries to be independent from capitalist governments. Therefore, he would not allow military support to the Greek Creation of military alliances: NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), 1949 Allies = flew food, coal, & other
the satellite states to accept Marshall Aid. Comecon = alternative to maintain control of the SS = aid package based government against communists Stalin’s blockade of Berlin persuaded Truman + W powers = create a formal supplies into the city for 11 months =
on communist beliefs = aimed to support economic development & the less developed members gained help military alliance to protect themselves from the USSR + send a strong united anti- cost the US $350 million.
● Greece (over $370 million) (Britain was nearly bankrupt after
through the sharing of technological advances. Comecon = discouraged trade with the US and WE + gave the USSR communist message to Stalin.
● West Germany ($1.4 billion) WW2). ⅔ goods flown = coal - USSR had
access to the resources of these countries so the USSR could take advantage of the SS. = Created in Jan 1949. > After the Nazis were defeated + left shut off the electricity to the W zones
April 1949:3 powers + 9 W countries joined together the NATO. In 1952, Greece +
Members: USSR, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. Albania & EG = 1950. Greece, 2 groups in Greece (Greek Turkey joined. Members agreed that if any member = attacked = all members of = 📈concerning in the winter months/
Economic impact in WE = enormous but it took until the 1950s for the full effect = British communists + the royalists) = conflict = NATO would help. NATO = significant = first time in American history that the US =
type of government Greece should tied to a formal alliance during peacetime + led to an ongoing American military W Allies = soon able to fly in at least
government called it a “lifeline".Conditions for the Marshall Plan = a country to receive it Impact of the Marshall Plan: 1,000 tonnes of supplies every day.
they would have to agree to a thorough review of their finances. Hungary, and have after the Nazis had been defeated. presence in Europe through the CW. May 1955 = WG joined NATO = made it
> Stalin’s suspicions of W increased. He believed he now had evidence that the US was trying to destroy the USSR. unlikely that Germany = reunite in the near future. WG = rearmed + allowed an air Jan 1949: 170,000 tonnes = sent
Czechoslovakia = interested = Stalin did not allow. > It contributed to the economic recovery of the West European nations who accepted this aid, with their GDP > Communists = defeated + through the
force. Stalin = “aggressive” military alliance.
surpassing pre-war levels by the early 1950s, increasing the disparity with the E bloc. help of US, Turkey = no longer under 12th May 1949, the USSR lifted the
Marshall Plan = ended in 1952 - industrial output in Europe = 35% higher than pre-WW2. US > Tied Western European countries into supporting the US (informal Western alliance) and because Stalin rejected threat of falling to communism. NATO = US could place weapons in NATO member states = US placed nuclear blockade. 2.3 +/- mil tonnes of
benefited = the money given to these countries = spent buying materials + goods from it, Europe became divided into 2 economic and political sides. weapons in Turkey + Italy in 1961 + WG 1958 = more effective defence - Soviet supplies = been delivered by the W
America. RESPONSE: Stalin set up Cominform attack. Allies to the people in the W zones.
Effects: Increased division between East and West(eco disparity, more support for West), Increased tensions The formation of the Warsaw Pact, 1955
(Comecon,Stalin - humiliated. (1947) = linking the communist parties
The Soviet response Truman Doctrine: Establishment of Marshall Plan. in the satellite states. Stalin used this
When WG joined NATO in 1955 = USSR’s fears increased = there was a danger of
an armed +powerful G on the borders of USSR-controlled EE. Within a week in WG
Berlin Airlift = showed that the West
had responded to the blockade
> Stalin believed = Truman Doctrine/Marshall Plan showed the USA was trying to spread its organisation as a way of directing + joining NATO = USSR formed their version = the Warsaw Pact, 1955 = communist peacefully, & Stalin = saw it as an
influence in Europe. controlling the governments of the defensive military alliance = one Warsaw Pact member state was attacked, the aggressive act.
> The US’ ability to provide Marshall Aid highlighted the economic weaknesses of the USSR satellite states. other members would help defend it. The members were: the USSR, Poland,
- humiliated & angered Stalin. Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, and EG + USSR = able to
> Argued = way for the US to use their economic strength to divide Europe in 2 + establish place its troops into the countries.
an American economic empire in WE. Soviets called this ‘dollar imperialism’.
