Cold War: reasons for developments
1. Tensions 1941 – 1945
Western delay over the second front
Soviet actions in Poland (Warsaw Uprising, Katyn Forest, arrest of 16 communists)
The future of Germany (ACC, reparations)
Annexation of lands by the USSR – expansionism
Leaders (Truman, Attlee, Stalin)
2. Tensions 1946 - 1949
Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan
Creation of NATO
Germany (Bizonia, Berlin Blockade, FRG & GDR)
Soviet explosion of atomic bomb
Spread of Communism in Europe (France & Italy, Prague coup, Greece)
3. Tensions 1949 – 1955
NATO and Warsaw Pact
FRG and GDR created
Developments in the arms race (atomic bomb, hydrogen bomb, Massive Retaliation)
4. Détente
The Sino-Soviet Split
Fears of nuclear war
The expense of the arms race
Ostpolitik (opened the way for agreements at Helsinki, relaxed tensions between the
two Germanies, made Moscow more amenable to talks)
5. The New Cold War
Election of Ronald Reagan (hostile rhetoric, stepped up defence spending, restarted
arms race)
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
The continuation of the arms race (SS-20 missiles deployed in Europe with multiple
warheads 1978)
6. Reasons Gorbachev sought to improve relations with the West
Soviet economic difficulties
The arms race
The war in Afghanistan (costly for Soviet Union, needed America to stop sending aid)
7. Relaxation of tensions under Gorbachev
Glasnost and perestroika (showed the West there was reform, elections in the USSR)
Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan
Gorbachev’s non-intervention policy (enabled 1989 revolutions)
8. The collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe
Gorbachev’s non-intervention policy
1. Tensions 1941 – 1945
Western delay over the second front
Soviet actions in Poland (Warsaw Uprising, Katyn Forest, arrest of 16 communists)
The future of Germany (ACC, reparations)
Annexation of lands by the USSR – expansionism
Leaders (Truman, Attlee, Stalin)
2. Tensions 1946 - 1949
Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan
Creation of NATO
Germany (Bizonia, Berlin Blockade, FRG & GDR)
Soviet explosion of atomic bomb
Spread of Communism in Europe (France & Italy, Prague coup, Greece)
3. Tensions 1949 – 1955
NATO and Warsaw Pact
FRG and GDR created
Developments in the arms race (atomic bomb, hydrogen bomb, Massive Retaliation)
4. Détente
The Sino-Soviet Split
Fears of nuclear war
The expense of the arms race
Ostpolitik (opened the way for agreements at Helsinki, relaxed tensions between the
two Germanies, made Moscow more amenable to talks)
5. The New Cold War
Election of Ronald Reagan (hostile rhetoric, stepped up defence spending, restarted
arms race)
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
The continuation of the arms race (SS-20 missiles deployed in Europe with multiple
warheads 1978)
6. Reasons Gorbachev sought to improve relations with the West
Soviet economic difficulties
The arms race
The war in Afghanistan (costly for Soviet Union, needed America to stop sending aid)
7. Relaxation of tensions under Gorbachev
Glasnost and perestroika (showed the West there was reform, elections in the USSR)
Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan
Gorbachev’s non-intervention policy (enabled 1989 revolutions)
8. The collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe
Gorbachev’s non-intervention policy
