EVENT: Truman Doctrine 1947
EVENT: Berlin Blockade 1948-1949(Airlift)
CAUSE
CAUSE
The USA feared the spread of Communism in Europe after
WW2, especially in countries which had been devastated by
war.
Failure of Potsdam to decide Germany’s future. Germany
occupied and divided into 4 Zones. USA/Uk/France unite
their zones (Trizonia). USA wants to create a united
democratic Germany. Introduces new national currency
(Deutschmark). STALIN + USSR not happy
EVENT
EVENT
The doctrine established by President Truman stated that
there was a choice between communism and democratic
freedom. The USA had a responsibility to fight for liberty.
The USA would send troops and economic assistance to
countries wishing to resist communism.
To prevent the establishment of a separate state in West
Germany the USSR blockades Berlin (capital) and cuts it off
from the rest of the country. USSR’s aim is to show that a
divided Germany cannot work. The USA is forced to supply
Berlin with everything using planes.
CONSEQUENCE
CONSEQUENCE
The USA has responsibility to protect the world and wanted
to stop communism spreading. (Containment policy).
DIVISION: Divided the world into communism vs
democratic capitalism. Led to the development of the
Marshal Plan to help countries economically.
The blockade is a complete failure for the USSR.
Propaganda success for USA. USSR forced to end the
blockade May 1949. USSR seen as v. aggressive. Germany
official split into two countries. FDR (democratic) GDR
(communist)
EVENT: Hungarian Uprising 1956
EVENT: Berlin Crisis 1958 - 1961
CAUSE
CAUSE
Hungary communist satellite state = v. Poor / repressed.
Rakosi = harsh communist dictator. People very unhappy.
2.7 million East Germans escaping communist GDR East
Germany. Many skilled workers. Khrushchev must stop this
drain from happening.
1953 De-stalinisation – New USSR leader Krushchev ‘Secret
speech’ gives hope by promising more liberal communism
EVENT
EVENT
Riots = Nagy appointed new leader of Hungary. He
introduces new reforms – leave the Warsaw pact, end
communist government, set up a democracy, seek UN
protection from USSR
Khrushchev orders that all of Berlin belongs to East
Germany and gives the USA an ultimatum to leave. USA not
sure how to respond – FOUR SUMMITS take place. No
agreements reached. Escalating tensions. New President
Kennedy prepares for war with USSR.
USSR = NOT happy
CONSEQUENCE
CONSEQUENCE
Khrushchev believed reforms were unacceptable. USSR
invades Hungary, fighting, many killed, Hungary defeated.
Nagy is executed. USA / UN do nothing!
Khrushchev orders a wall to be built around West Berlin
1961. This stops East Germans from escaping.
USSR’s actions send strong message to other communist
countries to discourage them from acting ike Hungary.
USSR looks avoids war and looks very tough
Berlin wall = powerful symbol of Cold War devisions
EVENT: Cuban Missile Crisis
EVENT: Czechoslovakia uprising (Prague Spring) 1968
CAUSE
CAUSE
USA / USSR in a nuclear arms race. Cuban revolution:
communist Castro becomes leader of Cuba. (v. Close to USA
= frightened). USA backs Cuban rebels to invade and kill
Castro. BAY OF PIGS INVASION = failure. Castro fears USA
and asks for support from Khrushchev USSR.
CZ = soviet satellite state, poor economy / political
repression. People unhappy.
EVENT
EVENT
THIRTEEN DAYS: Khrushchev wants to put nuclear missiles
on Cuba. USA very alarmed and sets up a naval blockade
around the island. USSR / USA try to negotiate but this fails.
USA told to prepare for nuclear war. Finally SECRET deal
made- USSR / USA remove missiles (Cuba/Turkey)
Prague Spring: Period of liberal changes brought about by
Dubcek. Relaxation of press / censorship. Political parties
allowed. More power to the people. Introduction of
capitalism into economy.
CONSEQUENCE
CONSEQUENCE
Crisis highlights communication problems / no one wants
nuclear war. Hot line set up / Limited Test Ban Treaty 1963
= agreements.
USSR Brezhnev not happy. Tries to get Dubcek to stop
reforms but fails. USSR invades CZ to stop it undermining
communism. Establishment of the Brezhnev Doctrine. USSR
has the right to invade any Eastern European country that
threatens communism. Some communist not happy (SPLIT)
Begins a period of DETENTE – relaxation and decreasing
tensions.
Dubcek becomes new leader – wants reform (NOTE- He is a
proud communist- does not want to get rid of communism)
EVENT: Detente 1963-1979
EVENT: Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan1979
CAUSE
CAUSE
Crisis of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the possibility of
nuclear holocaust. This frightened both sides as both
sought to increase communication and decrease tensions
Following the Kabul Revolution Afghanistan becomes a
communist dictatorship. New government unstable. Rivalry
and conflict breakout between Afghans about who will be
the leader. USSR wants to extend its sphere of influence
into the oil rich region of the middle east. USA
EVENT
EVENT
1967 Outer Space Treaty, 1968 Nuclear Non-proliferation
Treaty, 1972 SALT 1.
Brezhnev USSR invades Afghanistan to prevent an Islamic
state forming. Conflict lasted 10 years and killed 1.5 million
people including 15,000 Russian Soldiers. US president
established the Carter Doctrine- USA would not allow the
USSR to gain control of the oil rich Middle East. CIA backs
Afghan Mujahedeen to fight USSR. Economic sanctions.
Ends diplomatic relations with USSR.
1975 Helsinki conference agreements on Human rights and
greater cooperation in Europe. 1975 Apollo-Soyuz joint
space mission
CONSEQUENCE
Significant period of decreasing tensions. STABILITY AND
PEACE.
Demonstrated the ability of USA and USSR to work
peacefully together. Potential for peaceful coexistence.
CONSEQUENCE
DEATH OF DETENTE- starts a period of significant escalating
tensions 1972 SALT II negotiations fail. Olympic boycotts
1980 Moscow / 1984 LA.
EVENT: Reagan’s Star Wars Program (Strategic Defence
Initiative) 1983
CAUSE
Arms race + Reagan becomes new US President 1981.
Wants to win the Cold War. Rejects the idea of peaceful
coexistence wants to end the USSR. Will fight if necessary.
EVIL EMPIRE speech: fight between good and evil. USA
must win.
EVENT
Reagan believed he could force the USSR to disarm through
the SDI. Taking the arms race to a new level- he proposed a
nuclear umbrella in space to protect the USA from any
nuclear attack by the USSR. Reagan’s star wars would
enable the USA to shoot down any missile in space.
CONSEQUENCE
USSR can’t compete with USA’s technology or military
spending. America wins the arms race with the SDI.
USSR economy beginning to fail can’t afford the cost of the
military. USSR could no longer compete in the arms race.