The USSR (Communist) in 10 points:

1. Was a one party dictatorship. They had elections, but all of the candidates were Communist (what wa the point exactly?!!!)

2. Saw the rights of individuals as much less important than the good of society and therefore tightly controlled individuals’ lives.

3. Had censorship.4. Believed that other countries should be

run in the Communist way.5. Firmly believed that the role of the

Communist state was to encourage a worldwide Communist revolution.

6. Were bitterly opposed to Capitalism.7. Believved that everyone was EQUAL.8. Had an extensive Secret Police service

(KGB)

The USA (Capitalist) in 10 points:

1. Was a democracy, its government was chosen in free democratic elections.

2. It was capitalist. Business and property were privately owned.

3. For Americans being free of government control was more important than everyone being equal.

4. 4. Believed that other countries should be run in the American way.

5. Were bitterly opposed to Communism and were scared by the Communist desire for a revolution.

6. Saw their policy as ‘doing the right thing’ rather than serving the interest of the USA.

7. Believed that you got out what you put in, ie that everyone was an individual and not equal.

8. Believed in the freedom of speech.

Communism vs Capitalism

Causes of the Cold War

The Potsdam Conference July – August 1945:

- Truman, Stalin and Atlee.- A very different conference.- Stalin’s armies now occupied most of Eastern

Europe, Communist governments had been set up there.

- Roosevelt had died and the anti-Communist Truman was now President of America.

- 16th July had seen the USA test the atomic bomb. Truman informed Stalin (generally about it.

- Disagreement over whether to cripple Germany or not.

- Disagreement over the level of reparations (if any)

- Disagreement over what ‘sphere of influence meant’

2The Yalta Conference: Feb 1945:

- Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill

- Overall a positive conference.

- Stalin agreed to enter the war against Japan once Germany surrendered.

- Agreement to hunt down war criminals responsible for the Holocaust.

- Free elections for countries liberated from Germany.

- Create the UN.- Eastern Europe to be

‘sphere of influence’

Stalin tightens his control:

Having got Communist governments in Eastern Europe, Stalin now wanted to tighten his control in each country. As a result he set up:

- The Communist Information Bureau (Cominform) in 1947 to co-ordinate the work of the Communist parties of Eastern Europe. Leaders were often brought to Moscow to be ‘briefed’ (checked for loyalty!

- Yugoslavia’s Tito escaped this close control and was expelled from Cominform in 1948!

Churchill’s ‘Iron Curtain’ Speech

- By 1946 Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania all had Communist governments.

- Churchill described the border between the Soviet Controlled countries and the west as an ‘Iron Curtain’. The Name stuck.

Start of the Cold War

Germany surrenders 7th May

1945

34

1

Greece:

When the Germans retreated from Greece in 1944 there were two rival groups seeking control: the

monarchists and the Communists. Britain sent troops to support the monarchists. The USSR complained to the UN who did nothing. The Communists then tried

to take control by force. Britain couldn’t afford to keep going so bowed out on 24th Feb 1947. Truman (USA) stepped in), they paid the British to stay in. By

1950 the monarchists were in control of Greece (just!).

The Truman Doctrine:

1. USA will send money, equipment and advice to any country under threat from Communism.

2. Eastern Europe was written off – this was now considered Communist.

3. Some believed that Containment should include the use of US troops.

The Marshall Plan:

1.Truman believed that Communism thrived in poverty and hardship.

2.He sent General Marshall to Europe to assess the situation – he found a ruined economy.

3. $11.5 billion was owed by Europe to the USA in war debts. In 1947 Britain saw all electricity turned off for a period each day to deal with coal shortages!

4.$11 billion was ploughed into Europe by America. Countries of Eastern Europe were banned from applying by Stalin.

5.Congress wasn’t convinced at first…

Czechoslovakia:

- Some Americans hadn’t supported the Marshall plan – they didn’t want to waste all of that money.

- Their attitude changed however when in March 1948 the Soviets purged anti Communist leaders in Czechoslovakia. Masaryk, who was pro American was found dead below his open window. The Soviets said that he had jumped….hmmmm Congress immediately granted the money!

Building up to the blockade:

East Germany:

1. Unfortunately, life in East Germany was not so good.

2. Berlin was in East Germany, but it was also divided equally since it was such a prestigious city.

3. Stalin decided to respond to this Western success by blockading Berlin in the hope that he could drive the West out, thus securing his own propaganda triumph.

The allies had divided Germany into 4 parts at Potsdam, but in 1946 the USA, France and Britain had united their zones to create West Germany. In 1948 they reformed the currency and there were signs of a West Germany recovery.

The American Response:

1. The USA knew that if they tried to use tanks to ram the blockades of the rail or roads then it would be used as an act of war by the USSR.

2. However, they were not prepared to give up. They saw Berlin as a test case, if they gave in to Stalin here then who knows what they would ask for.

3. Truman wanted to show Stalin that he was serious.

4. As a result the allies decided to air lift supplies into Berlin. This was extremely dangerous (Stalin could choose to shoot them down) and extremely expensive (it cost a lot more to fly a plane and you could get far less on it!)

5. June 1948 saw the start of the blockade, and during the height of the crisis 1 plane was landing every 30 seconds in Berlin.

6. There were shortages, but in May 1949 Stalin decided to lift the blockade. The USA had ‘won’ and communications were reopened.

The Berlin Blockade