HOA Review Day 6: Cold War and Fall of USSR

Causes of the Cold WarPresident/Premier policies

Effects of the Cold WarSino-Soviet & Sino-American Relations

Fall of the USSR

Explain the economic and political reasons the USA and USSR emerged as superpowers after

1945?.

How is it possible to explain the emergence of the Cold War by referring to events from the

period 1945-1950?

To what extent was the Cold War a result of WWII?

Emergence of superpowers post-WWIIEconomic Reasons• USA’s economy was strengthened by

war (could out produce all other powers combined)

• USA was committed to more “open trade” (wanted liberal trade and market competition, end pre-war pattern of trade-blocs and tariffs)

• USA had the economic strength to prevent a return to instability in Europe

• Small Eastern European nations were not economically viable on their own, so they needed the support of a stronger neighbor

Political Reasons• WWII showed that ideals of democracy and international

collaboration had triumphed over fascism• For the USSR, it showed that communism had triumphed

over fascism• USSR’s huge losses, and the role of the Red Army in

defeating the Nazis, gave Stalin a claim to influence the post-war world

• The USSR had the political and military strength to prevent a return to instability in Eastern Europe

• Militarily: In order to defeat Germany, US became number one air-force power and USSR became number one land-force power in the world

• France and Britain’s inability to defeat Germany changed the balance of power

• USSR lacked any strong military neighbors = regional power• Both US and USSR’s relative strength compared to

weakened Europe

How were the Truman Doctrine and policy of containment implemented in the period

1947-1961?

• This is a list question! Go through chronologically how it was implemented and don’t forget to define and explain the Truman Doctrine and containment policy in the beginning.

Truman Doctrine & containment: 1947-1961Containment• US policy adopted by Truman in which

the US attempted to prevent further Soviet or communist expansion beyond territories occupied in 1945.

• Co-operation with the USSR was not possible

• Based off of George Kennan’s Long Telegram (1946)

• By supporting the “free world” mainly militarily but also economically, like the Marshall Plan in Europe and economic aid to Japan, the building of military alliances surrounded the communists.

Truman Doctrine• The Truman Doctrine stated that it should be

US policy to support nations who are fighting an internal or external communist threat.

• Initially intended only for Greece and Turkey, but soon extended globally.

• Not only military means were used. Economic means, like the Marshall Plan, could be used.

• There is a lot of information so don’t overwrite. Dealing with a question where you may know too many points requires that you emphasize your main points and briefly mention points of minor importance.

Important uses of Truman Doctrine & Containment• Aide to Greece & Turkey = remained pro-Western• 1948: Marshall Plan led to industrial growth (GNP: 15-25%)• Aide to Japan to build a stronghold against communism in Asia• Due to Berlin Airlift, Berlin was saved from communist takeover• 1949: West Germany was given econ. & pol. Support• 1949: NATO was created (“an armed attack against one nation should be considered an

attack on them all”)• 1950: full support for South Korea (TD&Cont now in Asia)• 1950: NSC-68 = massive increase in military spending• In Asia: US supported the French in Indochina War & Taiwan• 1954: SEATO was created to prevent communist expansion in Asia• 1957: Eisenhower Doctrine – assist Middle East• 1961: Trade Embargo against Cuba & Bay of Pigs• 1961: Began to send military advisors/aide to South Vietnam

To what extent had the policy of containment been successful in Europe and Asia between 1947-1950?

Containment in Europe & Asia 1947-1950Successes• Marshall Plan = recovery

– Stop left wing support in Greece, Turkey, France, Italy

• West Germany = economic recovery; politically stable; democratic elections

• Berlin Airlift = turned German population pro-American

• Building of a strong Western military alliance, NATO, under American leadership, strengthened the West

• In the late 1940’s, the US successfully started to build up Japan as an ally in Asia

Failures• US buildup of Western Europe was a threat

from Stalin’s perspective = strengthen control of satellites (led to Czech coup)

• The “loss” of China = Sino-Soviet Friendship Treaty (US aided the GMD, but they still lost)

• Korean War started in 1950 & Red China supported the North

• In Vietnam, the French were fighting a difficult war against communist guerillas who were not easily defeated = US now sided with an unpopular colonial ruler because of fear of Domino Effect

Conclusion: Summarize the successes and failures; it is possible to conclude that containment had been more successful in Europe than in Asia

Why, and with what results, did the USSR place missiles in Cuba in 1962?

• There is nothing complicated here….. List the reasons why the USSR decided to place missiles in Cuba and account for the consequences

USSR missiles in CubaWhy?• USSR wanted to protect the Cuban Revolution• A communist controlled Cuba would provide the

USSR with an ability to spread communism to underdeveloped LA countries

• Claim that USSR wanted to protect a small state against a superpower

• Strengthen USSR’s position in the 3rd world• At the time, the US had 100 ICBM’s & USSR only

had 50. These missiles could reach the US and compensate for the lack of ICBM’s

• It would put the USSR in a bargaining position (Berlin)

• US had nuclear missiles in Turkey• To show toughness to Khrushchev's critics in China

& the USSR

What were the results?• Account for the Cuban Missile Crisis (NOTE: it is

not a question specifically asking for the story of the missile crisis)

• Account for how the crisis was resolved (US pledge not to invade, dismantling of missiles in Cuba & Turkey)

• Led to a relaxation of tensions• Test Ban Treaty• Somewhat contributed to the fall of Khrushchev

in 1964• Existence of a communist state in the Americas

had a profound effect on US policies in the area• In a long-term perspective, the USSR decided to

close the missile gap = costly nuclear buildup which affected the Russian economy

Why was Germany a center of Cold War problems between 1945-1961?

• Again….this is a list question, go through events chronologically

Germany & the Cold War: 1945-1961• Start with how the defeat of Germany in 1945 resulted in this leading

country not existing politically and militarily when the war ended. There was an enormous power vaccuum in Europe and this is the main explanation for the Cold War in Europe…..who was going to dominate the formerly-strongest power in Europe?

• At post-war conferences = zones of occupation (Yalta) & disagreements/solutions about reparations (Potsdam)

• Now possible to discuss how problems occurred as the occupying forces each developed different aims– West: build up Germany economically as a buffer against communism in

Europe– East: more defensive and feared a rebirth of Germany

Germany & the Cold War: 1945-1961• Berlin Airlift

– Showed that no real co-operation was possible and resulted in the independent German states (1949)

• Tension during the crisis led to creation of NATO• 1953: revolt in East Germany against Soviet control = crushed by Red Army• 1955: Germany joined NATO = can rebuild army• Explain the importance of the Marshall Plan to West Germany and how this created

problems in Berlin = East Germans fled & affected the economy of the East• Khrushchev and his ultimatum in 1958• When no solution was reached, the Berlin Wall was built in 1961• Conclusion: The most important reason why Germany was so important is its economic

potential in combination with there being a power vacuum after the war. The Berlin solution from Yalta/Potsdam is also important because this island within the Eastern zone resulted in so much tension later, creating the Berlin airlift and the problems with refugees.

How did the Vietnam War affect the Cold War?

• Notice that this is asking specifically for the Vietnam War. Show that you know the distinction between the Indo-China War and the “American” Vietnam War.

Vietnam War and Cold War• There is no definite starting point for this conflict, but you should start with

Diem and how elections were cancelled. The formation of SEATO caused problems in the region and was probably one reason for the Taiwan Crisis. Vietnam did not have a major impact on Cold War relations in the mid-1950’s. Both the USSR and China wanted to achieve a peaceful unification of Vietnam in the late 1950’s.

• There was an escalation in 1960 when the North decided to unify the country with arms if necessary. Both the USSR and China decided to support the North, anxious to maintain good relations with an important ally in times of Sino-Soviet disputes. This help in early 1960 must be described as limited.

• JFK believed in Domino Theory, but with limited fighting the US advisors increased from 400-16,000 men. This is a significant increase but no combat troops were sent and the escalation cannot be compared to Johnson’s.

Vietnam and the Cold War• 1965: Johnson started to escalate US involvement by sending combat troops and starting air attacks on the

North. As a response to this, the USSR and China initiated with massive military aid. The Vietnam War now became a hot spot in the Cold War.

• The Vietnam War undermined the American position globally.• “Roll back” was abandoned and the balance of power, and acceptance of communist spheres of influence,

was established– US soon suffered from inflation caused by the war and faced first trade deficit in the 20th century (1971)– Worldwide the US was seen as an aggressor and lost support especially in the Third World.– US credibility as a “champion of freedom” – War led the Americans to reconsider her Cold War strategy to support détente (first genuine US attempt at détente –

also because of Sino-Soviet split)• Improved Sino-American relations (needed China to pressure the north; War was seen as key to improved

relations between China and the US; accepted into UN)• US reluctance to get involved in a new conflict in the Third World

– Led the Soviets to trying to extend their influence in Africa and Afghanistan• Conclusion: It was from the mid 1960s that the Vietnam War had a major impact on the Cold War and in the

1970’s it was one major reason for the détente process. It also led to US reluctance to get involved in new conflicts.

How and why was there a period of détente in the 1970’s?

Détente and the 1970’sWhy?• US: needed to end the Vietnam War because it

undermined their position both globally and domestically. Americans realized the needed support from USSR and China to end war.

• USSR: finally closed the missile gap in the early 1970’s. Heavy cost = stagnation of Soviet economy. Attracted by possibility of getting access to western technology; feared Chinese expansion

• China: going through a volatile period during the Cultural Revolution. Border disputes = feared Soviet attack. China was very isolated during CF and the industry had suffered from this isolation and political purges.

Important achievements• Nuclear agreements• SALT (Brezhnev & Nixon)• 1972: East German-West

German treaties• 1973: Ceasefire in Vietnam

and American withdrawal