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History Edexcel Notes
History Edexcel Notes
History Edexcel Notes
Things they disagreed on: Stalin wanted revenge on Germany for attacking Russia, and so wanted reparations Churchill and Roosevelt wanted to rebuild Germany as after WW1, they took many reparations and Germany took revenge (treaty of Versailles).
Things they disagreed on: Stalin wanted to move the border of the USSR into Poland arguing Poland could move its border into Germany. Churchill did not approve but couldn't do anything as the Red Army was in both these countries. He agreed providing the USSR didn't interfere with Greece
Things they disagreed on: Germany: Stalin wanted to cripple Germany to protect the USSR, Truman wanted it to recover. Stalin was suspicious over why they wanted to protect Germany Reparations as Stalin wanted huge compensation from Germany but Truman didn't want to repeat the mistakes of the first world war Soviet policy in Eastern Europe as Stalin was setting up communist governments in Eastern countries despite saying he wouldn't. Stalin wanted a naval base in the Mediterranean but Truman and Attlee wouldn't let him as they saw no reason for him to needed a base there.
(Tensions were caused due to: different leaders being present, Truman having a harsh policy with communists and the creation of the nuclear bomb in the USA)
This intervention by the Americans turned them away from Isolationism and made them take control of world politics
Cominform: 1947
Stands for Communist Information Bureau Set up by Stalin in 1947 to co-ordinate the various Communist governments in eastern Europe The office was originally in Yugoslavia but moved in 1948 as Yugoslavia was expelled by Stalin for not doing as it was told Cominform ran meetings and sent out instructions to Communist governments about what the Soviet Union wanted them to do. Tightened Stalins control on his communist allies Stalins response to the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Aid. Encouraged minority communist parties in countries like France to try to turn more people to communism
He recommended that $17bn was made available but Congress initially refused. However in March 1947, Czechoslovakia became communist and a pro-American minister was pushed out a window. Congress accepted the Marshall plan immediately. Only 16 European countries accepted it, all western European states Stalin refused Marshall Aid for the USSR and banned eastern European countries from accepting it as he believed the USA was trying to buy allies and it would weaken his control in Eastern Europe
West Germany began to recover and prosper but in East Germany was poverty and hunger. Stalin saw the Allies deliberately building up West Berlin and when they introduced the new currency, this was the last straw as he wanted Germany to fall, and the only way to make sure his people didnt realise the poverty they were staying in was to attempt to control the West Berlin sector! He attempted to do this via a blockade (basically try to starve them of all needed goods until they give in an ancient tactic used in the time of mote and baileys) On the 24th of June 1948, Stalin cut off all road, rail and canal links between West Germany and West Berlin, hoping he could force the Allies out of the city. It seemed there was a real risk of war and the USA and Britain faced a choice: They could withdraw- but would be humiliating and may encourage Stalin to invade West Germany and give greater power to the East Open up land routes to Berlin-this would have led to war Bring in supplies by air-risky as the planes may be shot down.
They decided to airlift in supplies and the air lift continued until 12th of May 1949. Over 200,000 flights were made into Berlin and brought in everything from food and clothing to oil and building supplies. Atomic bombs were stationed in Britain as a warning to the USSR not to shoot down any planes. It was a great success. However, it was the first real war between the two powers! In May 1949 when it was clear the Blockade was not working, Stalin reopened communications. This was a victory for the west but relations with the USSR were destroyed. The USA had a propaganda triumph and was made to seem stronger than the USSR The zone controlled by the USA, France and Britain became the Federal Republic of German and the Soviet zone became the German Democratic republic
NATO: 1949
Stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation This was a military alliance containing most of the states of Western Europe, as well as the USA and Canada. If one member was attacked, the other members would help to defend it. The USSR developed its own atomic bomb in 1949 and so NATO was crucial in the defence of Western Europe; none of which had the atomic bomb yet. What NATO allowed:
The USA was now formally committed to the defence of Western Europe Stalin did not see it as a defensive alliance but as a direct threat to the USSR The USA was able to build air bases in Western Europe where planes armed with nuclear weapons could be stationed.
Although he seemed to be signalling that countries in Eastern Europe would be allowed greater freedom, this wasn't quite the case, as shown in Hungary in 1956
Events: Imre Nagy became prime minister at his request; Soviet troops were removed from Hungary. Local councils replaced the Communist government Soviet books and flags were burnt in the street and AVH were hung Nagys government planned to hold free elections with more than one party, abolish the AVH and restore farmland to private ownership. He then planned to leave the Warsaw pact and become neutral in the cold war.
Khrushchev couldn't accept this as it would leave a gap in the iron curtain and the buffer zone would be broken. Soviet troops and 1,000 tanks moved into Hungary to crush the uprising Consequences: Between 2,500 and 30,000 Hungarians, mostly civilians were killed along with 700 Soviet troops. Over 200,000 refugees fled to Austria The uprising highlighted the limitations of Khrushchevs policy of peaceful co-existence. There was no active support for the uprising in the West because the USA, Britain and France were preoccupied with the Suez Crisis. A new pro-Soviet government was set up under Janos Kadar. He re-established Communist control of Hungary but cautiously introduced some reforms. However he remained a member of the Warsaw Pact. Other satellite states in Eastern Europe did not dare to challenge the Soviet authority after the events in Hungary.
U2 Crisis: 1960
A U2 spy plane is fitted with a high quality camera and the best cloaking devices available at the time which allows it to fly above the sight of radars. On May 1st 1960 a spy plane was shot down by a Soviet missile and the pilot, Gary Powers was taken for questioning and the plane was recovered by Soviet engineers. The USA tried to cover it up but they didn't know Powers admitted to spying. On May 7th 1960, Khrushchev announced he had the pilot and plane with pictures and asked for a full US apology but Eisenhower didn't give one. This led to the breakdown of talks at the Paris Summit Gary Powers was sentenced to 10 years in prison but was swapped after 1 year for a Soviet spy. Showed how low relations had become
Between 1949 and 1961, 3 million East Germans had fled to the west via West Berlin from where they could travel to West Germany. These skilled East Germans were crucial to maintain a fair and working communist society
Why were there so many refugees? East German government was unpopular People in East had little freedom compared to the West. Standard of living was much lower in East Germany than in the West East Berliners could see consumer goods in shops in West Berlin and the greater wealth they enjoyed.
Why was this a disaster for the USSR? Disaster for Communism as the people who moved told the world what communism was really like and not what the leaders liked to show. Highly skilled people were leaving Berlin and so there were less people to fill in the important jobs that the East Germans needed doing. It undermined communism generally as people moved away for a better life under capitalism as he claimed the East had a better standard of living than it actually did.
How did they solve the refugee problem? Khrushchev offered the USA an ultimatum. He wanted the western troops out of West Berlin and for West Berlin to become communist. He saw this as the way to solve the problem of people leaving communism. November 1958 Khrushchev declared that the whole of the city of Berlin officially belonged to the USSR He did not want a war to break loose
The building of the wall: 1961, Khrushchev and the East German leadership decided to act. Without warning on 13th of August 1961, the East Germans began to build a wall surrounding West Berlin. To begin with, the structure was just a barbed wire fence but by the 17th of August it was replaced by a stone wall. All movement between East and West Berlin stopped. Impact of the Wall on Berliners Families and friends were divided People could not travel to their place of work. Those in the East desperate to get to the West risked their lives trying to cross the wall GDR soldiers had orders to shoot escapees Up to 200 died.
Consequences: The flow of refugees was reduced to a trickle Tension grew: both sides started nuclear testing again. The West became more anti-communist The Wall became a symbol in the West of Communist tyranny.
The Western Nations had to be satisfied with a propaganda victory only as there was little western powers could do to prevent the wall being built. 27th October 1961 Tension between the two Superpowers mounted. Soviet tanks pulled up to Checkpoint Charlie and refused to allow any more crossings to the east. Throughout the day US and USSR tanks faced each other. After 18 hours they both gradually withdrew.
Attitude of the West Kennedy said a wall is better than a war. US portrayed the wall as a prison for the East Berliners West Berlin remained a symbol of freedom for the people of East Berlin and the Eastern bloc. Kennedy made a speech in Berlin declaring 'Ich bin ein Berliner' to show US support for West Berlin.
Attitude of the USSR The wall stopped East Germans escaping to the west. It prevented a war with USA and allowed Khrushchev to still appear strong. Khrushchev told the East Berliners that the wall was there to protect the people from those who wanted to prevent the building of communism. He claimed that the west used West Berlin as a route in to East Berlin for spies (correct) He said the west was undermining the east by recruiting spies, sabotage and provoking disturbances.
American Ally 160km from Florida Huge Naval base in Cuba at Guantanamo. America gave Cuba economic and military support. Cuban leader Batista was corrupt, unpopular and a dictator. The US only supported him because he opposed communism. He welcomed American business in Cuba and accepted bribes. People became fed up with Batista and he was overthrown by Castro. uba became communist after it was taken over by Fidel Castro in 1958. He was popular in Cuba, partly because he gave land seized from wealthy Americans to the Cuban people.
US response to Castro was to stop all trade and leave isolated. This only sent Castro looking for help with the USSR which made relations worse.
Bay of Pigs
This breakdown in relations, and switching of power in Cuba led to a massively disastrous conflict known as the Bay of Pigs (named after the bay the revolutionists landed on)
June 1960 Eisenhower secretly authorised the CIA to try to overthrow Castro. They provided support and funds for Cuban exiles and investigated ways to disrupt the Cuban economy. US companies refused to co-operate with any Cuban business allied with the USSR American media broadcast relentless criticism of Castro Castro assured Americans in Cuba that they were safe and let the USA keep their naval base. Summer 1960 he allied Cuba with the USSR. Khrushchev signed a trade agreement giving Cuba $100 million economic aid and also arms. June 1961, USA broke off diplomatic relations with Cuba and Castro thought the USA wanted to invade. They didn't intend to invade but planes to overthrow Castro continued under Kennedy.
Kennedy supplied arms, equipment and transport for 1400 anti-Castro exiles to invade Cuba and overthrow him. However, before the troops landed, Kennedy had a fright, and thought that if they landed at their original bay everyone would find out that the USA intervened. Kennedy also prevented any planes helping the revolutionists. In April 1961 the exiles landed at the Bay of Pigs. However they were met by 20,000 Cuban troops armed with tanks and modern weapons. They were all captured or killed within days. They had expected people in Cuba to support them but they got none. This told the USSR and Castro that despite its opposition to Communism, the USA was unwilling to get directly involved. Khrushchev was scornful of Kennedy's pathetic attempt to get rid of the communists. This event strengthened Castros position in Cuba.
Kennedy was told on the 16th and formed a special team called Ex-Comm. They came up with 5 ways the US could respond: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Do Nothing Surgical Air Attack Invasions Diplomatic Pressures Blockade
The events in October 1962 16th - Kennedy was told Khrushchev was building missile sites on Cuba 18-19th - Kennedy holds talks with Ex-Com 20th - Kennedy decides on a Naval Blockade of Cuba 21st - Kennedy makes a broadcast to the American people warning them of the potential threat and what he intended to do. 22nd - Kennedy announces the Blockade and calls on Soviets to remove missiles. 23rd - Khrushchev sent a letter to Kennedy saying they are ignoring the Blockade and doesn't admit to the missiles presence.
24th - The Blockade began, as Soviet ships approach the Blockade zone they stop or turn around. Khrushchev says that in the event of a war the USSR would use nuclear weapons. 25th - Kennedy wrote to Khrushchev asking him to withdraw missiles from Cuba, missile bases still being built on Cuba. 26th - Kennedy receives a second letter from Khrushchev saying if the blockade was lifted they would remove the missiles. 27th - Khrushchev sends another letter saying the USA has to remove missiles from Turkey. A U-2 plane is shot down over Cuba. The USA agreed to remove missiles from Turkey as long as it is kept secret 28th - Khrushchev accepted and missiles are removed.
Effects of the Cuban Missile Crisis Immediate: Reduction in Khrushchevs authority even though he tried to show he was a responsible peacemaker. China broke its alliance with the USSR Kennedy's popularity increased. Cuba stayed communist but without nuclear weapons. Led to the 'Hot line' in June 1963: red telephone link between the Whitehouse and the Kremlin. Nuclear Test Ban Treaty: August 63, nuclear weapons could only be tested underground. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty 1968, promise not to supply other countries with nuclear technology.
Long Term: USSR continued with the arms race until it was equal with the US in 1965 Greater stability between the two countries lead to MAD, a reason to avoid war. France left NATO; it didn't want to be drawn into a nuclear war.
Events During 1967, students and writers were complaining about the lack of freedom and poor performance of the Czech economy. When Novotny asked Brezhnev for help, Brezhnev did not support him.
Novotny fell from power and Alexander Dubcek took over. In April 1968, Dubceks government announced an Action plan for what it called Socialism with a Human face. It removed state controls over industry and allowed freedom of speech. For four months there was freedom in Czechoslovakia, until Dubcek announced he was going to allow another party to form. Dubcek stressed that Czechoslovakia would stay in the Warsaw Pact but in August, Marshall Tito of Yugoslavia, a country not in the Warsaw pact visited Prague. At a meeting in Bratislava on 3 August 1968, Brezhnev read out a letter from some Czechoslovakian Communists asking for help Jan Palach burned himself to death in protest.
Soviets Response: Brezhnev worried the reforms would spread to other Eastern Bloc countries Czechoslovakia was important in the Warsaw Pact as it was centrally placed Brezhnev tried to slow down pace of change by arguing with Dubcek. Warsaw Pact troops performed training exercises on the Czech border. He thought about cutting off wheat supplies but thought they would turn to the USA Dubcek agreed not to allow other political parties but insisted on keeping other reforms. On the 20th of August, 400,000 Warsaw Pact troops entered Czechoslovakia, arrested leading reformers and seized key cities. Dubcek told the people to offer only passive resistance so there were few deaths. Dubcek was flown to Moscow where he talked with Brezhnev. He was forced to resign Dubcek was not killed like Nagy in 19 56, he was always loyal to communism and friendly with Brezhnev. Instead he was gradually degraded and censored from everything. The US did not interfere as it did not want Brezhnev to become involved in Vietnam.
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1972 - SALT Treaty between Brezhnev and Nixon Agreed there would be no further production of strategic ballistic missiles.
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Agreed that submarines carrying nuclear weapons would only be introduced when existing stocks of intercontinental ballistic missiles became obsolete. This was significant as it was the first agreement between the Superpowers that successfully limited the number of nuclear weapons it held. 1975 - Apollo-Soyuz Space Mission A joint space mission in which a US Apollo spacecraft and a Russian Soyuz spacecraft docked in space. It ended the highly competitive space race of the 1960's. Further thaw in relations as showed they could work and even live together 1975 - The Helsinki Conference Held at Helsinki in Finland, 35 countries including the USA and USSR attended. The Western powers recognised the frontiers of eastern Europe and Soviet influence in that area. West Germany officially recognised East Germany. The Soviets agreed to buy American grain and export oil to the West. The Soviets agreed to allow greater freedom in the Soviet Union to western journalists and to allow some inspection of human rights. All countries agreed to improve human rights throughout the world. Both the USA and the USSR got what they wanted but in reality not all countries actually followed their promises.
Collapse of Dtente: Detente ended with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan on the 25th of December in 1979.
Afghanistan: 1979
Reasons for invasion They were concerned about the Muslim revolution in neighbouring Iran, which could have spread to Afghanistan and other Muslim areas inside the USSR. The political situation in Afghanistan was very unstable at the end of the 1970s and the Soviets wanted to maintain their influence in the area. Afghanistan was close to the Middle East oil reserves of the western powers and the ports of the Indian Ocean. The Soviets wanted to develop their interests in this area. Though Amin was a communist, the USSR did not trust him. The Soviet secret police reported he was an American spy. He was also unpopular with a large number of Muslims and Brezhnev feared a Muslim takeover.
The Kabul revolution: The Kabul revolution involved an overthrow of its government. The new government was determined to build Socialism in Afghanistan'. The new communist president, Mohammed Taraki, became an ally of the USSR. They began a modernisation programme including land reform and education of girls which met opposition from Muslim leaders. A civil war broke out between the Communist government and Islamic fighter (Mujahidin). Afghan communists asked Moscow for help but Brezhnev was reluctant to get involved as he thought of it as the USSRs Vietnam. President Taraki was forced to accept Hafizullah Amin as the prime minister. In October 1979, Amin supporters assassinated Taraki and Amin became president. Consequences of the Afghanistan invasion:
Within weeks of the invasion, Soviet troops were being killed by Mujahidin rebels who used very effective guerrilla tactics. The USA secretly began to send very large shipments of money, arms and equipment to Pakistan and from there to the Mujahidin. The campaign became unwinnable and a severe drain on its finances. Reagans policy on Afghanistan: The USA hoped to bleed the USSR white. The Soviets couldn't win in Afghanistan for the same reasons the USA could not win in Vietnam. Reagan was willing to give the mujahidin whatever money weapons they wanted. The USA spent $2bn on this war. Osama bin Laden was one of the men who went to fight with the Mujahidin. Most Afghans disliked the Soviet presence as Communism is anti-religion and so the Mujahidin was strong. The Soviets couldn't win and suffered tremendous losses and were keen to reach a peace deal. They offered to withdraw if the US stopped providing the Mujahidin with weapons but Reagan saw an opportunity to weaken the Soviets and refused. The Soviet defeat In 1986, there was less restriction on the media and the war was reported more accurately in the USSR. People began to demand withdrawal from Afghanistan. As Gorbachev became leader in 1985, and he wanted to make changes, they withdrew. Early in 1987 Moscow pulled out its forces. Costs included: 15,000 Soviet dead and 37,000 wounded an estimated financial cost of $20bn to the USSR over 1 million Afghans killed and around 5 million displaced
He also refused to sign SALT II which would have further limited the number of nuclear weapons. He pulled the USA out of the 1980 Moscow Olympics and none of the US allies participated either. The USSR retaliated by boycotting the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
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Gorbachev was struggling to hold the USSR together. In August 1991, hard-line Communist party members and leading military officers attempted a coup to take over the USSR. They held Gorbachev prisoner in his holiday home in Crimea and sent tanks and troops on to the streets of Moscow. The Russian President Yeltsin emerged as the popular leader of the opposition and crowds strongly opposed the military coup. Faced by this resistance, they lost faith in themselves and the coup collapsed. A few days later, Gorbachev returned to
Moscow. In a televised speech on the 25th of December 1991, Gorbachev announced the end of the Soviet Union, Comecon and the Warsaw Pact. The Cold War was over!!
Okay, so they are the main events you really have to learn to do your history exam, however, there are a few little things I missed out in the events. These extras are not essential for an average grade, but if you want that A* I would learn them!! Conflicting Ideologies
The two superpowers had very different ideologies USA Democratic government, chosen in free elections Capitalist country, privately owned business etc. Individuals can make profits but can also go bankrupt Believe in freedom of individual
1920-30 followed isolationism, but now prepared to help countries who wanted democracy but were faced with communism USSR Communist state People could vote for the Supreme Soviet but only members of the communist party and the Supreme Soviet had no real power Peoples lives were closely controlled Rights of individual less important than society as a whole Planned economy, government controlled production
Gorbachev could see the arms race was crippling the USSR and if he wanted changed it had to stop.