Causes of the Cold War and how it affected Germany

The Cold War

Explain the causes of the cold war; describe the events of the cold war as they affected Germany directly. Make notes on the causes and the consequences of the Cuban missile crisis.

The cold war broke out following the Second World War for several reasons.

There was a tremendous American fear of attack and spread of communism, Roosevelt

thought it was absolutely necessary to abolish communism and stop the progression of it.

Soviet troops had freed several countries in Eastern Europe, but instead of retreating, he left

the troops in the countries. By July he effectively controlled the Baltic States. As Stalin had

achieved a communist government in Poland, ignoring the wills of the Polish many fled from

the Baltic States fearing a communist take-over. To make things worse, America had a new

president, Harry Truman. Truman was far more anti communist than Roosevelt he was

extremely suspicious of Stalin too. He then saw Stalin’s actions in Eastern Europe as

preparation for take over of the rest of Europe.

In April 1945 the Americans tested a nuclear bomb at a desert site in the United States.

Truman informed Stalin about this, Russia then acquired a great fear of the American nuclear

bomb. In July, ended the Potsdam conference this did not go as well as Yalta had, there were

several disagreements. Firstly, as Atlee halfway through the conference replaced Churchill, it

was subjugated by the distrust between Stalin and Truman; as a result neither side seemed to

be able to agree on the other sides opinion.

For example, they could not agree on what to do about Germany; Stalin wanted to protect

USSR from capitalism and any possible threat, he wanted to cripple Germany as much as

possible. But Truman, remembering the mistake of the treaty of Versailles refused to repeat

this.

Stalin also wanted compensation from Germany, twenty million Russians had died during the

war and the USSR had been shattered he felt the Germans should pay reparations in order to

mend the situation. Nevertheless, Truman still did not want to repeat the mistake of the treaty

of Versailles and could not agree to this point.

They equally disagreed over the soviet policy in Eastern Europe Truman became upset about

Stalin setting up pro-soviet governments over there, he did not approve of the Slav people

uniting.

In the end, Potsdam ended without complete agreement on the issues above. Stalin then

achieved the domination of Eastern Europe that he wanted and by 1946 Hungary, Poland,

Romania, Bulgaria and Albania all had communist governments and owed loyalty to Stalin.

There was now a border between the west and the soviet controlled countries, which Churchill

described as the iron curtain.

Stalin gradually tensioned the grip on eastern European countries. In 1947, October he set up

a communist bureau in order to organize the different communists parties’ work in the eastern

countries of Europe.

2/ Germany and Berlin were divided into four sectors after Yalta and Potsdam conference

after the war . Stalin was determined to have revenge on Germany for the damage of Russia

while the three western powers reflected on the organization and economic recoveries of these

zones.

Thanks to the Marshall aid, the three western areas were fused forming a prosperous single

economic division in 1948.

Meanwhile, the west prepared a constitution for a self-governing west Germany as the

Russians would not allow a complete reunification because even only the west of Germany

reunited and strong worried them.

In june 1948 the west put an end to price controls and rations and introduced a new currency.

They now faced a new problem, the huge difference of wealth between east and west Berlin.

The solution the Russians found to this was the closing of all railways, canals and roads

between the two areas, they now had to fly supplies in so that the people of west Berlin

would not starve. The Russians did not risk shooting the supply planes down so all through

winter the west Berliners were fed ad warmed. The Russians eventually acknowledged their

defeat and lifted the blockade.

Under Khrushchev in 1958 the situation in Berlin deteriorated, Russia did not recognise the

rights of the western powers in West Berlin anymore.

The communists were embarrassed by the number of refugees escaping from East Berlin into

west Berlin. Kennedy refused for the west to withdraw from west Berlin and the Berlin wall

was erected in august 1961, this wall blocked all escape roads 28 miles along the whole city

until 1989 when it was destroyed.

3/ the Cuban missile crisis

Cuba= had been US ally. US owned most business and big naval base over there.

Bay of pigs = Kennedy supplied equipment for 1400 anti-Castro exiles in order to invade

Cuba and overthrow Fidel Castro leader of communist state.

Mission failed. Everyone killed or taken prisoners within little time.

Kennedy was considered weak making Castro and Khrushchev doubtful abt US policies

Cuba was then supplies with masses of arms , USA = worried but would SU taunt to put

nuclear weapons in Cuba? Kennedy didn’t take the risk , warned USSR tht he would stop them from making Cuba an offensive military base.

October 14th 1962 – US U-2 spy plane flies over Cuba takes photos of nuclear missile sites

built by USSR.

Kennedy informed of missile development , he decided blockade of Cuba and tells SU to

withdraw missiles.

Kennedy receives letter frm Khrushchev, he does not admit nuclear missiles.

Blockade begins October 24

Airborne photos prove work in missile bases are taking place

Khrushchev claims missiles are defensive, admitting their existence

Khrushchev send conditions for the removal of missiles in cuba, USA mst remove missiles

from turkey. Kennedy refused but after a U-2 shot down and pilt killed he accepts the

conditions