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
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