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Questions and Answers
What was the main purpose of the Truman Doctrine established in 1947?
What was the main purpose of the Truman Doctrine established in 1947?
Which countries administered West Germany after WWII?
Which countries administered West Germany after WWII?
What was a significant outcome of the Marshall Plan in West Germany?
What was a significant outcome of the Marshall Plan in West Germany?
What strategy did the United States employ to influence politics in foreign nations during the Cold War?
What strategy did the United States employ to influence politics in foreign nations during the Cold War?
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What action did Stalin take to prevent progress in West Berlin?
What action did Stalin take to prevent progress in West Berlin?
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What was the primary aim of the Berlin Airlift organized by the Allied Powers?
What was the primary aim of the Berlin Airlift organized by the Allied Powers?
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What was one of the effects of East Germany being intentionally kept weak?
What was one of the effects of East Germany being intentionally kept weak?
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Which international alliance was formed in 1949 as a military response to Soviet expansion?
Which international alliance was formed in 1949 as a military response to Soviet expansion?
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What was the primary purpose of the Warsaw Pact formed in 1955?
What was the primary purpose of the Warsaw Pact formed in 1955?
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Which policy did Eisenhower utilize that involved risking war to deter aggression?
Which policy did Eisenhower utilize that involved risking war to deter aggression?
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What event sparked widespread fear and the Red Scare in the United States?
What event sparked widespread fear and the Red Scare in the United States?
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What was the significance of the Montgomery bus boycott?
What was the significance of the Montgomery bus boycott?
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What were the key objectives of the Civil Rights Act of 1957?
What were the key objectives of the Civil Rights Act of 1957?
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How did the Little Rock Nine integrate into Central High School?
How did the Little Rock Nine integrate into Central High School?
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What was the result of the assassination of Emmett Till?
What was the result of the assassination of Emmett Till?
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What was the significance of Sputnik 1 launched in 1957?
What was the significance of Sputnik 1 launched in 1957?
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What was the effect of the open casket funeral of Emmett Till?
What was the effect of the open casket funeral of Emmett Till?
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Who was Claudette Colvin, and what did she do?
Who was Claudette Colvin, and what did she do?
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Study Notes
Post-WWII Germany
- Germany divided into four zones: administered by the UK, France, US, and Russia, with Berlin divided similarly.
- Decisions regarding German reunification to be made jointly, ensuring free elections, press, and speech.
- Germany required to pay reparations primarily to Russia.
- East Germany, controlled by the Soviet Union, remained weak to prevent future militarization; resources were exploited by the USSR.
- West Germany received support from the US, UK, and France to encourage economic recovery and avoid a repeat of the Versailles Treaty.
Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan
- Truman Doctrine established in 1947 aimed to prevent the spread of communism in Europe.
- Marshall Plan provided $12.5 billion in financial aid to rebuild Western European economies and foster strong US ties.
- US recognized the necessity of a robust Western Europe to counteract Soviet expansion after WWII.
- The Marshall Plan facilitated West Germany's swift recovery through the introduction of the Deutschmark, which revitalized the economy and encouraged migration to West Berlin.
Berlin Blockade and Airlift
- Stalin initiated the Berlin Blockade by cutting off all transport routes to West Berlin in an attempt to halt its progress.
- The Allied Powers responded with the Berlin Airlift, delivering essential supplies from June 1948 to September 1949.
NATO and Warsaw Pact
- NATO formed in 1949 as a mutual defense alliance among the US, Canada, and Western Europe.
- The Warsaw Pact established in 1955 by the Soviet Union includes Eastern Bloc countries like Poland, Hungary, and East Germany.
Eisenhower and Brinkmanship
- Eisenhower's presidency initiated a policy of "brinkmanship," committing to confront the Soviet Union aggressively.
- Increased defense spending accompanied the development of advanced weapons like the hydrogen bomb, tested by the US in 1952.
McCarthyism and Sputnik
- McCarthyism fostered widespread fear of communism, spurred by accusations of a spy ring within the US government.
- The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 in 1957, prompting the US to increase funding for space exploration through the National Aeronautics and Space Act of July 1958.
Emmett Till and Civil Rights Movement
- 14-year-old Emmett Till was brutally murdered in 1955 for allegedly whistling at a white woman; his open-casket funeral highlighted severe racial injustice.
- Claudette Colvin, at age 15, refused to give up her bus seat in March 1955, marking early acts of resistance against segregation.
- Rosa Parks' refusal to vacate her bus seat led to a successful 381-day bus boycott, resulting in the desegregation of Montgomery buses on December 21, 1956.
Legislative and Organizational Efforts
- The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was enacted to protect black voting rights, eliminating literacy tests and poll taxes.
- The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) advanced nonviolent resistance in the Civil Rights Movement.
Little Rock Nine and Ruby Bridges
- The Little Rock Nine attempted to integrate Little Rock Central High School in 1957, requiring federal intervention to ensure their safety.
- Ruby Bridges, a kindergartener, faced severe resistance when integrated into an all-white school, exemplifying the struggle for desegregation and inspiring both communities.
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Description
Explore the important agreements made between Stalin and Truman regarding the future of Germany after World War II. This quiz covers the division of Germany into zones, the administration by Allied powers, and the planned reunification efforts alongside other critical decisions.
