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Who replaced President Roosevelt after his death in April 1945?
Who replaced President Roosevelt after his death in April 1945?
Truman was less anti-communist than Roosevelt.
Truman was less anti-communist than Roosevelt.
False
What significant weapon did the USA develop before the Postdam conference?
What significant weapon did the USA develop before the Postdam conference?
Atomic bomb
The Postdam conference began on __________, 1945.
The Postdam conference began on __________, 1945.
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What was one of the main disagreements at the Postdam conference?
What was one of the main disagreements at the Postdam conference?
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Match the leaders with their respective viewpoints at the Postdam conference:
Match the leaders with their respective viewpoints at the Postdam conference:
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Stalin's demand for $10 billion in reparations was fully agreed upon by Truman.
Stalin's demand for $10 billion in reparations was fully agreed upon by Truman.
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What did Truman believe Stalin was trying to do in Eastern Europe?
What did Truman believe Stalin was trying to do in Eastern Europe?
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What event marked the first use of an atomic bomb in warfare?
What event marked the first use of an atomic bomb in warfare?
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Stalin was completely unaware of the development of the atomic bomb until it was used on Japan.
Stalin was completely unaware of the development of the atomic bomb until it was used on Japan.
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Which countries in Eastern Europe had communist governments by 1946?
Which countries in Eastern Europe had communist governments by 1946?
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The term used to describe the division between Soviet-controlled countries and the Western nations was the _______.
The term used to describe the division between Soviet-controlled countries and the Western nations was the _______.
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What was the purpose of COMINFORM?
What was the purpose of COMINFORM?
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Tito in Yugoslavia was fully compliant with Stalin's directives and was not expelled from COMINFORM.
Tito in Yugoslavia was fully compliant with Stalin's directives and was not expelled from COMINFORM.
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What did Truman use to persuade Congress to pass the Greece and Turkey aid Bill?
What did Truman use to persuade Congress to pass the Greece and Turkey aid Bill?
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What action did the USA take in response to Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe?
What action did the USA take in response to Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe?
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Match the following countries with their communist status in 1946:
Match the following countries with their communist status in 1946:
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The Truman Doctrine allowed for support to any country threatened by communism.
The Truman Doctrine allowed for support to any country threatened by communism.
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What was the main objective of the Marshall Plan?
What was the main objective of the Marshall Plan?
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Truman proposed a package of $___ million in aid for Greece and Turkey.
Truman proposed a package of $___ million in aid for Greece and Turkey.
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What amount did Marshall estimate was needed to rebuild Europe's economy?
What amount did Marshall estimate was needed to rebuild Europe's economy?
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Stalin violated his promise to Churchill by supporting Communist Greece.
Stalin violated his promise to Churchill by supporting Communist Greece.
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What economic condition was faced by European countries after World War II?
What economic condition was faced by European countries after World War II?
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Match the following events or policies with their descriptions:
Match the following events or policies with their descriptions:
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What was the primary concern of Truman regarding Greece in 1947?
What was the primary concern of Truman regarding Greece in 1947?
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Western leaders expected complete communist domination of Eastern Europe.
Western leaders expected complete communist domination of Eastern Europe.
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In which two countries did Truman specifically express concern about the spread of communism?
In which two countries did Truman specifically express concern about the spread of communism?
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Stalin wanted to gain access to the Mediterranean through the ________ Sea Straits.
Stalin wanted to gain access to the Mediterranean through the ________ Sea Straits.
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Match the following countries with their status in 1948:
Match the following countries with their status in 1948:
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What was the outcome of the British withdrawal from Greece in 1947?
What was the outcome of the British withdrawal from Greece in 1947?
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Truman faced little opposition from Congress regarding intervention in European affairs.
Truman faced little opposition from Congress regarding intervention in European affairs.
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Who were the two main rival groups in Greece after the Nazis were driven out?
Who were the two main rival groups in Greece after the Nazis were driven out?
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What was the primary purpose of the Marshall Plan according to American interests?
What was the primary purpose of the Marshall Plan according to American interests?
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Stalin embraced the Marshall Plan and encouraged Eastern European states to apply for the aid.
Stalin embraced the Marshall Plan and encouraged Eastern European states to apply for the aid.
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Who was the only communist leader to resist Stalin's domination?
Who was the only communist leader to resist Stalin's domination?
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The organizations established by Stalin in response to the Marshall Plan are called __________ and __________.
The organizations established by Stalin in response to the Marshall Plan are called __________ and __________.
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Match the following terms with their correct descriptions:
Match the following terms with their correct descriptions:
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How much money was made available through the Marshall Plan over four years?
How much money was made available through the Marshall Plan over four years?
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The Berlin Blockade occurred after the division of Germany into four zones.
The Berlin Blockade occurred after the division of Germany into four zones.
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What was Stalin's view regarding the anti-communist aims of the Marshall Plan?
What was Stalin's view regarding the anti-communist aims of the Marshall Plan?
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What was the main action taken by Stalin in June 1948 to exert control over Berlin?
What was the main action taken by Stalin in June 1948 to exert control over Berlin?
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The Berlin Blockade successfully forced the Allies to abandon West Berlin.
The Berlin Blockade successfully forced the Allies to abandon West Berlin.
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How did the Allies manage to supply West Berlin during the blockade?
How did the Allies manage to supply West Berlin during the blockade?
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The blockade and airlift signified the ________ of Germany into two separate nations.
The blockade and airlift signified the ________ of Germany into two separate nations.
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What did Truman want Berlin to symbolize during the Cold War?
What did Truman want Berlin to symbolize during the Cold War?
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Match the following events with their descriptions:
Match the following events with their descriptions:
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The airlift was conducted because the Allies had no other means to deliver supplies.
The airlift was conducted because the Allies had no other means to deliver supplies.
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What was the population of West Berlin during the blockade?
What was the population of West Berlin during the blockade?
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Study Notes
The Cold War - Postdam Conference
- President Roosevelt died in April 1945, replaced by Vice President Harry Truman
- Truman was significantly different from Roosevelt, characterized by a stronger anti-communist stance and suspicion of Stalin
- Truman and his advisors viewed Soviet actions in Eastern Europe as preparations for a Soviet takeover
The USA Developed an Atomic Bomb
- The US successfully tested a new weapon of immense power, impacting superpower relations
- Postdam Conference (July 17, 1945) was not smoothly conducted like Yalta
- An election in Britain led to Churchill's replacement by Clement Atlee mid-conference
- The conference was dominated by rivalry and suspicion between Stalin and Truman
- Significant disagreements arose over various issues, with neither side fully understanding the other's perspective
Disagreements at Potsdam
- Germany was divided into four zones, but Stalin sought its complete crippling to safeguard the USSR from future threats
- Truman opposed this, to avoid repeating the mistakes of the Treaty of Versailles
- Reparations were a major point of contention, with Stalin seeking $10 billion in compensation from Germany and Truman resisting
- Soviet policy in Eastern Europe was also a source of disagreement, with Stalin aiming to establish pro-Soviet governments; Truman viewed this as an attempt to create a Soviet empire in Europe
- Stalin's goal was protecting the USSR against future attacks whereas Truman was anxious about repeating the mistakes of the Treaty of Versailles.
Effects of the Atomic Bomb
- The US was developing an atomic bomb, culminating in a successful test on July 16, 1945
- Truman shared knowledge of the atomic bomb with Stalin before it became publicly known
- Stalin knew about the US atomic bomb project
- The US dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima (August 6, 1945), followed by Nagasaki (August 9, 1945)
- Both attacks resulted in devastating destruction and forced Japan's surrender, the horrific power of this weapon was shocking
How did the USSR Gain Control of Eastern Europe?
- By 1946, Eastern and Western Europe split clearly, with Eastern states falling under Stalin's control
- Postdam did not produce agreements on major policy points
- Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania had communist governments owing loyalty to Stalin by 1946
- Churchill labeled the border a "Iron Curtain" and Stalin successfully controlled the area
Soviet and American Policies in Eastern Europe
- Stalin tightened his control in Eastern Europe by imprisoning anyone opposing his communist rule.
- The establishment of COMINFORM (Communist Information Bureau) in October 1947 was part of this process, uniting communist parties in Eastern Europe and controlling leaders.
- Stalin maintained a close eye on communist leaders in Eastern Europe and forcefully removed leaders viewed as independent, replacing them with loyalists.
- Tito in Yugoslavia was the exception, resisting Stalin's control.
How did the USA React to Soviet Expansion?
- The Western powers (especially Truman) were alarmed by Stalin's takeover of Eastern Europe
- Previous agreements about a Soviet "sphere of influence" were made, but not the degree of communist domination
- They felt complete communist dominance was not anticipated
- Truman saw this as the spread of communism, and was concerned with the degree of Soviet influence
American and Soviet Policies in Greece and Turkey
- By 1948, Greece and Czechoslovakia were the only countries in Eastern Europe not fully controlled by a communist regime.
- Events in Greece and Turkey significantly impacted US policy towards Europe
- Truman highlighted the threat to these countries to get Congressional support for aid
Greece and Turkey
- Following the Nazi withdrawal from Greece in 1944, two opposing groups vied for control: communists and monarchists
- Initially, British troops supported the monarchists, but their withdrawal in February 1947 led to a civil war
- Truman highlighted the threat to these countries to get Congressional support
Turkey
- Stalin sought influence in Turkey, aiming to gain access to the Black Sea Strait
- Truman recognized Turkey's importance to the US due to its oil reserves, and the possibility of it becoming a Soviet ally
- Truman successfully persuaded Congress to provide aid to Greece and Turkey
The Truman Doctrine
- US intervention in Greece and Turkey marked a new era, marked by "Truman Doctrine"
- The US provided financial support to countries threatened by communist takeover
- This action to contain communist spread is known as "Containment"
The Marshall Plan
- Truman established the Marshall plan after sending General George Marshall to analyze Europe's weakened state.
- Europe owed the US 11.5billion and faced severe shortages in food, fuel, and goods
- Churchill described Europe as a "rabble heap, a breeding ground of hate"
- The plan aimed to prevent communist spread by offering financial aid to rebuild European economies
Stalin's Reaction to the Marshall Plan
- When Czechoslovakia's government fell under communist control in 1948, the US changed its perspective.
- Jan Masaryk, a minister, mysteriously died, triggering suspicion on how communists came into power
- This event prompted the acceptance and implementation of the Marshal plan by Congress and the USA
Marshall Aid
- Marshall Aid was a generous act motivated by both American self-interest and goodwill
- It helped prevent a world wide slump but was also aimed to create markets for American goods
- Stalin viewed the Marshall Plan with suspicion, preventing Eastern European countries from participating
Further Cold War Developments
- Stalin tightened control in Eastern Europe by establishing COMECON (Council for Mutual Economic Assistance.)
- Stalin believed Marshall aid would weaken his hold in Eastern Europe.
- Yugoslavia was an exception to this new policy, resisting Stalin's control.
The Berlin Blockade and Airlift
- The division of Berlin into four sectors created tension between the Allies, especially the Soviets
- Stalin implemented a blockade intending to force Allies out of Berlin and make it entirely dependent on the USSR
- The Allies responded with an airlift to keep West Berlin supplied, resolving the crisis
Significance of the Blockade and Airlift for the Cold War
- Germany became divided into two separate nations as a consequence of the Berlin Blockade
- Berlin became a symbol showing the political and economic division between the USA and the USSR
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Description
This quiz explores the key events and figures surrounding the Postdam Conference and the early Cold War period following President Roosevelt's death. Dive into significant developments such as the use of the atomic bomb and the establishment of communist governments in Eastern Europe. Test your knowledge on the contrasting viewpoints of leaders like Truman and Stalin.
