Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following nations was not a member of the "grand alliance" during World War II?
Which of the following nations was not a member of the "grand alliance" during World War II?
- USSR
- USA
- Britain
- Germany (correct)
What event led to the United States ending its policy of isolationism in World War II?
What event led to the United States ending its policy of isolationism in World War II?
- The collectivization and industrialization policies in the USSR
- The invasion of Russia by Germany
- The attack on Pearl Harbor (correct)
- The Molotov-Ribbentrop pact
Which of the following best describes the ideological difference between the USA and the USSR during the Cold War?
Which of the following best describes the ideological difference between the USA and the USSR during the Cold War?
- The USA was a capitalist country, while the USSR was a communist state. (correct)
- The USA focused on individual liberties, while the USSR prioritized collective well-being.
- The USA was democratic, while the USSR was a monarchy.
- The USA favored military expansion, while the USSR preferred diplomacy.
What was the primary reason for the formation of the "grand alliance" during World War II?
What was the primary reason for the formation of the "grand alliance" during World War II?
What caused the USSR to enter World War II?
What caused the USSR to enter World War II?
In 1941, which nation was responsible for the invasion of Russia, thus violating the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact?
In 1941, which nation was responsible for the invasion of Russia, thus violating the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact?
What was the main aim of the Tehran Conference?
What was the main aim of the Tehran Conference?
What was the primary reason for Churchill's suspicion of Stalin?
What was the primary reason for Churchill's suspicion of Stalin?
What did Roosevelt hope to achieve through a positive relationship between the superpowers after the war?
What did Roosevelt hope to achieve through a positive relationship between the superpowers after the war?
What was Roosevelt's primary concern regarding British colonialism?
What was Roosevelt's primary concern regarding British colonialism?
What was the main agreement reached at the Yalta Conference regarding Germany?
What was the main agreement reached at the Yalta Conference regarding Germany?
What agreement did the Soviet Union make at the Yalta Conference regarding the United Nations?
What agreement did the Soviet Union make at the Yalta Conference regarding the United Nations?
What made the Potsdam Conference different from the previous conferences?
What made the Potsdam Conference different from the previous conferences?
What was the main reason for Truman's concern over the Soviet Union's control of Eastern Europe?
What was the main reason for Truman's concern over the Soviet Union's control of Eastern Europe?
What was Stalin's main argument for establishing a buffer zone in Eastern Europe?
What was Stalin's main argument for establishing a buffer zone in Eastern Europe?
What was the main impact of the atomic bombs on the relationship between the Soviet Union and the United States?
What was the main impact of the atomic bombs on the relationship between the Soviet Union and the United States?
What was the main reason for Churchill's Iron Curtain speech?
What was the main reason for Churchill's Iron Curtain speech?
What did Kennan's Long Telegram argue about Soviet foreign policy?
What did Kennan's Long Telegram argue about Soviet foreign policy?
Which of the following events directly followed the dropping of the atomic bombs?
Which of the following events directly followed the dropping of the atomic bombs?
What was the main reason for the worsening of tensions between the US and the USSR after World War II?
What was the main reason for the worsening of tensions between the US and the USSR after World War II?
What was the main impact of the disagreements between the US and the USSR over Eastern Europe?
What was the main impact of the disagreements between the US and the USSR over Eastern Europe?
Flashcards
Cold War
Cold War
A prolonged period of political tension between the USA and USSR post-WW2, characterized by rivalry and ideological conflict.
Capitalism vs Communism
Capitalism vs Communism
Capitalism promotes private ownership and class systems, while Communism advocates for communal ownership and classlessness.
Grand Alliance
Grand Alliance
An alliance formed in WW2 between the USA, Britain, and USSR to defeat Nazi Germany despite their ideological differences.
Pearl Harbor Attack
Pearl Harbor Attack
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Franklin Roosevelt
Franklin Roosevelt
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Joseph Stalin
Joseph Stalin
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USSR entry into WW2
USSR entry into WW2
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Attitudes towards each other
Attitudes towards each other
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Tehran Conference
Tehran Conference
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Agreements of Tehran
Agreements of Tehran
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Yalta Conference
Yalta Conference
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Agreements of Yalta
Agreements of Yalta
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Impact of Yalta on USSR
Impact of Yalta on USSR
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Potsdam Conference
Potsdam Conference
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Agreements of Potsdam
Agreements of Potsdam
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Atomic Bombs on Japan
Atomic Bombs on Japan
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Stalin’s Buffer Zone
Stalin’s Buffer Zone
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Impacts of the Atomic Bomb
Impacts of the Atomic Bomb
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Kennan's Long Telegram
Kennan's Long Telegram
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Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech
Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech
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Agreements for Free Elections
Agreements for Free Elections
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Churchill's Disappointment
Churchill's Disappointment
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USSR's Need for Reparations
USSR's Need for Reparations
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Study Notes
Cold War Origins and Ideologies
- US was capitalist, USSR communist
- Differences in ideologies led to disagreements
- Superpowers tried to ignore differences; however, conflicts arose.
How the Cold War Started
- Grand Alliance: Britain, US, and USSR formed a wartime alliance against Nazi Germany.
- US and USSR had ideological differences; distrust and suspicion persisted.
- Attack on Pearl Harbour (1941) ended US isolationism in WWII, bringing them into the war.
- USSR joined the war in 1941, as Germany invaded.
- Ideological differences of the participating countries notwithstanding, they formed the Grand Alliance due to their common WWII enemy.
Attitudes Towards Each Other
- US President Roosevelt initially was tolerant of Stalin and the USSR.
- Stalin's policies of collectivization and industrialization were criticized by the US and Britain.
Tehran Conference (1943)
- Aims: Plan a winning strategy for WWII, help each other in war and ensure future peace
- Agreements:
- Open a second front in France
- USSR aid US in war with Japan
- Territorial agreements were discussed about Poland.
Impact on the US-UK-USSR
- Positive impact on Soviet-US relations generally
- Negative impact on US and UK relations to some extent.
Yalta Conference (1945)
- Aims: Winning WWII, governing post-war Europe, and establishing a post-war international order.
- Agreements:
- $20 Billion in reparations from Germany
- Germany split into 4 zones; free elections in Eastern Europe
- USSR agreed to join war against Japan.
- USSR agreement to join UN.
Impact on US-USSR relations
- Positive diplomatic relations were noted
- US and USSR wanted peace in Eastern Europe.
Potsdam Conference (1945)
- Aims: Finalizing post-war Europe, ensuring peace, and preventing the spread of communism
- Agreements:
- Germany divvied into 4 zones of occupation
- USSR gained land from Poland.
- War Criminals trials were set up.
Impact on US-USSR Relations
- Negative impacts were noted for the future.
- US tested atomic bombs, enhancing tensions.
- USSR wanted harsher reparations from Germany
- USSR control of Eastern Europe concerned US.
Worsening of Tensions
- Atomic Bombs: Used on Japan. US used to force unconditional surrender from Japan and to impress the USSR
- Stalin's Buffer Zone: USSR created satellite states in Eastern Europe to secure its borders post WWII.
- Eastern European Control (USSR): Countries occupied by USSR in Eastern Europe were forced to adopt communist regimes after WWII ended.
- Communist States (Eastern Europe): USSR rigged elections, intimidated voters, and removed non-communist politicians in Eastern Europe.
- Atomic Bomb Test: US testing of an A-Bomb in 1949 increased conflict tension with USSR.
Telegrams
- George Kennan's Long Telegram: Kennan argued that the USSR viewed capitalism as an enemy and aimed to spread communism.
- Winston Churchill's Iron Curtain Speech: Churchill criticized the USSR's control over Eastern Europe as an "Iron Curtain."
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