Why did the Cold War Start 1945-1955

Why did the Cold War Start 1945-1955

1. Actions of USA

   • Merged their Zone with Britain's, to form Bizonia on January 1st 1947
   • Their Economic Domination of Europe, Through The Marshall Plan
   • Kennan's 'Long Telegram' 22nd February 1946
     • The 'Truman Doctrine' Speech to Congress,12th March 1947
       • The Marshall Plan, 5th June 1947
         • The Plan provided $13.5 billion dollars to 16 countries in Europe
           • Inc GB, France, W Germany.
       • Containment: Stop the Soviet Union spreading their influence through Europe via Economic and Political aid
     • This was the Foundation of the Us policy towards the Soviet Union and ultimately determined the USA's role as a global superpower
   • The Berlin Airlift June 1948 to May 1949
   • The Korean War 1950-1953
   • Eisenhower' s 'New Look'
     • Massive Retaliation
       • An ultimate nuclear deterrent strategy and security guarantee for the USA
       • John Foster Dulles, EisenHowers Secratary of State 1953-1959
     • Rollback
       • A forceful American policy which would Rollback Russian occupation and dismatle the Iron-Curtain
   • The Establishment of NATO, April 1949
     • Improve American Influence in Europe, they had no say in the Western European Policies, and needed an Org. to change it.

2. Actions of USSR

   • Soviet Expansion in Eastern Europe, 1945 - 1949
     • The Warsaw Pact, 1955
       • Most of the Communist states in eastern Europe signed what was officially known as the Treaty of Friendship, Co-operation and Mutual Assistance
         • The signatories pledged to defend one another should they be threatened by an external aggressor, in this case the aggressor was NATO
     • Poland
       • The USSR used force to establish a pro-Moscow communist rule in POland
     • Romania,
       • The occupation of the Soviet Liberation Army in Romania the King was forced to establish a communist government
     • Czechoslovakia
       • All the Non-communist members of the government resigned in Feb 1948, giving the communists complete control of the Government
     • Bulgaria and Hungary
       • Gradualism,manipulated elections and the forced removal of opponents characterised the process in Bulgaria
       • Much like events in Bulgaria and Poland, rigged elections and the removal/execution of opponents allowed the Soviet's to put a pro-Moscow communist regime
     • To improve Soviet National Security
   • Establishment of Cominform, 1947
     • The intended purpose of Cominform was to coordinate actions between Communist parties under Soviet direction
   • The Berlin Blockade June 1948 to May 1949

3. The Role of Britain, Germany and other European countries

   • Britain
     • Churchill's 'Iron Curtain' Speech, 6th March 1946
       • From Stettin in the Baltic to Triest in the Adriatic, an Iron Curtain has descended across Europe...
     • Ernest Bevin, British Foreign Secretary
       • The Soviets Ultimate aim was to spread communism across the whole of Germany and their pressure to oust the western powers from Berlin was the first step in this process. A retreat from Berlin would hand a propaganda victory to the Soviet Union
     • 'Special Relationship' with America
   • Germany
     • West Germany allowed into NATO, 1955
     • The Deutschmark introduced into western zones to stabilise economy
     • Konrad wanted support from western European powers and a treaty with France

4. Ideology

   • Capitalism
     • The US government used anti-communist propaganda to create mass hysteria and the 'Red Fear'
       • The Government used this 'Red Fear' to enable them to adopt strong policies against the USSR
   • Communism
     • The USSR wanted to spread Communism throughout Europe
   • Vs

5. Nuclear Factor

   • Nuclear superiority= main cause for the Cold War as it forced competition between USA and USSR
   • Atomic Bomb
     • USA-1945
       • USSR-1949
   • Intercontinental Bomber
     • USA-1948
       • USSR-1955
   • Jet Bomber
     • USA-1951
       • USSR-1954
   • Hydrogen Bomb
     • USA-1952
       • USSR-1953