Thesis: The United State's policies were responsible for the outbreak of the cold war because of the Potsdam Conference, the different aims between the United States and the Soviet Union, Truman's Doctrine and the Policy of Containment, the Marshall Plan and the formation of the NATO alliance; some people believe that Berlin Blockade was the leading cause of the Cold War.
Main Point 1: Potsdam Conference
- Truman was the new President of the United States since Roosevelt died, and Truman was more of an anti-communist than Roosevelt meaning there was even more tension between Stalin and Truman. Truman was suspicious of Stalin and thought that Stalin's presence in Eastern Europe was his way of preparing to take over the rest of Europe
- The Potsdam conference was the day after the first atomic bomb was tested as a success, which meant that the United States no longer needed the Soviet Union's help in the war against Japan
- The Soviet Union's army was occupying Eastern Europe and would not leave even though Churchill and Truman did not want them in Eastern Europe in fear of communist take over, but Stalin persisted it was to prevent there from being another attack against the Soviet Union
Main Point 2: The different aims between the United States and the Soviet Union
- Germany:
- The Soviet Union wanted to crush Germany so that they would stay weak and never be a threat to the Soviet Union again. In order to do this the Stalin wanted to keep Germany into four sections
- The United States wanted to help rebuild Germany so that they were benefiting to Europe and make Germany more successful
- Truman wanted to spread democracy and create more free trade between Europe and the United States, and Stalin wanted to close the trading and spread communism
- Truman also wanted there to be more free trade with all of Europe in order to boost the United States' economy, while Stalin wanted to keep control of Eastern Europe to balance out the United States' influence in Western Europe
Main Point 3: Truman's Doctrine and the Policy of Containment
- $400 million dollars was given to Greece and Turkey to help them economically and militarily in order to keep out communism and keep the communist party contained, which angered Stalin even more and made the relationship between Stalin and Truman worse.
- The United State's sent money, equipment, and advice to countries that threatened to have a communist takeover
- The point of the Truman Doctrine was to keep the Soviet influence from spreading
- Stalin was not pleased because he believed that the United States had no business in Europe because they were not a country in or near Europe. Stalin also believed that he had the right to have influence in Europe because the Soviet Union had borders with countries in Europe
Main Point 4: Marshall Plan
- the intention was to give aid to European countries that needed it
- over four years 13 billion dollars of aid was given to 16 European countries
- The Marshall Plan gave the United States more alliances because of their help, and it also helped get rid of the communist parties in those countries
Main Point 5: NATO alliance
- The NATO alliance was the first alliance which the United States had joined during the time of peace
- There was 12 countries that pledged military alliance if one of the countries was attacked
- The reason for the formation of this alliance was because after the Berlin blockade they feared even more that the Soviet Union would get more aggressive
- The NATO alliance kept a standing military of more than 500,000 troops along with planes and other supplied.
- The Cold War and the NATO alliance made it so there was no hope of the United States to return to isolationism
D/I Berlin Blockade
- Stalin was not pleased that the United States, Great Britain, and France combined their three zones of Germany to create Western Germany in order to help Germany in recovering
- The USSR's zone included Berlin so Stalin stopped all goods from coming into part of Berlin so that Berlin would be completely dependent of the USSR. He did this by cutting off all roads and highways
- The United States was not pleased with this and tried to use break through the blockade, which they did by the Berlin Airlift which flew in supplied to Berlin, Stalin thought of this as an act of war against the USSR
Showing posts with label Stalin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stalin. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Iron Curtain Separates Europe
1. What is your overall impression of Source 26 (p. 70) and use extracts from the source to support your view. (No fence sitting; you must choose one but not both)
• a reasonable assessment of Stalin’s aims based on the facts
• an overreaction to Stalin’s actions based on fear of and prejudice towards the USSR?
Source 26 expressed how Stalin is irrational because he will not, "co-operate with any non-communist controlled government." This means that Stalin is going to do as he wishes and not listen to anyone else in Europe because the Soviet Union and the countries which it influences is the only communist countries in Europe. Another impression from Source 26 is that the Soviet Union is an extreme threat because of the size of the army and the amount of power that the country has. The Soviet Union wanting to take over the world with a communist rule is an actual threat due to the power they have, which is shown by the title of the report, "The Threat to the Civilization."
2. Source 26 is a British source. Does it seem likely that similar documents were being produced by the American government?
Similar documents could have been made by the American government because the Soviet Union was also a big threat to the United States. One thing that might be different though is that the United States might not be as worried about the Soviet Union taking over the United States, like the British fear that they would do to Great Britain, because the United States is farther away from the Soviet Unions power.
3. Study Source 27 (p. 71) and make a list of three different actions that Communists took to achieve power in eastern Europe. AND Explain how each factor helped. \
- In Hungary the Communist party became the single biggest party in the country and then they imprisoned all politicians that weren't communist and Church leaders. This was a factor that helped the Communist in Hungary because there was no one to go against the Communist rule.
- Communists became the outright leaders of Poland in 1947 when they exiled all non- communist leaders. Once again this made it so there is no threat against the Communist leaders because all of the leaders in Poland are communists.
-In Bulgaria the left wing coalition won the election and the Communist leaders executed all of the the leaders of the other political parties. This not only made it so there was no other threats to the communist rule but it also threatened the people because it showed that if they tried to go against the Communist party they would die.
• a reasonable assessment of Stalin’s aims based on the facts
• an overreaction to Stalin’s actions based on fear of and prejudice towards the USSR?
Source 26 expressed how Stalin is irrational because he will not, "co-operate with any non-communist controlled government." This means that Stalin is going to do as he wishes and not listen to anyone else in Europe because the Soviet Union and the countries which it influences is the only communist countries in Europe. Another impression from Source 26 is that the Soviet Union is an extreme threat because of the size of the army and the amount of power that the country has. The Soviet Union wanting to take over the world with a communist rule is an actual threat due to the power they have, which is shown by the title of the report, "The Threat to the Civilization."
2. Source 26 is a British source. Does it seem likely that similar documents were being produced by the American government?
Similar documents could have been made by the American government because the Soviet Union was also a big threat to the United States. One thing that might be different though is that the United States might not be as worried about the Soviet Union taking over the United States, like the British fear that they would do to Great Britain, because the United States is farther away from the Soviet Unions power.
3. Study Source 27 (p. 71) and make a list of three different actions that Communists took to achieve power in eastern Europe. AND Explain how each factor helped. \
- In Hungary the Communist party became the single biggest party in the country and then they imprisoned all politicians that weren't communist and Church leaders. This was a factor that helped the Communist in Hungary because there was no one to go against the Communist rule.
- Communists became the outright leaders of Poland in 1947 when they exiled all non- communist leaders. Once again this made it so there is no threat against the Communist leaders because all of the leaders in Poland are communists.
-In Bulgaria the left wing coalition won the election and the Communist leaders executed all of the the leaders of the other political parties. This not only made it so there was no other threats to the communist rule but it also threatened the people because it showed that if they tried to go against the Communist party they would die.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Origins of the Cold War: Yalta Conference
Questions
1. What month and year did the Yalta Conference place?
The Yalta conference took place in February 1945.
2. While the conference was taking place who were the Allies (Big Three) still fighting? Be specific.(Consider as well, what hadn't taken place yet that you've already studied.)
The Allies were still fighting in World War II against Germany because Germany did not official surrender till May of 1945. The United States was also fighting Japan in the War in the Pacific.
3. Why was Roosevelt anxious to make concessions to Stalin concerning the fate of postwar Germany?
Roosevelt had a fear that if they did not come to agreement to the fate of postwar Germany that the Soviet Union will take it over and give the Germans a harsh payment for the war and make the Eastern part of Germany communist. Most of the Yalta conference was about the fate of postwar Germany but in the end they could not come to a final decisions about what to do.
4. What decisions did Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin make at the Yalta Conference?
A few decisions were made during the Yalta conference. For one it was decided that Germany would temporarily be divide into four parts, one for each of of the countries of Great Britain, France, the United States, and the Soviet Union in order that each country would get the war debt back from Germany. Another decision made was that the Soviet Union would help the United States fight against Japan after Germany surrendered. Stalin said that the Soviet Union would declare war on Japan 90 days after Germany surrendered. Lastly, they decided to have a meeting later on in San Francisco to establish the United Nations.
1. What month and year did the Yalta Conference place?
The Yalta conference took place in February 1945.
2. While the conference was taking place who were the Allies (Big Three) still fighting? Be specific.(Consider as well, what hadn't taken place yet that you've already studied.)
The Allies were still fighting in World War II against Germany because Germany did not official surrender till May of 1945. The United States was also fighting Japan in the War in the Pacific.
3. Why was Roosevelt anxious to make concessions to Stalin concerning the fate of postwar Germany?
Roosevelt had a fear that if they did not come to agreement to the fate of postwar Germany that the Soviet Union will take it over and give the Germans a harsh payment for the war and make the Eastern part of Germany communist. Most of the Yalta conference was about the fate of postwar Germany but in the end they could not come to a final decisions about what to do.
4. What decisions did Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin make at the Yalta Conference?
A few decisions were made during the Yalta conference. For one it was decided that Germany would temporarily be divide into four parts, one for each of of the countries of Great Britain, France, the United States, and the Soviet Union in order that each country would get the war debt back from Germany. Another decision made was that the Soviet Union would help the United States fight against Japan after Germany surrendered. Stalin said that the Soviet Union would declare war on Japan 90 days after Germany surrendered. Lastly, they decided to have a meeting later on in San Francisco to establish the United Nations.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
War in the Pacific
1. In what ways were the American victory at Midway and the Japanese triumph at Pearl Harbor alike?
They were a like because they both involved destroying the other sides ships and planes. Both of them were also triumphs where one sides completely destroyed the other side. One of the Japanese officials that was at Midway said that the United States got its revenge on Pearl Harbor, but it was worse for the Japanese because in the Battle of Midway the Americans destroyed some of the Japanese's aircraft carriers.
2. Why was the Battle of Leyte Gulf so crucial to the Allies?
It was crucial for the Allies because the Japanese lost so much during the Battle of Leyte. In the battle the Japanese threw their entire fleet into it and they tried a new tactic called kamikaze which were suicide planes that crashed into the Allied ships. The battle ended in just three days, and the Japanese lost 3 battleships, 4 aircraft carriers, 13 cruisers and almost 500 planes. After this battle the Japanese Navy just played a minor role in defense of Japan.
3. Why was Okinawa a significant island in the war in the Pacific?
Okainawa was a significant island in the war because the Allies were able to bomb the mainland of Japan from there. Also it was a place that would open their way in invading the mainland of Japan.
4. What was the Manhattan Project? And who was J. Robert Oppenheimer?
The Manhattan Project was a project led by General Leslie Grove, which was the creation of the atomic bomb. J. Robert Oppenheimer was the man that developed the atomic bomb. At the peak of created it more than 600,000 Americans were working on it, and it was the best kept secret of the war.
5. Why was Roosevelt anxious to make concessions to Stalin concerning the fate of postwar Germany?
Roosevelt had two reasons to make concessions to Stalin concerning the fate of postwar Germany. One reason was that he had hoped that Stalin would keep his commitment and help fight against Japan in the Pacific war once Germany was defeated. Second, Roosevelt wanted Stalin to support for a new world peace organization, called the United Nations.
6. What decisions did Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin make at the Yalta Conference?
The decisions that were made during the Yalta Conference were the Germany would temporarily be four zones; one for each country, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, France, and the United States. Another decision made was that Stalin agreed to attend an international conference in April in San Francisco, where the United Nations would be formed. Stalin also promised a 'free and fettered' election in Poland and other Soviet occupied Eastern Europe counties. Lastly, Stalin agreed to help in the war against the Japanese in the Pacific.
7. At the trials, many Nazis defended themselves by saying they were only following orders. What does this rationale tell you about the German military? Why was it important to negate this justification?
The German military was very loyal to Hitler and would do whatever he asked of them, even the cruel things like working at the death camps. They tried to get out of getting charged for their crimes by saying that they were just taking orders, even though some of the people on trial were very close to Hitler, but once he is gone they turn on him. It is important to negate this justification because the individuals were responsible for their actions, even in the time of war.
They were a like because they both involved destroying the other sides ships and planes. Both of them were also triumphs where one sides completely destroyed the other side. One of the Japanese officials that was at Midway said that the United States got its revenge on Pearl Harbor, but it was worse for the Japanese because in the Battle of Midway the Americans destroyed some of the Japanese's aircraft carriers.
2. Why was the Battle of Leyte Gulf so crucial to the Allies?
It was crucial for the Allies because the Japanese lost so much during the Battle of Leyte. In the battle the Japanese threw their entire fleet into it and they tried a new tactic called kamikaze which were suicide planes that crashed into the Allied ships. The battle ended in just three days, and the Japanese lost 3 battleships, 4 aircraft carriers, 13 cruisers and almost 500 planes. After this battle the Japanese Navy just played a minor role in defense of Japan.
3. Why was Okinawa a significant island in the war in the Pacific?
Okainawa was a significant island in the war because the Allies were able to bomb the mainland of Japan from there. Also it was a place that would open their way in invading the mainland of Japan.
4. What was the Manhattan Project? And who was J. Robert Oppenheimer?
The Manhattan Project was a project led by General Leslie Grove, which was the creation of the atomic bomb. J. Robert Oppenheimer was the man that developed the atomic bomb. At the peak of created it more than 600,000 Americans were working on it, and it was the best kept secret of the war.
5. Why was Roosevelt anxious to make concessions to Stalin concerning the fate of postwar Germany?
Roosevelt had two reasons to make concessions to Stalin concerning the fate of postwar Germany. One reason was that he had hoped that Stalin would keep his commitment and help fight against Japan in the Pacific war once Germany was defeated. Second, Roosevelt wanted Stalin to support for a new world peace organization, called the United Nations.
6. What decisions did Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin make at the Yalta Conference?
The decisions that were made during the Yalta Conference were the Germany would temporarily be four zones; one for each country, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, France, and the United States. Another decision made was that Stalin agreed to attend an international conference in April in San Francisco, where the United Nations would be formed. Stalin also promised a 'free and fettered' election in Poland and other Soviet occupied Eastern Europe counties. Lastly, Stalin agreed to help in the war against the Japanese in the Pacific.
7. At the trials, many Nazis defended themselves by saying they were only following orders. What does this rationale tell you about the German military? Why was it important to negate this justification?
The German military was very loyal to Hitler and would do whatever he asked of them, even the cruel things like working at the death camps. They tried to get out of getting charged for their crimes by saying that they were just taking orders, even though some of the people on trial were very close to Hitler, but once he is gone they turn on him. It is important to negate this justification because the individuals were responsible for their actions, even in the time of war.
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