What is the Cold War?
A state of political hostility and military tension between two countries or power blocs, especially between America and Soviet blocs after World War 2
Involves propaganda, subversion, threats, economic sanctions, and other measures short of open warfare.
What was the significance of the Yalta Conference held in February 1945?
It was held to discuss the future of Germany and Eastern Europe, particularly Poland
Yalta is on the Crimean peninsula, chosen by Stalin to showcase the scale of destruction.
What were the tensions discussed at the Yalta Conference?
Stalin bugged every room and reviewed Roosevelt’s private conversations.
What event in 1939 contributed to US-Soviet tension?
The Nazi-Soviet Pact, where Stalin signed a non-aggression pact with Hitler
This pact set the stage for future conflicts.
What was Operation Barbarossa?
The German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941
This led to the US providing $1 billion in aid after Hitler broke the non-aggression pact.
What was the Katyn Massacre?
A mass execution of Polish military officers by the Soviet Union during World War II
It exemplified the betrayal of Warsaw in 1944.
What were the key agreements made at the Yalta Conference?
These agreements aimed to establish post-war order.
True or false: The Yalta Conference revealed cracks in the relationship between the US and USSR.
TRUE
By September 1946, the possibility of the Cold War seemed inevitable.
What was the moral leverage used by Stalin during the war?
The USSR suffered 27,000,000 deaths compared to 450,000 UK and 418,000 USA
This statement emphasized the sacrifices made by the USSR.
What was the ‘naughty document’ in Moscow 1944?
A scrap of paper where Churchill and Stalin divided Eastern Europe into zones of occupation
Poland was notably absent from this list.
When was the Potsdam conference held?
July 1945
This conference involved key leaders discussing post-war arrangements.
What percentage of Americans agreed that the wartime relationship between the two superpowers should continue?
50%
This reflects public sentiment regarding U.S.-Soviet relations at the time.
Who replaced Churchill at the Potsdam conference?
Clement Atlee
Atlee became the British Prime Minister following Churchill.
How long had Truman been in leadership before the Potsdam conference?
3 months
Truman felt out of his depth during the conference.
In his 1969 memoir, how did Dean Acheson describe the Soviet Union?
just a bit less formidable than that described in the first chapter of Genesis
This reflects Acheson’s view of the Soviet threat.
What was Truman’s tone towards Stalin during the conference?
sharper than FDR
Truman challenged Stalin on the issue of liberated Europe.
What did Truman inform Stalin about at the conference?
a powerful new weapon
This referred to the successful test of the atomic bomb.
How did Stalin already know about the atomic bomb?
through espionage
This indicates the extent of Soviet intelligence capabilities.
What did the atomic bomb cast over the proceedings?
a nuclear shadow
This influenced the dynamics of the conference.
What type of conference was the Potsdam meeting described as?
bad tempered
Tensions were high, reflecting the strained U.S.-Soviet relations.
What did Stalin confirm regarding Soviet troops?
in Japan
This was part of the agreements made at the conference.
What was confirmed about the occupation of Austria and Germany?
confirmed
This established the post-war arrangement for these countries.
What was not agreed upon at the Potsdam conference?
No long term peace treaty over Germany
This left unresolved issues that would persist until 1989.
What did the West fail to alter regarding Soviet domination?
the region
This indicates the limitations of Western influence in Eastern Europe.