02_Revision_questions (1)

• The Cold War was a period of tension between the USA and USSR from 1945 to 1991, marked by ideological conflict and no direct military engagement.
• The USA was capitalist and democratic, promoting free elections and private ownership, while the USSR was communist, with a single-party system and state ownership of industry.
• The differing ideologies of capitalism and communism fueled mutual distrust, leading to the Cold War as both superpowers sought to protect their systems.
• The Grand Alliance consisted of the USA, USSR, and Great Britain during WWII, collaborating against Nazi Germany.
• The Tehran Conference in November 1943 was pivotal for planning the war effort, with agreements on military strategies and the establishment of the United Nations post-war.
• At the Yalta Conference in February 1945, the Allies agreed to divide Germany into four occupation zones after its defeat, which set the groundwork for post-war tensions.
• The Potsdam Conference in July 1945 finalized many agreements from Yalta but also revealed deepening disagreements, especially regarding reparations and Eastern Europe.
• The USA's use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 not only ended WWII but also escalated fears of nuclear conflict with the USSR.
• The Long and Novikov telegrams exemplified the growing suspicion between the two powers, with each side interpreting the other's actions as aggressive.
• The establishment of communist governments in Eastern Europe between 1945-1948 heightened fears in the USA about the spread of communism, leading to a more aggressive foreign policy.
• The Iron Curtain metaphorically represented the division in Europe between communist and capitalist states, highlighting the stark geopolitical divide.
• The Truman Doctrine (1947) aimed to contain communism by providing military and economic support to countries threatened by communism, notably Greece and Turkey.
• The Marshall Plan (1948) provided $15 billion in aid to help rebuild European economies post-WWII, which the USA believed would reduce the risk of communism spreading.
• The USSR responded with Comecon and Cominform, aiming to consolidate control and support among communist nations, countering Western influence.
• The Berlin Blockade (1948-1949) was a critical moment in the Cold War, showcasing the rivalry as the West airlifted supplies to sustain West Berlin against Soviet pressure.