Who was to blame for the cold war

Who was to blame for the cold war

1. Option B : Key Question 4 Who was to blame for the cold war?

2. Background The Allied forces had pushed Nazi Germany back in 1944-5, after launching D-Day and fending off a desperate German counter-resistance. Hitler was pronounced dead and the war in Europe came to an end. The Big 3 (USA, USSR, Britain) agreed to meet in Yalta in the Crimea, to discuss what to do with victory

3. Why did the Cold War start ? There is no known reason(s) for why the Cold War started; however, it has been a popular topic of debate amongst historians.  Over the years, historians have coined three justifications for the start of the Cold War.  The three are however very much conflicting. 1.The USSR is at fault.  This is so because Stalin had desired to dominate the world under Communism.  His takeover of Eastern Europe was seen to be his first step towards this. 2.The USA is at fault.  This is so because the USA wanted to control and influence her sphere of influence without any intervention by another nation but she wouldn’t allow the USSR to do the same for her sphere of influence.  As a result, any action taken on the part of the USSR is seen to be defensive. 3.  Neither the USSR nor the USA is at fault.  This is so because the Cold war is seen to be an inevitable war that was beyond the control of the two. The Cold War however can be traced back to as early as 1917 when the Russian Revolution War began.  With this revolution, Communism became the ruling force in Russia which fueled the Western powers want to “kill” its influence.  The Western powers were staunch anti-Communists who did not agree with the ideals of Communism.

4. Yalta, Feb 1945 The mood at Yalta was good; the Russians were happy that the Americans had opened up a second front in the West, and it was clear that the Nazis were being swept away. Japan was still a problem though. As they discussed what to do, several agreements were made. Russia would give the US a helping hand and join the war in Japan (in return for 'influence' on their Asian borders). Germany would have to suffer the humiliation of total surrender, and would be divided into four zones according to where the different allied troops were. Berlin would suffer the same fate. All Nazi-controlled states would get free elections, though Stalin would be allowed some influence in Eastern Europe; the Russians had - after all - lost 20 million men. A "Committee on Dismemberment of Germany" would decide whether to split Germany into 6 nations. Russia would join the UN They was disagreement on Poland though. Stalin wanted to move his border into Poland. Churchill and Roosevelt disagreed but came to an understanding that he could do this, so long as he didn’t interfere in Greece.

5. Reasons for worsening tensions A change in leadership  - Roosevelt had died, and was replaced by the inexperienced Truman, who was looking to assert his authority. His black-and-white nature meant conflict with Stalin was inevitable; the USSR accused him of using 'the language of a Missouri mule driver'. Atlee had also surpisingly beaten Winston Churchill in the British election, which gave Britain less international clout The atmomic bomb  - The USA had not told the USSR about its development and use at Hiroshima and Nagasaki; Stalin was worried they would be turned on him. The situation in eastern Europe  - Stalin, though promising to honour self independence at Yalta, had left 3m men in eastern Europe and was in no rush for them to leave. Communist officials - some trained in Russia like the German Walter Ulbricht - were also appearing in these countries, which went against the idea of free elections.Stalin had dragged his heels about helping the US in Japan

6. Potsdam, July 1945 Germany had surrendered in WWII and Hitler had committed suicide.  The three allied powers once again met, but this time in Potsdam, Germany.  The relationship of the three allied leader were however affected this time around for the following reasons: 1.      Stalin was having his armies occupy most of Eastern Europe.  By July 1945, the USSR was controlling Poland, Finland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania and the Baltic states. 2.      President Roosevelt of the USA died and Vice-President Harry Truman took over.  He was however an aggressive leader. 3.      An atomic bomb was tested in the desert of the USA. N.B: Halfway through the Potsdam Conference, elections occurred in Britain where Churchill was replaced by Clement Atlee who also took his position at the Potsdam Conference.

7. Potsdam, July 1945 The following disagreements occurred between the three allied leaders at the conference: 1.      Stalin wanted to cripple Germany so she would be protected from future threats but Truman did not want a repeat of the Versailles treaty. 2.      Stalin wanted Germany to compensate her for the 20million Russian who died while Truman did not want a reoccurrence of the mistake made with the Versailles Treaty. 3.      Stalin had received the “go ahead” from the initial representatives from the USA and Britain to set up governments in Eastern Europe but Truman was not fond of this and assumed a “get tough” approach towards Stalin.

8. Potsdam, July 1945 By July 1945, the divisions ran deep - by the time they met at Postdam , the 'Yalta feel' was gone. There were divisions over all the main issues; what to do with Germany, and how best to move forward with Europe in general. The following points were agreed: Reparations  - a 'payments in kind' method was agreed, which meant that the Allies would swap resources from their four zones. Other than this, little else was agreed - quite how Germany should be split in the future, and the amount of reparations could not be decided. The USSR wanted more for the 20m Russians that had died – The 4 D's  - They did agree to denazify . demilitarize, democratize and decentralise Germany though . The 4 zones would stay (decentralization) whilst denazification took place thorugh the Nuremberg trials (where top Nazis were judged and sentenced) and the banning of the Nazi Party and other extremist parties. Poland  - The Big 3 also agreed to give Poland free elections

9. Soviet Expansion in Eastern Europe

10. What was the Iron Curtain? This was the name that Churchill gave in a famous speech in March 1946 in Fulton, Missouri (USA) to the way Stalin had gained pro-USSR, Communist governments in Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania. The border between these eastern countries and the western countries was now known as the Iron Curtain. It symbolized the secrecy and division between communism and capitalism and is seen as a definite marker that the Cold War had begun and was acknowledged. How did Stalin gain control of eastern Europe? Liberate…but stay: Stalin had liberated country after country in eastern Europe from the Nazis as they marched to Berlin. Instead of taking his troops back to Russia though, he left them there – they then fixed/pressured people into voting Communist Comminform – this was set up in October 1947 and was meant to be a co-ordination organization so that all eastern European countries did as Stalin wanted. Examples:

11. THE “IRON CURTAIN” SPEECH (March 1946 ) At Fulton, Missouri, in March of 1946, Winston Churchill made speech that would forever be famous.  This speech is termed the “Iron Curtain” speech which declared that Europe was divided into two by Soviet policy.  Under this, Western Europe was free and democratic led by the Western powers while the East was under Soviet rule and subject to Communism.  The East was behind an “Iron Curtain”.  As a result of this speech, Stalin accused Churchill of trying to stir up war with the Soviets.

12. Communism in Eastern Europe Albania  – communists gained control directly after the war Bulgaria  – a left-wing coalition won elections in 1945. The Communist members then executed the members who were not communist! Romania  – In 1945 a Communist was elected President. By 1947 they had killed the monarchy Hungary  – Communists, under Rakosi became the largest party in elections with Russian involvement. Initially did not gain a majority, but Rakosi threatened Russian involvement until other parties were banned. They then persecuted politicians and Church leaders Czechoslovakia  – A coalition government was set up and led by the non-Communist Benes. However, the Communists' leader Gottwald made sure they controlled the radio, the army and the police. Gottwald became prime minister and set up a secret police force. Non-Communists were arrested. In 1948, Communist workers went on strike, the non-Communist minister Masaryk committed suicide and Gottwald took over the government. Poland  – Stalin had promised to set up a joint Communist/non-Communist government at Yalta, but then he invited 16 non-Communist leaders to Moscow and arrested them. Thousands of non-Communists were arrested, and the Communists won the 1947 election which strengthened their power . Yugoslavia  – Marshall Tito had been resisting the Nazis throughout the war. Though he was Communist he had his own style, making Stalin annoyed!

13. Reactions to Soviet expansionism

14. Conflict in Greece, 1945 After Germans left Greece there were two rival groups left: the Monarchists and Communists. Greece was seen as a backdoor to western Europe and the home of democracy. As a result, Churchill sent troops to Greece in 1945, under the pretence of maintaining order, but in reality to help the Monarchists. The USSR appealed to the new United Nations but it did nothing as the United States had a veto– Stalin therefore paid for the Communists in Greece to keep fighting. It was now a proxy Civil War, backed by two different sides. The British could not afford to spend more money on war, so declared they were leaving Greece. Fearing the spread of Communism, the Americans stepped in and paid for the British to stay. The US was now fighting the USSR through the UK and Greece! In the end the monarchists won, but were always very weak. Greece showed the world that America was no longer isolationist but interventionist.

15.   CASE STUDY OF GREECE (1947 } From 1944, Britain had been supporting the Greek government in its civil war against the Communists.  However in February 1947 Britain ended her support.  The Greek government turned to the USA for help.  Truman provided $400 million in the form of aid.  Truman did this because he thought that once one country fell to Communism, the nearby ones will also fall in its trap.   This thought is referred to as the “domino theory” – where one falls nearby one will too.  This resulted in the USA taking up a policy of containment.  This here is the Truman Doctrine. (See information under next heading) In the end, Greece ended up defeating the Communists resulting in the rivalry between the USA and the USSR increasing.  The USA was now fully committed to its policy of containment.  The events in Greece led to the creation of Cominform – the Communist Information Bureau – which linked Communist parties in Eastern Europe and the world together .

16. The Truman Doctrine, March 1947 The Truman Doctrine  was a political idea which promised money, equipment and advice to any country which was threatened by a Communist takeover The aim was to stop communism from spreading any further – a policy known as ‘containment’. The struggle in Greece had persuaded Truman this was necessary Marshall Plan was where aid was given to European countries to get their economies up and running again.  It was introduced in March 1948 after Czechoslovakia became Communist however it was sent to Congress by General George Marshall and Truman in June 1947 after Marshall saw the destruction in Europe but Congress said no at that point.  Aid was given in the form of food, grants to buy equipment, improvements to transport systems, and everything "from medicine to mules".

17. Marshall Plan and Marshall Aid Truman felt Communism thrived when poverty was greatest; he sent his General, George Marshall to report on the economic state of Europe Marshall came back saying Europe was ruined – it owed $11.5 billion to the US Powercuts were a regular occurance and people still used ration coupons, especially due to harsh winter of 1946-7. Industrial production was half prewar levels. Marshall therefore suggested the Marshall Plan (or the European Recovery Program). It claimed that about $17billion would be needed to rebuild Europe’s economy. Initially the US Congress rejected this idea and the amount of money. However, after the incident in Czechoslovakia, it made it available over 4 years. (In Czechoslovakia a coalition government was in power until it tried pursuing anti-Stalin policies. The Communists came down hard and purged the government of all non-communists. One pro-American leader Jan Masaryk was found dead under his window. USSR said he jumped). Greece and Turkey were first to receive aid. The USSR rejected Marshall Aid entirely and responded by setting up Comminform (1947); a political equivalent to Marshall Aid and Comecon (1949); an economic union to co-ordinate economies. These gave him even more power in E.Europe .

18. The Iron Curtain as described by Churchill 

19. The British army in Greece, 1944, before the Americans arrived [ source: IWM ]

20. Truman addressing Congress asking for Marshall Aid to be given to Europe, 1947.  

21. The Berlin Blockade The escalation of the Cold War

22. THE BERLIN BLOCKADE & AIRLIFT (1948 – 1949 ) In 1948 Stalin had planned to starve the people of West Berlin but this failed.  Stalin closed off all roads and railway systems that led into West Berlin which was run by the Western allies.  To get to West Berlin, one would have to pass through East Germany ran by the USSR.  This closing of the roads and railway systems to West Berlin was done in an effort to cease the transportation of goods to West Berlin resulting in the people being starved.  This was therefore the blockade of Berlin. This came as a surprise to the Western powers.  USA was not sure how she should respond.  She had two options: 1.      Let Stalin have his way as 2million people would soon starve. 2.      Use force by sending troops and tanks to blast the blockade. If the latter was used, a full scale war could have resulted and this made the USA wonder if she should use this option.  It was a dilemma for the USA.  She needed to make her decision quickly.  The government later decided it would not be wise to provoke the USSR as war could very well result.  They decided that in order for them to undermine Stalin, they had to supply the West Berliners with suppliers through airlifts .

23. What was the Berlin Blockade, 1948? Stalin decided to block all access into and out of Berlin — which was in the Soviet quarter — when the USA, Br and Fr joined their zones to form ‘ Trizonia ’ Roads and railways were closed. Stalin hoped to swallow Berlin into his section. The US realized this was a major propaganda opportunity They had 3 choices: invade, accept or defy. They decided to defy the ban by flying aircraft to supply Trizonia with food and fuel. This became known as the Berlin Airlift. On average, a plane left every 90 seconds to keep it up — 200 000 in total. The USSR lifted the ban in 1949, but 2 new countries were now created.

24. Why did the Soviet Union blockade Berlin? Britain, France and USA had combined their zones in 1946 to form Trizonia – isolating USSR Trizonia had a different currency (the Deutschemark) and was doing well, economically Stalin had looted his section of Berlin for the USSR as reperations and it was struggling economically Stalin needed to show he was strong against the USA; Marshall Aid was humiliating and he needed the upper hand. He had also lost in Greece The superpowers had never agreed that the USSR would allow access into Berlin… this was just assumed and never written down. Stalin wasn’t doing anything illegal—it was within his zone to take Berlin The USSR’s sector of Berlin was embarrassing compared to the West’s. Communism was clearly inferior to the capitalism of the East and it was becoming a chink in Stalin’s iron curtain

25. What were the consequences of the Berlin Blockade, 1948? NATO : the West felt it needed to be able to protect each other. 13 countries met in Washington in April 1949 and formed NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ) Warsaw Pact : In retaliation Stalin set up the Warsaw Pact – a Communist equivalent to NATO Separation: Germany was firmly divided into two nations: West Germany (or the Federal German Republic) under the USA, French and British section whilst the USSR’s section was East Germany (or the German Democratic Republic) Economic Difficulties in E.Germany  — currency collapse and hard winter forced prices up Improvement in West German-US relationships  — the Nazi era was put behind them as a common enemy—USSR was now the focus.

26. A map showing the blocked access to Berlin 

27. Berlin Airlift

28. Who was more to blame for the start of the Cold War?

29. The USA Truman was divisive A -Bomb 1945 Used harsh language at Potsdam — Molotov complained Invited Churchill to talk on Iron Curtain at Missouri Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan and Aid Didn’t consider Communism an option—intervened Whites vs Reds 1919 and Greece 1946Trizonia

30. The USSR Showed they were untrustworthy Occupation of E.Europe lies at Yalta Lies on Nazi-Soviet Pact Berlin BlockadeBegan Alliances - Warsaw Pact led to NAATO Inevitable  Conflicting systems of government; Battle for economic markets

31. A cartoon depicting the the origins of the Cold War [source:  Carlos3653, CCASA 4.0]

32. THE CREATION OF NATO (April 1949) & THE SUBSEQUENT CREATION OF THE WARSAW PACT (1955 ) NATO is an alliance between the Western powers that was created in April 1949.  It stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation .  The dominant country here is none other than the USA with every single commander of NATO being an American.  This alliance provided troops on ground for its members. As a result of NATO, the Soviets created their own version which became known as the Warsaw Pact.

33. The end