What were the main issues relating to Germany that caused Cold War tension?
What were the main issues relating to Germany that caused Cold War tension? Germany was a centre for Cold War tensions in the immediate post war period from 1945-9. Issues such as unification, ideological differences and economic recovery were influenced by both the US and the USSR in different ways, many times opposing The joint post-war occupation of Germany forced both sides, the United States and the Soviet Union, to take action with regards to their different aims for the country and this led to the accentuation of the conflicts between the two countries, leading to an increase in Cold War tensions. After the war, the Allies no longer had a common enemy in Nazi Germany, and this meant that their differences became more obvious. The Allies could not sweep under the carpet issues regarding administration, and had to tackle them by discussion. Both sides could not afford to ignore these issues as this meant that their stake in Germany and the rest of Europe would be compromised. These are the very same self-interests which intensify Cold War conflict elsewhere and they come into play in Germany, a place of necessary conflict between the US and the USSR. We can trace the deterioration of relations through the various speeches made by politicians, policies enacted, and Council of Foreign Ministers meetings between the wartime Allies where Germany as an issue came up often.
The Cold War
After the end of WWII, relations between the two superpowers, America and the Soviet Union, began to break down. As a result, the Cold War began in the late 1940's, named so because neither power came into direct military conflict.coea ear From 1955 to 1958, U2 spy planes from America had been flying photographic missions over the Soviet Union. It showed mistrust toward the SU and broke international law. The Soviets could not detect them, even though the arms race was in progress, as shown in Source A1, a non biased primary source of good utility published in a British magazine. It makes a joke of how the arms race can be compared to an Olympic running race, where "The important thing is not winning, but taking part". The Americans and the Soviets are neck and neck, showing the tension and pressure to win the race. On May 1 1960 a U2 plane, piloted by Gary Powers, was shot down by a SAM-2 missile. Source A2 demonstrates the type of plane that he flew. It is a primary source, however, the provenance is unsure and the utility of the source, limited. The caption infers that the SU knew the Americans were flying overhead. This would add to the tension that was building between the powers at this point. The flight path of the reconnaissance missions is shown in Source A3, a primary source, published the day Powers was shot down. The reliability of the source is bad due to the
The Cold War.
Assignment 1 question 1 The Cold War In 1945, the United States and the Soviet Union were the most powerful nations in the world: the Soviet Union because of the size and the proven fighting record of her armed forces, her large population and her potential rather than actual economic strength; the United States because of her military, industry and her scientific and technological know-how. The co-operation and understanding between the wartime Allies was eroded by the growing distrust and suspicion. In the post-war period, the world was gradually divided into two sides. The Soviet Communism and the American Capitalism. Open hostility between the two groups broke out even more obviously after the war although they had set up already since long time ago. This hostility led to a serious international crisis- THE COLD WAR. The term 'Cold War' is used to describe the tension and hostility which developed between the capitalist and communist blocs in the post-war period. The Cold War was 'cold' because both the United States and the Soviet Union did not directly resort to war. Both of them realised that a real war between them could mean the total destruction of each other. For this reason, the Cold War was a war without actual fighting. Instead, they took the form of economic competition, military alliances and arms race. Whenever crises broke out, both sides usually
The Cold War.
The Cold War Introduction During the Second World War, the USA and the USSR fought on the same side against Nazi Germany. At the end of the war the two sides fell out. This was because the USA was a capitalist country and the USSR was a communist country. After the war the USSR took control of a large part of Eastern Europe and helped Eastern Europe countries to set up communist governments. By 1949 Europe was divided between the East and the West. The dividing line became known as the 'Iron Curtain'. The USA and the Soviet Union were enemies but a 'hot war' never developed. Instead, from the 1940s to the 1980s, the two superpowers entered into a cold war using espionage and propaganda. On its borders, the USSR was surrounded by Western powers. This made the USSR feel threatened which meant it closed in on its-self. The USA wanted to learn about how technologically advanced in the arms race and space the USSR was. However, the USA was unable to do so as information was being restricted. The U2 Plane Incident On May 1st 1960, an American U2 spy plane was shot down over the USSR. Francis Gary Powers was the pilot of the daring mission to fly completely over Russia taking pictures of secret military bases in order to find the status of the USSR's military capabilities. Before this historic U2 flight no American spy plane had been shot down over the USSR during the Cold
The Cold War.
According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy", one apt definition of war is this: war is an actual, intentional and widespread-armed conflict between political communities." (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/war/). This definition did not seem fit for the conflict between capitalism (United States of America), communism (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics), and their followers. The struggle was later dubbed the Cold War, referring to its lack of physical conflict. However, if every aspect of this struggle is examined, the name "Cold War" does not serve justice to what it stands for. The dispute between communism and capitalism was not limited to political distrust and competition. Thus, the struggle should not solely be classified as a "Cold War". There is no exact date that marks the beginning of the Cold War, but its deepest roots are found in early 1900s with the Russian revolution. The people of Russia were unsatisfied with the czarist government in place. In 1917, the government was overthrown and Vladimir Ilich Lenin established a new communist government. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was formed. Under the new rule, all opposition to the government was eradicated, including external obstruction. The Soviets called for a worldwide revolution against capitalism, which they viewed as an enemy and a threat to their state. This was the first
Cold war
International History. Option W - 1919-63 Part 2 1945-1963 (Key Issues 7-9) Key Issue 7- Why did the USA and the USSR become rivals in the period 1945-49 The breakup of the wartime alliances . A. What united GB, USA and the Soviet Union between 1941-5 In 1941 Hitler launched an attack on Russia, this breached the terms of the Nazi-Soviet pact. The USA GB and Russia had disliked the Germans for a long time because of their political ideas but this united them together against the Germans. 2. What disagreements were there between the USA and the Soviet Union during this period? The USA and Soviet Union had many differences during this period despite being allies. The main differences between the two countries were their political ideas. The Soviet Union was communist and a one party state, whereas the USA was a democratic country. In America there were numerous parties, all of whom were allowed to be a part of national elections which decided who would take control of their country. They also had social, economic and cultural differences. In the Soviet Union all industry was owned by communists and living standards were poor. Whereas in the USA living standards were higher and industry was privately owned 3. What was agreed at the Yalta conference of February 1945? The Yalta conference took place in February 1945, Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt met and wanted to come
Cold War Revision
Cold War Revision A war short of full scale war because of the development of the Atomic bomb. CAUSES OF THE COLD WAR [BARE] . Beliefs: Russia was a Communist country, ruled by a dictator who cared little about human rights. America was a capitalist democracy, which valued freedom. 2. Aims: Stalin wanted reparations from Germany/ a buffer of friendly states. Britain and the USA [led by President Truman] wanted to help Germany recover/ to prevent large areas of Europe from coming under Communist control. 3. Resentment about history: The USSR did not trust Britain and the USA - They had tried to destroy the Russian Revolution in 1918/ Stalin thought they had not helped the USSR enough in WW2. Britain & USA did not trust USSR - Stalin had signed the Nazi-Soviet pact in 1939. 4. Events turned the mistrust into war: Yalta/ Potsdam/ Salami tactics/ Fulton/ Greece/ Truman Doctrine/ Marshall Plan/ Cominform/ Czechoslovakia YALTA CONFERENCE (February 1945) . Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt agreed to Divide Germany into 4 zones (France, Britain, USA, USSR)/ to hold free elections in Eastern European countries./ to set up the United Nations./ to set up a government of Communists and non Communists in Poland. 2. On the surface, everything seemed friendly, but there was tension behind the scenes POTSDAM CONFERENCE (July 1945) . At Potsdam the tensions surfaced.
The Causes of the Cold War.
THE CAUSES OF THE COLD WAR The Cold War is the name given to the period from 1945 to 1991 when a high level of distrust existed between two superpowers, the USA and the USSR (otherwise called the Soviet Union). The cold war dominated world events because each of the two superpowers tried to influence the world in ways that suited its own interests. These interests were based on very different ideas about the organisation of society, which led to each side fearing the other. The Cold War led to a series of conflicts in different parts of the word where the two superpowers found themselves in confrontation. In some of these situations, the state of mutual fear led to a dangerous level of tension because each superpower possessed many nuclear weapons. Despite tensions reaching a significantly heightened level, the conflict never developed into a state of direct-armed war between the USA and USSR. Such a direct war would have been a "hot" war and, because this never happened the opposition of the USA and the USSR continued to be called the Cold War. The Cold War lasted for 45 years and over this time it involved conflicts in more parts of the world than WW2. In central and South America, in Africa and the middle east, real wars caused by the cold war led to the deaths of millions of people. The course of world events was shaped by the Cold War and even after it had ended, the
Origins of the Cold War.
Chapter 29 Cold War Salil Shah Per 3 I. Origins of the Cold War A. Sources of American Soviet Tension Had difference in view of post war world. US supported the view in which nations gave up traditional military alliances, and dealt with each other in a democratic process, with an international org. as mediator. Britain and Soviets favored view where system of traditional European balance of powers would reemerge. B. War time Diplomacy By Jan 1943 a strain in relations with soviets was evident as Stalin refused to meet with Churchill and Roosevelt. The 2 refused Stalins'most immediate demand to have a 2 european fronts, but assured him that they would have unconditional surrender of Axis powers and they would not leave soviets out of peace negotiations. In Teharan Conference relations between Stalin and Roosevelt became better as Stalin agreed to enter Pacific once hotstilities in Europe died down, and US agreed to 2 front western war. However there was tension on who would lead Poland once war was over. They avoided the issue by leaving it unresolved. C. Yalta In Feb. 1945the big three met in Soviet Union. Stalin was promised some territory lost in Jap Soviet war of 1904, in pacific. Also agreed to UN charter with a security council, with members from 5 major powers. Issue of Polish government was compromised. Soviets had occupied Poland and installed the pro
The Origins of the Cold War.
The Origins of the Cold War are widely regarded to lie most directly within the immediate post-Second World War relations between the superpowers of the United States and the Soviet Union in the years 1945 - 1947, leading to the developed Cold War that endured until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Both the superpowers contrasted in their views, and their political regimes were totally different. Some historians look back to Lenin's seizure of power in Russia (the Bolshevik Revolution of late 1917) as forming the more extended origins of the Cold War; others, such as Walter LaFeber, go back to the 1890s, when the U.S. and Tsarist Russia became political and economic rivals in Manchuria. From 1933 to 1940 the United States and the Soviet Union had a sort of detente, but relations were not friendly. After the USSR and Germany became belligerents in 1941, Roosevelt made a personal commitment to help the Soviets (Congress never voted any sort of alliance). The wartime cooperation was never friendly, and it became increasingly strained by February 1945 at the Yalta Conference, as it became increasingly clear that Stalin intended to spread communism to Russia's neighbouring countries (of which he succeded and of which lead to the birth of Cominform) and then, to spread communism throughout Western Europe. [edit] Escalation and Crisis Two opposing geopolitical blocs had
