Unit 4: Who is to blame for the Cold War?

Alliance Breakdown

USSR in Eastern Europe

US reaction to Eastern Europe

Berlin Blockade

Yalta Conference

Potsdam Conference

why

who

where

how

b. Stalin demands $10Billion in reparations from Germany, US/UK do not want this to happen.

c. Stalin wants to establish Communist governments in Eastern Europe as a buffer zone, Sphere of Influence, Truman opposes this even though it was agreed at Yalta.*Remember, Stalin’s army is already in Eastern Europe.

a. Stalin has arrested the Polish Leaders and is planning on setting up a Communist friendly government there, this goes against the Yalta Conference

d. Stalin was promised part of Japan, Truman refuses because with the A-Bomb US doesn’t need Stalin’s help.

  1. Bulgaria- communists won ‘Rigged Elections’ and got rid of the King and Queen.
    
  1. Poland -  More ‘Rigged Elections’ bring about a communist Government, Polish leader flees in fear of his life.
    
  1. Winston Churchill’s Fulton Speech - condemned the USSR’s actions in Eastern Europe. States that an ‘Iron Curtain’ has fallen over Eastern Europe.
  1. Hungary – ‘Rigged Elections’ bring the Communists to power, then other political parties are banned
    

2.George Keenan’s Long Telegram - He claims that Communism is the greatest threat the US has ever faced and laid out a plan for how to deal with the Soviets, DEFEAT THEM!

  1. Czechoslovakia – Opposition arrested/murdered, ‘Rigged Elections’, Political Parties Banned.
    
  1. Stalin’s Bolshoi Speech - Stalin tells the world that the US is using war in order to make money. Attempted to make the USSR’s actions (in East. Euro) legitimate.

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when:February 1945

what:WWII is still going on, U.S. doesn’t have the BOMB yet!

purpose: To decide how Europe would be organized after WWII

decided:

  1. Establish a commission to discuss German reparations.
  1. Help the freed people of Europe to 4 thingsa. Maintain law and orderb. a. Maintain law and orderb. Set up governmentsc. Hold electionsd. Carry out post war relief (aid)
  1. Set up a temporary Polish Government that would lead to elections for that country.
  1. Find and put Nazi’s on Trial.
  1. Divided Germany into 4 zones, which would be controlled by the French, US, British, and USSR.