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Updated Russia Revision - Coggle Diagram
Updated Russia Revision
Transformation of Soviet Union's International Position
Breakdown over Soviet and US relations - caused by Cold War
Stage 1 - Long Telegram, Iron Curtain Speech
Churchill said in Fulton Missorui, speech, 1946, said Iron Curtain had desecnded upon Europe.
Long telegram - sent to George Kennan. It articulated the US Government view that they were taking a hardline against the Soviet Government.
Stage 2 - Containment and Marshall Plan
early 1947 - Europe spiralling into chaos. Marshall Plan - US economist Marshall came with conclusion that to prevent spread of communism, countries would need aid. 18 Billion in Marshall Aid was sent to countries in Europe, on basis that they were capitalist. 50% of money went to UK
was it effective? Stalin banned communist countries from getting this aid.
caused more tension. Stalin accused West of "Dollar Imperialism"
Truman doctrine March 1947 - Truman established the US foreign policy that the US would provide economic, political assistance to all capitalist countries under threat of communism.
Stage 3 - Berlin Blockade
1948 - Stalin stops all supplies going into West Berlin. Western powers respond by airlifting supplies. After 11 months, Stalin gives in and ends this blockade. West use this as a propoganda vicotry
Nato formed 1949 - created by US to provide collective security against the USS. Stalin viewed NATO as provacative.
Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe caused tension
Katyn Forest Massacre. Beria - head of secret police killed 40,000 Polish Prisoners. Only those deemed Pro-Soviet allowed to live. Rest were killed to eliminate "nationalist counter-revolutionaires". At Katyn, 22,000 were shot. Propoganda campaign blamed nazis
The Defeat of Germans
Soviet Strengths
The vast geographical size made it impossible for Germany to strike a decisivie blow. The vast size of the USSR allowed the Soviet Union to transfer factories to the East in te Urals
The USSR had 3x the amount of manpower when compared to Germany. The USSR could replace losses which was impossible for Germany
The Soviet "command economy" established before the war was well-suited to the needs
German Weaknesses
From December 1941, Germany was fighting a two front war
Hitler made strategic mistakes and sacked his best generals, replacing them with "yes-men".
The Germans alienated people in their occupied territories, leading to resistance movements and partisans within these reigons
Contribution by the allies
Mass bombing campaign by Britain and America in 1943 made huge damage on German war effort
Huge amount of vital economic and millitary aid poured into USSR
Post - War Reconstruction
Postt-War Reconstructon
Ideological Debates and Issues in the leadership struggle
Power vaccum - Lenin has not named a successor. Trotsky is the "favourite" to win.
Main Contendors
Trotsky
Stalin
Kamanev
Zinoviev
Bukharin
Rykov
Tomsky
Permenant Revolution vs Socialism in One Country
Defeat of Bukharin and the Right
According to Marxist-Leninist leadership, there should be "collective leadership
Ban on Factions, 1921, Lenin bans people from standing up to official party policy
Defeat of Left Opposition 1924-1927
Lenin's Testament - He crtitsises most people within the Bolshevik leadership. He namely critises Stalin. The leadership hide this testament from getting published, as it would be negative for everyone