CGP Edexcel

CGP
P
G
C

GCSE Edexcel History

Superpower Relations & the Cold War
GCSE History
Superpower Relations

Superpower Relations & the Cold War — 1941-1991

— CGP has the whole topic defused!

CGP will give you superpowers for this Edexcel History topic — you’ll fly through it!

• The clearest revision notes by miles...

& the Cold War
You bet — that’s what we do best! 1941-1991
• Stacks of essential GCSE skills practice...
Yep, it’ll really get you thinking historically

• Exam-style questions and sample answers...

It’s true — plus plenty of expert exam tips

• And there’s a free Online Edition?

There sure is. Amazing!

CGP is the main event — other History books are a mutually-assured distraction ☻

The Topic Guide

The Topic Guide

All’s fair in love and war

with essential revision and practice
ISBN 978 1 78908 288 3

P
G
C

9 781789 082883

HECWO41 £5.95
For the Edexcel Grade 9-1 Course
(Retail Price)

www.cgpbooks.co.uk
 P
G
C

C
G
P

CGP
CGP books — they might
Essential CGP Topic Guides just save your life...
for Edexcel GCSE History!

OK, maybe not your life. But when it comes to exam revision, CGP are the undisputed champions.
You can order any of our books and cards (with next-day delivery!) from us, online or by phone:

www.cgpbooks.co.uk • 0800 1712 712

Out now at cgpbooks.co.uk

Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060-88 • Crime and Punishment in Britain, c1000-Present

Medicine in Britain, c1250-Present • Early Elizabethan England, 1558-88 • The American West, c1835-c1895 Or you’ll find our range in any good bookshop, including:
Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-39 • Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91

0121 - 22302
 P
G
C

GCSE History is always topical with CGP...

If you’re studying “Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91” for Edexcel GCSE
History, this brilliant CGP Topic Guide has it broken down like the Berlin Wall.
It’s packed with crystal-clear notes, plenty of helpful activities, sample answers, .
exam tips, exam-style questions and more. It’s absolutely Khrushchev! Sorry, crucial

CGP — still the best! J

Our sole aim here at CGP is to produce the highest quality books —
carefully written, immaculately presented and dangerously close to being funny.

Then we work our socks off to get them out to you

— at the cheapest possible prices.
Published by CGP

Editors:
Emma Cleasby, Catherine Heygate, Kathryn Kaiser, Katya Parkes.

Contributor:
Paddy Gannon.

With thanks to Sophie Herring and Charley Maidment for the proofreading.
With thanks to Emily Smith for the copyright research.

Acknowledgements:
Cover Image: © iStock.com/Klubovy
With thanks to Mary Evans for permission to use the images on pages 6, 20, 28, 36 and 40.

HECWO41 ~ 0121 - 22302

Clipart from Corel®

Based on the classic CGP style created by Richard Parsons.

Text, design, layout and original illustrations © Coordination Group Publications Ltd. (CGP) 2019
All rights reserved.

0800 1712 712 • www.cgpbooks.co.uk

 Contents
Exam Skills
Exam Hints and Tips .....................................................................................2

The Origins of the Cold War, 1941-58

The Grand Alliance ......................................................................................4
The Two Superpowers ..................................................................................6
Mutual Suspicion .........................................................................................8
The Berlin Crisis .........................................................................................10
The Arms Race ...........................................................................................12
Divisions in Eastern Europe ........................................................................14
Worked Exam-Style Question ....................................................................16
Exam-Style Questions ................................................................................17

Cold War Crises, 1958-70

The Berlin Question ...................................................................................18
The Berlin Wall ..........................................................................................20
The Cuban Missile Crisis ............................................................................22
The Prague Spring ......................................................................................26
Worked Exam-Style Question ....................................................................30
Exam-Style Questions ................................................................................31

The End of the Cold War, 1970-91

Détente: Easing of Tensions ........................................................................32
The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan .............................................................34
The Second Cold War ................................................................................36
Gorbachev’s ‘New Thinking’ ......................................................................38
Eastern Europe Pulls Away .........................................................................40
The Collapse of the Soviet Union ...............................................................42
Worked Exam-Style Question ....................................................................44
Exam-Style Questions ................................................................................45

Answers .....................................................................................................46
Index .........................................................................................................62
2 Exam Skills

Exam Hints and Tips

You’ll have to take three papers in Edexcel GCSE History. This book will help you with Paper 2, Booklet P.

You will take Three Papers altogether

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1) Paper 1 is 1 hour 15 minutes long. It’s worth 52 marks — 30% of your GCSE. It’s really important
|

|
| | | | | | | | |

| | | | | | | | | ||
This paper will be divided into two sections: that you make sure you
know which topics you’re
• Section A: Historic Environment.
studying for each paper.
• Section B: Thematic Study.

||
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

2) Paper 2 is 1 hour 45 minutes long. It’s worth 64 marks — 40% of your GCSE.
This book
This paper will be divided into two question and answer booklets:
covers the Period
• Booklet P: Period Study. Study Superpower
• Booklet B: British Depth Study. Relations and the
Cold War, 1941-91.

3) Paper 3 is 1 hour 20 minutes long. It’s worth 52 marks — 30% of your GCSE.
This paper will be divided into two sections, both about a Modern Depth Study:
• Section A: Two questions, one of which is source-based.
• Section B: A four-part question based on two sources and two interpretations.

Remember these Tips for Approaching the Questions

Organise your Time in the exam

1) In the exam, you’ll have to answer three questions on Superpower Relations and
the Cold War and a three-part question on your British Depth Study. It’s important
to stay organised so that you have time to answer all the questions. Try to leave a few
2) The more marks a question is worth, the longer your answer should be. minutes at the end of
the exam to go back and
3) Don’t get carried away writing lots for a question that’s only worth read over your answers.
four!marks — you’ll need to leave time for the higher mark questions.

Always use a Clear Writing Style

1) Start a new paragraph for each new point you want to discuss.
2) Try to use clear handwriting and pay attention to spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Stay Focused on the question

1) Make sure that you answer the question. Don’t

just chuck in everything you know about the topic. It might help to write the first
sentence of every paragraph in a
2) Think about what the key words are in the question. way that addresses the question,
You may also find it helpful to scribble down a quick e.g. “Another reason the Cuban
plan of your main points before you start writing. Missile Crisis was important was...”
Cross through this neatly at the end so it isn’t marked.
3) Your answers have got to be relevant and accurate
— make sure you include precise details like
the names and dates of important treaties.

Exam Skills
 3

Exam Hints and Tips

This page is all about the Period Study. There are three questions which test two main skills.

There are Three types of exam question in the Period Study

1) In the first question, you’ll be asked to explain two
Give two consequences of the USA’s
consequences of an important development during
development of the atom bomb and
the period, for example a significant event or a treaty.
explain them. [8 marks]
2) The next question will ask you to write an account of
something. You’ll be given some ‘stimulus points’
— hints about things you could include in your answer.
You don’t have to include details about these stimulus Give an account that analyses the
points, so don’t panic if you can’t remember much ways in which Soviet policies changed
about them. Even if you do write about the stimulus under Mikhail Gorbachev. [8 marks]
points, you must add other information too — if you
don’t, you can’t get full marks.
3) The third question will always ask you Examine the significance of the Cuban Revolution
about the significance of particular for the progression of the Cold War. [8 marks]
developments in relation to wider issues.
Each part of Question 3 is worth 8!marks,
4) You’ll be given a choice of three developments so you can earn 16 marks in total.
— you only need to write about two of them.

The Period Study tests Two Main Skills

Knowledge and Understanding

1) For all the Period Study questions, you’ll get marks for showing The Knowledge and Understanding
activities in this book will help you
knowledge and understanding of the key features of the topic. to revise the important facts about
2) You’ll need to use accurate and relevant information the period so that you have plenty of
to support your points in all questions. information to help you in the exam.

Thinking Historically
1) As well as knowing what happened when, you’ll also
need to use historical concepts to analyse key events
and developments. These concepts include significance, The Thinking Historically activities
continuity and change, and cause and consequence. will help you understand the causes and
2) You’ll need to be able to find links between different events consequences of different developments,
the connections between events, and the
and explain why things happened the way they did. importance of different people and events
3) You’ll also need to use historical concepts to explain the in the progression of the Cold War.
significance of a person, event or development based on how
they affected an aspect of the progression of the Cold War.

M
You don’t need a superpower to take this exam...
EXA
TIP ... as this book has all the information and practice you need. It’ll help you to learn about the
events, countries and ideologies involved in the Cold War, and to get the hang of exam skills too.

Exam Skills
4 The Origins of the Cold War, 1941-58

The Grand Alliance

The Grand Alliance was made up of the ‘big three’ allies from World War Two — Britain, the USA and the
USSR. They were united by their desire to defeat Nazi Germany, but as the war ended, tensions emerged.

The ‘Big Three’ discussed Europe’s Future at Tehran and Yalta

1) In November 1943, the Grand Alliance held a conference in Tehran. The talks focused on plans to defeat
the Nazis. But the allies also started to discuss what would happen to Europe and Germany after the war.
2) Britain and the USA were politically very different from the USSR and there were tensions between the
three allies. These were put aside during the war as they fought a common enemy (Germany).
3) The British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and US President Franklin D. Roosevelt agreed the USSR
could claim a ‘sphere of influence’ in Eastern Europe after the war was over.
The USSR (Union of Soviet
Eastern European countries would be subject to Soviet policies and ideas. Socialist Republics) was also
4) The Grand Alliance made more decisions about the future of Europe at the known as the Soviet Union.
Yalta Conference in February 1945:
• Free elections would be held in previously Comment and Analysis
occupied countries in Eastern Europe. The allies had different interpretations of a ‘free’ election.
• The ‘big three’ (plus France) would divide To the USA and Britain, it meant lots of political parties
Germany and Berlin between them. competing for votes. But Stalin (the leader of the USSR)
believed only communist parties should run in elections as
• The United Nations (UN) would
they were the only parties that truly represented the people.
replace the failed League of Nations.

Potsdam revealed the First Cracks in the Grand Alliance

After Germany surrendered in May 1945, the allied leaders met again at Potsdam over July and August.
They wanted to work on the finer details of their plans for Germany and Europe.
Some important agreements were made at Potsdam...
The Yalta Conference had gone quite smoothly, but
• The exact division of Germany and Berlin was determined.
sorting out these finer details at Potsdam caused a
• The new boundaries of Poland were agreed. lot of disagreement between the allied leaders.
• Nazi leaders would be tried for war crimes at Nuremberg.
1) Some things remained undecided. For example, Germany would be divided into
four zones (one each for Britain, France, the USA and the USSR) — but the allies
didn’t decide if, or when, the zones could rejoin and form a country again.
2) Tensions were high. Roosevelt had died and Harry Truman had
succeeded him as US President — Truman was more suspicious Britain also had a new leader — Clement
Attlee replaced Churchill mid-conference.
of the USSR and less willing to compromise.
3) Britain and the US were also alarmed by Stalin’s actions in Poland — he was installing a government
consisting of only pro-communist members. Britain and the US felt this went against the Yalta agreement.

The USA and the USSR had very Different Ideologies

The tension between the USA and the USSR was partly caused by their very different beliefs.

The USA was capitalist: The USSR was communist:

• It had a democratically elected government. • It was a single-party state.
• Its economy was based on private • Its economy was controlled by the state,
ownership of property, free competition with no private ownership of property.
and forces of supply and demand. • The Communist Party promoted atheism and
• Its population was mainly Christian. discouraged religious beliefs and practices.

Communism aimed at world revolution, and so it was seen by Americans as a danger to

their democracy. However, the communists also feared worldwide American influence.

The Origins of the Cold War, 1941-58

 5

The Grand Alliance

SKIL
PRACTLS
ICE

The Grand Alliance developed during the Second World War, but once the war was over there was little
left to unite its members. Try these activities to make sure you know how and why the alliance fell apart.

Knowledge and Understanding

1) Which three countries made up the Grand Alliance?

2) Copy and complete the table below by adding the date when
each conference was held and details about what was decided.

Conference Date What was decided

a) Tehran

b) Yalta

c) Potsdam

3) Copy and complete the mind map below by explaining the

differences between the ideologies of the USA and the USSR.

Ideological differences between

a) Politics c) Religion
the USA and the USSR

b) Economy

Thinking Historically
1) Copy and complete the diagram below by explaining the consequence
of each event for the relationship between the USA and the USSR.

a) Consequence
President Roosevelt dies.

A pro-communist government b) Consequence

is being established in Poland.

2) Explain how and why the relationship between the members of the Grand Alliance
changed between 1943 and 1945. Use your answer to question 1 above to help you.

‘East’ and ‘West’ had different perspectives...

M
EXA Question 2 in the exam will ask you to write an account that analyses some key events.
TIP
Flowcharts and diagrams are great for helping you understand the links between events.

The Origins of the Cold War, 1941-58

6

The Two Superpowers

The USSR and the USA emerged from the Second World War as the two biggest powers in the world.
But they were very suspicious of one another, and began to interpret each other’s actions as threats.

The USA kept their Atom Bomb a Secret

© Everett Collection / Mary Evans

1) Japan was on Germany’s side in the war, and continued to fight after
Germany surrendered in May 1945. In August 1945, the USA dropped two
atom bombs on Japan — destroying the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
2) The atom bombs meant that military help from the USSR wasn’t
needed to defeat Japan. President Truman also refused to allow
the USSR to take part in the US occupation of Japan.
The atom bomb caused
3) The USA had kept the exact nature of the atom bomb a secret from the USSR devastation in Hiroshima.
at Potsdam in July 1945 (although Stalin’s spies had passed on many details).
4) These nuclear weapons boosted the status of the USA. For four years it was the world’s only
nuclear power. Stalin saw the development of the atom bomb as an attempt to intimidate the
USSR, and was angry that the USA had managed to surpass Soviet technology.
5) The atom bombs increased the rivalry between the USA and the USSR. The USSR sped up the
development of its own atomic bomb, starting an arms race between the two countries (see p.12).

The USSR became Influential in Eastern Europe

1) At the end of the Second World War, the Red Army (the USSR’s army) occupied Eastern
Europe. These countries would pass into the USSR’s sphere of influence after the war.
2) Between 1945 and 1948, Stalin installed pro-Soviet ‘puppet’ governments
in Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia.

• For a while it seemed that Czechoslovakia might remain democratic. But when the Communist
Party seemed likely to lose ground in the next election, it seized power in February 1948.
• The exception to Soviet domination was Yugoslavia, which had freed itself from the Germans
without the Red Army. Yugoslavia was communist but more open to the West. Its leader, Tito,
argued with Stalin over political interference. Stalin cut off aid but didn’t invade.

There was an ‘Iron Curtain’ between East and West — The Iron Curtain

1) Increasing tensions between the USA and the USSR became Finland
ay

n
de
w

known as the ‘Cold War’. There was no direct fighting —

or

Swe
N

both sides were afraid of another war, especially after 1949, Denmark

when the USSR had its own nuclear weapons. Netherlands USSR
Great Poland
2) Countries in Western Europe tended to support the USA. Britain Germany

Most countries in Eastern Europe were dominated by the Belgium

Czech
oslova
kia

USSR. In a famous speech in 1946, Winston Churchill France Switz

Austria Hungary
Romania
warned there was an ‘Iron Curtain’ dividing Europe. Ita
Yu
go
sla
v
ly A lba i a Bulgaria
nia

Comment and Analysis Turkey

Churchill’s ‘Iron Curtain’ speech demonstrates the breakdown of the Grand Countries under the influence of the USSR
Alliance — Britain and the USA now viewed the USSR as a threat, not an ally. became known as its ‘satellite states’ (in pink).

The Origins of the Cold War, 1941-58

 7

The Two Superpowers

SKIL
PRACTLS
ICE

These activities will help you understand how the USA and the USSR went from being allies to being enemies.

Knowledge and Understanding

1) After the Second World War, the USSR extended its sphere of influence, making several
countries in Eastern Europe into satellite states. Name four of the USSR’s satellite states.

2) How was Yugoslavia different from the other countries in Eastern Europe in the 1940s?

3) Write a definition of each of the following terms:

a) Cold War b) Iron Curtain

Thinking Historically
1) The mind map below is about the consequences of the USA’s use of
the atom bomb in 1945. Add as many consequences as you can.

Consequences of
the atom bomb

2) Copy and complete the table below, listing the actions taken by the USA and the USSR
between 1945 and 1949 which affected the relationship between the two countries.

USA USSR

3) Explain how and why the relationship between the USA and the USSR changed
between 1945 and 1949. Use your answers to questions 1 and 2 to help you.

M
My two favourite superpowers — flying and invisibility...
EXA It’s important to understand that both countries believed that the other wanted to destroy them
TIP
— so any steps that one side took to protect itself might be seen by the other side as an attack.

The Origins of the Cold War, 1941-58

8

Mutual Suspicion
The Cold War was a period of international tension — with each side suspicious of the other.

The ‘Long’ and ‘Novikov’ telegrams were detailed Reports

By 1946, tensions between the superpowers were high. Each country issued secret telegrams about the other.
1) The telegrams were detailed reports describing the motivations and intentions of the other country.

The Long Telegram (February 1946) The Novikov Telegram (September 1946)
• Issued to President Truman about the USSR. • Issued to Stalin about the USA.
• It said that Stalin had given a speech in • The report claimed that the USA
favour of the destruction of capitalism. was pursuing world supremacy.
• It warned of the USSR trying to weaken • It warned that the USA was
and divide Western powers, while trying to limit the influence
building the strength of its own military. of the USSR in Europe.

2) Neither country seemed to know for certain what the other was thinking.
The reports panicked the Russian and American governments and
accelerated the Cold War — the findings seemed to confirm their worst fears.

Truman Acted to Contain the Communist Threat

President Truman was extremely worried about the spread of communism to Western Europe.
Many countries were undergoing economic hardships, which he thought might make communism look
more appealing. The USA decided to intervene in Europe to try and contain the spread of communism.
The Truman Doctrine (announced March 1947)
The USA pledged to support any nation threatened by a communist takeover.
This support could be diplomatic, military or financial. For example, the USA
gave $400 million of aid to Turkey and Greece to stop communism spreading.

The Marshall Plan (announced June 1947)

This promised $17 billion of aid to European countries to help rebuild their economies
— the areas of Germany under Western occupation benefited massively. Stalin,
however, ordered all of his satellite states to reject the plan. He believed the USA was
using economic incentives to lure Eastern European states away from the USSR.

The USSR Reacted by creating Cominform

Stalin felt threatened by the Truman Doctrine, and reacted by strengthening and uniting his allies.
1) Cominform (Communist Information Bureau) was set up in September
Comment and Analysis
1947. The organisation brought together all European communist
parties and placed them under the control of the USSR. Marshall Plan aid ensured that
2) Comecon (the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance) was established a lot of Western Europe
in January 1949. It countered the Marshall Plan by nationalising became allied with the USA.
Stalin’s retaliation — his
industries, collectivising agriculture and offering economic aid.
creation of Cominform and,
Stalin hoped this would encourage economic development in Eastern later, Comecon — strengthened
Europe and discourage trade with the West. It also appeased the his alliances in Eastern Europe.
countries that had been ordered to refuse Marshall aid.

The Origins of the Cold War, 1941-58

 9

Mutual Suspicion
SKIL
PRACTLS
ICE

Use these activities to test your understanding of how each side’s fear of the other led to increasing tensions.

Knowledge and Understanding

1) Copy and complete the table below about the Long and Novikov telegrams.

Long Telegram Novikov Telegram

a) Date

b) Who received it

c) Contents

2) Use the information on the previous page to write a definition of each of the following terms:

a) Cominform
b) Comecon

3) Make a timeline from 1943-49, showing all the key events in the increase of tensions between
the USA and the USSR. Use information from p.4-8 and give as much detail as possible.

Thinking Historically
1) Why did the Long and Novikov telegrams lead to
increasing tensions between the USA and the USSR?

2) Copy and complete the diagram below about President Truman’s

actions in 1947. Give as much detail as you can under each heading.

c) for non-communist
countries in Europe
a) Actions taken Consequences
d) for the USSR
and its satellite states

b) Reasons

3) Using your mind map, explain why Truman’s actions

were important in the development of the Cold War.

M
The Cold War was tense — but preferable to a hot one...
EXA
TIP With so much happening in a short space of time, it’s easy to get muddled. Thinking about
how one event led to another can help you keep track of what happened when.

The Origins of the Cold War, 1941-58

10

The Berlin Crisis

Tension over the division of Germany had been building since the Potsdam Conference, and finally
spilled over in the Berlin crisis in 1948. It resulted in an even larger rift between the two great powers.

In 1948 the USSR and the West Clashed over Berlin

1) Immediately after the war, there were four zones of occupied Germany, and
French BERLIN four zones in Berlin. In 1947, the USA and Britain agreed to combine their
Sector
zones to form ‘Bizonia’. The next year, the French agreed to add their zone.
West Soviet
Germany British
Sector
Sector 2) The new western zone had a single government, and in June 1948
100 miles
introduced a new currency to help economic recovery.
USA Sector
3) This alarmed the USSR. Stalin did not want a unified western
In East Germany (controlled by USSR)
zone on his doorstep. West Berlin’s strong capitalist economy
embarrassed the USSR, and made communism look weak.
Berlin was in East Germany.
The French, British and US sectors 4) As a result, Stalin decided to blockade Berlin to try
formed West Berlin, while the to force the West to withdraw from West Berlin.
Soviet sector was called East Berlin. 5) In June 1948, he ordered that all road, rail and canal links
between West Berlin and the outside world should be cut off.
The Western powers wouldn’t give up West Berlin...
Comment and Analysis • The West decided to bypass the blockade and fly in supplies.
This became known as the Berlin Airlift, and lasted for 318 days.
Stalin wanted to force the West to
withdraw from Berlin altogether. The
• By 1949, 8000 tons of supplies were being flown in each day.
Western powers believed that if this • Tegel airport was built in West Berlin to accommodate
happened, the Soviet Union would the large volume of flights. It meant supplies could be
be tempted to invade West Germany. delivered in even greater numbers.

After the crisis, Germany was Divided in Two

1) When it became clear that the West was determined not
Comment and Analysis
to withdraw from Berlin, Stalin had to lift the blockade.
It was also clear that Germany would remain divided. The end of the Berlin blockade increased
2) In 1949, two separate states were formed — West tensions as Stalin hadn’t lifted the blockade
willingly. The allies appeared strong, and
Germany (Federal Republic of Germany) and communist
had discredited and humiliated Stalin.
East Germany (German Democratic Republic).

The Two Powers formed Military Alliances

1) Stalin’s blockade during the Berlin crisis showed how unprepared The USSR saw the
the West would be if there was a conflict with the USSR. formation of NATO as a
2) As a consequence, the Western Powers decided to form a military alliance. real threat.
In 1949, NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) was created.
3) All members of NATO agreed to respond together if any member of the alliance was attacked.

• In 1955, the USSR established the Warsaw Pact to rival NATO.

All the USSR’s satellite states (except Yugoslavia) became members. Members of the
• Its main aims were to improve the defensive capability Warsaw Pact formed the
so-called ‘Eastern Bloc’.
of Eastern Europe and strengthen relations.
• There were now two power blocs in Europe — NATO and the Warsaw Pact.

The Origins of the Cold War, 1941-58

 11

The Berlin Crisis

SKIL
PRACTLS
ICE

There’s a lot to learn on the previous page, so use these activities to check you really know your stuff.

Knowledge and Understanding

1) The flowchart below shows the stages in the development of the Berlin crisis. Copy and
complete the flowchart by adding as much information as you can under each heading.

a) Unification b) Stalin’s d) The West’s f) End of

of West Berlin response response the crisis

c) Reason e) Reason

2) Use the information on the previous page to write a definition of each of the following terms:

a) Federal Republic of Germany

b) German Democratic Republic

Thinking Historically
1) Copy and complete the diagram below, explaining the effect that
each event had on Stalin. Try to include as much detail as possible.

West Berlin develops a) Effect

a strong economy.

The Berlin blockade b) Effect

is lifted.

2) Copy and complete the table below, giving details about NATO and the Warsaw Pact.

NATO Warsaw Pact

a) Date it was formed

b) Why it was formed

3) Using your table to help you, explain how the formation of NATO affected
the relationship between the Western powers and the Eastern Bloc.

The West had made Stalin look weak...

M
EXA Including dates and the names of organisations in an answer shows that you know the
TIP
topic well. Just make sure any details you use are relevant to the point you’re making.

The Origins of the Cold War, 1941-58

12

The Arms Race

In the Cold War, the USA and the USSR tried to gain an advantage by forming military alliances and
developing ever more powerful weapons. The aim was to ‘look strong’ to deter the other from attacking.

The USA and the USSR began an Arms Race

1) During the Cold War, the USA and the USSR worked to develop
the most powerful weapons they could — there was an arms race.
2) Neither side really wanted to use these weapons, but both felt the other couldn’t be
allowed to gain an advantage. The fear was that if either gained a significant military
advantage, that country might be tempted to trigger a war to take advantage of it.
3) Instead, a stand-off developed where both countries didn’t dare act
against the other, but didn’t dare get ‘left behind’, either.
4) This competition sometimes spilled over into other areas. For example, when the USSR launched the
first satellite into space, the USA quickly developed one of its own. This ‘space race’ led to the USSR
sending the first man into space in 1961, and to the USA sending astronauts to the Moon in 1969.

Both countries developed Nuclear Stockpiles

In August 1957, the Soviets successfully Then the USSR began
The USA developed its atom bomb The USA detonated the
tested the first Intercontinental Ballistic catching up again, as
during the Second World War and first hydrogen bomb (an
Missile (ICBM), which could strike the American resources
used it against Japan in 1945 (see p.6). even more powerful type
USA after being launched from within the were diverted into a
of nuclear bomb) in 1952.
USSR, and which was virtually unstoppable. war in Vietnam.

The USA first successfully tested an

The USSR wasn’t far behind, The USSR had followed
ICBM in 1959. It then quickly increased
and in 1949 succeeded in with its own hydrogen
its stock of these missiles until it had a
exploding its own atom bomb. bomb by 1955.
significant advantage over the USSR.

1) The arms race was also fuelled by the fear and suspicion
Comment and Analysis
created by other events. The formation of NATO in 1949
made the USSR feel militarily vulnerable. By this point, the USSR and the USA had
2) In February 1950, communist China and the USSR the power to destroy each other multiple
times over. As tensions increased, the threat
signed a treaty of alliance, which strengthened Western
of nuclear war became a real possibility.
fears that the USSR was planning communist domination.

Khrushchev raised hopes of ‘Peaceful Co-existence’

In 1953, Stalin died and another member of the Communist Party, Nikita Khrushchev, took power.
1) Khrushchev said he wanted ‘peaceful co-existence’ with the West.
Comment and Analysis His words brought hope that there would be a ‘thaw’ in the Cold War.
Because Khrushchev continued 2) But Khrushchev remained very competitive with the USA.
to develop weapons, the West 3) He wanted communism to spread, but thought the
still felt threatened and the
best way to achieve this was to clearly demonstrate
arms race didn’t slow down.
its superiority — not defeat the West in a war.

The Origins of the Cold War, 1941-58

 13

The Arms Race

SKIL
PRACTLS
ICE

Use these activities to make sure you understand why the arms race was so significant for the Cold War.

Knowledge and Understanding

1) In your own words, explain what the arms race was.

2) What effect did the Cold War have on space exploration?

3) Copy and complete the table below by giving the dates when
the USA and the USSR first tested each type of weapon.

Weapon USA USSR

a) Atom bomb

b) Hydrogen bomb

c) ICBM

4) How did the Vietnam War affect the arms race?

Thinking Historically
1) Copy and complete the mind map below, explaining how each factor affected the arms race.

a) Competition between c) Alliance between China

the USA and the USSR
Arms Race and the USSR in 1950

b) The formation
of NATO in 1949

2) Why did the arms race make the Cold War more dangerous?

3) Explain why the arms race continued after Stalin died.

The rivalry between the USA and the USSR kept on going...
M
EXA Remember that there were similarities as well as differences between the USA and the USSR.
TIP
Their achievements differed, but they shared similar aims and were equally afraid of each other.

The Origins of the Cold War, 1941-58

14

Divisions in Eastern Europe

Not all of the USSR’s satellite states had willingly accepted communism, and the USSR soon faced unrest.

Unrest began to Stir in the Eastern Bloc

1) When Khrushchev came to power, he made a speech criticising Stalin’s policies and
brought in measures to ‘de-Stalinise’ the USSR. These included the abolition of the Communism created
a lot of economic
death penalty and the freeing of political prisoners jailed under Stalin’s regime. hardship — poor living
2) Some satellite states hoped that their countries would also become ‘de-Stalinised’. conditions increased
Khrushchev abolished Cominform (see p.8), meaning that states in Eastern anti-Soviet sentiment.
Europe would have more political and economic freedom from the USSR.
Comment and Analysis 3) These moves allowed tensions in the satellite states to rise
Khrushchev wanted the Eastern Bloc to to the surface. Not all states had chosen communism, and
remain communist — he just didn’t agree saw the changes as a chance to loosen ties with the USSR.
with Stalin’s approach to communism. He 4) In 1956, there was an uprising in Poland. The USSR
thought that giving satellite states more threatened to intervene, but eventually allowed the new
economic independence would stabilise their government to follow their own version of communism.
communist regimes, but his plan backfired. This encouraged other states to consider revolt.

The USSR used the Hungarian Uprising to send a Message

1) After the Second World War, the USSR helped put Mátyás Rákosi, a brutal Stalinist,
in charge of Hungary. His authoritarian regime became increasingly unpopular. In
October 1956, the people of Budapest protested against the government of Rákosi.
2) Khrushchev allowed the liberal Imre Nagy to take over from Rákosi as Hungarian
Prime Minister. Nagy hoped that Hungary could be a neutral state.
3) In November 1956, Nagy announced that Hungary would withdraw from the
Warsaw Pact and hold free elections — ending communism there.
4) If Hungary was allowed to turn away from communism, other satellite states might do the
same. The USSR felt it had to respond with force and make an example of Nagy.
5) Khrushchev, who had only held power for two years, also wanted to use the crisis to assert his authority.
6) Soviet tanks invaded Hungary in November 1956. Thousands of Hungarians were killed or wounded.
Nagy was arrested and hanged. János Kádár became Prime Minister and ensured loyalty towards the USSR.

The crisis Strengthened the USSR and Discredited the West

1) Khrushchev’s brutal response to Hungary demonstrated to satellite states that disloyalty wouldn’t
be tolerated. It also showed the Western powers that the USSR was still in control.
2) It was a turning point for Khrushchev — his actions reasserted his authority over the satellite states
and destroyed any illusions in the West that his leadership signified a ‘thaw’ in the Cold War.
Comment and Analysis
Western Reactions

• There was a lack of intervention from Western

countries. They condemned the USSR’s actions, but The Western powers’ reputation as
thought that helping Hungary would risk a nuclear war. defenders of democracy was discredited.
• The UN asked the USSR to withdraw from Hungary, Their inaction sent a clear message to
but Kádár refused to take part in discussions. Eastern Europe that they wouldn’t receive
The situation remained unresolved. Western help to move away from the
USSR. The UN was shown to be weak.

The Origins of the Cold War, 1941-58

 15

Divisions in Eastern Europe

SKIL
PRACTLS
ICE

Unrest in the satellite states made the USSR look bad, so protests were usually put down quickly.
Try these activities to make sure you understand how Khrushchev kept the Eastern Bloc under control.

Knowledge and Understanding

1) The flowchart below shows events in the Eastern Bloc after Khrushchev came to power. Copy
and complete the flowchart, adding as much information as you can under headings a), b) and c).

Khrushchev b) Response in
a) Khrushchev’s policies
comes to power Eastern Europe

Greater unrest in
c) Events in Poland
Eastern Europe

2) How did economic hardship contribute to the events in Eastern Europe in the 1950s?

3) Explain the role of each of the following leaders in the Hungarian Uprising.
Give as much detail as possible.

a) Mátyás Rákosi b) Imre Nagy c) János Kádár

Thinking Historically
1) Why did Khrushchev respond to the Hungarian Uprising in the way that he did?

2) Copy and complete the mind map below, adding the

consequences of the Hungarian Uprising for each group.

a) Eastern
European countries
Hungarian Uprising c) The UN

b) Western powers

3) Using your mind map, explain how the Hungarian Uprising

affected the West’s relationship with Eastern Europe.

The USSR kept a tight hold on its satellite states...

M
EXA When you’re writing about causes or consequences, you can use linking words and phrases
TIP
such as ‘therefore’, ‘as a result’ and ‘because of this’ to show the connections between events.

The Origins of the Cold War, 1941-58

16

Worked Exam-Style Question

This sample answer will give you an idea of how to answer a question about the importance of an event.

Examine the significance of the creation of NATO (1949)

for the progression of the Cold War. [8 marks]

This
addresses the
The creation of NATO in 1949 after the Berlin Crisis played a
question in the significant role in strengthening the divide between East and West and
first sentence.
worsening the severity of the Cold War.
The formation of NATO made the Western powers seem more
threatening to the USSR, since there was now an agreement in place that
This makes would help them to act together if the USSR attacked a member state. As a
it clear This explains
that one result, the USSR felt more intimidated by the Western powers, so it created how this
development its own military alliance with its satellite states (except Yugoslavia) through consequence
led to another. of the creation
the Warsaw Pact in 1955. This was significant for the progression of the of NATO
Cold War, because it worsened the relationship between the USA and the strengthened the
divide between the
USSR, as both countries increasingly interpreted each other’s actions as East and West.
threatening.
The creation of NATO also resulted in the formation of two distinct This introduces
sides in the Cold War. The Western powers were united through NATO, another reason
why NATO was
Use while the Warsaw Pact united the USSR and its satellite states, creating significant for
relevant the progression
knowledge to
the Eastern Bloc. This increased the scale of the Cold War, as there were of the Cold
back up your now two rival groups of powers that were bound by military alliances to act War.
points.
against one another if either side attacked the other. This created a more
formal military division between the East and West and increased the risk of
active conflict between the two sides. This introduces
another key
Another significant consequence of the creation of NATO was that it factor that’s
contributed to the arms race, which heightened the intensity of the Cold War. relevant to the
issue in the
Because the military alliance of the Western powers through NATO made question.
the USSR feel more vulnerable, it invested more in trying to beat the USA
in the arms race, which succeeded with the launch of the first ICBM in 1957.
This explains As the arms race escalated, the USA and USSR became increasingly heavily
why this armed. This made the Cold War more dangerous by further increasing the
consequence
was significant. chances that it would develop into an active conflict.
This gives
Overall, the creation of NATO was significant to the progression of the a clear
This sums up
why NATO Cold War, because it formalised the division between the East and West. answer to
was significant the question.
It also increased the fear and tension that divided the USA and the USSR,
for the
progression of resulting in the acceleration of the arms race, which further divided the East
the Cold War.
and West and increased the risk of active conflict.

The Origins of the Cold War, 1941-58

 17

Exam-Style Questions
Now have a go at these exam-style questions to make sure you understand the origins of the Cold War.

Exam-Style Questions

1) Give two consequences of the Truman Doctrine (1947) and explain them. [8 marks]

2) Give an account that analyses the events that led to the Hungarian Uprising in 1956.

You could mention:

• Cominform
• ‘de-Stalinisation’

You should also use your own knowledge. [8 marks]

3) Examine:
a) the significance of the Berlin Crisis (1948-49) ||
|| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ||
for the progression of the Cold War. [8 marks] You may want to use info

| | | | | | | |
rmation

| | | | | | | ||
from other sections of this
book
in your answer to question
b) the significance of the arms race for the relationship |
three. | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

between the USSR and the USA. [8 marks]

The Origins of the Cold War, 1941-58

18 Cold War Crises, 1958-70

The Berlin Question

The 1950s saw more communication between the two superpowers, but underlying tensions remained.

There were some Steps to Improve East-West Relations...

President Eisenhower succeeded President Truman in January 1953, while Khrushchev
came to power in September. This provided an opportunity to create a fresh start —
there were several encouraging steps towards defusing tensions between the two powers:

• The USA and the USSR met in Geneva in 1955 and agreed to communicate more openly.
• In 1955, the USSR officially recognised the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) as a state.
• Khrushchev also freed some prisoners and reduced censorship in the USSR.

...but Berlin remained a Source of Tension

North
1) After the Berlin crisis in 1948 (see p.10), West Berlin was a Sea
unified zone and continued to develop economically, benefiting
from a new currency and American (Marshall Plan) aid. Berlin
Poland
2) The situation in East Berlin was very different — the USSR had drained
nds
it of resources and its economy was slow to develop. Many people Netherla
East
wanted to leave and go to the more prosperous West Berlin instead. Germany
3) The situation was hugely embarrassing Belgium

By 1961, at least West Czech

for Khrushchev, as it suggested that people Germany Republic
3 million East preferred life under capitalism to communism.
Germans had
emigrated from East 4) It also threatened East Germany’s economy, France

Berlin to West Berlin. as many of those who left were skilled Austria

workers in search of a better life.

5) The refugee crisis in Berlin led Khrushchev to issue his ‘Berlin Ultimatum’ in 1958. He demanded that
US, British and French troops leave West Berlin within six months. West Berlin would become a free city.
6) Eisenhower refused the ultimatum. Khrushchev took no further action, but the Berlin issue wasn’t solved.

The Soviet attitude towards Berlin... The Western attitude towards Berlin...
• The USSR felt threatened by the • After the Berlin Airlift, West Berlin became
economic success in West Berlin. a symbol of democracy — it had to be
• East Berlin had become dependent on supported or the West would lose credibility.
trade links with West Berlin. • People fleeing from East Berlin suited the
• The USSR worried the West was trying to use its West — it was good propaganda because it
strong economy to interfere in Eastern Europe. made communism look weak.

Khrushchev and Eisenhower held a Summit in 1959

1) In 1959, Khrushchev became the first communist leader to visit the USA. The meeting
symbolised a new spirit of co-operation and communication between the two powers.
2) At the meeting they discussed Berlin. Eisenhower still didn’t agree to withdraw
from West Berlin, but did agree to discuss the matter more deeply.
3) The leaders decided to meet in Paris the following year. Although no firm decisions had been made,
the arrangement of another summit promised to continue the optimistic dialogue they had started.

Cold War Crises, 1958-70

 19

The Berlin Question

SKIL
PRACTLS
ICE

Have a go at these activities to make sure you understand the significance of the situation in Berlin.

Knowledge and Understanding

1) Using the information on the previous page, write a definition of each of the following terms:

a) Refugee crisis b) Berlin Ultimatum

2) Copy and complete the mind map below to show how the USSR and the West
felt about Berlin before 1959. Try to include as much detail as possible.

Attitudes towards
Berlin before 1959

a) The USSR’s view b) The West’s view

Thinking Historically
1) In your own words, explain why West Berlin thrived in the 1950s.

2) Give one consequence of West Berlin’s economic success during this period.

3) Copy and complete the mind map below, explaining why conditions
in East Berlin were worse than in West Berlin in the 1950s.

Conditions
in East Berlin

4) Copy and complete the flowchart below about the events after the refugee
crisis in Berlin. Add as much information as you can under headings a) to d).

Khrushchev embarrassed a) Consequence b) Eisenhower’s

by the refugee crisis response

d) Consequence c) Why Eisenhower

responded in this way

Both superpowers refused to compromise on Berlin...

M
EXA Berlin was a key issue for both the West and the USSR. Neither side wanted to lose influence in
TIP
the city, so both sides did everything they could to protect their rights in their zone of Berlin.

Cold War Crises, 1958-70

20

The Berlin Wall

In 1961, around 2000 Germans crossed over from East to West Berlin every day. When it became clear that
the situation wasn’t going to be solved diplomatically, Khrushchev constructed the Berlin Wall.

Talks about Berlin Broke Down...

1) President Eisenhower and Khrushchev had agreed to discuss the Berlin question
at the Paris Summit in 1960. Days before the summit was due to take place,
the USSR shot down a U2 American spy plane over Soviet territory.
2) Eisenhower denied that it was a spy plane, but the USSR then produced
the pilot (alive) and the plane’s wreckage as evidence. When the USA Comment and Analysis
refused to apologise, Khrushchev walked out of the Paris Summit. After the Vienna Summit,
3) The U2 incident hindered further negotiations about Berlin. the USSR believed that
Both countries met again at Vienna in June 1961 — by this time, problems in Berlin wouldn’t
be resolved by negotiation.
John F. Kennedy had replaced Eisenhower as US President.
This sparked the creation of
4) Kennedy vowed to take a tougher approach towards communism. the Berlin Wall.
He refused to compromise over Berlin, and no resolution was reached.

...so the Berlin Wall was Put Up

1) Khrushchev felt he had to act to stem the flow of refugees out of

© Mary Evans Picture Library/Imagno

East Berlin. On 13th August 1961, a 27-mile barrier was built
across the city of Berlin overnight, separating East from West.
2) It was fortified with barbed wire and machine gun posts, and was
later strengthened and made into a more permanent barrier. Military
checkpoints policed any movements into or out of East Berlin.
3) Before the wall, East Berliners had entered West Berlin freely.
After the wall, they could no longer go to work in West Berlin A photo of the newly-built Berlin Wall.
and were instantly separated from friends and relatives.
4) Citizens from East and West Berlin were rarely allowed through the
military checkpoints and anyone who tried to escape East Berlin was shot.

The Berlin Wall helped Stabilise the situation in Europe

After the Berlin Wall was put up, Cold War tensions over Berlin stabilised. ‘It’s not a very nice
solution, but a wall is a
The West condemned Khrushchev, but was actually relieved... hell of a lot better than
• Immediately after the Berlin Wall appeared, Soviet and Western troops were a war.’ — President
positioned either side of the wall, but then both powers agreed to back down. Kennedy, 1961.
• The USA condemned the building of the wall, but took no further military action.
• Kennedy was actually relieved — he’d been preparing for a confrontation of some sort.

1) The wall succeeded in stopping mass emigration to West Berlin. It also gave East Germany
the opportunity to rebuild its economy, and strengthen itself as a communist state.
2) In the West, the Berlin Wall became a symbol of oppression and the failure
of communism. In the USSR, it was seen as a sign of strength.
3) President Kennedy visited West Berlin in 1963 and gave a famous speech stating his solidarity
with West Berlin and its people. He declared ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ (I am a Berliner).

Cold War Crises, 1958-70

 21

The Berlin Wall

SKIL
PRACTLS
ICE

The activities on this page will help you understand the importance of the Berlin Wall in East-West relations.

Knowledge and Understanding

1) Why did Khrushchev build the Berlin Wall?

2) In your own words, explain how the Berlin Wall affected everyday life for ordinary Berliners.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Think about their immediate

| | | | | | | ||

||
| | | | | | |
3) Copy and complete the table below, giving details about how the response as well as how
USSR and the West responded to the construction of the Berlin Wall. they viewed the wall.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | ||

USSR The West

Thinking Historically
The graph below shows the changing relationship between
the USA and the USSR between 1953 and 1961.

d) 1959
b) 1955
US-USSR Relations

a) 1953 c) 1958

f) June 1961

e) 1960

1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961

1) Copy and complete the graph, using the information on pages 18 and 20 to add details
about what happened at each of the highlighted dates and how these developments affected
relations between the USA and the USSR. Try to include as much information as possible.

2) Why was the construction of the Berlin Wall important

in resolving the situation in Berlin? Explain your answer.

The wall cemented the divide between East and West...

M
EXA The construction of the Berlin Wall was a really significant point in the Cold War. It’s important
TIP
that you know about the events that led up to it, and what it meant for the USA and the USSR.

Cold War Crises, 1958-70

22

The Cuban Missile Crisis

As tension was increasing over Berlin, the USA also began to have problems closer to home. Cuba had
long been the USA’s economic ally, but revolution brought the communist threat to the USA’s doorstep.

The Cuban Revolution in 1959 Worried the USA

1) Since 1952, Cuba had been ruled by Batista, a ruthless military dictator, who allowed American
businessmen and the Mafia to make huge profits in a country where most people lived in poverty.
2) In 1956, a rebel called Fidel Castro began a guerrilla war. By 1959, he had enough In a ‘guerrilla war’,
support to take Cuba’s capital, Havana, and successfully overthrew the government. small military units
3) This revolution worried the USA. The USA had a long economic history with Cuba. use tactics like raids to
fight a larger opponent.
It owned half of Cuba’s land and held most of the shares in all Cuban industries.
4) The USA felt it had a right to be involved in Cuba’s affairs. The USA had occupied Cuba from 1898 to
But Cubans had grown to resent American influence in their 1902. When Cuba became independent, the
country — they didn’t feel like an independent state. two countries maintained close economic ties.

The USA Accidentally pushed Castro Closer to the USSR

1) When Castro seized power in 1959, he nationalised US companies and ‘Nationalisation’ means taking
increased taxes on goods imported from America. This angered the USA. a privately owned industry and
2) Eisenhower was concerned that Castro’s drive towards public placing it under public ownership.
ownership showed that he was moving towards communism.
3) He threatened to stop importing Cuban sugar. Sugar was Cuba’s main USA
Cuba
source of wealth, and the USA was sure that Castro would back down.
4) Instead, Castro signed a trade agreement
with the USSR — the USSR promised to buy
all sugar exports. All remaining American Comment and Analysis
property in Cuba was confiscated. Khrushchev wanted to help By 1961, Cuba had consolidated its ties
5) In January 1961, the USA severed all Castro, who was sympathetic with the USSR. As Cuba was only 100
diplomatic relations with Cuba — the towards communism. He miles from the USA, the communist
also saw an opportunity to threat had come dangerously close.
new US President John Kennedy no
gain influence near US soil.
longer recognised Castro’s government.

Rebels backed by the USA Invaded Cuba at the Bay of Pigs

Kennedy couldn’t let a communist state emerge next to America — he intervened.
1) In 1961, Kennedy authorised an invasion of Cuba by anti-Castro rebels.
2) In April 1961, the rebels landed in the Bay of Pigs, but they were
easily defeated and the USA didn’t help — it was a bit of a fiasco.
3) The USA was humiliated, and had pushed Cuba even closer to the USSR.

Tensions continued to grow...

• The invasion led Castro to decide that Cuba needed Soviet military assistance to defend itself.
This sparked one of the biggest crises of the Cold War — the Cuban Missile Crisis (see p.24).
• In December 1961, Castro publicly announced that he was a communist, confirming US fears.

Cold War Crises, 1958-70

 23

The Cuban Missile Crisis

SKIL
PRACTLS
ICE

Cuba caused huge tension between the USA and the USSR — these activities will help you understand why.

Knowledge and Understanding

1) Explain who the following people were:

a) Batista b) Fidel Castro

2) In your own words, write a definition of the term ‘nationalisation’.

3) Copy and complete the table below, explaining why

Cuba was important to the USA and the USSR.

Importance to the USA Importance to the USSR

Thinking Historically
1) The flowchart below shows how the relationship between Cuba and the USA changed between
1959 and January 1961. Copy and complete the flowchart by adding the missing developments.

a) US government b) US government
threatened to stop no longer recognised
importing Cuban sugar. Castro’s government.

2) The USA acted against Cuba before they had any real evidence that Castro
was a communist. Do you think this was the most important reason why
Cuba and the USSR developed a closer relationship? Explain your answer.

3) Why did Kennedy intervene in Cuban-Soviet relations

in 1961? Describe how this intervention occurred.

4) Copy and complete the mind map below, listing the consequences of the Bay of Pigs invasion.

Consequences of
the Bay of Pigs

The Bay of Pigs invasion wasn’t Kennedy’s finest moment...

M
EXA In the exam, you’ll be asked to analyse how and why certain events happened. Make sure
TIP
you learn about all the different factors which contributed to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Cold War Crises, 1958-70

24

The Cuban Missile Crisis

Khrushchev agreed to help Castro and began to build nuclear missile sites in Cuba.

Khrushchev planned to put Nuclear Missiles in Cuba

1) In September 1961, Cuba asked the USSR for weapons to defend itself against further American
intervention. By July 1962, Khrushchev had decided to put nuclear missiles in Cuba.
2) Although Khrushchev already had missiles that could reach the USA, missiles in Cuba would allow him
to launch a nuclear attack on all of central and eastern USA with very little warning.
Soviet ships
3) In October 1962, American U2 spy planes spotted that
USA Atlantic
Ocean
sailing for Cuba nuclear missile bases were being built in Cuba.
Missile sites 4) President Kennedy demanded that Khrushchev dismantle
the missile bases and ordered a naval blockade of Cuba.
US naval
All Soviet ships were to be stopped and searched to
blockade prevent missiles being transported to the island.
Cuba
5) As tensions grew, US bombers were put in the air
carrying nuclear bombs and the USA prepared to invade
Caribbean Sea
Cuba. The world was on the brink of nuclear war.

On 27th October 1962, Khrushchev made a deal to

Comment and Analysis dismantle the missile bases in Cuba and ordered his
The USA had placed missiles in Turkey right next to ships to turn around. In exchange the USA lifted
the USSR in April 1962. In Khrushchev’s eyes, the blockade, promised to not invade Cuba — and
putting missiles in Cuba was a reasonable response. secretly agreed to remove their missiles from Turkey.

The crisis Significantly Altered the Course of the Cold War

The Cuban Missile Crisis was important because it forced everybody to face up to how
quickly a tense situation could become an absolute catastrophe. In the short term,
efforts were made to defuse tensions and improve communication between the powers.

• In 1963, a telephone ‘hotline’ was established between Washington and Moscow.

This enabled the two superpowers to talk directly and more quickly in the event of a crisis.
• All nuclear missiles were removed from Cuba, and then from Turkey by April 1963.
• Kennedy emerged from the crisis as a hero who had stood up against the threat of communism.
• Khrushchev, however, was discredited — he’d forced the USA to remove their missiles from Turkey,
but had agreed to keep the deal a secret. In the eyes of the public he’d failed and he resigned in 1964.

In the long term, the crisis prompted new measures to bring the build up of nuclear weapons under control.
1) The Limited Test Ban Treaty was signed by both powers in 1963. The Cuban Missile
It stated that all future tests of nuclear weapons had to be carried Crisis was one of the most
out underground to avoid polluting the air with nuclear radiation. dangerous events in the
Cold War, but it also
2) The Outer Space Treaty was drawn up in 1967. It forbade countries (including marked the beginning of a
the USSR and the USA) from placing weapons of mass destruction in space. period of ‘détente’ (see p.32).

3) The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty came into force in 1970. Both superpowers
agreed not to supply nuclear weapons or related technology to countries that
didn’t already have nuclear arms. The treaty also encouraged nuclear disarmament,
but it allowed countries to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes (e.g. energy).

Cold War Crises, 1958-70

 25

The Cuban Missile Crisis

SKIL
PRACTLS
ICE

The Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world very close to nuclear war. The activities on this page
will help you to explore the causes, events and consequences of the Crisis in a bit more detail.

Knowledge and Understanding

1) Copy out the timeline below and use the information on pages 22 and 24 to fill in
the events which took place at each date. Include as much detail as you can.

1952 1959 January 1961 September 1961 April 1962 October 1962

1956 April 1961 December 1961 July 1962

2) Explain why Khrushchev’s decision to place nuclear weapons in Cuba was so significant.

Thinking Historically
1) Both the USA and the USSR believed they ‘won’ the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Copy and complete the table below, using the information on pages!22
and 24 to explain why each side felt they could claim victory.

US ‘victories’ Soviet ‘victories’

2) Describe the positive changes that the superpowers made in each of the following areas
after the Cuban Missile Crisis. Give as much information about the changes as you can.

a) Communication b) Nuclear control

3) Why did the Cuban Missile Crisis persuade the superpowers to make these changes?

A lot of good came out of the Cuban Missile Crisis...

M
EXA It’s important to learn the details of the treaties and measures introduced after the Missile Crisis.
TIP
These developments help to show the impact of the crisis on relations between the superpowers.

Cold War Crises, 1958-70

26

The Prague Spring

In 1968, discontent within the Soviet Eastern Bloc stirred again. Czechoslovakia wanted more freedom from
Moscow, and decided to move away from Soviet influence in a rebellion known as ‘the Prague Spring’.

There was Opposition to Soviet Control in Czechoslovakia

1) Tension had been building in Czechoslovakia. It had become a communist Soviet policies such
state in 1948 and its policies were heavily influenced by the USSR. as collectivisation and
2) It was a member of the Warsaw Pact, which discouraged trade with centralisation slowed economic
progress in Czechoslovakia.
countries outside the Eastern Bloc and promoted Soviet-style communism.
3) There was growing discontent about the extent of external control over Czechoslovakian affairs.
In 1956, students and writers protested at the lack of free speech and free movement in the country.

Dubcek wanted to Move Away from Soviet policies

1) In January 1968, Alexander Dubcek became the leader of the Communist Party in Czechoslovakia.
Dubcek wanted Czechoslovakia to follow its own version of communism.
2) In April 1968, he introduced a series of reforms that went against Soviet-style communism.
Dubcek’s Reforms
Decentralisation meant that companies
• Travel to the West was made available for all. were no longer controlled by Communist
Party officials — workers and local
• The border with West Germany was re-opened. authorities were given more power.
• All industry became decentralised.
• Trade unions and workers were given more power.
• Freedom of speech and opposition parties were allowed.

3) Many of the reforms were aimed at improving the performance of Czechoslovakia’s

economy — partly by developing closer relations with the West.
4) This worried the USSR — it didn’t want any Western involvement in its Eastern Bloc.
5) Even though some reforms moved away from Soviet policy, Dubcek was still a communist.
He promised that Czechoslovakia would stay in the Warsaw Pact and remain a loyal ally to Moscow.
6) For four months, Dubcek’s new policies were tolerated by the USSR, and Czechoslovakia
enjoyed relative freedom. This period is known as the ‘Prague Spring’.

The USSR was Under Pressure to Intervene

1) The USSR grew increasingly concerned about Dubcek’s reforms. Dubcek promised he was still
loyal to Moscow, but his new policies meant that the USSR had less control over Czechoslovakia.
2) The leader of the USSR, Leonid Brezhnev, was worried that Dubcek’s reforms
could lead to a rejection of communism in the Eastern Bloc and in the USSR
itself. If Czechoslovakia pulled away, other satellite states might follow.

Events in August 1968 triggered a Soviet response...

• President Tito of Yugoslavia visited Prague. Yugoslavia had refused to sign the Warsaw
Pact and had never accepted the USSR’s version of communism. The trip was an
ominous sign to Brezhnev that Czechoslovakia was no longer loyal to the USSR.
• The USSR received a letter from communists in Czechoslovakia, asking for help.

Cold War Crises, 1958-70

 27

The Prague Spring

SKIL
PRACTLS
ICE

These activities will help you understand the events that led to the Prague Spring and how the USSR responded.

Knowledge and Understanding

1) Explain who each of the following people were and what
their attitude was towards Soviet control of Eastern Europe.

a) President Tito b) Alexander Dubcek c) Leonid Brezhnev

2) Describe the relationship between Czechoslovakia and the USSR before 1968.

3) What was the Prague Spring?

4) Copy and complete the mind map below, adding all the reforms introduced by Dubcek in 1968.

Dubcek’s reforms

5) Why did Dubcek introduce these reforms?

Thinking Historically
1) Why didn’t the USSR challenge Dubcek’s reforms when he first introduced them?

2) Copy and complete the table below, explaining why each factor
encouraged the USSR to intervene in Czechoslovakia.

Factor Explanation

a) The Eastern Bloc

b) President Tito

c) Czechoslovakian communists

Dubcek wanted to reform Czechoslovakia peacefully...

M
EXA The Prague Spring shows how important the USSR’s relationship with its satellite states was
TIP
during the Cold War — the USSR couldn’t afford to let Czechoslovakia pull away completely.

Cold War Crises, 1958-70

28

The Prague Spring

In August 1968, the USSR decided to intervene militarily. This led to a new pro-Soviet
leader in power and Czechoslovakia returned to Soviet-style communism.

The USSR Invaded Czechoslovakia in August 1968

1) On 21st August 1968 500,000 Soviet troops invaded Czechoslovakia.
Czechoslovakia was keen to avoid
2) The Czechoslovakians responded with non-violent demonstrations the violence that erupted in the 1956
— people took to the streets with anti-invasion banners, and in Hungarian Uprising (see p.14).
January 1969 a student burned himself alive in the street in protest.
3) In April 1969, Dubcek was forcibly removed from office, and replaced with Gustav Husak. Husak was
loyal to Soviet-style communism, and would ensure that Czechoslovakia remained close with the USSR.

Countries Criticised the USSR, but Didn’t Act

There was an international outcry at the Soviet intervention in Czechoslovakia, but no action was taken.

• The UN denounced the invasion Comment and Analysis

and proposed a draft resolution Countries were wary of taking
requesting the withdrawal of Soviet action against the USSR.
troops from Czechoslovakia. This The Prague Spring occurred
was vetoed (rejected) by the USSR. at a time when the Cold War
• Many Western countries condemned had thawed slightly. Nobody
the Soviet action but didn’t intervene. wanted to re-ignite tensions
© Mary Evans / Iberfoto

between the two superpowers.

They were worried about interfering
within the USSR’s sphere of influence.
• Communist parties in the West criticised The lack of reaction
from the UN and the
Brezhnev’s reaction and sought to West made the Western
Warsaw Pact forces enter distance themselves from Soviet influence. powers appear weak.
Prague in August 1968.

The Prague Spring Strengthened the USSR

1) The USSR succeeded in returning Czechoslovakia to Soviet-style communism.
2) Brezhnev used the Prague Spring as an opportunity to establish his authority in the Eastern
Bloc. He showed he was prepared to invade a friendly satellite state in order not to weaken the
anti-Western alliance. He also proved to the USA that he was a strong and determined leader.

• After the invasion, Brezhnev announced that in future the USSR would
Brezhnev Doctrine

act to protect communism in any country where it was under threat.

• The Brezhnev Doctrine was important because it strengthened the
USSR’s control over its satellite states.
• It also sent a message to the Eastern Bloc that giving up communism
wasn’t an option — the USSR would respond with force.

3) Soviet-American relations continued to be strained. Despite recent moves towards

reducing the nuclear threat (see p.24), both countries still distrusted one another.
4) The incident reminded both superpowers that the Cold War wasn’t over. Brezhnev had
proved he was still willing to risk conflict to uphold communism in the Eastern Bloc.

Cold War Crises, 1958-70

 29

The Prague Spring

SKIL
PRACTLS
ICE

These activities will help you to explore the consequences of the Prague Spring for East-West relations.

Knowledge and Understanding

1) The flowchart below shows the stages in the USSR’s intervention in Czechoslovakia.
Copy and complete the flowchart, describing what happened at each stage.

a) Invasion of b) Czechoslovakian c) Replacement

Czechoslovakia response of Dubcek

2) Copy and complete the table below, giving details about how
each group responded to the invasion of Czechoslovakia.

Group Reaction

a) The UN

b) Western countries

c) Western communist parties

3) Why didn’t the groups in the table above take further action against the Soviet invasion?

4) What was the Brezhnev Doctrine?

Thinking Historically
1) Copy and complete the mind map below, explaining the
consequences of the Prague Spring for each country or group.

a) Czechoslovakia b) The Eastern Bloc || | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

|| | | | | | | ||
The USSR was a single
| | | | | | | | | | | | |

| | | | | | | | | | | | ||

country. The Eastern Bloc

Consequences of was the group of countries
the Prague Spring in Eastern Europe that was
controlled by the USSR. |
|| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
c) Western powers d) USSR

The Brezhnev Doctrine kept the Eastern Bloc loyal...

M
EXA Question 1 in the exam will ask you to explain two consequences of an event or development.
TIP
Making a mind map is a great way to make sure you can remember all the consequences.

Cold War Crises, 1958-70

30

Worked Exam-Style Question

Have a look at this sample answer which shows how to explain the consequences of a particular development.
A development may have several consequences, but you only need to write about two for this question.

Give two consequences of the Cuban Revolution

in 1959 and explain them. [8 marks]

This
addresses One consequence of the Cuban Revolution was that the USA This gives detailed
information about
the question lost influence in Cuba. The USA had enjoyed a long and close the topic.
straight away.
economic relationship with Cuba, and owned half of Cuba’s land and
a huge share of Cuban industry by the time of the revolution. This Use
relationship had been supported by the Cuban government. When relevant
knowledge
Castro overthrew Batista in 1959, he nationalised US businesses in to back up

This focuses
Cuba and raised taxes on American imports. This meant that the your points.

on the USA’s economic foothold in Cuba was significantly reduced.

question and
introduces Another consequence of the Cuban Revolution was that Cuba
another established a closer relationship with the Soviet Union. Castro’s
consequence.
economic sanctions against America prompted President Eisenhower Discuss details
of the period to
to threaten to stop importing Cuban sugar. Khrushchev took this help explain the
opportunity to aid Castro, and the USSR agreed to buy all sugar consequence and
its significance.
exports. As sugar was Cuba’s primary source of income, this meant
that they received a lot of Soviet money and by 1961 an important
relationship had been established between Cuba and the USSR.

Cold War Crises, 1958-70

 31

Exam-Style Questions
Give these exam-style questions a go to test your knowledge of the crises during the Cold War.

Exam-Style Questions

1) Give two consequences of the construction

of the Berlin Wall in 1961 and explain them. [8 marks]

2) Give an account that analyses the events of 1958-1961

that led to the construction of the Berlin Wall.

You could mention:

• the ‘Berlin Ultimatum’
• the U2 incident

You should also use your own knowledge. [8 marks]

3) Examine:
a) the significance of the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) ||
|| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ||
You may want to use info
| | | | | | | |
for the progression of the Cold War. [8!marks] rmation

| | | | | | | ||
from other sections of this
book
in your answer to question
three.
|

| | | | | | | | | |
b) the significance of the USSR’s invasion of Czechoslovakia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

in 1968 for Soviet control of Eastern Europe. [8 marks]

Cold War Crises, 1958-70

32 The End of the Cold War, 1970-91

Détente: Easing of Tensions

In the 1970s there was a period of ‘détente’ — an easing in tension between the two superpowers.

The policy of Détente was Practical

Détente wasn’t just goodwill — it was also a sensible policy for both countries.
1) The 1960s were marked by crises, including some of the Comment and Analysis
most tense moments in the Cold War (p.18-29). Both
The USSR was especially
the USA and the USSR wanted to avoid other near misses.
worried about falling living
2) Boosting military power hadn’t succeeded in reducing tensions. standards in the Eastern
Both countries recognised that a new strategy was needed. Bloc. In 1970, there were
3) Both countries were also keen to reduce their military spending — the riots in Poland in response
arms race was extremely expensive and led to falling standards of living. to high living costs.

The Superpowers agreed to Reduce Arms and Co-operate

The two superpowers developed closer relations under détente. In 1975, Soviet and American spacecraft
docked together in space. However, the most significant progress was achieved through diplomacy.
The First Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT 1) 1972
Comment and Analysis
1) SALT 1 was a treaty signed in 1972 by the USA and the USSR.
It limited the number of ABMs (anti-ballistic missiles) each By limiting the number of ABMs
each country could have, SALT 1
country could have and placed a temporary limit on the numbers
reduced the likelihood of one country
of ICBMs (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles) on both sides. holding an advantage over the other.
2) ABMs were designed to intercept incoming missiles
and had the potential to upset the delicate If one side could use ABMs to destroy the other side’s
‘nuclear balance’ between the USSR and the USA. missiles then the threat of retaliation would be gone.
3) In the short term, the treaty was a success because it The side with ABMs could launch a first strike and then
just destroy the missiles that were fired back towards it.
slowed down the arms race.

The Helsinki Agreement 1975

1) The Helsinki Agreement in 1975 was a pact between the USA, the USSR, Canada and most of
Europe. All countries agreed to recognise existing European borders and to uphold human rights.
2) Both superpowers accepted the division of Germany and the USSR’s influence over Eastern Europe.
3) The West viewed the USSR’s agreement to uphold human rights as great progress, but the
USSR didn’t stick to its word. It didn’t grant freedom of speech or freedom of movement to
its citizens. This undermined the Helsinki agreement and made the USA distrust the USSR.

The Second Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT 2) 1979

1) The SALT 2 Treaty was signed in 1979. The treaty banned the USA and the USSR
MIRVs are weapons
from launching new missile programmes and limited the number of MIRVs which can carry
(Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicles) each country could have. several missiles at
2) However the treaty was never ratified (approved) by the US Senate, once and deploy them
to different targets.
so it didn’t come into effect. See p.34 for more information.
The superpowers took important steps towards limiting their nuclear arms during
détente, but both countries continued to hold vast stockpiles of weapons.

The End of the Cold War, 1970-91

 33

Détente: Easing of Tensions

SKIL
PRACTLS
ICE

Have a go at the activities on this page to improve your understanding of why tensions eased in the 1970s.

Knowledge and Understanding

1) Copy and complete the mind map below, explaining why the
USA and the USSR followed the policy of détente in the 1970s.

Reasons for détente

2) Give a definition of each of the following terms:

a) ABMs b) MIRVs

3) Copy and complete the table below about the agreements between the
USA and the USSR in the 1970s. Include as much detail as you can.

Agreement Date What was agreed How successful was it?

a) SALT 1

b) Helsinki Agreement

c) SALT 2

Thinking Historically
1) The table below contains two statements about the consequences of détente for the
Cold War. Copy and complete the table, adding evidence to support each statement.

Détente made the Cold!War Détente did not make the

less dangerous Cold War less dangerous

They should have just put each other in détente-tion...

M
EXA If you’re writing about why détente came about in the 1970s, think about how other events in
TIP
the Cold War (e.g. the Cuban Missile Crisis) encouraged the superpowers to follow this policy.

The End of the Cold War, 1970-91

46

Answers
Marking the Activities
We’ve included sample answers for all the activities. When you’re marking your work, remember that our answers
are just a guide — a lot of the activities ask you to give your own opinion, so there is no ‘correct answer’.
Marking the Exam-Style Questions
For each exam-style question, we’ve covered some key points that your answer could include.
Our answers are just examples though — answers very different to ours could also get top marks.
Most exam questions in history are level marked. This means the examiner puts your answer into one of several
levels. Then they award marks based on how well your answer matches the description for that level.
To reach a higher level, you’ll need to give a ‘more sophisticated’ answer. Exactly what ‘sophisticated’
means will depend on the type of question, but, generally speaking, a more sophisticated answer
could include more detail, more background knowledge or make a more complex judgement.
Start by choosing which level your answer falls into. A good way to do this is to start at ‘Level 1’ and go up to the
next level each time your answer meets all the conditions of a level. Next, choose a mark. The mark you choose
will depend on whether you think you’ve met all of, most of, or some of the conditions in that level.

Level descriptions:
Consequence questions: Significance questions:
Each consequence is marked separately. Mark your answers to parts a) and b) separately.
One consequence can get a maximum of 4 marks. Level 1 Limited knowledge and understanding of
Level 1 Some general knowledge and 1-2 marks the period is shown. The answer gives a
1-2 marks understanding of the period is shown. simple explanation of the significance of
The answer gives one consequence and the topic. Ideas are generally unconnected
attempts a simple explanation. and don’t follow a logical order.
Level 2 Detailed knowledge and understanding Level 2 A good level of knowledge and
3-4 marks of the period is shown. The answer gives 3-5 marks understanding of the period is shown. The
one consequence and explains it using answer attempts to analyse the significance
knowledge of the period. of the topic. An attempt has been made to
organise ideas logically.
Level 3 Knowledge and understanding of the
6-8 marks period is precise and detailed. The answer
Narrative account questions:
explores the significance of the topic
Level 1 The answer shows some knowledge and thoroughly. Ideas are organised logically
1-2 marks understanding of the period. It provides and connections between different points
a simple explanation of some events that are identified to create a deeper analysis of
led to the outcome. There has been some significance.
attempt to organise events in a logical way.
Level 2 The answer shows good knowledge and
3-5 marks understanding of the period. It provides
some analysis of the key events that led to
the outcome. Most events are organised
logically. Some connections are made
between events to show how they led to
the outcome.
Level 3 Answers can’t be awarded Level 3 if they
6-8 marks only discuss the information suggested in
the question. The answer shows excellent
knowledge and understanding of the
period. It provides a detailed analysis of
the key events that led to the outcome
and events are ordered logically. Strong
connections are made between events to
show how they combined to cause the
outcome.

Answers
 47

Answers
The Origins of the Cold War, 1941-58 • The agreements made at Tehran and Yalta caused
conflict when they were put into practice.
Page 5 — The Grand Alliance When Stalin began installing a pro-communist
Knowledge and Understanding government in Poland, the USA felt that this went
1 Britain, the USA and the USSR. against the agreement made at Yalta that countries
2 a) • 1943 in Eastern Europe would have free elections.
• The USSR would be allowed a ‘sphere of However, Stalin considered this acceptable
influence’ in Eastern Europe after the Second because at Tehran the allies had agreed to the
World War. USSR having a ‘sphere of influence’ in Eastern
b) • February 1945 Europe. Both sides felt that the other had gone
• Free elections would be held in previously back on their word, and this created tension
occupied countries in Eastern Europe. The between them.
UN would be created to replace the League of • The different ideologies of the USA and the USSR
Nations. Germany and Berlin would be divided made it difficult for them to trust each other. The
into four occupied zones. USA felt threatened by the USSR’s aim of world
c) • July-August 1945 revolution, and the USSR feared that the USA
• The exact division of Germany and Berlin would achieve worldwide influence.
between!the allies was determined. Poland’s new
Page 7 — The Two Superpowers
boundaries!were drawn up. Nazi war criminals
would be tried at Nuremberg. Knowledge and Understanding
3 a) The USA was a democracy, but in the USSR there 1 Any four from: Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria,
was only one political party. Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, East Germany, Albania.
b) The US economy was based on private ownership of 2 Yugoslavia was never occupied by the Red Army.
property, free competition and the forces of supply This meant that it was more independent of the USSR
and demand. In the USSR, the economy was under and more open to the West. As a result, the Yugoslav
state control and there was no private ownership of leader, President Tito, was able to resist some of
property. Stalin’s political interference.
c) Most Americans were Christian, whereas the 3 a) The Cold War describes the situation that developed
Communist!Party in the USSR supported atheism and between the USA and the USSR after the Second
discouraged religious beliefs. World War, where both countries were afraid of each
other but there was no actual fighting.
Thinking Historically
b) The Iron Curtain was how Winston Churchill
1 a) Roosevelt is replaced by Truman, who distrusts the
described the divide between the communist
USSR and is unwilling to compromise. This makes it
countries of Eastern Europe and the pro-USA
harder for the two sides to work together.
countries of Western Europe.
b) The USA sees this as a violation of the Yalta
agreement on free elections. This damages the Thinking Historically
relationship between the USA and the USSR because 1 • The bombs destroyed the Japanese cities of
it makes the USA trust Stalin even less than before. Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
2 Here are some points your answer may include: • Using the atom bomb enabled the USA to force
• In 1943, the members of the Grand Alliance were Japan to surrender. This ended the war without
fighting a common enemy, so they put aside their any involvement from the USSR.
differences and worked together to defeat the • It gave the USA a military advantage as the only
Nazis. Once the war was over, the relationship nuclear power in the world.
began to break down as tensions developed • It angered the USSR, who felt that the USA were
between the USA and the USSR. trying to intimidate them.
• After the death of President Roosevelt, the USA • It encouraged the USSR to speed up the
was led by Truman. This had a negative impact development of their own atom bomb, leading to
on the relationship between the members of the arms race.
the Grand Alliance because Truman was more 2 USA:
suspicious of the USSR and less prepared to • Kept the nature of the atom bomb secret from
compromise. the!USSR.
• Dropped the atom bomb in 1945.
• Kept the USSR out of the occupation of Japan.

Answers
48

Answers
USSR: • February 1945 — Yalta conference. Britain, the
• Occupied Eastern Europe. USA and the USSR promise free elections to
• Installed puppet governments in Poland, Hungary, occupied countries in Eastern Europe and propose
Romania, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia. the creation of the UN.
• Developed nuclear weapons of its own. • May 1945 — Germany surrenders.
3 Here are some points your answer may include: • July-August 1945 — Potsdam conference.
• Between 1945 and 1949, trust between the USA Germany is divided into four zones. Roosevelt
and the USSR completely broke down. By 1946, is replaced by Truman, who is less willing to
the relationship had become so strained that compromise with the USSR.
Churchill spoke of an ‘Iron Curtain’ dividing the • August 1945 — The USA drops atom bombs on
East and the West. By 1949, the situation had Japan, bringing the Second World War to an end
developed into the Cold War, with each side without the help of the USSR.
viewing the other as a threat rather than an ally. • 1945-48 — Stalin installs puppet communist
• By defeating Japan without the USSR’s support governments in Poland, Hungary, Romania,
and keeping the USSR out of the occupation of Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia.
Japan, the USA demonstrated its military strength • February 1946 — The Long telegram is issued.
and showed that it did not trust the USSR. This The USA suspects that the USSR is trying to
damaged the relationship between the two destroy them.
countries, creating tension between them. • September 1946 — The Novikov telegram is
• The use of the atom bomb damaged the issued. The USSR suspects that the USA wants to
relationship between the two countries because it destroy them.
gave the USA a military advantage, and was seen • March 1947 — The USA announces the Truman
by Stalin as an attempt to intimidate the USSR. Doctrine, offering financial, military and
This led to increasing rivalry between the USA and diplomatic aid to Europe to prevent the spread of
the USSR and ultimately to the arms race as the communism.
USSR increased its efforts to develop its own atom • June 1947 — The USA announces the Marshall
bomb. Plan, offering $17 billion of aid to help European
• The USSR’s creation of puppet governments in countries rebuild their economies.
several Eastern European countries between 1945 • September 1947 — Cominform is created to bring
and 1948 made the USA fear and distrust the Eastern European communist parties under the
USSR. The USA saw the spread of communism as USSR’s control.
a threat to democracy. • January 1949 — Comecon is created to counter
the Marshall Plan.
Page 9 — Mutual Suspicion
Thinking Historically
Knowledge and Understanding
1 The telegrams seemed to confirm the existing fears in
1 a) • Long — February 1946 both countries that the other side wanted to destroy
• Novikov — September 1946 them. This increased tension by encouraging both
b) • Long — President Truman sides to take further action to prevent the other from
• Novikov — Stalin gaining more power.
c) • Long — Stalin was in favour of destroying 2 a) President Truman announced the Truman Doctrine,
capitalism, and the USSR was trying to which offered diplomatic, military and financial
weaken and divide the Western powers while support to countries threatened by communist
strengthening its own military. takeover. He also announced the Marshall Plan,
• Novikov — The USA wanted world supremacy, which promised $17 billion of aid to help European
and was trying to limit the influence of the USSR countries rebuild their economies.
in Europe. b) Truman was worried that communism would appeal
2 a) Cominform was the Communist Information Bureau. to countries that were suffering economic hardship
Set up in 1947, it united the communist parties of after the war. He hoped that giving aid to Europe
Eastern Europe, bringing them under Stalin’s control. would stop communist influence from spreading.
b) Comecon was the Council for Mutual Economic c) Many non-communist countries in Europe benefited
Assistance. Established in 1949, it was designed to from Marshall Plan aid, especially West Germany.
combat the Marshall Plan by nationalising industry, Turkey and Greece received $400 million in aid
collectivising agriculture and offering economic aid. under the Truman Doctrine. This ensured that a lot
3 • November 1943 — Tehran conference. Britain, of non-communist countries in Europe became allied
the USA and the USSR discuss plans for Europe with the USA.
and Germany after the war.

Answers
 49

Answers
d) The USSR felt threatened by Truman’s actions, so 2 a) • NATO — 1949
Stalin strengthened the ties between the USSR • Warsaw Pact — 1955
and its satellite states. Communist parties in the b) • NATO — The blockade had shown the West that
satellite states were brought under Stalin’s control they were not prepared to respond to conflict
through Cominform in 1947. From 1949, Comecon with the USSR, so they decided to form a military
offered the satellite states economic aid to appease alliance. All of the members would respond if any
those that had been ordered to refuse Marshall one of them was attacked.
Plan support. Industries in satellite states were • Warsaw Pact — The USSR saw the formation
nationalised and agriculture was collectivised. of NATO as a threat. It responded by forming
3 Truman’s actions in 1947 were important because an alliance of its own to improve the defensive
they hardened the division between the East and the capability of Eastern Europe and strengthen
West. The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan relations between its members.
drew many countries in Western Europe into closer 3 The formation of NATO in 1949 damaged the
alliance with the USA. This in turn prompted Stalin relationship between the East and the West, because
to create Cominform and Comecon to strengthen it made it harder for the two sides to trust each other.
ties between the USSR and its Eastern European NATO’s formation showed that the West didn’t trust
allies. The strengthening of these alliances increased the USSR, and the organisation was seen as a real
Cold War tensions by fuelling the existing fear and threat by the USSR. Because of this, it led directly
suspicion between the two sides. to the creation of the Warsaw Pact in 1955. The
creation of these two alliances deepened the division
Page 11 — The Berlin Crisis between East and West by splitting them into two
Knowledge and Understanding separate power blocs, which didn’t trust each other
1 a) The USA and Britain combined their zones in 1947, and which were both prepared to use military force
and France added its zone a year later. The unified against each other.
western zone had its own government, and in June
1948 a new currency was introduced to help its Page 13 — The Arms Race
economy. Knowledge and Understanding
b) In June 1948, Stalin set up a blockade of West Berlin 1 The arms race was a situation where the USA and the
by cutting off all its road, rail and canal links to the USSR were trying to outdo each other in producing
outside world. powerful weapons. Each side wanted to prevent the
c) Stalin saw the unified western zone as a threat, so other from gaining a military advantage.
he wanted to force the West to withdraw from West 2 The Cold War accelerated the progress of space
Berlin. exploration because neither side dared to get left
d) The West bypassed the blockade by flying supplies behind in the race for technological advancement.
into West Berlin. Tegel airport was built to This ‘space race’ led to the USSR putting the first
accommodate all the flights. By 1949, 8,000 tons of man in space in 1961, and the USA putting the first
supplies were arriving every day. The Berlin Airlift man on the Moon in 1969.
lasted for 318 days. 3 a) • USA — 1945
e) The West feared that the USSR would invade • USSR — 1949
West!Germany if they withdrew from West Berlin, so b) • USA — 1952
they were determined to support the city for as long • USSR — 1955
as they needed to. c) • USA — 1959
f) Stalin eventually realised that the West wouldn’t • USSR — August 1957
withdraw. He lifted the blockade, but Berlin and 4 The Vietnam War diverted the USA’s resources away
Germany remained divided. from the arms race, which gave the USSR a chance
2 a) The name for West Germany after 1949. to catch up with the USA.
b) The name for East Germany after 1949. Thinking Historically
Thinking Historically 1 a) The competition between the USA and the USSR
1 a) Stalin was embarrassed because West Berlin’s drove the arms race because neither side could
strong economy made communism look weak by let the other have a military advantage, in case
comparison. that country was tempted to trigger a war to take
b) Stalin was humiliated because his plan to force the advantage of it. Both countries kept building more
West out of Berlin had failed. Lifting the blockade weapons so that they wouldn’t be ‘left behind’ in this
against his will made him look weak. military competition.

Answers
50

Answers
b) The formation of NATO in 1949 made the USSR feel c) János Kádár became Prime Minister of Hungary
vulnerable, which made them want to increase their after Nagy’s execution. He ensured that Hungary
military strength. remained loyal to the USSR. He refused to enter
c) The alliance between China and the USSR in 1950 talks with the UN about the USSR withdrawing
fuelled the USA’s fear that communists wanted to from Hungary after the crisis, leaving the situation
dominate the world. This encouraged the USA to unresolved.
build more weapons to protect against what it saw as Thinking Historically
a serious communist threat. 1 Khrushchev wanted to assert his authority as leader
2 The arms race gave both sides the power to launch of the USSR. He needed to show the other satellite
a devastating nuclear attack if the tension between states that resistance would not be tolerated, and to
them ever reached the point where they actually show the West that the USSR was still in control of
went to war. Eastern Europe.
3 The arms race continued because even though 2 a) The Hungarian Uprising showed the countries of
Khrushchev said that he wanted ‘peaceful Eastern Europe that the USSR would respond brutally
co-existence’ with the West, he still wanted to to any attempted revolt, and that the West would
demonstrate the USSR’s superiority and to continue do little or nothing to help them. This discouraged
spreading communism. Because of this, and his Eastern European countries from attempting to
desire to compete with the USA, he continued to loosen their ties with the USSR. As a result, it
develop weapons. This meant that the USA felt it became easier for the USSR to control Eastern
had to continue building weapons too. Europe, even without the influence of Cominform.
Page 15 — Divisions in Eastern Europe b) The Hungarian Uprising made the Western powers
look weak. It also discredited their reputation as
Knowledge and Understanding
defenders of democracy because they failed to
1 a) Khrushchev wanted to de-Stalinise the USSR, so he support Hungary as it tried to break away from
brought in measures such as abolishing the death communism. The Uprising destroyed hopes in the
penalty and freeing political prisoners. He also West that Khrushchev’s leadership would lead to a
wanted to give the satellite states more economic ‘thaw’ in the Cold War.
and political independence from the USSR, so he c) The Hungarian Uprising made the UN look weak
abolished Cominform. and ineffective because the UN couldn’t make the
b) Khrushchev’s policies allowed underlying tensions USSR withdraw from Hungary, or even persuade
to surface in Eastern Europe, especially in those Kádár to take part in any discussions.
countries that hadn’t chosen communism. Some 3 The Hungarian Uprising damaged the West’s
countries saw the changes as an opportunity to break relationship with Eastern Europe. The inaction of
free of the USSR. the Western powers during the Uprising showed that
c) An uprising occurred in Poland in 1956. The USSR they were not prepared to go to war to help Eastern
threatened to intervene, but allowed Poland to Europe resist communism. This made the West look
continue with their own version of communism. weak compared to the military strength displayed
This encouraged other states to feel they could by the USSR in Hungary. It also made the Western
protest too. powers seem less trustworthy, because it damaged
2 Communism caused a lot of economic hardship in their reputation as defenders of democracy.
Eastern Europe, and this made people resent the
USSR. This resentment was an important reason Page 17 — Exam-Style Questions
why people tried to gain more independence from 1 This question is level marked. You should look at
communism once Khrushchev began to relax some the level descriptions on page 46 to help you mark
of Stalin’s policies. your answer. Here are some points your answer may
3 a) Mátyás Rákosi was a brutal Stalinist who the USSR include:
put in charge of Hungary after the Second World • The Truman Doctrine was an open declaration
War. His authoritarian regime was unpopular and of support for any country that might face a
there was a public protest against him in Budapest in communist takeover. This increased tension
October 1956. between the USSR and the USA, since the USSR
b) Imre Nagy replaced Rákosi as Prime Minister after wanted communism to expand and the USA had
the protest. He was a liberal who wanted Hungary made it very clear that they would act to stop that
to be a neutral state. In November 1956, he from happening.
announced that Hungary would withdraw from the • As part of the Truman Doctrine, the USA gave
Warsaw Pact and hold free elections. In response, $400 million of aid to Turkey and Greece to try
the USSR invaded Hungary, killing or wounding and stop communism spreading across Europe.
thousands of people and hanging Nagy. Truman believed that easing economic hardship
would make communism less appealing.

Answers
 51

Answers
• The Truman Doctrine laid the foundation for 3 This question is level marked. You should look at the
the Marshall Plan, which offered $17 billion to level descriptions on page 46 to help you mark your
European countries that had struggling economies. answer. Here are some points your answer to 3a
This caused the USSR to develop Comecon may include:
and offer its own aid and economic incentives • The Berlin Crisis increased the tension between
to support Eastern European countries, which the USA and the USSR because Stalin’s decision
resulted in an economic divide between the East to blockade West Berlin represented an escalation
and the West. towards more forceful opposition to the USA. The
• Stalin felt more threatened by the USA after the Berlin Airlift showed that the USA would not back
Truman Doctrine, so he reacted by strengthening down easily in the face of such force.
his alliance with the Soviet satellite states. For • The Berlin Crisis showed the West that they were
example, he introduced Cominform in 1947 to not ready to fight the USSR if war actually broke
bring all communist parties under the control of out, which led to the creation of NATO, a military
the USSR. alliance of the Western powers. This in turn
2 This question is level marked. You should look at provoked the formation of the USSR’s Warsaw
the level descriptions on page 46 to help you mark Pact with the states in the Eastern Bloc. These
your answer. Here are some points your answer may developments escalated the Cold War by creating
include: two distinct sides that were formally divided —
• Khrushchev wanted to de-Stalinise the USSR, treaties bound each side to take military action if
so he reversed some of Stalin’s more restrictive the other attacked.
policies. For example, he freed political prisoners • The Berlin Crisis resulted in the formal division of
who had been imprisoned by Stalin and abolished Germany into West Germany, controlled by the
the death penalty. USA and its allies, and East Germany, controlled
• As part of his attempts at de-Stalinisation, by the communist USSR. This increased tensions
Khrushchev also abolished Cominform, which in the Cold War by highlighting the division
had placed all communist parties under the between the USA and the USSR and between the
control of the USSR in 1947. This meant that the capitalist and communist areas of Europe.
satellite states in the Eastern Bloc gained some • The division of Berlin caused capitalist West Berlin
independence from the USSR. to develop a stronger economy than communist
• This allowed tensions to rise in satellite states that East Berlin. This made communism look weaker
had not willingly surrendered to the USSR and than capitalism, which damaged the position of
the communist regime, as they saw Khrushchev’s the USSR and resulted in people trying to leave
de-Stalinisation as an opportunity to loosen their East Berlin to live in West Berlin. This migration
ties with the USSR. was a source of tension between the USSR and the
• The USSR allowed Poland to follow its own USA, and eventually led to Khrushchev’s ‘Berlin
version of communism after the uprising there in Ultimatum’ in 1958.
1956. This gave other satellite states hope that • The division of Berlin following the Berlin Crisis
they would be able to escape the influence of the caused political conflict because the USSR felt
USSR, which encouraged them to revolt. that the economic strength of West Berlin posed
• In response to popular protests in Hungary against a threat to East Berlin and the USSR’s influence
the Stalinist leader Mátyás Rákosi, Khrushchev in Eastern Europe. This caused conflict between
installed Imre Nagy. Nagy was a liberal and Khrushchev and Eisenhower in the late 1950s and
hoped that Hungary would become a neutral Khrushchev and Kennedy in the early 1960s.
state. Here are some points your answer to 3b may include:
• Khrushchev’s plan to give Hungary more freedom • During the arms race, the USSR and the USA
backfired as Nagy responded to the loosening spent lots of money trying to develop new or
of control by trying to get rid of communism more powerful weaponry and build up the largest
altogether. He announced that Hungary stockpile of nuclear missiles. For example, in
was withdrawing from the Warsaw Pact and the late 1950s, the USSR and the USA developed
holding free elections. The USSR feared that ICBMs, which had a very long range. As a result,
other countries could do the same if Hungary’s each side posed a very real threat to the existence
uprising was not dealt with swiftly. As a result, it of the other if a war actually broke out. This
responded with force to make an example of Nagy created an atmosphere of tension and fear that
and Hungary, and to stop other countries from dominated relations between the USSR and the
trying to throw off communism. USA until both sides began to limit weapons
production in the 1970s.

Answers
52

Answers
• When Khrushchev came to power in 1953, Thinking Historically
his decision to continue developing nuclear 1 West Berlin thrived because it benefited from
weaponry meant that his policy of dealing with economic support from the West through the
the West more peacefully did not thaw the tension Marshall Plan, and from the creation of a new
between the USA and the USSR as much as it currency. This boosted West Berlin’s economy,
might have done if he had abandoned the arms which gave the people living there a better quality of
race. life.
• The arms race created tense situations that 2 It encouraged millions of people to leave East Berlin
worsened relations between the USSR and the and move to West Berlin for a better life.
USA. For example, the events that led up to the 3 • East Berlin lacked resources because the USSR
Cuban Missile Crisis and the crisis itself were had drained them from the city.
considered to be very threatening as both sides • Its economy was slower to develop than West
were aware that the weapons involved could Berlin’s.
cause devastation if used. • Many skilled workers left East Berlin during the
• In the 1980s, Reagan’s decision to increase refugee crisis. This made it even more difficult for
defence spending on arms following the Soviet East Berlin’s economy to develop.
invasion of Afghanistan re-ignited the arms race 4 a) Khrushchev issued the Berlin Ultimatum in 1958,
and reversed many of the steps that were taken demanding that all US, British and French troops
towards disarmament during the 1970s, when leave West Berlin within six months.
a policy of détente was being followed. This b) Eisenhower refused the ultimatum.
worsened relations between the USSR and the c) West Berlin had become a symbol of democracy
USA again. after the Berlin Airlift, so the West felt it had to
continue to support the city. Eisenhower couldn’t
agree to the ultimatum because if the USA
Cold War Crises, 1958-70 abandoned West Berlin, it would lose credibility as
Page 19 — The Berlin Question a!supporter of democracy.
Knowledge and Understanding d) The situation in Berlin stayed unresolved and
continued to be a point of tension between the West
1 a) The movement of large numbers of people from East
and the USSR.
Berlin to West!Berlin in the years after the Berlin
Crisis. Page 21 — The Berlin Wall
b) The demand issued by Khrushchev in 1958 that
Knowledge and Understanding
all US, British and French troops leave West Berlin
1 The failure of the Vienna Summit led the USSR
within six months, leaving West Berlin to become a
to believe that the problems in Berlin couldn’t be
free city.
solved by negotiation. As a result, Khrushchev
2 a) • The USSR felt threatened by the economic success
decided to build the Berlin Wall to stop any more
of capitalist West Berlin.
refugees leaving East Berlin.
• The USSR was worried about the fact that East
2 The wall restricted movement between East and West
Berlin’s economy relied on trade links with West
Berlin, meaning East Berliners could no longer work
Berlin.
in West Berlin. Friends and families who lived on
• The USSR was concerned that the West was
opposite sides of the wall were separated from each
deliberately using West Berlin’s strong economy to
other. Those who tried to escape from East Berlin
interfere in Eastern Europe.
could be shot.
• Khrushchev was embarrassed by the large
3 USSR:
numbers of refugees leaving East Berlin to go
• Soviet troops were positioned at the wall, but the
to West Berlin, because it suggested that they
USSR then agreed to back down.
preferred life under capitalism to life under
• The USSR took advantage of the end of the mass
communism.
emigration from East Berlin to rebuild the city’s
b) • The West began to see West Berlin as a symbol of
economy and strengthen communism in East
democracy that needed to be protected.
Germany.
• The refugee crisis was good propaganda for the
• They saw the wall as a sign of the USSR’s strength.
West, because large numbers of refugees leaving
The West:
East Berlin made communism look weak.
• Western troops were positioned at the wall, but
the West then agreed to back down.

Answers
 53

Answers
• The USA condemned the building of the wall but Importance to the USSR:
didn’t take any more military action. • Castro was sympathetic towards communism, so
• They saw the wall as a symbol of oppression and he made a useful ally.
of the failure of communism. • Cuba was very close to US soil, so was a useful
Thinking Historically place for the USSR to gain influence.
1 a) 1953 — Eisenhower came to power in the USA Thinking Historically
and Khrushchev came to power in the USSR. This 1 a) After Castro became leader, he seemed to move
provided an opportunity for a fresh start between the towards communism. He nationalised industries and
two superpowers. increased taxes on goods imported from America.
b) 1955 — The two countries met in Geneva where This caused concern for the USA.
they agreed to communicate more openly. The USSR b) Castro signed a trade agreement with the USSR, who
officially recognised West Germany as a state. These promised to buy all of Cuba’s sugar exports. He also
were encouraging steps towards defusing tensions confiscated all remaining US property in Cuba.
between the two powers. 2 You can answer either way, as long as you explain
c) 1958 — Khrushchev issued the ‘Berlin Ultimatum’ to your answer. For example:
try to stem the refugee crisis, but Eisenhower refused • This action was not the most important reason
the ultimatum. The Berlin issue remained a source of why Cuba and the USSR developed a closer
tension. relationship. Although the USA’s intervention
d) 1959 — Khrushchev visited the USA, and both accidentally pushed Castro closer to the USSR,
leaders agreed to discuss Berlin more deeply in Paris he was already sympathetic to communism. It is
the following year. This symbolised hope of greater therefore likely that he would have strengthened
co-operation and communication between the USA Cuba’s ties with the USSR anyway, even without
and the USSR. intervention from the USA.
e) 1960 — A US spy plane was shot down over USSR 3 Kennedy didn’t want the USA to have a communist
territory just before the Paris Summit. Eisenhower neighbour on its doorstep, so he authorised the Bay
refused to apologise, so Khrushchev walked out of of Pigs invasion by anti-Castro rebels to try to get rid
the summit. This hindered further negotiations about of Castro.
Berlin. 4 • The USA was humiliated by the failure of the
f) June 1961 — The USA and the USSR met in Vienna. invasion.
Eisenhower had been replaced by Kennedy, who • Cuba was pushed even closer to the USSR and
took a tougher approach to communism and refused Castro announced that he was a communist in
to compromise over Berlin. This made it impossible December 1961.
for the two powers to reach a resolution over Berlin. • Tensions continued to grow between Cuba and
2 The Berlin Wall was important in resolving the the USA.
situation in Berlin because it stopped the refugee • Castro decided Cuba needed military assistance
crisis, which was a major source of tension between from the USSR, which led to the Cuban Missile
the superpowers. This removed the risk that either Crisis.
side would take military action to try to resolve the
situation in Berlin. Page 25 — The Cuban Missile Crisis
Knowledge and Understanding
Page 23 — The Cuban Missile Crisis 1 • 1952 — Batista established his dictatorship in
Knowledge and Understanding Cuba.
1 a) Batista was a military dictator who became • 1956 — Castro began a guerilla war against
the leader of Cuba in 1952. He allowed US Batista.
businessmen and the Mafia to exploit Cuba for profit • 1959 — Castro took over Havana and overthrew
while his people lived in poverty. Batista’s government. He nationalised US
b) Fidel Castro was a rebel who began a guerrilla war companies in Cuba and increased taxes on
against Batista’s government in 1956. He became imported US goods.
the leader of Cuba when he successfully overthrew • January 1961 — The USA severed all diplomatic
Batista in 1959. ties with Cuba, and Kennedy no longer recognised
2 Nationalisation is when a privately owned company Castro’s government.
is put under public ownership by the government. • April 1961 — Anti-Castro rebels backed by the
3 Importance to the USA: USA attempted to invade Cuba. They were easily
• The USA had a long economic history with defeated at the Bay of Pigs.
Cuba. The USA held most of the shares in Cuban • September 1961 — Cuba asked the USSR for
industry and owned half of Cuba’s land. weapons to defend itself against US intervention.

Answers
54

Answers
• December 1961 — Castro publicly announced Page 27 — The Prague Spring
that he was a communist. Knowledge and Understanding
• April 1962 — The USA placed nuclear missiles in
1 a) Tito was the leader of Yugoslavia, which was part
Turkey, right next to the USSR.
of the Eastern Bloc. He was against Soviet control
• July 1962 — Khrushchev decided to put missiles
and had never accepted the USSR’s version of
in Cuba.
communism.
• October 1962 — US spy planes spotted missile
b) Dubcek was the leader of the Communist Party
bases being built in Cuba. Kennedy demanded
in Czechoslovakia in 1968. He was loyal to
that Khrushchev dismantle the bases, and he
communism, but he wanted to reduce Soviet control
ordered a naval blockade of Cuba. The USA sent
so that Czechoslovakia could follow a different
bombers into the air carrying nuclear weapons
version of communism from the rest of the Eastern
and prepared to invade Cuba. On the 27th
Bloc.
October, the USSR made a deal to dismantle the
c) Brezhnev was the leader of the USSR. He wanted
bases and turn its ships around, in return for the
to maintain Soviet control over the Eastern Bloc. He
secret removal of US missiles from Turkey.
was worried that if Czechoslovakia rejected Soviet
2 This decision was significant because it meant
control, then other Eastern European countries
that the USSR posed a greater threat to the USA.
would do the same.
Although the USSR already had missiles that could
2 Czechoslovakia and the USSR had close political
reach the USA, having missiles in Cuba meant it
and economic ties before 1968. The USSR had
would be easier for the USSR to attack the USA
made Czechoslovakia one of its communist satellite
without warning.
states in 1948, meaning that Czechoslovakia’s
Thinking Historically policies had been heavily influenced by the USSR.
1 US ‘victories’: As a member of the Warsaw Pact, Czechoslovakia
• Soviet missiles were removed from Cuba. was expected to only trade within the Eastern Bloc
• Kennedy was seen as a hero for standing up to and to follow Soviet-style communism. However,
communism. there had been growing discontent about Soviet
• Khrushchev was humiliated and resigned in 1964. control over Czechoslovakia, including protests in
Soviet ‘victories’: 1956.
• The USA had been humiliated at the Bay of Pigs. 3 The Prague Spring was a four month period in 1968
• US missiles were removed from Turkey. when reforms introduced by Dubcek were tolerated
• Cuba remained communist and the USA promised by the USSR and Czechoslovakia experienced
not to invade. relative freedom from Soviet control.
2 a) A telephone hotline was established between 4 • Dubcek reopened the border with West Germany.
Washington and Moscow in 1963 so that the USA • People were now allowed to travel freely to the
and the USSR could talk quickly and directly in a West.
crisis. • He decentralised all industry, taking control
b) • The Limited Test Ban Treaty was signed in 1963. of Czechoslovakian companies away from
It stated that all future nuclear weapons tests had Communist Party officials and giving more power
to be carried out underground to avoid radiation to local authorities.
polluting the air. • Trade unions and workers were given more power.
• The Outer Space Treaty was created in 1967. It • The reforms introduced freedom of speech and
prevented any countries from placing weapons of allowed the creation of opposition parties in
mass destruction in space. politics.
• The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty came into 5 Dubcek wanted to improve Czechoslovakia’s
force in 1970. Both superpowers agreed that they economy by moving away from Soviet policies that
wouldn’t supply nuclear weapons to countries had slowed the country’s economic progress, such
that didn’t already have them, to try to stop as collectivisation and centralisation. Soviet policies
nuclear weapons from spreading. This treaty also that restricted free speech and freedom of movement
encouraged nuclear disarmament, but allowed the were unpopular in Czechoslovakia, so Dubcek’s
use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes reforms addressed these issues too.
such as supplying energy. Thinking Historically
3 The Cuban Missile Crisis showed how rapidly the
1 The USSR didn’t challenge the reforms at first
tensions between the USA and the USSR could
because Dubcek was still a communist, and he
escalate into an extremely dangerous situation. This
had promised that Czechoslovakia would still be a
persuaded both superpowers that action was needed
member of the Warsaw Pact and a loyal ally to the
to avoid such dangerous situations occurring in the
USSR.
future.

Answers
 55

Answers
2 a) Dubcek’s reforms had weakened the USSR’s Thinking Historically
control over Czechoslovakia, and Brezhnev was 1 a) Dubcek was forced from office and replaced with
concerned that if the country was allowed to pull Gustav Husak, who was loyal to the USSR. Under
any further away from USSR control, other parts of his leadership, Dubcek’s reforms were reversed
the Eastern Bloc would follow suit. By intervening — Czechoslovakia was brought back under the
in Czechoslovakia, he hoped to send a message to USSR’s control and Soviet-style communism was
the rest of the Eastern Bloc that they would not be re-established.
allowed to break away from the USSR. b) The USSR’s response to the Prague Spring and the
b) In August 1968, President Tito of Yugoslavia visited announcement of the Brezhnev Doctrine made it
Prague. Despite leading a communist country more difficult for the countries of the Eastern Bloc
in the Eastern Bloc, President Tito had refused to to resist the USSR’s control. The USSR’s actions sent
sign the Warsaw Pact and had never accepted the a message that any attempt to give up communism
USSR’s version of communism. His visit heightened would lead to Soviet military intervention.
Brezhnev’s fears that Czechoslovakia was no longer c) The Prague Spring made the Western powers seem
loyal to the USSR and encouraged him to intervene weak because, despite condemning the USSR’s
in order to prevent Dubcek withdrawing even further invasion of Czechoslovakia, they took no action
from USSR control. against it.
c) Czechoslovakian communists sent the USSR a letter d) The Prague Spring strengthened the USSR’s authority
in August 1968 asking for help. This gave Brezhnev in Eastern Europe by demonstrating that the USSR
a reason to intervene in Czechoslovakia. would use military force to maintain control over its
satellite states. It also strengthened the international
Page 29 — The Prague Spring reputation of the USSR’s leader, Leonid Brezhnev, by
Knowledge and Understanding demonstrating his strength and determination.
1 a) 500,000 Soviet troops invaded Czechoslovakia on
the 21st!August 1968. Page 31 — Exam-Style Questions
b) The Czechoslovakians responded with non-violent 1 This question is level marked. You should look at
demonstrations, and one student burned himself the level descriptions on page 46 to help you mark
alive in protest in January 1969. They responded in your answer. Here are some points your answer may
this way because they were keen to avoid a repeat of include:
the violence that had occurred during the Hungarian • The Berlin Wall reduced tension between the
Uprising in 1956. USA and the USSR. This is because it temporarily
c) In April 1969, Dubcek was replaced by Gustav resolved the Berlin question, as it ended the
Husak, who followed Soviet-style communism and refugee crisis by preventing people leaving East
would keep Czechoslovakia loyal to the USSR. Berlin for more prosperous West Berlin.
2 a) The UN condemned the invasion and issued an • The Berlin Wall gave East Berlin a chance to
official request that the USSR withdraw its troops strengthen its economy, as it stopped skilled
from Czechoslovakia. However, this was vetoed by workers from leaving and gave East Berlin time
the USSR. to build up its industries. This made Khrushchev
b) Western countries condemned the invasion but feel less threatened by the strength of West Berlin’s
didn’t take any further action. economy.
c) Western communist parties criticised the invasion • In 1961, tensions over Berlin were high after the
and tried to distance themselves from the USSR. U2 incident and the failure of negotiations at the
3 They didn’t take further action because the Prague Vienna Summit. The Berlin Wall helped to defuse
Spring occurred at a time when the Cold War had these tensions. When the wall was first built,
thawed slightly. This made the UN and the West both sides stationed troops on their side, but they
reluctant to take action against the USSR, because both agreed to back down. The USA condemned
they didn’t want to risk re-igniting tensions between the wall, but it did not act against it. President
the superpowers. Kennedy had been expecting a confrontation and
4 The Brezhnev Doctrine was an announcement made was quite relieved that the wall had offered a
by Brezhnev after the invasion of Czechoslovakia peaceful solution.
that the USSR would act to protect communism in • The wall highlighted the differences between the
any country where it was under threat. two sides in the Cold War because it was viewed
differently in the East and the West. The West saw
the wall as a symbol of the failure of communism,
while the East saw it as a symbol of strength.

Answers
56

Answers
2 This question is level marked. You should look at • Nuclear missiles were taken out of Cuba and
the level descriptions on page 46 to help you mark Turkey by April 1963, which was a big step
your answer. Here are some points your answer may towards reducing tension after the Missile
include: Crisis was averted. This also demonstrated that
• There was a refugee crisis in Berlin because negotiation between the USA and the USSR could
many people were leaving communist East Berlin be successful, even when the military situation
and moving to capitalist West Berlin, where had escalated to a serious level.
the economy was stronger. This weakened • The crisis caused embarrassment for Khrushchev
East Berlin’s economy even further and caused as his successful negotiations to remove the USA’s
embarrassment for Khrushchev, as it suggested that nuclear weapons from Turkey were performed
capitalism was more successful than communism. in secret. He was seen to have failed during the
• In 1958, Khrushchev announced his ‘Berlin crisis and resigned in 1964. His replacement,
Ultimatum’. He wanted the Allies to leave West Brezhnev, adopted a more aggressive approach
Berlin in the next six months and make it a free towards maintaining communism which
city. However, President Eisenhower rejected his contributed to the strained relations between the
demands and the issue remained unresolved. USSR and the USA in the 1960s.
• In 1959, Eisenhower and Khrushchev met at • The crisis led to several treaties being signed in
a summit in the USA where they discussed order to keep the number of nuclear weapons
Berlin. Although they didn’t reach an agreement, under control. The Limited Test Ban Treaty
the discussion showed a new potential for was signed in 1963 and both countries agreed
co-operation between the two nations since it was that testing of nuclear weapons would occur
the first time a communist leader had visited the underground in future to ensure the air wouldn’t
USA. be polluted with nuclear radiation. The Outer
• Another summit was scheduled to be held in Paris Space Treaty, in which countries agreed not to
in 1960. However, just before the summit was put weapons of mass destruction in space, was
about to start, the Soviet Union shot down a U2 created in 1967. These treaties were significant as
American spy plane that was flying in the USSR’s they showed that both sides were willing to make
territory. The USA claimed it wasn’t a spy plane, agreements to avert active conflict.
but the USSR proved it was by showing them • The Cuban Missile Crisis also prompted the start
the pilot (who had survived) and the plane. The of the policy of détente that was pursued in the
USA refused to apologise for this incident, which 1970s. Both sides wanted to avoid tense situations
became known as the U2 incident. As a result, like the Cuban Missile Crisis happening again, so
Khrushchev walked away from the Paris summit. they worked together to ease the tension between
• There was another summit in Vienna in 1961. them.
President Kennedy had taken over in the USA Here are some points your answer to 3b may include:
and he had promised to stand his ground over • The invasion of Czechoslovakia allowed the USSR
the Berlin question. Once again, no resolution to tighten its grip on its satellite states. It showed
was reached. This made the USSR believe that other countries in the Eastern Bloc that the USSR
negotiation and co-operation wouldn’t produce a would not allow them to deviate too far from
solution, so Khrushchev decided to construct the Soviet-style communism.
Berlin Wall to stop the flow of refugees from East • The invasion led to Brezhnev unveiling his
Berlin to West Berlin. doctrine, which said that the USSR would step in
3 This question is level marked. You should look at the to restore communism if it was under threat in a
level descriptions on page 46 to help you mark your country. This tightened Soviet control in Eastern
answer. Here are some points your answer to 3a Europe, because it was an aggressive warning
may include: that the USSR would not allow Eastern Europe to
• The severity of the Cuban Missile Crisis led to abandon communism.
some important changes which aimed to defuse • The invasion resulted in the removal of Dubcek
the tensions of the Cold War. For example, and his replacement with Gustav Husak. Husak
a ‘hotline’ was set up between Washington was loyal to the USSR’s version of communism
and Moscow. This was intended to improve and ensured that the USSR regained complete
communications between the two nations in the control over Czechoslovakia.
event of a crisis, so that situations like the Cuban • The UN criticised the USSR, and requested that
Missile Crisis would not escalate so seriously in the USSR remove its troops from Czechoslovakia,
future. which it refused to do. This strengthened the
USSR’s hold on the Eastern Bloc, because it
made the West look weak and unable to exercise
authority over the USSR.

Answers
 57

Answers
• Other countries were critical of the USSR, but Thinking Historically
because they didn’t want to get involved in the 1 Détente made the Cold War less dangerous:
Soviet Union’s sphere of influence or put a strain • ABMs had the potential to upset the ‘nuclear
on relations, they didn’t act any further. The Cold balance’ between the USA and the USSR, because
War had thawed slightly following the Cuban they enabled one side to launch a first strike and
Missile Crisis, so other countries didn’t want to then destroy any missiles that the other side fired
risk re-igniting the Cold War. This strengthened back at them. Détente reduced the danger posed
Soviet control over Eastern Europe, because it by ABMs, because SALT 1 limited the number of
showed that Western powers would not take ABMs that each country could have.
military action to support a satellite state that tried • Under the Helsinki Agreement, the USA and the
to break away from communism. USSR agreed on the division of Germany and the
USSR’s influence in Eastern Europe. This made
the Cold War less dangerous because it reduced
The End of the Cold War, 1970-91 the chances of conflict between the USA and the
Page 33 — Détente: Easing of Tensions USSR over these issues.
Knowledge and Understanding Détente did not make the Cold War less dangerous:
• Although SALT 1 placed some limits on the
1 • The USA and the USSR both wanted to prevent
number of weapons the USA and the USSR could
Cold!War tensions reaching dangerous levels as
have, both countries still had huge stockpiles of
they had during events like the Cuban Missile
weapons that could be used to destroy each other.
Crisis.
• Some agreements made during the period of
• Both countries realised that the arms race had
détente didn’t actually change anything. For
failed to reduce the tensions between them, so
example, SALT!2 was never ratified by the USA, so
they needed a new strategy.
the limits it proposed on new missile programmes
• The USA and the USSR both wanted to reduce
and MIRVs never came into effect.
their military spending. The arms race was very
• The Helsinki Agreement failed to remove the
expensive, and this had caused standards of living
tensions between the USA and the USSR over
to fall, particularly in the USSR.
human rights, because the USSR didn’t stick to its
2 a) Anti-ballistic missiles are weapons designed to
word and give its citizens freedom of speech or
destroy enemy missiles before they reach their target.
freedom of movement.
b) Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicles
are weapons that can carry many missiles at once Page 35 — The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
and fire them at different targets.
Knowledge and Understanding
3 a) • 1972
1 In 1978, rebels in Afghanistan protested against
• The USA and the USSR both agreed to a limit on
reforms brought in by the communist Afghan
the number of ABMs they could each have, and a
government, and this led to a civil war. The Afghan
temporary limit on the number of ICBMs.
government asked the USSR for help to defeat the
• It was a short-term success because it slowed
rebels, so the USSR invaded in 1979. The USSR
down the arms race.
supported the Afghan government because it shared
b) • 1975
a border with Afghanistan, so it wanted to prevent
• The USA, the USSR, Canada and most of Europe
the rebels from forming an anti-Soviet government
agreed to recognise the current European borders
right on its doorstep. The USSR justified the invasion
and to uphold human rights. The USA and the
under the Brezhnev Doctrine, which stated that
USSR both accepted the division of Germany and
the USSR would intervene in any country where
that the USSR held influence over Eastern Europe.
communism was threatened.
• It wasn’t very successful because the USSR went
2 • The war was fought in difficult mountainous
back on its agreement.
terrain.
c) • 1979
• The opposition was determined to win.
• This treaty proposed a ban on new missile
• The USA supplied the opposition with weapons.
programmes in the USA and the USSR, and was
3 a) The UN condemned the USSR’s actions and drafted
supposed to limit the number of MIRVs each
a resolution demanding that they withdraw from
country had. However, the US Senate never
Afghanistan. This was vetoed by the USSR.
ratified the treaty, so it never came into effect.
b) In 1980, the USA and over 50 other countries
• It wasn’t at all successful because it never came
boycotted the Moscow Olympic Games as a form of
into effect.
protest against the USSR’s actions.

Answers
58

Answers
Thinking Historically c) The relationship between the superpowers got even
1 a) The war was very expensive for the USSR. worse.
b) The cost of the war caused living standards to fall. d) The SDI would have tipped the balance of the Cold
15,000 Soviet troops were also killed. War in the USA’s favour, so the USSR saw it as an act
c) The economic and social impact of the war made of aggression against them.
people angry, and this led to a loss of support for the e) The relationship between the two countries
communist regime in the USSR. It was a political improved — there was a thaw in Cold War tensions
embarrassment for Brezhnev. and détente returned.
2 The war threatened the USSR’s control over f) Gorbachev and Reagan got on well. Gorbachev’s
its satellite states. Its inability to win the war reforms of the USSR and his openness to the West
undermined the USSR’s strong military reputation, caused Reagan to change his attitude towards the
which it relied on to keep the satellite states in line. USSR. This made him more willing to negotiate with
3 a) President Carter prevented the SALT 2 Treaty from Gorbachev.
coming into effect. He also increased the USA’s
defence budget.
Page 39 — Gorbachev’s ‘New Thinking’
b) This allowed the arms race to continue and raised Knowledge and Understanding
the tensions between the USA and the USSR again. 1 The cost of the arms race and the war in Afghanistan
c) President Carter issued the Carter Doctrine, warning were causing problems for the Soviet economy in
that the USA would use force to prevent the USSR the 1980s. Inefficient farming methods led to food
from gaining control of the Gulf region. shortages, meaning grain had to be imported from
d) The Carter Doctrine was the first threat of aggression the USA. Government corruption meant that living
between the USA and the USSR since détente. It standards were worse than in the West. All of these
revived tensions between the two countries and problems contributed to growing discontent in the
increased the risk of violence. 1980s.
2 Perestroika:
Page 37 — The Second Cold War • Industry was no longer centrally controlled.
Knowledge and Understanding • Private business ownership was allowed.
1 Reagan increased the USA’s weapons spending to • Soviet businesses could now trade with the West.
$550!billion a year. He also re-authorised weapons Glasnost:
programmes that had been cancelled during détente, • Thousands of political prisoners were released.
such as the neutron bomb, which was designed • Freedom of speech was allowed and censorship
to kill as many people as possible with minimum was relaxed.
damage to property. In 1983, Reagan announced • The USSR’s first elected parliament was created in
the Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI), which aimed to 1989.
put weapons into space that could destroy nuclear 3 • In 1987, Gorbachev signed the
missiles after they’d been launched. Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF)
2 In 1976 intelligence was gathered which suggested with the USA, agreeing to remove medium-range
that the USA had underestimated the nuclear nuclear missiles from Europe.
strength of the USSR, so the USA felt the need to • He withdrew Soviet troops from Afghanistan in
catch up. 1988.
3 • The USA saw the SDI as a way to protect • Gorbachev abandoned the Brezhnev Doctrine
themselves from any nuclear attacks by the USSR. in 1988, stating that the USSR would no longer
• The USSR saw the SDI as an act of aggression by control Eastern Europe.
the USA because it could enable the USA to attack • He reduced the number of troops in the USSR’s
the USSR without fear of retaliation. military, and decreased the number of weapons in
4 Gorbachev was a reformer and was much more open the USSR’s nuclear stockpile.
to the West than other Soviet leaders had been. Thinking Historically
Thinking Historically 1 Gorbachev recognised that the Soviet system had
1 a) Hostility between the USA and the USSR increased. problems. He wanted to modernise communism to
b) Reagan was a hardline anti-communist who used a try to rescue the USSR’s failing economy and prevent
lot of anti-Soviet rhetoric in his speeches — he called it falling any further behind the USA’s.
the USSR an ‘evil empire’. Reagan didn’t support 2 • Perestroika created links between the East and the
détente, and he was only prepared to negotiate with West by allowing Soviet businesses to trade with
the USSR from a position of strength, so he increased Western countries. This improved the relationship
the USA’s military spending. between the USA and the USSR.

Answers
 59

Answers
• Glasnost improved human rights for Eastern • After the wall fell, communist East!Germany
Europeans and gave the USSR an elected and democratic West!Germany formed a single
parliament. This reduced tensions between the country in October 1990. This was seen by many
superpowers as it lessened the divide between the as a symbol that the communist experiment was
East and the West. over.
• Gorbachev’s openness softened Reagan’s • The fall of the Berlin Wall showed that the USSR
anti-communist attitude. This allowed the two was losing its grip on its satellite states.
leaders to develop a good relationship, which led
to increased trust between the two countries. Page 43 — The Collapse of the Soviet Union
• Gorbachev reduced military spending and signed Knowledge and Understanding
the INF Treaty in 1987. These steps made the Cold 1 Any four from: Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Georgia,
War less dangerous because they brought the Ukraine, Belarus, Russia.
arms race to an end. They also reduced tensions 2 • A quarter of the population was living below the
between the superpowers by making the USSR poverty line.
seem like less of a threat to the USA. • Economic corruption was widespread.
• The Soviet war in Afghanistan had been a • Inflation was high and basic goods were hard to
source of tension between the two countries. find.
Gorbachev’s decision to withdraw Soviet • The costs of the arms race and the war in
troops from Afghanistan defused these tensions Afghanistan made it difficult for Gorbachev to
and removed the risk of conflict between the reform the economy.
superpowers over control of the Persian Gulf. 3 When the Soviet republics declared independence
from the USSR, they also said they would withdraw
Page 41 — Eastern Europe Pulls Away from the Warsaw Pact. This weakened the Warsaw
Knowledge and Understanding Pact and eventually forced it to come to an end.
1 Gorbachev abandoned the Brezhnev Doctrine — 4 Gorbachev resigned as leader on Christmas Day
he said that the USSR would no longer use force to 1991. The next day, the USSR broke up into
uphold communism in its satellite states. In 1988, independent states. Boris Yeltsin was elected leader
he announced that he would withdraw Soviet troops, of Russia and adopted capitalism.
tanks and aircraft from Eastern Europe. Thinking Historically
2 • The changes to foreign policy under Gorbachev’s 1 a) In 1989 and 1990, many of the Eastern European
‘New Thinking’ removed the threat of Soviet satellite states successfully replaced their communist
military intervention in the satellite states. This governments. This encouraged the republics to think
meant that the USSR was unable to prevent that they could also break away from communist
opposition movements in the satellite states from control.
acting against Soviet control. b) Gorbachev’s policy of glasnost fuelled opposition to
• Gorbachev’s ‘New Thinking’ led to splits within the USSR in the republics because it gave individuals
the Soviet Communist Party, which made it more greater power and encouraged criticism of Soviet
difficult to control the rest of Eastern Europe from policy. This weakened Gorbachev’s authority and
Moscow. meant that the leaders of the Soviet republics no
3 a) Poland longer felt that they had to listen to him.
b) Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Romania 2 After Lithuania declared independence, Gorbachev
c) Hungary sent troops to Vilnius to try to regain control.
4 October 1990 However, this only made the independence
Thinking Historically movement stronger. Gorbachev’s failure to regain
1 a) Between August and September 1989, thousands of control in Lithuania undermined his authority
people leave East Germany and travel via Hungary because it showed that the USSR no longer had the
and Austria to West!Germany. military strength to control the republics. As a result,
b) The East German government agrees to open the other republics such as Georgia and Ukraine felt
border between East and West Berlin in November able to break away from the USSR.
1989 and promises free elections. 3 a) The USSR’s Communist Party was divided between
2 • The Berlin Wall was a symbol of Europe’s division traditional Soviet communists, who thought
between East and West during the Cold War. Its Gorbachev’s reforms had gone too far, and
fall represented a thaw in this Cold War division others who felt they hadn’t gone far enough. The
and a more open relationship between the traditionalists feared that the Communist Party would
superpowers. break up.

Answers
60

Answers
b) The traditionalists plotted a coup against Gorbachev 2 This question is level marked. You should look at
in August 1991. They arrested him and attempted to the level descriptions on page 46 to help you mark
force him to resign as leader. They also sent tanks your answer. Here are some points your answer may
into Moscow to deter protests against their actions. include:
c) Boris Yeltsin, a Soviet politician who opposed • Gorbachev’s decision to abandon the Brezhnev
Gorbachev and supported capitalism, condemned Doctrine as part of his attempts to reform the
the coup and rallied public opposition to it. There USSR in the late 1980s meant that countries in
were mass protests in major cities and the coup the Eastern Bloc were released from Soviet control
failed. and given a choice over whether they wanted to
be communist countries.
Page 45 — Exam-Style Questions • Gorbachev removed Soviet troops from
1 This question is level marked. You should look at Eastern Europe in 1988. This removed the
the level descriptions on page 46 to help you mark threat of military action, which had kept many
your answer. Here are some points your answer may anti-communist opposition groups in line. As a
include: result, these groups were now free to act.
• Reagan’s election as President increased tension • The USSR did not intervene when Hungary
and hostility between the USA and the USSR opened its border with Austria, allowing people to
because Reagan was strongly anti-communist. He travel from East Germany to West Germany. This
used anti-Soviet rhetoric in his speeches, calling led to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, which
the USSR an ‘evil empire’. showed that the USSR was losing control over its
• Reagan’s election made it more difficult for the satellite states.
two countries to return to the policy of détente, • The USSR didn’t interfere when Poland held free
which had been damaged by the Soviet invasion elections in 1989, which led to a non-communist
of Afghanistan. Reagan didn’t believe détente was government taking power there in 1990. The
effective and preferred to negotiate with the USSR reunification of Germany in 1990 was also seen as
from a position of!strength. a sign that the communist experiment was over.
• Reagan’s election re-ignited the arms race. He • Many Soviet satellite states, like Latvia, Lithuania
spent massive amounts of money on defence, and Estonia, demanded independence. The USSR
including attempts to develop a neutron lost control over the Soviet Republics, as they no
bomb. These actions put the USSR at a military longer had to listen to Gorbachev and could make
disadvantage because it couldn’t afford to match their own decisions.
the USA’s $550 billion annual weapons budget, • Lithuania declared itself independent in 1990,
especially because of the financial burden of which led to Soviet troops being sent into
action in Afghanistan. Lithuania’s capital in 1991. This violence
• As a result of Reagan’s election, tensions between strengthened the movement for independence,
the USA and the USSR increased even further in and Georgia and Ukraine both declared
1983, when Reagan announced the development independence in 1991.
of the SDI. Although the SDI was seen as an act of • There was an attempted coup against the USSR’s
defence by the USA, the USSR interpreted it as an government in 1991 as some Soviet communists
act of aggression since it would give the USA an feared that Gorbachev’s reforms had gone too far
advantage if nuclear weapons were ever deployed. and they wanted to remove him from power. The
• Reagan’s election eventually led to greater coup failed because the politician Boris Yeltsin,
co-operation between the superpowers, after who supported capitalism, rallied opposition in
Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of the the streets. These mass protests showed that the
USSR in 1985. Reagan changed his attitude Soviets rejected communism.
towards the USSR in response to Gorbachev’s • Gorbachev responded to this rejection of
attempts to reform the country and to be more communism by resigning on Christmas Day
open with the West. This helped to reduce 1991. The USSR was dissolved the next day and
tensions between the two superpowers, paving the republics that had been part of it became
the way for a less aggressive relationship between independent.
them.

Answers
 61

Answers
3 This question is level marked. You should look at the Here are some points your answer to 3b may include:
level descriptions on page 46 to help you mark your • The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan caused tension
answer. Here are some points your answer to 3a with the USA to re-ignite, as the USA believed that
may include: the USSR was trying to expand communism. This
• SALT 1 helped to reduce Cold War tensions. destroyed the trust that had been built up between
Under the treaty, both sides agreed to limits the USA and the USSR as a result of détente.
on the number of ABMs and ICBMs they could • During the 1970s, the arms race had slowed down
have, which showed that they were prepared to thanks to treaties agreed as part of détente, and
co-operate with each other. This important first this had eased the relationship between the USSR
step in détente improved the relationship between and the USA. However, President Carter was so
the USA and the USSR. alarmed by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan that
• The limits on ABMs and ICBMs agreed in SALT!1 he prevented the SALT 2 Treaty (which would have
had a significant impact on Cold War tensions banned the two superpowers from launching new
because they slowed down the arms race. Since missile programmes) from coming into effect, and
the 1940s, the arms race had been a source of instead increased the USA’s military spending.
tension and rivalry between the two superpowers, • The invasion led to tension between the USA and
so this helped to improve their relationship. the USSR over control of the Persian Gulf. Carter
• ABMs had the potential to upset the delicate feared that the USSR was trying to gain influence
‘nuclear balance’ between the USA and the in the region, and that this could be a threat to US
USSR. They were designed to intercept incoming interests there. As a result, he issued the Carter
missiles, which meant the side with ABMs could Doctrine, warning that the USA would use force
launch a first strike and then destroy any missiles to prevent the USSR from gaining control over the
that were fired back towards it. By limiting the Gulf region.
number of ABMs each country could have, SALT!1 • The invasion increased the risk of military
reduced the chance of one country holding an confrontation between the USA and the USSR.
advantage over the other. This was significant This risk had been reduced during the period of
because it removed a source of tension between détente in the 1970s, but it returned when the
the two sides in the Cold War and helped to USA responded to the invasion with the Carter
improve the relationship between them. Doctrine — the first threat of aggression between
• Although SALT 1 had a short-term impact on the superpowers since détente.
Cold!War tensions, its longer-term significance
was limited because it didn’t involve any active
steps to reduce the number of nuclear weapons
held by the two superpowers. This meant that
there was still a serious risk of armed conflict
between the USA and the USSR because both
sides still had huge stockpiles of nuclear weapons
that could be used to destroy each other.

Answers
62

Index
A G P
ABM (anti-ballistic missile) 32 German Democratic Republic 10 Paris Summit 20
Afghanistan 34, 36, 38, 42 glasnost 38, 42 perestroika 38
arms race 6, 12 Gorbachev, Mikhail 34, 36, 38, 40, Poland 4, 6, 14, 32, 40
atom bomb 6, 12 42 Potsdam Conference 4, 10
Grand Alliance 4 Prague Spring 26, 28
B
Bay of Pigs 22
H R
Berlin Helsinki Agreement 32 Reagan, Ronald 36, 38
Airlift 10, 18 Hungarian Uprising 14, 28 Roosevelt, Franklin D. 4
Crisis 10 hydrogen bomb 12
Ultimatum 18 S
Wall 20, 40 I SALT 1 (First Strategic Arms
Brezhnev Doctrine 28, 34, 38, 40 ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Limitation Treaty) 32
Brezhnev, Leonid 26, 28, 34 Missile) 12, 32 SALT 2 (Second Strategic Arms
INF Treaty (Intermediate-Range Limitation Treaty) 32, 34
C Nuclear Forces Treaty) 38 satellite states 6, 14, 40, 42
Iron Curtain 6 SDI (Strategic Defence Initiative) 36
capitalism 4, 10, 18, 42
Second Cold War 36
Carter Doctrine 34
K space race 12
Castro, Fidel 22, 24
Kennedy, John F. 20, 22 Stalin, Joseph 4, 14
Churchill, Winston 4
Khrushchev, Nikita 12, 14, 20, 24
Comecon 8
T
Cominform 8, 14
L Tehran Conference 4
communism 4, 8, 10, 14, 18, 22,
24, 26, 28, 34, 36, 38, 40, Limited Test Ban Treaty 24 Tito 6, 26
42 Long telegram 8 Truman Doctrine 8
Cuban Missile Crisis 22, 24 Truman, Harry 4, 6, 8
Czechoslovakia 6, 26, 28, 40 M
Marshall Plan 8, 18 U
D MIRV (Multiple Independently U2 incident 20
détente 24, 32, 34, 36 targetable Reentry Vehicle) 32 UN (United Nations) 4, 14, 28, 34
Dubcek, Alexander 26, 28
N V
E NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Vienna Summit 20
Eastern Bloc 10, 14, 26, 28, 32 Organisation) 10, 12
Eisenhower, Dwight 18, 20, 22 ‘New Thinking’ 38, 40 W
Novikov telegram 8
Warsaw Pact 10, 14, 26, 42
F Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty 24

Federal Republic of Germany 10, Y

18
O
Yalta Conference 4
Olympic Games 34
Yeltsin, Boris 42
Outer Space Treaty 24
Yugoslavia 6, 10, 26
HECWO41

Index
 P
G
C

C
G
P

CGP
CGP books — they might
Essential CGP Topic Guides just save your life...
for Edexcel GCSE History!

OK, maybe not your life. But when it comes to exam revision, CGP are the undisputed champions.
You can order any of our books and cards (with next-day delivery!) from us, online or by phone:

www.cgpbooks.co.uk • 0800 1712 712

Out now at cgpbooks.co.uk

Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060-88 • Crime and Punishment in Britain, c1000-Present

Medicine in Britain, c1250-Present • Early Elizabethan England, 1558-88 • The American West, c1835-c1895 Or you’ll find our range in any good bookshop, including:
Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-39 • Superpower Relations and the Cold War, 1941-91

0121 - 22302
CGP Edexcel

CGP
P
G
C

GCSE Edexcel History

Superpower Relations & the Cold War
GCSE History
Superpower Relations

Superpower Relations & the Cold War — 1941-1991

— CGP has the whole topic defused!

CGP will give you superpowers for this Edexcel History topic — you’ll fly through it!

• The clearest revision notes by miles...

& the Cold War
You bet — that’s what we do best! 1941-1991
• Stacks of essential GCSE skills practice...
Yep, it’ll really get you thinking historically

• Exam-style questions and sample answers...

It’s true — plus plenty of expert exam tips

CGP is the main event — other History books are a mutually-assured distraction ☻

New!

The Topic Guide

The Topic Guide

All’s fair in love and war

with essential revision and practice

P
G
C

Includes Free Online Edition

For the Edexcel Grade 9-1 Course
www.cgpbooks.co.uk