3. the USA's involvement in Europe Flashcards Preview

History-Cold War > 3. the USA's involvement in Europe > Flashcards

Flashcards in 3. the USA's involvement in Europe Deck (24)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

what was the USA’s initial approach to Europe?

A
  • based on the construction of a new democratic region -mutual cooperation
  • regarded Europe as a ‘springboard’ for development of a global power
2
Q

who was Dean Acheson

A
  • one of the architects of the marshal plan

- former US secretary of State

3
Q

what did Acheson comment about the situation in Europe after ww2?

A

-situation in Europe represented a threat to the stability of capitalism (railways+paper systems collapsed)

4
Q

who reinforced Acheson’s views on the situation in Europe after ww2

A
  • Clayton in May 1947
  • after travelling to Europe he concluded that failure to help European economies would damage US economy
  • focus on US aid should be on rebuilding Europe rather than combating communism
  • he launched the marshall plan
5
Q

what was the USA’s foreign policy towards Europe by 1947?

A
  • focused on Ensuring economic recovery and the promotion of unity w/in Europe
  • eventual stable bloc of pro-american states
6
Q

what the the USA’s relationship with Britain immediately after ww2?

A
  • ‘special relationship’ Britain was a driving force in preserving this relationship and politically stable
  • Britain needed USA’s support but didn’t want to be dependent rather than mutual support
  • US needed Britain to influence Europe
7
Q

what predictions did clayton make when he returned from Europe

A
  • predicting loss of markets on American goods

- unemployment in America

8
Q

what did clayton exaggerate on his return from Europe?

A
  • exaggerated the economic importance of Europe on USA
  • however Europe was the only industrialised nation USA could trade with
  • therefore only source of money from trade
9
Q

what did the Marshall plan do?

A

-provided $13.5 billion to 16 countries in Europe through money and goods

10
Q

what were the conditions of receiving Marshall aid?

A
  • some had to be spent on goods from the US
  • share economic info with the US
  • reject communism
11
Q

how did the marshall plan reduce communism?

A
  • helped contain spread of communism as countries had to reject communism upon aid
  • meant US economy grew as money was invested in US goods
  • sharing of economic info allowed US to see economic flaws and deficits
12
Q

Why was USA concerned about political strength in Europe?

A
  • french communist party had 1.7 million members in 1947w/ encouragement from Moscow
  • leading to soviet influence in Europe
  • Marshall plan reduced this
13
Q

How did soviets view the Marshall plan?

A
  • Example of American economic imperialism

- believed US would undermine their sphere

14
Q

What ex communist countries did the Marshall plan help?

A
  • Czechoslovakia and Hungary

- restoring them to free market economies

15
Q

When did Russia walk out of Paris peace conference

A

-July 1947

16
Q

When was cominform established

A

-September, 1947

17
Q

why was cominform established?

A
  • due to the creation of the marshall plan
  • eastern states showing interest in the marshall plan
  • cominform showed stalin tightening soviet control
18
Q

how did the marshall plan impact east-west relations?

A
  • accelerated the division of Europe and undermined the possibility of international relations based on cooperation
  • marked shift in US policy to Germany and Russia
19
Q

when was Bizonia created?

A

-January, 1947

20
Q

what did Bizonia reinforce to the Russians?

A

-USA was interested un creating a defined western European bloc

21
Q

when was the decision for West Germany to have one currency?

A

-June, 1948

22
Q

what did Kennan believe about the nature of germany’s divisions?

A

-believed in a divided Germany rather than a united one aligned with the USSR

23
Q

what was Stalins plan for the division of Germany?

A
  • Stalin wanted single unified Germany that was:
    • economically weak
    • dependant on russia
    • if divided fractions could rise up against the implementation of communism and rebuild
24
Q

why did the US not want a unified Germany?

A
  • may become too powerful
  • may align with the USSR
  • american influence could be undermined as Germany develops economic dominance/independence