Topic 1: Long-term rivalry between the Soviet Union and the West

1. East-West Relations, 1943-45 2. The Grand Alliance 3. Deteriorating Relations

4. Ideological Differences (Com & Cap) 5. Early Conflict 6. Deteriorating relations in the 1920s and 1930s

7. Tensions during WW2 8. Tehran, Nov 1943 9. Yalta, Feb 1945

10. Potsdam, July-Aug 1945 11. Atomic bomb impact

Topic 1: The Establishment of the Weimar Republic and its early problems- Exam practice
1. Study extract B.
What impression does the author give about the Cold War?
Germany/Cold War Germany/Cold War Germany/Cold War
You must use Extract B to explain your answer. (6 marks) 6 Mark Extract Q 8 Mark Effects Q 16 mark question
Example question: Example question: Explain ‘The Depression was the main reason that Hitler became
What impression does two effects of Chancellor.’ How far do you agree?
Extract B the author give about
hyperinflation in Germany. You may use the following in your answer:
Nazis policies regarding
A description of the Cold War from a book on modern world history, published in 2008. unemployment?
-The Depression
-The role of the Sturmabteilung (SA).
No introduction No introduction Introduction
The USA and the Soviet Union each believed that its particular political philosophy was the “The Depression was/ was not the main reason that
Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in January 1933
‘right’ one. And that their system was the most fair and best for creating a just society. Each
however there were other factors such as….. and
side, mistakenly, believed that it offered the only true path to ‘peace, freedom, justice and ……”(make sure you provide a third reason). Also
plenty’ for all. However, behind this idealism was the reality. Both the USA and the Soviet reiterate which is the MAIN reason (you think) and

Union were motivated by their own self-interests. Identify the impression Paragraph One
argue that throughout.
Paragraph One
that the author gives: Think of one effect and give “The Depression was the main reason…” give details
“The impression that
3-4 specific examples- about HOW it led to Hitler becoming Chancellor of
the author gives is…”
explain HOW it affected Germany and then why it was the most important reason-
How do you know the
author is implying this? Germany “One effect of depending on how you are arguing.
“It is evident because hyperinflation on Germany Include specific details- names, places, dates- all are
2. Explain two effects on superpower relations of the decisions made by the Grand Alliance at the Yalta the author states…” was that it…” important and help you gain points for detail.
Conference in February 1945. (8 marks) (evidence/quote from  
the source). PEEL paragraphs – always link back to the question at
Explain two effects on superpower relations of the decisions made by the Grand Alliance at the   Identify the language Paragraph Two Paragraph
the end of Two
the paragraph.
Tehran/Potsdam Conference in 19... (8 marks) and tone used to Identify another effect and “The role of the SA was also important in helping Hitler
strengthen the
use specific examples of how become Chancellor of Germany in January 1933
impression “the
Explain two effects on superpower relations of the USA atomic bomb detonation in 1945. (8 marks) language used suggests
it affected Germany. because….” Give details on HOW it helped Hitler become
that…” “Another effect of Chancellor.
Use evidence and hyperinflation was that it…”  
quotes from the   LINK back to your overall argument- ‘Overall, the role of
extract.   the SA was important in… but less significant that the
3. ‘‘The main reason for the Cold War in Europe was the West’s fear of communism.’ How far do you agree? Depression because…’
Explain what the author Top tips Paragraph Three
• Ideological differences (Communism vs Capitalism) has failed to mention Think about both positive “Another factor that helped Hitler become Chancellor
• Early tension- Bolshevik revolution 1917 (omissions- why have
and negative effects. was…” (give a third own knowledge reason) (again details
• The Second World War- Delayed opening of Second Front they painted the whole
Remember not to try and are important and PEEL paragraph)
picture)? “The author
• Conferences (disagreements) Poland & Germany recognises this… but explain hyperinflation- but
fails to mention…” what happened after it
. occurred.
  Conclusion
“All these factors are important in helping Hitler
become chancellor…” (give a little overview of key points)
“however, the MAIN reason for Hitler becoming
chancellor was……”
Topic 2.1: Early development in the Cold War, 1945-49 & 2.2: Impact of US-Soviet relations of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan

1. Growing East-West divisions, 1946-49 2. The creation of Soviet Satellite States in Eastern Europe 3. Soviet Attitudes: George Kennan’s view in the Long Telegram
CREATE A TIMELINE

4. US Altitudes: The view of Nikolai Novikov 5. A British pov: Churchill’s iron curtain speech 6. The Truman Doctrine

7. The Marshall Plan 8. ‘Dollar Imperialism’ 9. Cominform, 1947 /Comecon, 1949

Topic 2.3: The Berlin Crisis and its consequences

1. Germany divided 2. Uniting the Western Zones 3. The Berlin Blockade

4. The Berlin Airlift 5. Creation of East & West Germany 6. The creation of NATO.
Topic 2.1: Early development in the Cold War, 1945-49 & 2.2: Impact of US-Soviet relations of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan &
2.3 The 1948 Berlin Crisis and its consequences
1. Study extract A.
1. Study extract A.
What impression does the author give about the reasons for the Berlin Blockade?
What impression does the author give about the Marshall Plan?
You must use Extract A to explain your answer. (6 marks)
You must use Extract A to explain your answer. (6 marks)
Extract A
Extract A
From a history writing about the Berlin Airlift
From a history of superpower relations published in 2009.
Special difficulties arose in Berlin, which because a centre of
The Marshall Plan promised large sums of American
Cold War conflict. The communists saw Berlin as a capitalist
financial aid to Europe. Churchill said it was the most
base in eastern Europe. It provided an escape route to the
unselfish act in history, but the motives of the Americans
West for people in the East. It was a hotbed of western
were more than just humanitarian. Without financial
spies operating in eastern Europe. It could be used as a
assistance, Europe would not be able to act as a market for
western base to attack the Soviet Union’s allies. Soviet
American goods. In addition, there were political
policy was to remove the West from Berlin as soon as
considerations. The Americans saw poverty ad the perfect
possible. Stalin hoped to do this by cutting off
breeding ground for the hated communism. But the Soviet
communications between the western zones and West
Union saw the Marshall Plan as interference in the stats of
Berlin.
Europe and labelled the plan ‘dollar imperialism.”
2. Explain two effects of the Truman Doctrine on superpower relations. (8 marks)
Explain two effects of the Marshall Plan on superpower relations. (8 marks)
Explain two effects of the creation of the Satellite States in Europe on superpower relations

3. ‘The main reason for the worsening relations between the Soviet Union and the USA in the years 1945-49 was the Berlin crisis (1948-49). How far do you agree?
• Creation of the Soviet Satellite States
• Soviet/US attitudes- George Kennan Long Telegram vs. Nikolai Novikov (Churchill Iron Curtain Speech)
• Truman Doctrine/Marshall Plan/Dollar Imperialism
• NATO 1949/Cominform 1947/ Comecon 1949
• Berlin Crisis
Topic 3: The Cold War in the 1950s: Korea to Hungary

1. Timeline, 1950-58 2. Korean War 3. Impact of the Korean War

• June 1950= NK invaded SK • 25/6/50 NK invaded SK • Major impact on relations between east and west
• Nov 1952= US successful hydrogen bomb • USSR not attending UN so no decision about what to do could be made • US supporting other countries in Asia to resist communism
• Jan 1953= Eisenhower became president • NK told to leave SK but didn’t so UN sent force from 26 countries to SK • Also encouraged Greece and turkey to join NATO
• March 1953= Stalin died • Most of them were American and the comannder was General Douglas • 9/54 southeast asia pact made (SEATO)
• August 1953= USSR successful hydrogen bomb Macauther • USSR worried about USA stronger armed forces. 1950 2.8M soldiers in red
• May 1955= west German joined NATO, Warsaw pact formed • He pushed NK back acriss the 38 th parallel and until he was close to the army, in 1955 there was 1956
• Feb 1956= Khrushchev is new leader, made speech criticising Stalin Chinese border • West Germany joined NATO 1955. USSR responded with the warsaw pact
• Nov 1956= Hungarian uprising crushed • So communist Chinese entered the war and pushed UN out of NK
• June 1957= US launched first InterContinentalBM • Chinese leader = Mao zedong
• August 1957= USSR tested fist ICBM • MacAuther disagreed with Truman about the war and was dismissed 4/51
• June 1958= Imre Nagy, Hungarian PM, executed • War continued for another 2 years, left border at 38 th parallel

4. The Arms Race, 1950-58 5. New leaders for the USA and Soviet Union 6. The Warsaw Pact, 1955
• After developing atomic bomb in 1945 US felt secure • 1953 both sides had new leaders: Eisenhower 1952 and he wanted to defeat • When west Germany joined NATO in 19555 Stalin’s fears were increased
• Truman knew the atomic bomb was important against USSR. But they communism and stop communist expansion, but due to the presents of nuclear • Within a week USSR created the Warsaw pact, its own defensive military
managed to make one in 1949 weapons he was prepared to improve relations alliance
• Then US made a hydrogen bomb 1952 • After Stalin's death in took 3 years for the next leader, Khrushchev to • There was now two Europes, one under protection of the US and one under
• One year later USSR also had a hydrogen bomb become ruler in 1956, who publicly criticised Stalin's policies and wanted the USSR
• 1957 US had ICBMs and so did USSR months later peaceful co-existence with the west
• Both sides spent lots of money as it was important to try and stay ahead of • But this was based on that communism was so superior to capitalism the west
your rival would eventually crumble
• From 1950s both could have destroyed the world multiple times • But to try and improve tensions borders between east and west had been
• Since both sides saw this, they used nuclear weapons as a deterrent defined and both sides started spending less on the arms race for their
economy's
• These hopes were strengthened in the Geneva summit meeting in July 1955

7. Destalinatisation/invasion of Hungary, 1956 8. International reaction to the Soviet invasion of Hungary 9. The impact of the Hungarian Uprising on International relations
• When Khrushchev criticised Stalin’s regime it gave SS an opportunity for • US regularly broadcast messages to tell people in eastern Europe to rebel • Hungarian Uprising made K’s position much stronger in the USSR
more freedom against communism • Members now knew that if they rebelled what would happen
• 1956 people in Hungary started to protest about their lack of freedom • Since US offered help through the Marshall plan, they assumed US would • In some ways the failure of the Hungarian Uprising reflected badly on the
• In October there was riots in Budapest and police protest, de-stalinatisation help in other ways West, as they told eastern European countries to rebel but sent no support
started to threaten the Warsaw pact, so K sent the red army to Hungary • Eisenhower was sympathetic and NATO countries took refugees but there • K’s tough policy damaged relations again
• But he still agreed to replace Rakosi with Nagy and the red army withdrew was no military support
• At the end of October Nagy announced reforms, including leaving the • A military attack on a SS could start nuclear war
Topic 3: The Cold War in the 1950s: Korea to Hungary
1. Study extract A.

What impression does the author of Extract A give about Hitler’s leadership of the Munich Putsch?

You must use Extract A to explain your answer. (6 marks)

Extract A
A historian commenting on the Munich Putsch in a book written in 1992.

Hitler… proved singularly ineffective. Nothing had been properly planned... He remained shut up in the Beer Hall… unable to make up his mind whether or not
to risk a demonstration. It was Ludendorff who decided for him, and at noon the next day led out Hitler and the other Nazi leaders at the head of a column of
several thousand men, which… marched into the centre of the city. While Ludendorff marched on and pushed through, the [police] cordon, Hitler, after being
pulled to the ground and dislocating his arm, scrambled to his feet and fled.

2. Explain two effects of the Korean War on superpower relations. (8 marks)

Explain two effects of the arms race (1950-58) on relations between the Soviet Union and the USA. (8 marks)

3. ‘The main reason for worsening relations between the USA and the Soviet Union in 1950s was the Korean War.’ How far do you agree?
• Korea
• Arms Race
• Change of leadership- Stalin to Khrushchev and Truman to Eisenhower
• Hungary
• Warsaw Pact

‘The main reason for the Soviet invasion of Hungary was because Khrushchev didn’t trust the Hungarian leaders.’ How far do you agree?
• The Hungarian leaders
• The Warsaw Pact
• De-Stalinisation
Topic 4: Three Crisis: Berlin, Cuba and Czechoslovakia

1. Timeline, 1958-63 2. The refugee problem in Berlin, 1958 3. The Summit Meetings of 1959-61
• Nov 1958= K’s Berlin Ultimatum • 1949 Germany divided into two . East Germany didn’t receive economic aid so Geneva, May 1958
• May 1959= Geneva summit in the 1950s east germans suffered from low standard of living
• Sep 1959= Camp David summit, K visited US • Communist regime in east Germany became more unpopular – people were • Both sides made proposals for how Berlin should be governed, but no
• May 1960= Paris summit, U-2 Summit censored and there were riots against the gov in 1953 agreement was reached. So E invited K for further talks
• June= Vienna summit – Berlin Ultimatum renewed • So of course lots of east germans left to west Germany
• August 1961= construction of berlin wall • By 1958, 3m east germans had left, most were skilled workers, which were Camp David, September 1959
• June 1963= Kennedy visited Berlin needed to build an economy
• K couldn’t let this situation continue • E and K met face to face for the first time.
• No agreement about berlin but did agree to stop the Berlin Ultimatum
Khrushchev's Berlin Ultimatum • Meeting improved relations between the leaders and further talks would be
• Nov 1958, K demanded the west saw east Germany as an independent in Paris
country, but the west still believed Germany could still be reunited.
• 27th Nov Berlin Ultimatum: Berlin should be demilitarised + Berlin should be a
free city, he gave the west 6 months U-2 Incident and the Paris Peace Summit Conference, May 1960
• As parties prepared for the Paris talk, USSR said 1/5 they had shot down an
American spy plane
• Americans tried to claim it was a weather plane but USSR interrogated the
pilot Gary Powers who said he was on a spy mission
• Even though E was embarrassed he didn’t apologies so K walked out of the
meeting

4. Building the Berlin Wall 5. The impact of the Berlin Wall in Berlin 6. The Cuban Revolution
• Khrushchev's tough line on Berlin forced Britain, France and US to talk about • Berlin wall cut though streets and buildings • Jan 1959 revolutionaries led by Castro overthrew Batista, head of pro
the city’s future • By the end of the summer the wall was finished. There were two walls American gov
• But as tensions grew more east Germans crossed to west Germany in case K separated by a no man’s land which was packed with booby traps, barbed wire • Eisenhower was concerned as there was close links between Cuba and the US
closed the border and minefields, also lots of guards with powerful search lights and US businesses had invested heavily in Cuba
• So after instructions from K, east German leader, Ulbricht decided to close • In desperation some people tried to cross the wall, 130 people died • Cuba’s oil refineries, electricity and telephone networks were controlled by
the border. 12/8/61 east German troops built a barbed wire fence around US and US was an important investor in Cuba’s main export: sugar
berlin between the east and west The impact on relations between East and West Germany • Castro was a nationalist who did not want his country’s economy to be under
• Soon there would be a 165km concrete wall • Outrage and relations worsend, some protets in east Germany but quashed by American control, which raised tensions between the two:
secret police • American gov reluctantly recognised the new gov, but refused to provide
• But in some ways improved relations as the issue of refugees crossing into economic aid unless they followed guidelines
the west had stopped • May 1959, Cuban gov took over all land in Cuba, it paid compensation to
previous owners but US gov refused to recognise the scheme
The impact of the wall on the USA and the Soviet Union • Castro had already begun appointing communists to his gov
• USSR negative: showed that they had to lock people in for them to choose • Feb 1960 he made ab agreement with USSR to trade Cuban sugar for
communism. Positive: wall stopped people leaving the east economic aid and a secret clause saying Cuba would reive arms from USSR
• US negative: USSR didn’t tell them they closed the border and people
couldn’t escape communism. Positive: showed K had to accept western control
of berlin and couldn’t bully Kennedy anymore, west berlin became a symbol for
freedom

7. The Bay of Pigs incident & effects on international relations 8. The Cuban Missile Crisis 9. The Thirteen Days, 16-28 th Oct & Compromise
Topic 4
10. Consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis:
• To make sure brinkmanship never happened again: June 1963 direct communication lines were set up between Washington and
Moscow. 1968 the nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty was signed
• In some ways the Cuban missile crisis had made the world safer. In the US Kennedy had shown himself as a strong leader but
in the USSR the army felt humiliated and Khrushchev left in 1964
11. Prague- opposition to Soviet Control & The Prague Spring Soviet Reaction:
• 1948 Stalin supported a coup in Czechoslovakia that removed non-communists from the Czech gov
• Life under communist rule was hard for Czech people: its economy was to benefit the USSR, no freedom of speech,
censorship, Czech gov carried out purges
• Protests against low standards of living
• 1968 Alexander Dubcek elected to make the Czech gov more popular, he was committed to the Warsaw pact and was a strong
communist, but believed it should not make life miserable ‘socialism with a human face’
• Dubcek's reforms were known as the Prague spring: censorship relaxed, trade unions had more power, more power to reginal
govs, trade with the west increased, Czech people given freedom to travel abroad, multi-party elections – met with enthusiasm
by Czech people but not in Moscow
• soviet reaction: 20/8/68 500k Warsaw pact troops invaded Czech and ended the prague spring. There was little opposition as
they couldn’t do much against a large army
• Dubcek was arrested and replaced by Gustav Husak
12. The impact in Czechoslovakia
The impact in relations between other communist countries in Europe
• Yugoslavia and Romania condemned USSR actions, communist parties in Italy and France cut relations with Moscow. Govs in
east Germany and Poland liked Brezhnev’s actions
• Defeat of the Prague spring led to more USSR control of warsaw pact members
The impact on relations between the USA and the Soviet Union
Western govs angered and protested, attempt to pass a formal resolution criticising the invasion in the UN
The impact on the USA’s international reputation
•US involved in war in Vietnam and was less confrontational towards USSR, they criticised USSR but did not take as much action
Topic 4: Three Crisis: Berlin, Cuba and Czechoslovakia
1. Study extract C.

What impression does the author of Extract C give about the Cuban Missile Crisis?

You must use Extract C to explain your answer. (6 marks)

Extract C
A comment on the Cuban Missile Crisis from a book on modern world history written in 2008.

Recent evidence seems to support the view that Kennedy acted in a statesmanlike way, was prepared to compromise and was not motivated by his own self-
interest. The tape recordings of the ExComm meetings at the time show Kennedy repeatedly pushing for compromise and point to the fact that he was very
aware of the dangers of a nuclear war.

2. Explain two effects of the U-2 incident on superpower relations. (8 marks)

Explain two effects of the Prague Spring on superpower relations. (8 marks)
Explain two effects of the Berlin Wall on East-West German relations. (8 marks)

3. ‘The building of the Berlin Wall was the most serious crisis between the USA and the Soviet Union in the years 1960-68.’ How far do you agree?
• Berlin Wall, 1961
• U2/Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962
• Czechoslovakia, 1968-69
Topic 5: The Thaw and moves towards Détente, 1963-72

1. The Hotline 2. Why did the USA want détente? 3. Why did the Soviet Union want détente?

The Limited Test Ban Treaty, 1963

The Outer-Space Treaty, 1967

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty , 1968

4. China and the Soviet Union 5. China and the USA 6. Ostpolitik and Détente

Salt 1, May 1972

Topic 5: The Thaw and moves towards Détente, 1963-72

2. Explain two effects of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, 1968. (8 marks)

Explain two effects of the Limited Test Ban Treaty, 1963. (8 marks)
Explain two effects of Henry Kissinger's diplomacy on relations with China. (8 marks)

3‘Détente came about at the end of the 1960s because the arms race was too expensive.’ How far do you agree?
‘The “cooling off” of the Cold War was due to Kissinger’s efforts.’ How far do you agree?
• Arms race- Limited Test Ban Treaty 1963, Nuclear non-proliferation Treaty 1968 (SALT 1)
• Nixon’s aims- more interested in domestic affairs than foreign affairs
• Soviet Union
• China/Kissinger