Two Super Powers Emerge

Samuel Baker
6 min read
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#European History Study Guide: The Cold War Era
Welcome! This guide is designed to help you ace your exam by focusing on key concepts and providing clear, concise explanations. Let's get started!
#1. The Rise of the West: Post-WWII Dominance
#1.1. US Ascendancy
- Post-WWII Prosperity: The United States emerged from World War II as a global superpower, experiencing significant economic growth and possessing the world's strongest military.
- Economic Influence: The US aimed to rebuild and stabilize the global economy, primarily through:
- Marshall Plan: A massive economic aid program to help rebuild Western Europe.
Remember: The Marshall Plan was a key factor in Western Europe's recovery.
#1.2. Military and Political Influence
- Military Intervention: The US actively intervened in various conflicts to contain the spread of communism, including:
- Vietnam War
- Korean Conflict
- Interventions in Greece and Italy
- NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization): A military alliance formed with Western European countries, Canada, and the US to provide mutual defense against potential attacks.
NATO was a direct response to the perceived threat of Soviet expansion.
Understand the concept of containment and its implications for US foreign policy.
#2. Behind the Iron Curtain: Soviet Influence
#2.1. Soviet Control
- USSR's Goal: To prevent countries under its influence from associating with capitalism or democracy.
- Economic Policies: The Soviet Union implemented its own economic policies, including:
- Molotov Plan: The Soviet response to the Marshall Plan, providing aid to Eastern European countries.
Don't confuse the Molotov Plan with the Marshall Plan; the Molotov Plan was far less successful.
#2.2. Military and Political Control
- Warsaw Pact: A military alliance formed by the Soviet Union and its satellite states in response to NATO.
The Warsaw Pact was a symbol of Soviet dominance in Eastern Europe.
#2.3. Life Under Soviet Rule
- Central Planning: Government-controlled economies led to suppression of individual rights and limited emigration.
- Berlin Wall: Built in 1961 to prevent East Berliners from escaping to West Berlin, symbolizing the division of Europe.
The Berlin Wall was a physical manifestation of the Iron Curtain.
Remember that the fall of the USSR led to new national identities and instability.
#3. Discontent with Communism
#3.1. Resistance Movements
- Growing Discontent: As the Soviet Union weakened, various nations began to resist Soviet policies.
- Prague Spring (1968): A period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia led by Alexander Dubček, marked by protests against censorship and Soviet control. The Prague Spring is a key example of resistance to Soviet rule.
- Hungarian Revolution (1956): A nationwide revolt against Soviet-imposed policies, quickly crushed by the Warsaw Pact.
Both the Prague Spring and the Hungarian Revolution were brutally suppressed by the Soviet Union.
#Final Exam Focus
#Key Topics:
- The Marshall Plan vs. the Molotov Plan: Understand their goals, methods, and impacts.
- NATO vs. the Warsaw Pact: Know their origins, purposes, and significance.
- The Truman Doctrine and Containment: Be able to explain the US's foreign policy during the Cold War.
- The Berlin Wall: Understand its symbolism and impact on divided Germany.
- Resistance Movements: Be familiar with the Prague Spring and the Hungarian Revolution.
#Common Question Types:
- Cause and Effect: Questions about the causes and consequences of Cold War events.
- Comparison and Contrast: Questions comparing the US and Soviet approaches to global influence.
- Analysis of Primary Sources: Questions analyzing documents or images from the Cold War era.
- Essay Questions: Questions requiring you to synthesize information and develop an argument.
#Last-Minute Tips:
- Time Management: Allocate your time wisely during the exam. Don't spend too long on any one question.
- Common Pitfalls: Avoid confusing similar terms (e.g., Marshall Plan vs. Molotov Plan). Pay close attention to dates and timelines.
- Strategies for Challenging Questions: Break down complex questions into smaller parts. Use your knowledge of key concepts to guide your answers.
Good luck! You've got this! 💪
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