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 Dubฤek, 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! ๐ช

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