1. What is your overall impression of Source 26 (p. 70) and use extracts from the source to support your view. (No fence sitting; you must choose one but not both)
Source 26 represents a reasonable assessment of Stalin's aims based on facts. Source 26 states that, " physical control of Europe and Asia and eventual control of the whole World is what Stalin is aiming at". Stalin was slowly taking over as much as he could. At first eastern European countries were simply in "the Soviet sphere of influence". Then Stalin began to take over the countries' governments, for example in Poland, Stalin only allowed Communists to run for the leaders. Stalin then turned on his portion of Germany, walling it off from the outside world. Stalin probably would have continued claiming countries but the United States stopped him, using containment.
2. Source 26 is a British source. Does it seem likely that similar documents were being produced by the American government?
It is very likely that similar documents were being produced by the American government, because the United States also feared that the Soviet Union would take over the world, and wanted its people to fear and oppose Stalin taking over the world. Also, the United States was in the begging of the Cold War with Stalin and so, the United Sates would want to make Stalin appear to be "the bad guy".
3. Study Source 27 (p. 71) and make a list of three different actions that Communists took to achieve power in eastern Europe. AND Explain how each factor helped.
Three different actions that the Communists took to achieve power in eastern Europe was to execute leaders from other parties, ban other all parties other than Communism, and by severely punishing those who opposed the Communist party. By executing the leaders from other parties, the Communists created fear for opposing Communism, and ensured that the people who were the most vocal about their anti-communist views ( the leaders from other parties ) were killed. By banning all other parties except for Communism, Communists ensured that a Communist leader would be voted in. Finally, by severely punishing those who opposed communism, the Communists made many people be too afraid to oppose communism.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
The Potsdam Conference
1. Read Source 17 (p 68). At Yalta, Churchill and Roosevelt had agreed with Stalin that eastern Europe would be a Soviet ‘sphere of influence’. Do you think Source 17 is what they had in mind?
Churchill and Roosevelt didn't have the message in Source 17 in mind when they agreed with Stalin that eastern Europe would be a Soviet 'sphere of influence'. In Source 17 Stalin says that," Everyone imposes his own system as far as his army has power to do so". This statement is different from what Roosevelt and Churchill had agreed to. Roosevelt and Churchill had agreed to countries being influenced by the Soviet Union, Stalin was not only talking about influencing the countries but also 'imposing his own system' on the countries that he occupied.
2. Would they agree with Stalin’s views expressed in Sources 17 and 18? Explain your answer.
Churchill and Roosevelt wouldn't agree with Stalin views expressed in Sources 17 and 18, that Stalin had to occupy the eastern European countries in order to protect itself from further invasions.. They wouldn't agreed because Churchill and Roosevelt would have recognized that Stalin wasn't simply using the countries to protect itself, the Soviet Union was also taking over the countries governments and spreading communism; and the spread of communism was something that neither Roosevelt or Churchill wanted.
3. Explain how each of the three developments described in the text might affect relationships at Potsdam.
The Soviets occupying most of Eastern Europe, America having a new president and, the U.S.A developing a atomic bomb all affected relationships at Potsdam. Due to the Soviets occupying most of Eastern Europe, Trueman and Churchill were fearful of the Soviet Union's growing power and didn't want to allow the Soviet Union to claim anymore territory. America had a new president, Trueman, and Trueman was less willing to compromise with Stalin than F.D.R had been. Finally because America had the atomic bomb, Trueman was even less willing to compromise for Stalin because Trueman knew that had power over Stalin.
Churchill and Roosevelt didn't have the message in Source 17 in mind when they agreed with Stalin that eastern Europe would be a Soviet 'sphere of influence'. In Source 17 Stalin says that," Everyone imposes his own system as far as his army has power to do so". This statement is different from what Roosevelt and Churchill had agreed to. Roosevelt and Churchill had agreed to countries being influenced by the Soviet Union, Stalin was not only talking about influencing the countries but also 'imposing his own system' on the countries that he occupied.
2. Would they agree with Stalin’s views expressed in Sources 17 and 18? Explain your answer.
Churchill and Roosevelt wouldn't agree with Stalin views expressed in Sources 17 and 18, that Stalin had to occupy the eastern European countries in order to protect itself from further invasions.. They wouldn't agreed because Churchill and Roosevelt would have recognized that Stalin wasn't simply using the countries to protect itself, the Soviet Union was also taking over the countries governments and spreading communism; and the spread of communism was something that neither Roosevelt or Churchill wanted.
3. Explain how each of the three developments described in the text might affect relationships at Potsdam.
The Soviets occupying most of Eastern Europe, America having a new president and, the U.S.A developing a atomic bomb all affected relationships at Potsdam. Due to the Soviets occupying most of Eastern Europe, Trueman and Churchill were fearful of the Soviet Union's growing power and didn't want to allow the Soviet Union to claim anymore territory. America had a new president, Trueman, and Trueman was less willing to compromise with Stalin than F.D.R had been. Finally because America had the atomic bomb, Trueman was even less willing to compromise for Stalin because Trueman knew that had power over Stalin.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Origins of the Cold War: Yalta Conference
1. What month and year did the Yalta Conference place?
The month the Yalta Conference took place in was February. The year the the Yalta Conference took place in was 1945.
2. While the conference was taking place who were the Allies (Big Three) still fighting? Be specific. (Consider as well, what hadn't taken place yet that you've already studied.)
The Allies ( Big Three ) that were still fighting while the Yalta Conference was taking place were Great Britain , The United States and the Soviet Union.
3. Why was Roosevelt anxious to make concessions to Stalin concerning the fate of postwar Germany?
Roosevelt was anxious to make concessions to Stalin concerning the fate of the postwar Germany for two reasons. First of all, Roosevelt was hoping that the Stalin would join the war against the Japanese; fulfilling his commitment. Second of all Roosevelt wanted Stalin's support for the new world peace keeping organization, the United Nations.
4. What decisions did Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin make at the Yalta Conference?
At the Yalta Conference Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin decided that Germany would be temporarily divided into four separate zones. The Americans would control one, the British would control one, the French would control one, and the Soviets would control one zone . Also, Stalin promised " free and unfettered elections" for all of the soviet occupied countries, such as Poland. Stalin promised to join the fight against the Japanese as well. Finally, Stalin promised to participate in the international conference, where the United Nations would become a reality.
The month the Yalta Conference took place in was February. The year the the Yalta Conference took place in was 1945.
2. While the conference was taking place who were the Allies (Big Three) still fighting? Be specific. (Consider as well, what hadn't taken place yet that you've already studied.)
The Allies ( Big Three ) that were still fighting while the Yalta Conference was taking place were Great Britain , The United States and the Soviet Union.
3. Why was Roosevelt anxious to make concessions to Stalin concerning the fate of postwar Germany?
Roosevelt was anxious to make concessions to Stalin concerning the fate of the postwar Germany for two reasons. First of all, Roosevelt was hoping that the Stalin would join the war against the Japanese; fulfilling his commitment. Second of all Roosevelt wanted Stalin's support for the new world peace keeping organization, the United Nations.
4. What decisions did Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin make at the Yalta Conference?
At the Yalta Conference Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin decided that Germany would be temporarily divided into four separate zones. The Americans would control one, the British would control one, the French would control one, and the Soviets would control one zone . Also, Stalin promised " free and unfettered elections" for all of the soviet occupied countries, such as Poland. Stalin promised to join the fight against the Japanese as well. Finally, Stalin promised to participate in the international conference, where the United Nations would become a reality.
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