Exam question

Seite 1

Explain why the USA and the USSR had become rivals by the end of 1946?

Tip:

This is a unit 1 style question.

identify at least three reasons.

Make links between each of the reasons.

Prioritise the reasons.

Answer:

The USA and the USSR had become rivals by the end of 1946 because, during the year of 1945 the Yalta and Postdam conferences had took place, Stalin had disagreed with Roosevelt at the Yalta conference about if Germany had to Pay reparations or not. Roosevelt had disagreed with because he along with Churchill remembered the mistakes of The Treaty of Versailles, so he opposed that they should help and work with Germany.

As agreements at Yalta in February 1945 took place Stalin had a Sphere of Influence over Satellite states around Eastern Europe and the USSRs border. This was agreed to help protect the USSR against a further invasion from any country, but especially Germany. However, by the time of August 1945 Truman had been elected the New president of the USA and was not aware that Stalin was using his Sphere of influence over Ex- Nazi ruled countries to build up communism by force. This included murdering opposition to communism and banning all other political parties in many countries including Albania and Poland. This lead to Churchill's theory of an "Iron Curtain" coming true through Eastern Europe.

As relations between the two Superpowers deteriorated, relations only got worse between Truman and Stalin during the Postdam Conference as telegrams were been sent by each embassy in both USA and USSR saying that neither country could not be trusted. To top off the worsening relations America released the Launch of their Atomic bomb on Japan.This made Stalin furious as he knew nothing about this making the arms Race begin as Stalin was determined to develop a better nuclear weapon.

Out of the three reasons for deteriorating relations between the two superpowers, was the atomic bomb. As the reparations for WWII had already been discussed and sorted by the division of Germany and Berlin. One the Other hand Stalin new of nothing about the Atomic bomb, that the USA-had launched on Japan killing many civilians and USSR soldiers. As Stalin and Truman were meant to be working together this would of created huge tensions and mistrust for the safety of Stalin's people.

Opposition to communism were murdered.

Stalin wanted Germany to pay reparations.

USA`s atomic bomb was launched.

Worsening relations