History Notes

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The Cold War

1945-1955

Impact of World War 2

More people were killed in WWII than any other war

The discovery of the atomic bomb that could wipe our thousands of people changed the world and sent many into freat fear

WWIII caused population changed in which 'displaced persons, refugees, returning soldiers, people who had lost their homes and people who had lost their lives

There were also territorial changes and the map f Europe basically transformed as Russia and other communist states had gained ground and Britan had lost it

Beginning of the Cold War

The three superpwers were Stralin (USSR), Chruchill (UK) and Turman (US)

After the bomb that had been dropped on Hirishima by the US, WWII was over however fear was still present

The super powers still faces the monumental issue of the control of Germany, the defeat of Japan, redrawing boundries in Europe and trying to secure the general peace of Europe

A growing rift was appearing between the super powers as Starlin did not believe in this and wanted to dominate all of Europe and impose communism

2 blocs appeared

- EASTERN BLOC: Communist/ totalitarian Russia and allies

- WESTERN BLOC: Capatalist/democratic America and allies

Even though the peace organisation, the UN, had been formed, there was no longer one world

The Cold War - USSR

Based on a socialist system in which the government runs everything for the peple . No individula is allowed to profit from the work f others and all profits go to the government who provide goods and servicies.

Between 1945-8 the Soviet Union strove to secure a safe position in Europe, and make Russia a great power

Stalin did this by making the cuntries surrounding him folllow his lead. Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia all developed communist governments

From the war the USSR gained territory and general power in Europe and world wide

In 1946 Churchill announced "an iron curtain has decended across the continent"

Cold War Alliances

NATO- 1949- Trying to organise combined defence and began as a political association but grew into a military forces

Terminology:

Capitalism: Buissiness ventures are funded by the individuals and buisinesses rather than the government or state. There is also a 2 party government and a great diffrences in wealth

Communism: A system of government in which the state owns all banks and buisinnessed, there is one part i government and wealth is equally shared throughout the population

Totalitarianism: a system that allows only 1 party and freedom is greatly restricted.l A dictator is ften the leader of the party.

Left

Interests of workers

Lower class/ under privileged

Right

Protecting businesses

Upper class

Families

Conservative

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