Soviet Actions

8/3/2019 Soviet Actions

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Soviet Actions

1) SovietisationWhy:

Security: 1. The need to ensure security via the extension of buffer states.(Preventing any future attacks on the USSR, especially via Poland)

2. The prevention of German resurgence.

3. The maintenance of a strong military

Economic: Economic reconstruction Rebuild war-damaged industrial base1. Via extracting raw materials from E.E.

2. Provides a ready market for Soviet products.

These factors necessitated the spreading of communist ideology tothese states; ensured states are pro-SU.

Eg. Cominform (Conference)

- Signal for the communisation of the region.- Establishment of single-party control.

- Increased communist political power

Secured direct control over all levers of government such as:

Dissolution and repression of opposition parties

Forced socialist-communist party mergers State control of the press

Increasing communist domination of mass organisations (eg. Trade Unions)

Extension of communist political poweraccelerated the

sovietisation of Easter Europe.

Impact:

1. US viewed as expansionistic

2. SU violated the terms of Yalta agreement

(Under the Declaration of a Liberated Europe)3. Resulted in the Containment Policy.

(Second stage of communisation from 1948 onwards served to divide Europe into 2

separate blocs politically, economically, ideologically and later militarily.)


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2) Rejection of Marshall PlanWhy:

Security: Threatened to pull out E.E. states who (would accept Marshall Plan)from Soviet control.

Would remove buffer states >> INSECURITY

Political: Would allow infiltration of Western influence into E.E. states.>> Compromise Soviet political control over these states.

Economic: 1. Unable to create market for Soviet goods andextraction of raw materials from E.E.(by losing E.E. countries)

2. Infiltration of Capitalistic Ideas(Incompatible with the ideals of command economy that the

USSR was instilling in Europe.)

Soviets seen as uncooperative, hostile, not willing to cooperate.

3) Formation of COMECON

- Response to Marshall Aid- Meant to satisfy the Eastern Europe states; Economic aid to ensure

continued political loyalty to the USSR

- Protect economic interests of USSR

The formation of COMECON served to concretise the economic division

into two separate economic units:

1) Western Europe: Capitalism

2) Eastern Europe: Command Economy


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4) Berlin Blockade

German Question:The division of Germany into occupation zones after World War II and how to unify

Germany.

- US saw this as a chance to recover Europes economy.

- USSR saw this as a chance to promote communism, was not concerned with therevival of Europes economy.

US, France and Britain zones combined in 1948 to create an independent West Germany

state.

- Political Reforms

- Separate Currency

Soviets very offended by this because new currency meant to stimulate economy

against Soviet beliefs.

Soviet Security and Economy threatened:

Taking away land = no resources and reparations to aid their

economic reconstruction.

Led to

Berlin Blockade (Establishment of East Germany)Why:

1. Berlin was located in the heart of the Soviet zone, functioning as possible

spying platform for the US.2. Berlin was developing differently from the Command Economy

Their aim was to force western powers to allow the Soviet zone to start supplying Berlin

with supplies, giving Soviets practical control over the whole city.

Impact:

1. COLD WAR INTENSIFIED, seen as expansionistic

2. Led to formation of NATO

3. Went against American beliefs of(a) Promoting speedy recovery of Germany, contribute to W.G. recovery(b) Democracy

4. American direct response: Berlin Airlift.- Provide food to West Berlin- Successfully defeated the Blockade

- Represented US determination to resist Soviet pressure in Berlin

- Great success


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5) Soviet Nuclear ProgrammeFirst Soviet atomic blast in August 1949

USAs possession of atomic bomb:1. Provided them security:Tremendous advantage in military potential and diplomatic leverage.

2.Military threat to USSR since 1945American now no longer has the monopoly of nuclear weapons.

ADVENT OF THE NUCLEAR ARMS RACE- Both sides attempted to surpass/equal each other in terms of nuclear

capabilities, diplomatic leverage (security)

6) Warsaw PactOpposition to NATO which threatened SUs security.

- Military alliance consisting of: Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia,

Bulgaria, Romania, USSR.

- 6 million soldiers under Soviet command in E.E.

Impact:

1. Seen as military offensive directed against the West

2. Added a military dimension to existing political and economicdivisions.

Documents

Soviet Actions