Early Developments

Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, conquered by Soviets 1940 - treated as part of USSR

communist but never occupied by Red Army - more independence

only democracy in Eastern Europe form 1919, post-WW2 - coalition tried to restore pre-war democracy, Stalin saw as a threat - communists overthrew Czech president and set up communist gov under Klement Gottwald

1944 Warsaw Uprising, Soviets promised to help but Red Army waited for uprising to be crushed, then invaded and put pro-communist gov in place, elections included some London Poles at first but forced to flee/prison 1947

1945 - some communists elected but not enough to form gov, 1947 - voters threatened in campaign supported by Moscow, 1949 - one party communist state

Red Army took control 1944-45 - 'free' elections

1946 - Truman and Stalin asked embassies to report on attitudes in each other's countries

George Kennan - US ambassador in Moscow

Stalin wanted to destroy capitalism and felt outside world was looking to destroy communism, USSR not self-destructive so would soften position if faced with strong resistance

American gov agreed and adopted policy of containment to stop communism spreading

Soviet diplomat working in Washington - sent telegram

US wanted to use its massive military to dominate the world, since death of FDR Americans no longer wanted to cooperate with Soviets

further encouraged Stalin to take control of Eastern Europe

1946, Churchill no longer PM but still huge influence, Fulton Missouri, given due to communist govs being set up in Europe

USSR a threat to freedom and world peace

given in USA so must have been shown to Truman first - Stalin thought it was reflecting American views too

US hoped they would help rebuild Europe and make communism look less good, GB nearly bankrupt - aid becoming impossible, GB gov announced 1947 - no longer provide military support to Greek gov vs communist guerillas

given to US Congress 1947

announced $400 million aid to Greece and Turkey, stated world was divided into free and oppressed countries, USA would support any nation resisting communism, previous policy of isolationism over

$13 billion before, $13.7 billion as part of it 1948-52, over 1/4 to GB

GB foreign secretary Ernest Bevin - 'a lifeline to sinking men'

offered to Eastern Europe on condition of a thorough review of their finances - knew Stalin wouldn't allow this

thought Doctrine was weakening role of UN - suggested it was USA's job to protect the world, Marshal plan a way of using economic might to divide Europe and establish an American economic empire - dollar imperialism

set up 1947, political association of European communist parties - let Stalin control satellite state govs

rejected Marshal plan at 1st meeting, spread propaganda and accused USA of being no different from Nazi Germany

set up 1949, aid package based on communist beliefs, all satellite states members

supported economic development, discouraged trade with West

Soviets wanted to take lots of material to rebuild USSR, West wanted to rebuild German economy - better trading partner and easier to resist communism, Stalin thought it should be one united communist country

Dec 1947 - talks between foreign ministers of occupying powers broke down and Soviets stormed out

GB and USA - 'Bizonia' 1947 before talks broke down, 'Trizonia' 1948

created 1948 to give Trizonia economic unity

Soviets furious - created separate economic unit form East and accepted splitting of Germany

only 2 agreed land routes and 2 air 'corridors' across Soviet zone into it

Trizonia wouldn't be able to communicate with West Berlin, food shortage

Stalin knew Truman couldn't ignore blockade due to recent speech on defending world from communism

June 1948, Stalin shut off land routes into Berlin

Operation Vittles, began in same month as blockade, flew food coal and other essentials in

people of West Berlin and Western troops created new airport at Tegel

Americans soon able to fly in at least 1,000 tonnes a day - similar British rate

Jan 1949 - 170,000 tonnes

Soviets gave in nearly a year after blockade began

Creation of East/West Germany, creation of NATO

Federal Republic of Germany, created 3 days after end of blockade, much bigger than East

Germans could elect own parliament (Bundestag), Konrad Adenauer - first democratically elected chancellor, new capital - Bonn

German Democratic Republic, response to Federal Republic, only recognised as a nation by communist bloc, Federal Republic refused to recognise split until 1970s

also response to communist takeover in Czechoslovakia, 12 Western countries joined 1949, if any member was attacked all would come to its assistance

Ernest Bevin made speech in parliament - European countries would welcome US involvement, USA kept bases in Europe throughout war