Truro College: Cold War Booklet 5

Why did the Cold War between the superpowers emerge in the years to 1953?

• How and why have historians’ interpretations of the causes of the Cold War differed?

• How valid are these different interpretations in seeking to explain the causes of the Cold War?

Who can we blame for the outbreak of the Cold War? TASK 1a: Write down as many causes as you can. Compare your list with another student.

• Causes of the Cold War

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Debate

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Debate

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Who can we blame for the outbreak of the Cold War? TASK 1b: Choose one of the causes and write down three events you might use to help you explain how it created the Cold War. Compare your list with another student.

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Debate

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Debate

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TASK 2 • Read pp.49-51 and make notes on how far the USA was responsible for the Cold War • Read sources D, E and F on pp.51-2 and complete a chart like the one below: Source

Reasons in the source for US hostility to USSR (include quotes)

Information from own knowledge that supports source’s view

Information that can be used to argue against the source’s view

Source D (p.51) Source E (p.52) Source F (p.52)

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Topic: Debate

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Topic: Debate

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TASK 3 • Read pp.52-6 and make notes on Stalin’s motives for Soviet expansion – use the section’s sub-headings to organise your notes • Read sources H, I and J on pp.57-8 and complete a chart like the one below: Source

Reasons in the source for the causes of the Berlin Blockade (include quotes)

Information from own knowledge that supports source’s view

Information that can be used to argue against the source’s view

Source H (p.57) Source I (p.57) Source J (p.58)

TASK 4 • Historians disagree about why the Cold War happened and who is to blame. Complete the chart below using pp.58-61 What does When was this school this view argue? current?

Why was this view formed?

Value of this point of view

Criticism of this point of view

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Liberal School Revisionist School Post-revisionist School Soviet School pre 1991 Russian views since 1991

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Topic: Debate

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Which historical interpretation best explains why the Cold War started?

• Read the Exam tip on p.63 • All viewpoints need to be tested for accuracy/validity - Use your own knowledge to test the accuracy/validity of the historian’s point of view - Do not be frightened to disagree with historians – so long as you explain why you disagree and give specific evidence

• Read handouts 16b Soviets Desire European Domination and 16c Unit 3 B Question Mark Scheme

TASK 5: • Using Sources K, L, M and N, and your own knowledge, how far do you accept the view of Source K that it was American foreign policy that ‘crystallized the Cold War’?

• Read sources K, L, M and N on pp.61-2 and complete a chart like the one below:

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Source

Arguments in the source on the causes of the Cold War (include short quotes)

Evidence from own knowledge that supports the source’s argument

Evidence from own knowledge that challenges the source’s argument

Source K (p.61) Source L (p.62) Source M (p.62) Source N (p.62)

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Topic: Debate A2 Unit 3: Cold War

How to structure your plan:

Who caused the Cold War – the USA or the USSR?

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Who caused the Cold War – the USA or the USSR?

Topic: Debate

22/09/2015

TASK 6: Write a detailed essay plan to the following examstyle question: • Using Sources K, L, M and N, and your own knowledge, how far do you accept the view of Source K that it was American foreign policy that ‘crystallized the Cold War’?

Your essay plan should include: • Introduction: – outline the interpretations in the four sources; end with your answer (‘signpost’)

• (Four) main paragraphs: – lead with the sources that agree with a particular interpretation. (Look for opportunities where you can cross-reference, i.e. spot where more than one source agrees with an interpretation) – identify their interpretation – use own knowledge to explain why the historian puts forward this particular interpretation – use own knowledge to evaluate the interpretation’s validity. (Remember to contrast the interpretation discussed in each main paragraph with the claim/view in the question, i.e. US foreign policy crystallised the Cold War)

• Conclusion: – ATQ, explaining why with supporting evidence and referring to the sources

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A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Debate

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Debate

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TASK 7: • Use Sources S, T and U and your own knowledge. How far do you agree with the view that Stalin’s foreign policy was a major contributing factor to the emergence of the Cold War in the period 1945-50?

• Read sources S, T and U on pp.69-70 and complete a chart like the one below: Source

Arguments in the source on the causes of the Cold War (include quotes)

Evidence from own knowledge that supports the source’s argument

Evidence from own knowledge that challenges the source’s argument

Source S (p.69) Source T (p.70) Source U (p.70)

Who caused the Cold War – the USA or the USSR? TASK 8: Answer the following exam-style question on pp.69-70 (you have 55 minutes): • Use Sources S, T and U and your own knowledge.

How far do you agree with the view that Stalin’s foreign policy was a major contributing factor to the emergence of the Cold War in the period 1945-50?

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A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Interpretations

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Interpretations

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Origins Of The Cold War Three Major Western explanations for the Cold War

Orthodox (liberal) – product of aggressive/ expansionist foreign policy of Soviet Union

Revisionist – result of provocation of USA

Post-Revisionist – accepts USA used economic power but also accepts Stalin an opportunist

Origins Of The Cold War Two stages of Russian explanations for the Cold War

Soviet School (pre 1991) – product of American Economic Imperialism

Russian Views (post 1991) – emphasizes Stalin’s foreign policy was more than just defensive; partly aimed at spreading communism

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A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Interpretations

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Interpretations

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Key interpretations Origins of the Cold War

Ideological Confrontation

Great Power Rivalry

Aggressive Government policy

Personalities

Mutual Misconceptions

Soviet Aggression

Stalin

Opposing national interests

US Aggression

Truman

Dollar Diplomacy

Key Interpretation: Ideological confrontation • Ideological confrontation: – Cold War inevitable conflict as capitalism and communism fundamentally antagonistic – Marxism-Leninism, official ideology of USSR, committed Communist Party to world revolution to overthrow capitalism – US economic success depended on free trade; Soviet economic system rejected free markets and free trade

• Useful interpretation as explains East-West conflict before Cold War …

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A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Interpretations

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Interpretations

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Key Interpretation: mutual misconceptions • Cold War came about due to mutual misconceptions and different perspectives of the two superpowers • Both superpowers motivated by desire to protect own interests • However, these actions misinterpreted as aggressive policies designed to expand global influence • E.g., – Soviet leaders saw Stalinisation of Eastern Europe as legitimate actions to safeguard Soviet security; but US leaders interpreted these actions as desire to dominate – Similarly, Western initiatives, e.g. introduction of DM into Western zone of Germany, viewed as provocative by Soviet leaders

• Therefore, Cold War developed due to series of misunderstandings and overreactions

Key Interpretation: opposing national interests • Cold War came about due to traditional Great Power Rivalry and opposing national interests • Both superpowers motivated by desire to protect own interests – natural process of international relations • E.g., – Stalinisation of Eastern Europe was legitimate action to safeguard Soviet security after cost of WWII – US development of economic and military interests in Europe and Asia was legitimate development of foreign policy as the world’s leading power after WWII

• Therefore, Cold War a natural development of power rivalry and neither side ‘to blame’

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Key interpretation: US dollar diplomacy • US economic interests main reason for development of Cold War – Superpower conflict due to US desire to have political and economic dominance in Western Europe and Japan. So Marshall Plan a form of ‘dollar imperialism’ as US economic aid dependent on political compliance – Cold War developed due to concerns of US politicians to avoid repeat of Great Depression. So Truman’s desire to promote trade with Western Europe and Japan really an attempt to stimulate US economy through trade – Truman encouraged superpower tensions to justify massive government spending on armaments to stimulate US economy

Key interpretation: Soviet aggression • Cold War developed due to USSR determination to confront US – Communist takeovers in Eastern Europe – Berlin Blockade – Encouragement of communism in Asia (support for Chinese communism, materiel support for North Korea in war)

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Topic: Interpretations

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Interpretations

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Key interpretation: US aggression • Cold War developed due to US determination to confront USSR – Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, US leadership of NATO seen as USA asserting its power against Soviet influence – US deployment of B-29 bombers in Europe in August 1948 interpreted as evidence of US aggression

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Interpretations

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Interpretations

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Key interpretation: Stalin’s personality • Stalin’s personality as main reason for development of Cold War – His feelings of insecurity – His desire to dominate – His willingness to do anything to safeguard USSR’s future

• Compelling evidence from Soviet documents released after end of Cold War (1991) – Memos from senior Soviet ministers, e.g. Maxim Litvinov, “There has been a return in Russia to the concept of security in terms of territory – the more you’ve got the safer you are”

• Stalin’s suspicions played a role in his Berlin policy – He believed resurgent Germany posed significant threat to USSR’s security

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A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Interpretations

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Key interpretation: Truman’s personality • Truman’s personality as main reason for development of Cold War – Need to show strength to separate his presidency from FDR’s legacy – Mistrust/dislike of Stalin – Open to persuasion by anti-communist and military-industrial domestic pressures

• Personal policy intervention – Truman Doctrine – Overly aggressive and provocative towards USSR? – Attempt to rollback communism in Korea

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How to answer Section B questions well …

Section B is about the origins of the Cold War between 1944 and 1953.

1) To answer these questions you must know in detail all the relevant main events – see textbook chapters 1 and 2 – between 1917 and 1953 that help to explain how and why the Cold War came about.

2) You must also be able to debate the different interpretations about the origins of the Cold War – see textbook chapter 3. E.g.: i) Can the Cold War be explained as ideological confrontation? ii) Was the Cold War a traditional great power rivalry (sometimes this interpretation might be referred to as ‘national interests’ or ‘geopolitics’) iii) Was it simply a matter of Soviet or American aggression? iv) Or finally, did it come down to personalities, i.e. uncompromising and inflexible leaders?

Suspicion and misperception?

(1) Here you should consider the roles played by Truman and Stalin's foreign policy, i.e. the debate over Stalin's motives for expansion 3) The sources should lead the debate, i.e. you must identify the interpretations offered by the sources. (These are the interpretations that the examiner wants you to debate when you answer the question, i.e. when you discuss the claim in the question.) a) The exam is most likely to contain three sources. i) Within these sources there is always a clear debate, usually the sources will: (1) Either present three separate interpretations (2) Or, two will present separate interpretations and one will present a mixture of more than one interpretation.

(3) Either way, you will need to show where the sources agree and disagree, i.e. cross reference. b) The sources need to be carefully analysed for their interpretation. i) Explain what the interpretation is and ii) Explain why it is being held (here you bring in your own knowledge to support the interpretation – see 4 below). c) But remember, it is not just a matter of generally debating why the Cold War started. You must answer the question, i.e. debate the interpretations offered by the sources in relation to the question, in other words stay focused on the question.

4) Your own knowledge should develop the debate in the sources. a) This requires you to: i) Have an in-depth knowledge of the relevant main events – see textbook chapters 1 and 2. ii) Select the most appropriate events to, firstly, support then, secondly, challenge the interpretations. In other words, you must debate (argue for and against) each interpretation, do not forget to explain how the events support/challenge the interpretation. iii) Evaluate the interpretations. This means you must decide which interpretation you think is the most valid based on your understanding of the main events, i.e. which interpretation do you agree with and by ‘how much’?

(1) Obviously, as there is an interpretation in the question then this is the interpretation you must weigh against the alternative interpretations, found in the sources.

(2) Evaluation should take place in every paragraph not just the conclusion. When evaluating, you are measuring how far/to what extent you agree with the interpretation and explaining why you hold this view.

(3) In your conclusion, you must reach a final decision that directly answers the question and which is based on your evaluation in your main paragraphs. This is called a reasoned judgement, i.e. you must explain and support your final decision.

Good Luck 

Unit 3 Part B examination skills checklist

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Technique

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Technique

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• Read the question (RTQ) carefully – Identify the instruction • How far do you agree with the view ...

– Identify the topic area • The origins/development of the Cold War between ...

– Identify the key words • The claim/argument/interpretation ...

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• Read the sources very carefully – Identify the interpretation (point of view/opinion/argument) • At least one of the sources will agree with the claim in the question

– Identify the historiographical position • Ignore if unsure

– Identify short quotes to suggest both the above • A technique to help you understand the source and select good quotes is to place a forward slash (/) wherever there is a punctuation mark (, ; : . ? !)

• Identify areas of agreement/disagreement between the sources’ interpretations – Use different coloured pens to help you quickly crossreference

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Topic: Technique

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• Evaluate the validity of the sources’ interpretations – Use own knowledge to check the accuracy/completeness of each source’s interpretation • identify own knowledge to explain why the author puts forward the interpretation in the source, i.e. to support the quotes you’ve identified above; this is showing that you understand what the interpretation is and why it is held • identify own knowledge you can use to suggest the author’s view might not be completely valid, i.e. to challenge/disagree with the quotes you’ve identified above

• Answer the question (ATQ)!

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Technique

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Technique

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Unit 3 Section B question planning checklist 1. Read the question carefully a. Identify the instruction i. How far do you agree with the view ... b. Identify the topic area i. The origins/development of the Cold War between ... c. Identify the key words i. The claim/argument/interpretation ...

2. Read the sources very carefully a. Identify the interpretation b. Identify the historiographical position if you can, don’t worry if you cannot c. Identify short quotes to suggest the interpretation i. A technique to help you understand the source and select good quotes is to place a forward slash (/) wherever there is a punctuation mark (, ; : . ? !)

3. Identify areas of agreement/disagreement between the sources’ interpretations a. Use different coloured highlighters to help you quickly cross-reference 4. Assess the validity of the sources’ interpretations a. Use your own knowledge to check the accuracy/completeness of each source’s interpretation i. identify own knowledge to suggest why the author puts forward the interpretation in the source, i.e. to support the quotes you have identified above; this is showing that you understand what the interpretation is and why it is held ii. identify own knowledge you can use to suggest the author’s view might not be completely valid, i.e. to challenge/disagree with the quotes you have identified above 5. Answer the question!

Good Luck 

Use Sources S, T and U and your own knowledge. How far do you agree with the view that Stalin’s foreign policy was a major contributing factor to the emergence of the Cold War in the period 1945-50?

Source S It is difficult to say what would have happened if the west had responded positively to Stalin’s last initiative on the German question (a call for a neutral, united Germany). It might have led to German reunification sometime in the 1950s and to a considerable easing of cold war tensions in Europe. On the other hand, it might have led to greater uncertainty and instability as there was no guarantee Germany would have remained neutral or disarmed for long. As western diplomats and politicians often pointed out to the Soviets in the 1950s, there were advantages for Moscow in West Germany’s inclusion in the western bloc. As the old saying has it: NATO was established to keep the Americans in, the Russians out and the Germans down! But this sanguine perspective was not shared by Stalin or by his successors as Soviet leader, whose view of the German question was formed by their experience of the Great Patriotic War and by their continuing dread of the re-emergence of a powerful and aggressive Germany.

Even as the cold war raged, the idea of a revival of the Grand Alliance to contain Germany still had its allure in Moscow, not least for Stalin who had been very reluctant to relinquish the project of postwar cooperation with the west. In January 1949 Stalin responded positively to a question from an American journalist about whether he would be prepared to meet Truman to discuss a ‘peace pact’ – an AmericanSoviet non- aggression agreement. In Europe Stalin sought peace and a resolution of the German question.

In military competition with the United States his policies were reactive and restrained. Although on occasion he rattled his sabres, he talked constantly and consistently about peaceful coexistence with capitalism. The one exception to this pattern of restraint was the Korean War of 1950-53.

From Geoffrey Roberts, Stalin’s Wars (published in 2006) Source T Stalin’s goal was not to restore a balance of power in Europe, but rather to dominate that continent as thoroughly as Hitler had sought to do. He acknowledged, in a wistful but revealing comment in 1947, that ‘had Churchill delayed opening the second front in northern France by a year, the Red Army would have come to Paris’. Unlike Hitler, however, Stalin followed no fixed timetable….Nor would he write off diplomacy in securing his objective…

Stalin’s was, therefore, a grand vision: the peacefully accomplished but historically determined domination of Europe.

From John Lewis Gaddis, The Cold War (published in 2005) Source U It is tempting to lay total blame for the Cold War on the delusions of Stalin and his lieutenants. A closer look at the Cold War from the Soviet side reveals, however, that they were not the only culprits in the conflict.

We cannot disregard other complex factors, such as the crass nature of power politics, choices of US and British policy-makers, and the deeper causes of hostility and mistrust between dictatorship and democracy in an uncertain world. Stalin, notwithstanding his reputation as a ruthless tyrant, was not prepared to take a course of unbridled unilateral expansionism after World War II. He wanted to avoid confrontation with the West. He was even ready to see co-operation with the Western powers as a preferable way of building his influence and solving contentious international issues. Thus, the Cold War was not his choice or his brainchild.

From Vladislav Zubok and Constantine Pleshakov, Inside the Kremlin’s Cold War (published 1996)

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Korea

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Korea

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Key Interpretation: US Domestic Politics • Links development of Cold War to US domestic politics • Specifically: – Role played by Republicans and Democrats in Truman’s administration and Congress – Attempts to win public support by exploiting Cold War fears

• Evidence: – China Lobby blamed Truman for ‘losing China’ – Forced Truman to adopt more aggressive stance against communism …

Assess the reasons why the Korean War is an issue of historical controversy TASK: Yellow cards contain differing interpretations on the origins of the Korean War. Blue cards contain some knowledge that will help assess the validity of the interpretation.

• Can you match them?

• Which are the most convincing interpretations?

• Can you prioritise them?

• Explain why – using your own knowledge

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A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Korea

A2 Unit 3: Cold War

Topic: Korea

22/09/2015

How far do you agree that ‘Stalin was primarily responsible for the outbreak of the Korean War’?

Use sources P, Q and R, on p.67, and your own knowledge • Source P • Interpretation?

• Quotes to demonstrate interpretation • How valid? Use own knowledge to support and challenge

• Source Q • Interpretation?

• Quotes to demonstrate interpretation • How valid? Use own knowledge to support and challenge

• Source R • Interpretation?

• Quotes to demonstrate interpretation • How valid? Use own knowledge to support and challenge

Historiographical debate: what caused the Cold War? TASK: •

Read Source O. What problems face the historian studying the causes of the Korean War?

•

Do you agree with Bruce Cummings ‘no one and everyone was responsible’ for causing the Korean War? Who are the possible culprits?

•

How far does this interpretation differ from that in Source P and Q?

•

To what extent does Source Q agree with the view offered by Source R of the reasons for the Korean War?

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‘The Kremlin has clearly and consciously risked a World War.’ Alsop

Stalin agreed to supply military and technical assistance to Kim but said he would not intervene to support him if the war went badly.

‘Syngman Rhee precipitated the war, deliberately provoking an attack from the North in order to force the US government to give more aid.’

I.F. Stone

Stalin concluded in April 1949 that, ‘The South Korean regime was determined to launch an attack on the North sooner or later and it was important to forestall the aggression.’

Syngman Rhee was as determined as Kim was to reunify the peninsula and there had been a series of border clashes, killing hundreds, in the months preceding the war.

‘Stalin was the instigator of the war, but not to bring Russia and China closer together, but to put pressure on China.’

H Salisbury

Stalin informed Mao of Kim’s decision to launch an invasion.

In 1950 they signed a treaty of friendship. Although Stalin was very suspicious of Mao’s version of communism which focused on the peasantry and only gave limited economic aid to Mao there was no way Stalin was going to risk a 3rd world war just to put pressure on China.

‘Kim Il Sung was the initiator of the war. He was desperate to unify the peninsula. Stalin urged him to think it over as he had his doubts’ Khrushchev

‘The attack upon Korea makes it plain beyond all doubt that communism has passed beyond the phase of subversion to conquer independent nations and will now used armed invasion and war. If we let Korea down, the Soviets will keep right on going and swallow up one piece of Asia after another.’

Truman

Stalin was prepared to let Kim Il Sung attempt to unify the Korean peninsula as by 1950 he was feeling more confident for a number of reasons. China was communist; the USSR had detonated its own bomb and Acheson’s ‘defensive perimeter’ speech had appeared to leave out South Korea from areas of particular American interest.

Stalin therefore calculated that the US would not get involved but also told Kim Il Sung, ‘If you get kicked in the teeth, I shall not lift a finger.’ He was not prepared to risk war with the West over the reunification of Korea

‘The responsibility for the war lies firmly with the North, who was acting under instructions from Stalin to spread communism.’

D Rees

Kim pestered Stalin to give him permission to attack South Korea. It was only in April 1950 that Stalin finally agreed to Kim’s plan. Stalin had built up the military strength of North Korea and therefore was responsible for giving Kim the means to fight the war, but the desire was Kim Il Sungs. Kim had the will and Stalin provided the means.

‘Stalin was far too cautious to risk a war with America. He played the part of facilitator rather than originator of the war’ K Weathersby

The minutes of a meeting between Stalin and Kim Il Sung in March 1949 reveal that Stalin gave the impression that he did not approve of an invasion by North Korea. For example he avoided making any commitment of troops to support Kim. However by April 1950 Stalin was more secure and informed Kim that there had been ‘a significant strengthening of the socialist camp in the East.’

‘The Korean War was a local war that drew in the superpowers. ‘ B Cumings

America’s policy of containment was crucial in escalating the conflict in Korea. The US were determined to prevent the spread of communism and with NSC 68 had suggested that in fact communism should be rolled back where appropriate.

‘Domestic pressures on Truman forced him to take a hard-line response to the conflict in Korea, therefore turning a civil war into a cold war conflict.’

A Historian

The Republicans were furious that they did not win the election in 1948 and were incredibly bitter. They accused Truman of being soft on communism and the McCarthy witch-hunt was evidence of the force of public concern (and the power of the media).

‘Stalin was not blind to the benefits of a secure Korea but was not prepared to risk a war with America to achieve it. He was therefore prepared to support Kim, but did not direct him to invade’ T Hamilton

Stalin supported Kim’s invasion because a united, communist Korea would secure the Soviet Union’s borders, threaten Japan which was a new American ally and also place at their disposal South Korea’s extensive supply of lead which was in very short supply in the USSR at this stage.

‘Some historians have suggested that the Truman administration must have set the whole thing up. Were the North Koreans somehow manoeuvred into attacking South Korea as the necessary excuse for US rearmament?’ JL Gaddis

NSC 68 proposed a massive increase in military spending.

Truman agreed with the proposals but was aware that implementing them would mean higher taxes and cuts in welfare. As a result of the invasion of S Korea however, nearly every recommendation was put in place and US spending on the military rocketed from $13 billion to $50 billion. While the militaryindustrial complex must have been pleased, there is no evidence at all that the US manipulated the N Koreans into attacking the South.