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Explain two of the following: - The importance of the Potsdam Conference for early Cold War tension between the USA and the Soviet Union - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 3
Explain two of the following: - The importance of the Potsdam Conference for early Cold War tension between the USA and the Soviet Union. - The importance of the r... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Explain two of the following: - The importance of the Potsdam Conference for early Cold War tension between the USA and the Soviet Union - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
The importance of the Potsdam Conference for early Cold War tension between the USA and the Soviet Union.
Answer
The Potsdam Conference, held in July-August 1945, marked a crucial moment in post-World War II geopolitics. With the transition from Roosevelt to Truman in the United States, there was an increase in tension between the USA and the Soviet Union. Truman's more hardline approach towards the USSR, alongside Stalin's distrust and demands during the conference, further exacerbated relations.
Key decisions at the conference, such as the handling of Germany and the future of Eastern Europe, laid the groundwork for enduring conflicts. Stalin's insistence on reparations from Germany for Soviet losses and Truman's emphasis on democracy and self-determination upset the fragile balance, showcasing the ideological divide between the superpowers. This conference solidified the positions that would lead to the Cold War.
Step 2
The importance of the refugee problem in Berlin for increasing tensions between East and West in the years 1958-61.
Answer
The refugee crisis in Berlin significantly heightened Cold War tensions, particularly between 1958 and 1961. As East Germans sought asylum in the West, the phenomenon highlighted the failures of the Communist regime, prompting Krushchev to issue ultimatums and seek concessions from the USA.
The construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961 ultimately became a symbol of the Cold War, representing the physical and ideological divide. This move was a direct response to the increasing number of East Germans fleeing to West Berlin, causing propaganda conflicts and military standoffs that reflected the broader tensions of the era.