Showing posts with label Soviet_Union. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Soviet_Union. Show all posts
Monday, May 7, 2012
Berlin Blockade Document Analysis
1. What type of document is this? What is its purpose?
Source A and Source B are both government reports from the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) to President Truman. The purpose of the documents are to mention to the president the possible threat they could be facing from the Soviets and what options are available for them to take.
2. When was it written? Why is that significant?
The documents were written on June 30, 1948. The date the documents were written is significant because the reports were written during the time of the events taking place between the Soviets and America. Source A, was written 2 days after the conference held in Karlshorst, between Russian officials and members of the German industrial committee. Source B, was written 7 days after the justice administration of the Soviet Zone issued a directive on the judicial measures to be taken in connection with currency reform.
3. Who created the document? Who received the document?
The documents were created by the Director of Central Intelligence, R.H Hillenkoetter and were received by president Truman.
4. Who is Marshal Sokolovsky?
Marshal Sokolovsky was a Russian official who led the other Russian officials at the conference in Karlshorst. Sokolovsky was the one who stated the three possibilities the Soviets could take in regards to the United States including; starting a war, lift travel restrictions in Berlin, or leave Berlin to the West.
5. How did the CIA get information of the meeting between Marshal Sokolovsky and German members of the German industrial committee?
The CIA got their information of the meeting between Marshal Sokolovsky and German members of the German industrial committee from a spy, a trusted comrade to the United States who obtained information from the conference and reported it back to U.S officials.
6. What were the three Soviet alternatives as they presented themselves when this document was written? What policy did the Soviets pursue over the course of the next nine months? Why?
The three Soviet alternatives as they presented themselves when this document was written were; to start a war with the U.S, lift travel restriction on Berlin, or leave Berlin entirely to the West, giving them the rail line. The Soviets knew war was impossible due to bad harvest prospects. They didn't want to lift travel restrictions on Berlin because they thought that would make the Russians loose control. Therefore, the Soviets figured the West could feed all of Berlin. Tulpanov, stated that 2,000 tons of food would be needed daily in order to feed the Germans in the Western sectors.
7. Stalin stated in a speech on February 9, 1946, "he [Stalin] blamed the last war on 'capitalist monopolies' and warning that, since the same forces still operated, the USSR must treble the basic materials of national defense such as iron and steel, double coal and oil production, and to delay the manufacture of consumer goods until rearmament was complete." Who are the "capitalist monopolies?" How does this statement enlighten the Soviet viewpoint against the United States? Were the Allies justified in cancelling the shipments of German reparations to the Soviets at the end of World War II? Why did the Soviets rely so heavily on Germany for food and industry?
The "capitalist monopolies" are the enemies of Stalin; the U.S.A, Britain, and France. This statement enlightens the Soviet viewpoint against the United States because it exemplifies the Soviet viewpoint that the United States was their enemy even though they were supposed Allies. The Allies were justified in cancelling the shipments of German reparations to the Soviets at the end of World War II because they were preventing war with the Soviet Union and reducing communist threat to the U.S. After the war, the Soviets needed iron, steel, coal, and oil to build up their troops and their defense. The soviets relied so heavily on Germany for food and industry because Germany was able to produce more amounts of food and supplies due to Germany's industrial advantages. They had industries that the Soviets didn't have, which made the Soviets rely on Germany for food and industry.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Dictators Threaten World Peace
1. Why did the new democracies set up after World War I fail? (And yes, I am aware the answer is in the reading so make sure your answer is in your own words.)
The new democracies set up after World War 1 failed for many reasons. For one, the postwar years brought powerful dictators to rise who were driven by the belief in nationalism and the desire for territorial expansion. Another reason was the failure of the Treaty of Versailles which Germany found unfair. These problems overwhelmed the Weimar Republic and the peace settlement did not fulfill Wilson's hopes of a world "safe for democracy." Without democratic traditions, people turned to authoritarian leaders to solve their countries' problems. The new democracies collapsed the dictators were able to seize power.
2. What are the characteristics of a totalitarian state?
A totalitarian state is a country with a government that maintains complete control over its citizens. Individuals have no rights, and the government suppresses all opposition. By 1939, Joseph Stalin had established a totalitarian government. Stalin took control over everything and was determined to eliminate anyone who threatened his power, even his most faithful supporters.
3. What factors led to the rise of Fascism in Italy?
By 1921, Benito Mussolini had accomplished creating a fascist regime in Italy. In 1922, Mussolini marched on Rome with thousands of followers wearing black uniforms. Their uniforms gave them the name "black shirts" Once the important government officials, police, and army sided with the fascist party, Mussolini was appointed head of the government.
4. What were the key ideas and goals that Hitler presented in Mein Kampf ?
In the book Mein Kampf, Hitler set fourth the basic beliefs of the Nazism that became his plan of action for the Nazi party. Nazism is based on extreme nationalism. Hitler dreamed of uniting all German speaking people in a German Empire. He also wanted to enforce racial "purification" in Germany. Hitler believed in an Aryan race, preferably blue-eyed blonds. Hitler had a dislike for anyone who wasn't white, especially Jews. Another element of Nazism was national expansion. Hitler believed in order for Germany to thrive, they needed more land.
5. Why did Japan invade Manchuria?
Japan decided to invade the Chinese province of Manchuria with a surprise attack in 1931. In Japan, nationalist military leaders were trying to take control of imperial Japan. They believed in the need for more land for a growing population, same as Hitler. In need of more land, Japan invaded Manchuria. Within several months, Japanese troops controlled the entire province.
6. What foreign countries were involved in the Spanish Civil War?
In 1936, a small group of Spanish army officers rebelled against the Spanish republic. Led by Francisco Franco, this became known as the Spanish Civil War. Fighting against Franco were the Americans. The Americans formed the Abraham Lincoln Battalion consisting of over 3,000 troops. Among these troops were African Americans still bitter about Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia. Franco, however, was backed by Hitler and Mussolini who sent troops, weapons, tanks, and fighter planes. Franco's victory in 1939 established him as the fascist leader of Spain.
7. What factors contributed to America's growing isolationism?
There were many factors that contributed to America's growing isolationism. Most Americans were alarmed by the international conflicts of the mid 1930's but believed they should stay out of it. Public outrage over a flood of books that argued that the United States had been dragged into World War 1, led to the creation of a congressional committee. The Nye committee made the controversy even worse by documenting large profits that banks and manufacturers made during the war. Americans because more determined than ever to avoid war. The Girl Scouts of America even changed the color of their uniforms to appear less militaristic.
The new democracies set up after World War 1 failed for many reasons. For one, the postwar years brought powerful dictators to rise who were driven by the belief in nationalism and the desire for territorial expansion. Another reason was the failure of the Treaty of Versailles which Germany found unfair. These problems overwhelmed the Weimar Republic and the peace settlement did not fulfill Wilson's hopes of a world "safe for democracy." Without democratic traditions, people turned to authoritarian leaders to solve their countries' problems. The new democracies collapsed the dictators were able to seize power.
2. What are the characteristics of a totalitarian state?
A totalitarian state is a country with a government that maintains complete control over its citizens. Individuals have no rights, and the government suppresses all opposition. By 1939, Joseph Stalin had established a totalitarian government. Stalin took control over everything and was determined to eliminate anyone who threatened his power, even his most faithful supporters.
3. What factors led to the rise of Fascism in Italy?
By 1921, Benito Mussolini had accomplished creating a fascist regime in Italy. In 1922, Mussolini marched on Rome with thousands of followers wearing black uniforms. Their uniforms gave them the name "black shirts" Once the important government officials, police, and army sided with the fascist party, Mussolini was appointed head of the government.
4. What were the key ideas and goals that Hitler presented in Mein Kampf ?
In the book Mein Kampf, Hitler set fourth the basic beliefs of the Nazism that became his plan of action for the Nazi party. Nazism is based on extreme nationalism. Hitler dreamed of uniting all German speaking people in a German Empire. He also wanted to enforce racial "purification" in Germany. Hitler believed in an Aryan race, preferably blue-eyed blonds. Hitler had a dislike for anyone who wasn't white, especially Jews. Another element of Nazism was national expansion. Hitler believed in order for Germany to thrive, they needed more land.
5. Why did Japan invade Manchuria?
Japan decided to invade the Chinese province of Manchuria with a surprise attack in 1931. In Japan, nationalist military leaders were trying to take control of imperial Japan. They believed in the need for more land for a growing population, same as Hitler. In need of more land, Japan invaded Manchuria. Within several months, Japanese troops controlled the entire province.
6. What foreign countries were involved in the Spanish Civil War?
In 1936, a small group of Spanish army officers rebelled against the Spanish republic. Led by Francisco Franco, this became known as the Spanish Civil War. Fighting against Franco were the Americans. The Americans formed the Abraham Lincoln Battalion consisting of over 3,000 troops. Among these troops were African Americans still bitter about Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia. Franco, however, was backed by Hitler and Mussolini who sent troops, weapons, tanks, and fighter planes. Franco's victory in 1939 established him as the fascist leader of Spain.
7. What factors contributed to America's growing isolationism?
There were many factors that contributed to America's growing isolationism. Most Americans were alarmed by the international conflicts of the mid 1930's but believed they should stay out of it. Public outrage over a flood of books that argued that the United States had been dragged into World War 1, led to the creation of a congressional committee. The Nye committee made the controversy even worse by documenting large profits that banks and manufacturers made during the war. Americans because more determined than ever to avoid war. The Girl Scouts of America even changed the color of their uniforms to appear less militaristic.
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