Notes for Breakdown of the Wartime Alliance - IB | RevisionDojo
Breakdown of the Wartime Alliance Notes
Breakdown of the Wartime Alliance
In 1945, the Allies (USA, USSR, UK, later France) won WWII but had different visions for post-war Europe.
The USA and UK wanted democracy and capitalism, while the USSR wanted communist governments as a buffer zone.
Disagreements over Eastern Europe (especially Poland) led to mistrust.
The Iron Curtain speech (Churchill, 1946) symbolized the growing divide.
Early flashpoints: Yalta Conference, Potsdam Conference, and disputes over German reparations. The wartime spirit of cooperation was replaced by mutual suspicion and competition for influence.
Exam technique
Use both long-term and short-term causes in your analysis.
Connect breakdown of the alliance directly to the emergence of the Cold War.
Historiography
Traditionalist view: USSR caused the breakdown by expanding into Eastern Europe.
Revisionist view: USA was aggressive, using economic power to dominate Europe.
Post-revisionist view: Misunderstandings and security concerns on both sides.
Tip
Know three conferences (Yalta, Potsdam, one other) in detail.
Have at least one historian quote or interpretation ready for higher marks.
Emergence of the Cold War and Its Impact on Germany
Germany became the central Cold War battleground.
Disagreement over reparations, economic policy, and political systems between Soviet East and Allied West.
USA introduced the Marshall Plan (1947). USSR saw it as a threat and created COMECON.
Berlin Blockade (1948–49) was Stalin’s attempt to force Allies out of West Berlin; ended with the Berlin Airlift.
Formation of NATO (1949) and Warsaw Pact (1955) deepened division.
Common Mistake
Writing only about general Cold War causes without focusing on Germany.
Forgetting to mention economic factors such as the Marshall Plan, currency reform, etc.
Unlock the rest of this chapter with aFreeaccount
Nice try, unfortunately this paywall isn't as easy to bypass as you think. Want to help devleop the site? Join the team at https://revisiondojo.com/join-us. exercitation voluptate cillum ullamco excepteur sint officia do tempor Lorem irure minim Lorem elit id voluptate reprehenderit voluptate laboris in nostrud qui non Lorem nostrud laborum culpa sit occaecat reprehenderit
Definition
Paywall
(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.
anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Note
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.
Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident
Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit.
Tip
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.
End of article
Want a cheatsheet?
View a summary cheatsheet for Section 17: Post-War Western and Northern Europe (1945–2000)
Flashcards
Remember key concepts with flashcards
20 flashcards
What were the different visions for post-war Europe between the USA/UK and the USSR?
Lesson
Recap your knowledge with an interactive lesson
6 minute activity
Note
The end of World War II marked a significant turning point in global politics. The Wartime Alliance between the USA, UK, and USSR was primarily a marriage of convenience against a common enemy - Nazi Germany. Once that threat was eliminated, their fundamental differences resurfaced.
The USA and UK were committed to democracy and capitalism
The USSR sought to expand its communist ideology
AnalogyThink of the alliance like three people holding up a heavy table together. Once the table (Nazi Germany) was removed, they realized they wanted to build completely different things in its place.
NoteThe alliance was always fragile, held together only by the necessity of defeating Hitler.
