Course Content
7.1.1 The end of the Second World War
The end of the Second World War: Yalta and Potsdam Conferences; the division of Germany; contrasting attitudes and ideologies of the USA and the USSR, including the aims of Stalin, Churchill, Roosevelt, Attlee and Truman; effect of the dropping of the atom bomb on post-war superpower relations.
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7.1.2 The Iron Curtain and the Evolution of East-West rivalry
The Iron Curtain and the evolution of East-West rivalry: Soviet expansion in East Europe; US policies; the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan, their purpose and Stalin’s reaction; Cominform; Comecon; Yugoslavia; the Berlin Blockade and Airlift.
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7.2.1 The significance of events in Asia for superpower relations
The significance of events in Asia for superpower relations: USSR's support for Mao Tse-tung and Communist revolution in China, and the military campaigns waged by North Korea against the UN and by the Vietcong against France and the USA.
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7.2.2 Military rivalries
Military rivalries: the arms race; membership and purposes of NATO and the Warsaw Pact; the space race, including Sputnik, ICBMs, Polaris, Gagarin, Apollo.
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7.2.3 The ‘Thaw’
The ‘Thaw’: Hungary, the protest movement and the reforms of Nagy; Soviet fears, how they reacted and the effects on the Cold War; the U2 Crisis and its effects on the Paris Peace Summit and the peace process.
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7.3.3 Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia: Dubeck and the Prague Spring movement; USSR’s response to the reforms; the effects the Prague Spring had on East-West relations, including the Warsaw Pact; the Brezhnev Doctrine.
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7.3.4 Easing of Tension
Easing of tension: sources of tension, including the Soviets' record on human rights; the reasons for Détente and for SALT 1; the part played by key individuals Brezhnev and Nixon.
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GCSE AQA Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945–1972

 

Key Term

Definition

Détente

Period of improved relations and reduced tensions between the USA and USSR during the 1970s.

Cold War

Period of rivalry and tension between the USA and USSR after 1945.

Arms Race

Competition between countries to build more powerful weapons.

Nuclear Weapons

Weapons using nuclear reactions to create enormous destruction.

Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

Idea that nuclear war would destroy both sides completely.

SALT 1

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks agreement signed in 1972 to limit nuclear weapons.

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks

Negotiations between USA and USSR about nuclear weapons control.

Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM)

Missile defence system designed to destroy incoming missiles.

Leonid Brezhnev

Soviet leader during Détente and SALT 1.

Richard Nixon

American president who helped develop Détente and SALT 1.

Diplomacy

Managing international relations through negotiation rather than war.

Human Rights

Basic freedoms and protections people should have.

Censorship

Government control over information and media.

Political Opponents

People who oppose a government or political system.

Superpower

Country with enormous military and political influence.

Vietnam War

Conflict involving communist North Vietnam and the USA-backed South Vietnam.

Nuclear Deterrence

Preventing attack through fear of nuclear retaliation.

Summit

High-level meeting between world leaders.

Communism

Political and economic system where the state controls industry and wealth.

Capitalism

Economic system based on private ownership and profit.

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