The Cold War Book Q's Chapters 1 and 2

The Cold War Reading Guide

Chapter One: "Origins of the Cold War"

1. What were the roots of the Cold War before 1941?

2. How did WW2 events influence the Cold War?

3. What were Russia's concerns after WW2?

4. What were the suspicions between the USSR and the US that added to friction between them after WW2?

5. What was the Munich Analogy? How was it relevant after the war?

6. What were Stalin's assumptions of the west after WW2? Were they correct? (P. 23)

7. Why was Truman viewed by the USSR as hostile? How did Stalin react? (25)

8. Document Case Study Questions #'s 1-5

Chapter Two: "The Cold War Takes Shape"

1. What were the main events during the years 1947-1951 that marked the crucial phase of the shaping of the Cold War?

2. Why did Britain ask the US assume the burden of support for Turkey and Greece in 1947? (35)

3. What was the significance of Truman's speech to the US congress in 1947? What was his argument and his rationale? What was the post-war mood in the US?

4. Explain the Truman Doctrine. 36

5. What was George Kennan's belief? How did Marshall apply it? What did Marshall propose in 1947? 36

6. List Marshall's objectives in his Marshall Plan. 36

7. What were the Soviets fears in relation to the Marshall Plan? Were they valid?

8. How did both sides misread the other? 37

"Soviet Responses"

9. How did the Soviet responses beginning in September of 1947 mark "the true onset of the Cold War"? What significant events did the Soviets precipitate in 1947 in Czechoslovakia, Poland and Hungary? 37

"The Berlin Blockade and NATO"

10. What were the conflicts surrounding Berlin and Germany in 1947? How did economic forces create the catalyst for action by Stalin?

11. What was Stalin's gambit in West Germany? Why did it fail?

12. What was NATO and according to Lord Ismay, why was the alliance formed? 39

13. Outside of Germany, list other events which ratcheted up the tensions between the west and the USSR. 39-40

"Global Confrontation"

14.  What events in Asia led to the Cold War becoming a global confrontation? 42

15. What was NSC 68?

"The Korean War"

16. What were the origins of the Korean War? 43

17. Why did Stalin support North Korea in 1950? What support did he give? 43-45

18. Once again Stalin misread a post WW2 situation. What factors, both domestic and foreign contributed to Truman's decision for "decisive action" in Korea?

19. How did Stalin's successor's change Soviet policy in 1953? 47

20. In the final paragraph, what events were the most significant in the Cold War buildup? Why?

Document Case Study #'s 1-5 (50/51)