Berlin Blockade Document Analysis

1. What type of document is this? What is its purpose?      
These documents are memos or "Memorandum" to the president. The purpose of these memos are to inform the president of the situation in Berlin at the time. 
 2. When was it written? Why is that significant?     
 These documents were written on June 30th 1948. This is significant because this is prior to the Berlin airlift, when supplies were brought in to supply citizens of Berlin.
3. Who created the document? Who received the document?     
 The Document was created by the CSI, specifically Hillenkoetter and was received by the president of the united States.
4. Who is Marshal Sokolovsky?     
 Marshal Sokolovsky was the head of Russian officials, he also started the meeting that is being referred to in the document.
5. How did the CIA get information of the meeting between Marshal Sokolovsky and German members of the German industrial committee?      
 The CIA got this information from a trusted person/spy. This is known because there is no name given but the information is said to be true and reliable.
  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, life travel restrictions on Berlin or "leave entire Berlin to west, giving them the rail line." The policy the Soviets pursued over the course of the next nine months was to have Berlin become part of the Soviet's zone in order to keep it from the West, and the other three options, were not necessarily options that could be executed. 

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 were basically America and anyone who decided with along side with America. This viewpoint shows that Stalin believed we were basically taking over everything in an unfair way and that we were becoming this huge "monopoly" perhaps against the Soviets. The allies were justified in cancelling the shipments of German reparations to the soviets at the end of WWII because Stalin was trying to make all countries go communist, and he really needed Berlin in order to do so, so cutting off such things made it hard for him to take over Berlin, seeing as America was in the way. The soviets relied heavily on Germany for food and industry because of their geographic location, seeing as the Soviet Union was along side Germany, as well as other countries take over by Stalin and turned Commie.  

The Berlin Blockade and Airlift

1. What is Source 37 (p. 75) saying about Josip Tito, leader of Yugoslavia?     
Source 37 is implying that Tito has obviously accepted help from America in the form of money. This is implied because of the Americans dropping coins into the leader's hands. This source is also showing that Tito may have betrayed his country by accepting financial aid, because of his cloak, marking him as a betrayer.
2. Why do you think Stalin was so hostile to Tito?        
I believe Stalin was very hostile to Tito because he had accepted help from America. This obviously would've angered Stalin because this was putting the country into a higher economic state, meaning the country would be less in favor of communism. This also gave America an upper hand because the Marshall Plan was working, at least with Tito.
3. Look back at the map in Source 27 on page 71. How does the geographical position of Yugoslavia help to explain why Stalin did not take any direct action (such as sending in troops) against Tito?     
The geographical position of Yugoslavia is right next to a bunch of countries, whom were against The Soviet Union in WWII; therefore Stalin not sending in troops was a good idea on his part, because these surrounding countries easily could have pitched in to fight against Stalin's troops.
4. Read Source 40 (p. 77). What reasons did the Soviet Union give for cutting off West Berlin?       
The Soviet Union said that there was technical difficulties, this being the reason for cutting off West Berlin. They cut off electric supply and a "shortage of coal was given as a reason for this measure"
5. Why do you think the USA did not believe these were genuine reasons?           
The USA did not believe these were genuine reasons because in reality, America was in control of the west, as said by the reading, "He could do nothing about the reorganization of the western zones, or the new currency, but he felt that he could stamp his authority on Berlin" Perhaps he didn't want part of America's guidance to get supply from the Soviet Union.
6. How do Sources 41–43 differ in their interpretation of the blockade?            
These sources differ in their interpretation of the blockade by the different perspectives of each of the sources. For instance, source 41 seems as though it is a mediating source, the source is neither in favor of one side or the other. However source 42 is much more on America's side, saying that we were resisting so much, but source 43 was in favor of the Soviet Union stating that America's plans had been reduced due to the USSR. All three sources give a different interpretation of the blockade.
7.  Which do you think is the most useful source for a historian studying the Berlin Blockade?       
I believe both source 42 and 43 are most useful for a historian studying the Berlin Blockade because these two sources are from both the perspective of America and the Soviet Union. This would give the Historian a better view of how people felt on both sides of the blockade.
8.  Which source do you think gives the most reliable view of the blockade?     
I think source 40 gives the most reliable view of the blockade because it is by a historian, and is not from a view which believes one side was greater than the other, therefore giving a more fair view of the blockade from both sides. This source is less likely to be exaggerated as well, so it could be more accurate in that way too. 

Iron Curtain Separates Europe

1. What is your overall impression of Source 26 (p. 70) and use extracts from the source to support your view. (No fence sitting; you must choose one but not both)      

• a reasonable assessment of Stalin’s aims based on the facts
• an overreaction to Stalin’s actions based on fear of and prejudice towards the USSR?        
My impression of source 26 is that this is a reasonable assessment of Stalin's aims based on the facts. As the source states, "not only is the soviet government prepared to co-operate with any non- communist controlled government in eastern Europe"  I find this to be an accurate statement; based on this quote, it is obvious that Stalin wouldn't let the countries in Eastern Europe just have their own government, because that's not what Stalin stands for. What Stalin would really like is for the countries to be communist like his, that way he wouldn't have to deal with other government types that he's not a fan of. 
2. Source 26 is a British source. Does it seem likely that similar documents were being produced by the American government?      
Seeing as America and Britain were more so on the same page and closer bonded compared to the Soviet Union with either of them, it would make sense that America was producing similar documents like source 26. In addition, there's no doubt that these types of things were discussed amongst both America and Britain, which would also imply that documents like this were being produced in America too. 
3. Study Source 27 (p. 71) and make a list of three different actions that Communists took to achieve power in eastern Europe. Explain how each factor helped.     

One of three actions that Communists took to achieve power in eastern Europe was that communists became the biggest party in 1947 elections, as well as imprisoning opposition politicians. This was helpful in achieving power in eastern Europe because if communism was leading in power, then everyone would be more willing to listen to Stalin as well as his ideas. Another step the communists took in order to take control of eastern Europe was that the communists took over Albania right after the war, therefore helping them by giving them one more country and more land. Lastly, in 1945 in Romania a communist prime minister was elected and y 1947 the monarchy there was abolished. This was helpful because it turned the country into a communist country just like Soviet Russia as well as getting rid of the monarchy making the country only communist. 

America Enters World War II

1. What impact did the outbreak of war in Europe have on U.S. foreign and defense policy?   
The outbreak of war in Europe's impact on U.S. foreign and defense policy for one was the cost of national defense. As the reading states, "Roosevelt asked congress to increase spending for national defense" Another effect the war in Europe had on the U.S. was that congress passed the first military draft and millions of men were to be registered. Lastly, since Roosevelt was reelected, Roosevelt's policy of aiding Britain was put into action.
2. Why did Roosevelt take one “unneutral” step after another to assist Britain and the Soviet Union in 1941?    
Roosevelt took on unneutral step after another to assist Britain and The Soviet Union because Hitler had gone back on his agreement with Stalin and invaded Soviet Russia. Roosevelt said he agreed with Winston Churchill "who has said,'if Hitler Invaded Hell' The British would be prepared to work with the devil himself"
3. Why was the Atlantic Charter important?   
The Atlantic Charter was important because it was a joint declaration of war aims. According to the reading "Both countries pledged the following: collective security disarmament, self- determination, economic cooperation, and freedom of the sea" This was obviously important because each aim of war is defined as to what it is and what the "rules of war" are. This also became the basis of the U.N.
4. Why did the United States enter into an undeclared shooting war with Germany in fall 1941?   
The U.S entered into an undeclared shooting war with Germany because a U-boat torpedoed the a U.S. ship and 11 lives were lost. A few days later another U.S. ship was torpedoed by a U-Boat and therefore the United States had just reason to enter and undeclared shooting war with Germany.
5. How was oil a source of conflict between Japan and the United States?   
Oil was a source of conflict between Japan and the U.S. because Japan decided to take over French Military bases, because of this the U.S. cut off trade with Japan because this was an act of aggression. By the U.S. doing this, they cut off oil along with other goods with Japan, and Japan needed oil in order to thrive as a country.
6. What problem would the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor solve for Roosevelt? What new problems would it create?  
The attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese would solve the problem of isolationists. Prior to the attack they had not been in full support of America and the war effort, but after the attack on Pearl Harbour the isolationists supported America completely, and America having declared war on Japan. One problem this attack made for the U.S. is having to fight wars in both the Atlantic and the pacific ocean. Another problem caused by this attack was the fact that Germany and Italy declared war on the United States shortly after they declared war on Japan. 

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 WWI failed because of a lack of democratic tradition, the failure of the treaty of Versailles, economic depression and devastation, nationalism, and desire for territorial expansion.
2. What are the characteristics of a totalitarian state?     
The characteristics of a totalitarian state is that individuals have no rights and the government"suppresses all opposition"
3. What factors led to the rise of Fascism in Italy?     
The factors that led to the rise of Fascism in Italy is that there was a huge amount of unemployment and strikes. The middle and upper classed people felt threatened by these and ordered to have a stronger leadership in their government.Mussolini took advantage of this and  gained most Italians support by making speeches of economic collapse and communism.
4. What were the key ideas and goals that Hitler presented in Mein Kampf ?      
In Mein Kampf the key ideas and goals that Hitler presented "the basic beliefs of Nazism" He also encouraged purification in the home, saying that specifically blonde hair and blue eyed people were to rule over the inferior races. Lastly, Hitler believed that more expansion was needed in order to "thrive" 
5. Why did Japan invade Manchuria?     
Japan invaded Manchuria because they had a similar idea to Hitler, that in order to thrive, they needed to expand, thus they invaded Manchuria in 1931. They were imperialistic and needed more land for a growing population.
6. What foreign countries were involved in the Spanish Civil War?     
The foreign countries that were involved in the Spanish Civil war were America (3,000 went to Spain to fight against Franco) the Soviet Union (Sent equipment and advisers)  According to the text "Hitler and Mussolini backed Franco's forces with troops, weapons, tanks, and fighter planes" 
7. What factors contributed to America's growing isolationism?      
The factors that contributed to America's growing isolationism is that America wanted to stay out of war because it basically had nothing to do with them, as well as the fact that they also wanted to stay neutral. The girl scouts even changed their uniforms to seem less militaristic.