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. 

Origins of the Cold War: Yalta Conference

1. Choose two points of agreement from the list and explain why they were significant for the future peace of Europe.      

First Point:     "The Big Three all agreed to join the new United Nations Organisation, which would aim to

keep peace after the war." This is a very important point because the U.N. is basically know for keeping peace between countries. The fact that the Big Three joined is significant to the future peace in Europe because these countries would then more likely stay out of conflict with Europe in the future.

Second Point: "As Allied soldiers advanced through Germany, they were revealing the horrors of the Nazi

concentration camps. The Big Three agreed to hunt down and punish war criminals who were

responsible for the genocide." This was an important point to the future peace of Europe because this could imply that such horrors having been done, may not be done again, and Europe is almost being protected from it happening once again. 

2. Read Sources 2 - 11 on pages 320 and 321. What is your overall impression of the Yalta Conference based on these sources?        Based on these resources my overall impression of the Yalta Conference is that everyone seemed to get along when they were at the actual conference but, most of the sources were writings after the conference. From these sources i feel as though everyone was sort of plotting against each other or Russia in general. For example, in Source 10, "Churchill ordered Montgomely to keep the German arms intact, in case they had to be used against the Russians." This is showing almost a secret plot against Russia.Then in source 4,"Stalin waved his hand over the Soviet Union and exclaimed, 'They [Roosevelt and Churchill] will never accept the idea that so great a space should be red, never, never!" This seems as though Stalin was trying to glorify his nation. 

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.