H2 History Revision
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Paper 1 Source-Based Case Study

Cold War

A source-based case study on the Cold War. The notes captured centre on the Marshall Plan, containment, and the big-power conferences that shaped the early Cold War.

Key Points

Per sources A and B, the Marshall Plan carried an ulterior motive - it was designed to weaken the Soviet bloc.

  • The Soviet Union rejected the Marshall Plan and formed Cominform in 1947 in response.
  • George Kennan's Long Telegram (22 February 1946) argued for a policy of containment.

Key Timeline

  1. 1Tehran Conference - November to December 1943
  2. 2Yalta Conference - February 1945
  3. 3Potsdam Conference - July to August 1945
  4. 4Long Telegram - 22 February 1946
  5. 5Truman Doctrine - March 1947
  6. 6Marshall Plan announced - 5 June 1947
  7. 7Soviet rejection of the Marshall Plan and formation of Cominform - 1947

Key Concepts

  • Containment - the US policy of checking Soviet influence to stop the spread of communism.
  • Cominform - the Communist Information Bureau, the Soviet answer to the Marshall Plan.
  • The Truman Doctrine - the US pledge to support countries resisting communist takeovers.