How did the Cold War begin between 1941 and 1958?
The origins of the Cold War: the Grand Alliance and the wartime conferences (Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam), the breakdown of trust, the Iron Curtain and Soviet satellite states, the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan, and Cominform, Comecon, NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
A focused answer to Key Topic 1 of Edexcel's Superpower relations period study, covering the Grand Alliance, the Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam conferences, the breakdown of trust, the Iron Curtain, the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan, and the formation of Cominform, Comecon, NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
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What this dot point is asking
This is Key Topic 1 of the Superpower relations period study: how the wartime allies became Cold War enemies between 1941 and 1958. You need the conferences, the breakdown of trust, the division of Europe, and the rival alliances and organisations. As a period study, the exam rewards explaining consequences and writing narrative accounts showing how one step led to the next.
The Grand Alliance and the conferences
The Iron Curtain and satellite states
The Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan
Rival organisations and alliances
Try this
Q1. What were the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. The Truman Doctrine pledged US support to countries resisting communism (containment); the Marshall Plan offered economic aid to rebuild Europe and resist communism.
Q2. Explain why trust broke down between the superpowers by 1948. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Disputes at Potsdam over Poland and reparations, Stalin's creation of satellite states behind the Iron Curtain, and the rival Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, Cominform and Comecon turned wartime allies into Cold War enemies.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of Pearson Edexcel exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Edexcel 20198 marksExplain two consequences of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan (1947).Show worked answer →
The Paper 2 period study "Explain two consequences" question (8 marks). Reward two clearly explained consequences, each developed, not a narrative.
Consequence one. They divided Europe more sharply. Stalin saw them as an attempt to spread US influence (dollar imperialism), so he refused to let Eastern Europe take Marshall Aid and set up Cominform to tighten Soviet control.
Consequence two. They committed the USA to containment. The Truman Doctrine pledged US support to countries resisting communism, so the USA was now permanently involved in opposing Soviet expansion, shaping the whole Cold War.
Top band. Two consequences, each explained with specific detail and clearly flowing from the policy.
Edexcel 20218 marksWrite a narrative account analysing the way relations between the USA and the USSR developed in the years 1945 to 1949. You may use the following in your answer: the Potsdam Conference (1945); the Berlin Blockade (1948 to 1949). You must also use information of your own.Show worked answer →
The Paper 2 "narrative account" question (8 marks). Reward a clear, analytical sequence showing how one event led to another, using the prompts plus own knowledge.
Sequence. Begin with the growing distrust at Potsdam (1945) over Poland and reparations, then the Iron Curtain and Soviet satellite states, then the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan (1947) which Stalin rejected, leading to the clash over Germany and the Berlin Blockade (1948 to 1949), ending with the airlift and the creation of two German states and NATO (1949).
Top band. Events linked with connectives (this led to, as a result), showing how relations worsened step by step, not just a list. Use both prompts plus own knowledge.
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Sources & how we know this
- Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) History (1HI0) specification — Pearson Edexcel (2016)