History·International relations since 1919 · NSSCO 5.1.4a
The origins of the Cold War & the Berlin Blockade
Narrated lesson · press play
How did two allies who had just defeated Hitler together become bitter enemies almost overnight? We'll see what the Cold War was, why the wartime alliance collapsed at the Yalta and Potsdam conferences, how the Soviet Union spread communism across Eastern Europe behind an 'Iron Curtain', how America answered with the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan, and how it all came to a head in the first great crisis — the Berlin Blockade and Airlift of 1948–49.
What you'll learn in this lesson
By the end you should be able to (NSSCO History 5.1.4a):
- Discuss why the USA-USSR alliance began to break down in 1945
- Explain how the USSR gained control of Eastern Europe by 1948
- Discuss how the USA reacted to Soviet expansionism in Eastern Europe
- Explain the consequences of the Berlin Blockade
- Determine who was to blame for starting the Cold War, the USA or the USSR
Loading your lesson…
You're watching a free 3-minute preview — create a free account to keep going.
Quick revision
Revise this in 5 minutes
Mr Peter and Mike talk through the whole topic — with the figure and working drawn live.