Balkans have been a competition area through the history, due to its geopolitical aspects such as being a trade route, providing access to hot waters for Russia, and letting European countries to reach Jerusalem and colonies. Although the area preserved its value, there was relatively peaceful period after the Second World War. What is the reason for environment of relative peace?
“No war” notion brought about by the bipolar system of the Cold War.
What are the differences between the “Western Bloc” and “Eastern Bloc” countries of “bipolar system” of the Cold War Era and how are the Non-Aligned Movement countries are different from these two blocks?
Eastern Bloc countries are Soviet allies which are members of Warsaw Pact Western Bloc countries are NATO members which are US allies. Non-aligned Movement countries are socialist countries which supported neither block, such as China and Yugoslavia.
What are the important events for Balkans during onset of Cold War from 1945 to 1953?
Disagreement between Allies during Yalta and Potsdam conferences, communist parties seizure of power in East Europe, declaration of Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan, establishment of CMEA/COMECON, Balkan Pact and Warsaw Pact.
How are the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan related to each other?
Both the Truman Doctrine and the Marshal Plan are based on economic measures towards the creation of the post-war liberal order and against the spread of communism.
How was the 1953-69 period during the Cold War defined as“Conflict, Confrontation, and Compromise”?
There was a conflict of nuclear armament in the beginning, followed by confrontation of the two superpowers through several incidents that might have led to hot war. But the possibility of destroying each other forced them to compromise, enabled not to occur a hot war and the solution of the problem through diplomacy.
How a détente was evoked in 1969 to 1979 period of Cold War Era and how did it end?
After the Cuba missile crisis, the possibility of destroying each other forced the superpowers to seek for diplomatic solutions leading to détente, which has ended with the occupation of Afghanistan by the USSR and the Iran Revolution.
How did the “Second Cold War” period from 1979 to 1985 ended?
Gorbachev’s “openness and restructuring” policy led to liberalization of the communist economy affected the USSR and the countries under its influence, and consequently; the communist administrations in these countries were overthrown.
What were the main elements of the Turkish foreign policy during the Cold War Era?
Strengthen the relations with US and the West by attending NATO, sending troops to Korea, signing Balkan Pact Entente and Baghdad Pact in 50s. More independent policy beginning from 60s, due to loss of confidence to US, multifaceted foreign policy in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean in the 1970s.
What are the keypoints of Greece’s foreign policy during Cold War Era?
Monarchist supported by the West came into power after WWII, became a NATO member, Bulgarian border defense until 60s loss of confidence to US/Britain due to Cyprus issue, leaving NATO military wing between 1974-180, becoming a member of EEC in 1981, normalization of relations with eastern Bloc countries in 70s.
What are the differences and similarities between Albania and the two other countries of Eastern Bloc, Romania and Bulgaria, during the Cold War Era?
Similarities: Communist regime, Warsaw Pact membership, similar transtion to Soviet style communism
Dissimilarity: Albania left Warsaw Pact and joined Non-Aligned movement
What are the keypoints of Albania’s foreign policy during Cold War Era?
-Albania established good relations with Yugoslavia and which was under the guidance of the USSR until the early 1960s.
-Detaching from the Eastern Bloc due to Soviet pressure in late 60s, Albania become closer and allied with China.
-Albania-China relations are also interrupted due to ideological differences and ended in 1976.
-Policies to become self-sufficient were followed then, until the end of the Cold War Era.
What are the keypoints in Sovietization of Romanian People’s Republic / Socialist Republic of Romania after the World War II?
German controlled until 1944, Soviet invasion between 1944-1947 until Romanian People’s Republic was proclaimed, SovRom establishments to exploit Romania’s underground resources.
What is the main characteristic of Romania’s foreign policy in the early period of the Cold War?
Stalinist policies until 1953, De-Stalinization beginning from 1953, acting against COMECON role of specialize in agriculture and exporting raw material, reforms to please its people after riots in Poland and Hungary in 1956.
What is the main characteristic of Romania’s foreign policy in the period of the Cold War after 1965?
Independent policies until 1968 until the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Soviets, improving economic relations with the West in 70s, Romanian nationalism and Soviet communism as domestic policies.
What is the main characteristic of Bulgaria’s foreign policy during the Soviet-Chinese struggle in 60s?
Unlike other Soviet satellite states, Bulgaria acted with complete loyalty to USSR instead of making room for themselves.
What are the keypoints in Sovietization of The People’s Republic of Bulgaria after World War II?
Similar to Romania, Pans-slavism led to Soviet communism, The People's Republic of Bulgaria proclaimed in 1947, close religious and racial backgrounds between USSR and Bulgaria, USSR was able to reach Aegean.
What is the status of Bulgaria at the end of the Cold War?
By the late 1970s and especially after 1984, the Bulgarian economy entered a period of structural crisis and Zhivkov’s nationalist communism ended in 1989.
What are the reasons for the Bulgaria’s oppression and migration policies, especially directed against the Turkish minority living in Bulgaria?
Opressive attitude of Eastern Bloc leaders in general, national communism flourished during Soviet-China conflict in 60s, USSR trying to pressurize on Turkey during Korea War.
What are the four basic principles established in the First Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Belgrade in 1961, for the countries to be accepted as a part of the movement?
Adopting a foreign policy based on coexistence and non-alignment; supporting national independence movements around the world; not being the part of any multilateral military alliances; not providing any military bases concerning the conflict between two power blocs.
How did Yugoslavia and Albania differ from other Eastern European countries, as they did not became satellites of the Soviet Union?
These two countries were not rescued by Soviet military from the Nazi occupation. They survived from the WWII depending on their own armies. Unlike in other Eastern European countries, the liberation phase was not passed, the countries were not subjected to Soviet occupation.