The Cold War rivalry between the USA and USSR intensified... Show more
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3 Dec 2025
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Jenny
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The Cold War rivalry between the USA and USSR intensified... Show more




The arms race began when the USA tested and used the first atomic bomb in 1945. The USSR caught up surprisingly quickly, testing their own atomic bomb in 1949 after investing enormous resources and tripling scientists' pay. This shocking development prompted President Truman to order development of the hydrogen bomb .
The H-bomb represented a terrifying escalation in destructive power - approximately 500 times more powerful than the atomic bomb. The USA tested its first H-bomb in November 1952, with the USSR following just nine months later in August 1953. Both superpowers then needed to develop delivery systems capable of reaching enemy territory.
By 1955, the USA had created the B52 Stratofortress bomber capable of delivering H-bombs to Soviet targets, while the USSR responded with their TU20 Bear bomber in 1956. This competitive weapons development became known as the 'arms race' - a contest to build the strongest arsenal.
Did you know? The arms race actually helped prevent a war in Europe. Despite having 3 million troops capable of seizing West Germany, Soviet leaders had witnessed the devastation at Hiroshima and Nagasaki and weren't prepared to risk US nuclear retaliation.
The arms race was paired with political organizations designed to control allied nations. Cominform (Communist Information Bureau), established in 1947, brought Communist Parties across Europe under Soviet direction and rejected the American Marshall Plan.

Cominform played a crucial role in enforcing loyalty to Stalin throughout Eastern Europe. It pressured Western European communist parties to oppose the Marshall Aid through strikes and protests, as seen in France in 1947 when 2 million workers demonstrated. In Eastern Europe, Cominform investigated any government official suspected of disloyalty, with Hungary seeing 5% of its population imprisoned by 1953.
The organization solidified the East-West divide and represented a direct response to the Truman Doctrine. Leaders who refused to follow Soviet direction faced serious consequences - Yugoslavia's Tito was expelled from Cominform despite being a communist, simply for maintaining independence from Moscow.
Comecon (established 1949) served as Stalin's economic alternative to Marshall Aid. This organization promoted trade between Eastern European countries and the USSR, creating dependency on the Soviet Union. The USSR used Comecon to encourage specialization - countries like Czechoslovakia and East Germany focused on heavy industry, making them reliant on other Eastern Bloc nations.
Remember this: Both Cominform and Comecon weren't just economic and political organizations - they were tools of Soviet control that created dependency and limited independence among satellite states.
Hungary under Matyas Rakosi (1949-1956) experienced brutal oppression. Rakosi, who called himself "Stalin's best pupil," was known to Hungarians as the "bald butcher." His regime imprisoned 387,000 people and killed 2,000 between 1949 and 1956.

When Stalin died in 1953, his successor Nikita Khrushchev made a "secret speech" in 1956 promising to end Stalinist oppression. This news spread quickly, inspiring Hungarians to take to the streets of Budapest in protest against Rakosi's brutal rule. As protests intensified, Rakosi fled and was replaced by the more liberal communist Imre Nagy.
Nagy initially had Khrushchev's support and promised Hungarians greater freedoms. However, when Nagy declared that Hungary would leave the Warsaw Pact, Khrushchev felt this crossed a dangerous line. If Hungary successfully left, other communist nations might follow, weakening Soviet power and creating a gap in the USSR's defensive buffer zone.
On November 4, 1956, Khrushchev ordered a massive invasion of Hungary with 200,000 Soviet troops and 2,500 tanks. The result was devastating - bitter street fighting left over 2,500 Hungarians and 700 Soviet troops dead. Nagy sought refuge in the Yugoslav Embassy but was later captured and executed in 1958.
Important context: The United States did not intervene to help Hungary despite the uprising. They were denied permission to cross through Austria to reach Hungary, and had no established plan for dealing with major uprisings behind the Iron Curtain.
The Hungarian Uprising's aftermath was severe. Around 200,000 Hungarians fled as refugees, and László Rajk, a pro-Soviet leader, was appointed to replace Nagy. The brutal suppression demonstrated the Soviet Union's determination to maintain control over its satellite states regardless of the human cost.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Jenny
@jennyy_bp
The Cold War rivalry between the USA and USSR intensified after World War II, leading to a dangerous nuclear arms race and political tensions across Europe. This period saw both superpowers developing increasingly deadly weapons while establishing organizations to control... Show more

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The arms race began when the USA tested and used the first atomic bomb in 1945. The USSR caught up surprisingly quickly, testing their own atomic bomb in 1949 after investing enormous resources and tripling scientists' pay. This shocking development prompted President Truman to order development of the hydrogen bomb .
The H-bomb represented a terrifying escalation in destructive power - approximately 500 times more powerful than the atomic bomb. The USA tested its first H-bomb in November 1952, with the USSR following just nine months later in August 1953. Both superpowers then needed to develop delivery systems capable of reaching enemy territory.
By 1955, the USA had created the B52 Stratofortress bomber capable of delivering H-bombs to Soviet targets, while the USSR responded with their TU20 Bear bomber in 1956. This competitive weapons development became known as the 'arms race' - a contest to build the strongest arsenal.
Did you know? The arms race actually helped prevent a war in Europe. Despite having 3 million troops capable of seizing West Germany, Soviet leaders had witnessed the devastation at Hiroshima and Nagasaki and weren't prepared to risk US nuclear retaliation.
The arms race was paired with political organizations designed to control allied nations. Cominform (Communist Information Bureau), established in 1947, brought Communist Parties across Europe under Soviet direction and rejected the American Marshall Plan.

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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Cominform played a crucial role in enforcing loyalty to Stalin throughout Eastern Europe. It pressured Western European communist parties to oppose the Marshall Aid through strikes and protests, as seen in France in 1947 when 2 million workers demonstrated. In Eastern Europe, Cominform investigated any government official suspected of disloyalty, with Hungary seeing 5% of its population imprisoned by 1953.
The organization solidified the East-West divide and represented a direct response to the Truman Doctrine. Leaders who refused to follow Soviet direction faced serious consequences - Yugoslavia's Tito was expelled from Cominform despite being a communist, simply for maintaining independence from Moscow.
Comecon (established 1949) served as Stalin's economic alternative to Marshall Aid. This organization promoted trade between Eastern European countries and the USSR, creating dependency on the Soviet Union. The USSR used Comecon to encourage specialization - countries like Czechoslovakia and East Germany focused on heavy industry, making them reliant on other Eastern Bloc nations.
Remember this: Both Cominform and Comecon weren't just economic and political organizations - they were tools of Soviet control that created dependency and limited independence among satellite states.
Hungary under Matyas Rakosi (1949-1956) experienced brutal oppression. Rakosi, who called himself "Stalin's best pupil," was known to Hungarians as the "bald butcher." His regime imprisoned 387,000 people and killed 2,000 between 1949 and 1956.

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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
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When Stalin died in 1953, his successor Nikita Khrushchev made a "secret speech" in 1956 promising to end Stalinist oppression. This news spread quickly, inspiring Hungarians to take to the streets of Budapest in protest against Rakosi's brutal rule. As protests intensified, Rakosi fled and was replaced by the more liberal communist Imre Nagy.
Nagy initially had Khrushchev's support and promised Hungarians greater freedoms. However, when Nagy declared that Hungary would leave the Warsaw Pact, Khrushchev felt this crossed a dangerous line. If Hungary successfully left, other communist nations might follow, weakening Soviet power and creating a gap in the USSR's defensive buffer zone.
On November 4, 1956, Khrushchev ordered a massive invasion of Hungary with 200,000 Soviet troops and 2,500 tanks. The result was devastating - bitter street fighting left over 2,500 Hungarians and 700 Soviet troops dead. Nagy sought refuge in the Yugoslav Embassy but was later captured and executed in 1958.
Important context: The United States did not intervene to help Hungary despite the uprising. They were denied permission to cross through Austria to reach Hungary, and had no established plan for dealing with major uprisings behind the Iron Curtain.
The Hungarian Uprising's aftermath was severe. Around 200,000 Hungarians fled as refugees, and László Rajk, a pro-Soviet leader, was appointed to replace Nagy. The brutal suppression demonstrated the Soviet Union's determination to maintain control over its satellite states regardless of the human cost.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user