HIST 2340W Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Turkish Straits Crisis, X Article, Bolshoi Theatre
Document Summary
Background troops were in part of what is iran soviets trying to surround itself by friendly states after wwii agreement that allies would withdraw from iran by xx. Soviets supported rebel group in azerbaijan and assisted in creating a pro soviet republic. Soviets are bent of territorial aggrandizement according to americans, us needs to be vigilant. March 24, 1946 soviets announce they will withdraw their troops. Soviets demand that turkish government allow soviet ships to move freely through the straits without the turkish collecting any fees. Soviets argued that british controlled the suez, americans controlled the panama canal, so soviets should control a waterway of equal importance. Truman encourages turkey to resist, sends american naval units to mediterranean august 1946. Americans got what they want, but distrust of the soviets was kindled. [all in all, these are relatively minor crises, so what else happened that caused us to think we are at war with soviets?]
