Crisis of the cold war 1955-1970

Crisis

Imre Nagy

Hungarian Communist leader who became unpopular with the party and was replaced in 1955, later restored to power during the 1956 revolt.

Right Wing Deviationist

Term used by Nagy's critics to label him as a traitor to Communist ideology.

Hungarian Revolution of 1956

A revolt against the Soviet-backed government, leading to Nagy's temporary restoration as Prime Minister.

Warsaw Pact

A military alliance of Eastern Bloc countries, established in 1955, which the USSR used to maintain control over its satellite states.

Khrushchev

Soviet leader who re-established control over Hungary by force after Nagy's reforms threatened Soviet dominance.

U-2 Incident

The shooting down of an American spy plane in 1960, escalating tensions between the USA and USSR.

Berlin Wall

A barrier built in 1961 to prevent East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin, symbolizing the division of Europe during the Cold War.

Containment

American foreign policy aimed at preventing the spread of Communism globally, particularly during the Cold War.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 1962 confrontation between the USA and USSR over Soviet missiles in Cuba, bringing the world close to nuclear war.

Prague Spring

A period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia in 1968, which was crushed by a Soviet invasion.

Brezhnev Doctrine

Policy stating that the USSR would intervene in any socialist country threatened by forces hostile to socialism.

Proxy War

Conflicts where two superpowers support opposing sides without direct military confrontation, as seen in Vietnam and Korea.

Deterrent Factor

The concept that the threat of nuclear retaliation prevents the use of nuclear weapons, contributing to a balance of power.

Eisenhower Doctrine

A policy pledging US support to Middle Eastern countries resisting Communism, reflecting the global nature of the Cold War.

Non-violent Resistance

Strategy recommended by Czech leaders after the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia to avoid conflict and casualties.