American History - Unit 8

The Cold War

A period of rivalry between the US and Russia from the end of WWII to the fall of the Soviet Union

Satellite state

Countries falling within the Soviet sphere of influence

Alger Hiss

A fellow spy who was working within the State Department; convicted of espionage and perjury (lying under oath)

The Rosenbergs

A married couple that was implicated in an investigation of weapons’ files shared with the Soviets. They were convicted of espionage and sent to death

domino theory

If Southwest Asia fell to communism, so would the rest of Asia.

Massive retaliation

A policy stating that the US would use whatever force was necessary to put down an aggressor nation, even nuclear

Mutually-assured destruction (MAD)

Neither side would want to use nukes because it would lead them to destroy each other in the end

Eisenhower Doctrine

The US would defend the Middle East against Soviet attack

Baby boomers

Baby’s born in the mid to late 50s, early 60s

De facto segregation

Based on customs and traditions

De jure segregation

Enforced by law