Cold War (updated 2025)

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Last updated 5:59 PM on 6/12/26
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31 Terms

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Cold War

a state of tension between two superpowers with no actual fighting; power struggle between the Soviet Union and the United States after World War II

<p>a state of tension between two superpowers with no actual fighting; power struggle between the Soviet Union and the United States after World War II</p>
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Soviet Satellites

The Eastern European nations that remained under the control of the Soviet Union after the Second World War.

<p>The Eastern European nations that remained under the control of the Soviet Union after the Second World War.</p>
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Containment

American policy of resisting further expansion of communism around the world

<p>American policy of resisting further expansion of communism around the world</p>
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Marshall Plan

a United States program of economic aid for the reconstruction of Europe (1948-1952)

<p>a United States program of economic aid for the reconstruction of Europe (1948-1952)</p>
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NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization; an alliance made to defend one another if they were attacked by any other country; US, England, France, Canada, Western European countries

<p>North Atlantic Treaty Organization; an alliance made to defend one another if they were attacked by any other country; US, England, France, Canada, Western European countries</p>
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Brinkmanship

the policy of pushing a dangerous situation to the brink of disaster (to the limits of safety), pushing dangerous situations to the edge of disaster rather than conceding

<p>the policy of pushing a dangerous situation to the brink of disaster (to the limits of safety), pushing dangerous situations to the edge of disaster rather than conceding</p>
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Arms Race

Cold war competition between the U.S. and Soviet Union to build up their respective armed forces and weapons

<p>Cold war competition between the U.S. and Soviet Union to build up their respective armed forces and weapons</p>
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Berlin airlift

Airlift in 1948 that supplied food and fuel to citizens of west Berlin when the Russians closed off land access to Berlin

<p>Airlift in 1948 that supplied food and fuel to citizens of west Berlin when the Russians closed off land access to Berlin</p>
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Berlin wall

A wall separating East and West Berlin built by East Germany in 1961 to keep citizens from escaping to the West

<p>A wall separating East and West Berlin built by East Germany in 1961 to keep citizens from escaping to the West</p>
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capitalism

An economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.

<p>An economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.</p>
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communism

A theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state.

<p>A theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state.</p>
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Cuban Missile Crisis

1962 crisis that arose between the United States and the Soviet Union over a Soviet attempt to deploy nuclear missiles in Cuba

<p>1962 crisis that arose between the United States and the Soviet Union over a Soviet attempt to deploy nuclear missiles in Cuba</p>
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detente

A lessening of tensions between U.S. and Soviet Union. Besides disarming missiles to insure a lasting peace between superpowers, Nixon pressed for trade relations and a limited military budget. The public did not approve.

<p>A lessening of tensions between U.S. and Soviet Union. Besides disarming missiles to insure a lasting peace between superpowers, Nixon pressed for trade relations and a limited military budget. The public did not approve.</p>
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domino theory

A theory that if one nation comes under Communist control, then neighboring nations will also come under Communist control.

<p>A theory that if one nation comes under Communist control, then neighboring nations will also come under Communist control.</p>
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Gorbachev

Soviet statesman whose foreign policy brought an end to the Cold War and whose domestic policy introduced major reforms

<p>Soviet statesman whose foreign policy brought an end to the Cold War and whose domestic policy introduced major reforms</p>
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invasion of Japan

japan was defeated but they wouldn't surrender. Bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

<p>japan was defeated but they wouldn't surrender. Bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.</p>
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Iron Curtain

A political barrier that isolated the peoples of Eastern Europe after WWII, restricting their ability to travel outside the region

<p>A political barrier that isolated the peoples of Eastern Europe after WWII, restricting their ability to travel outside the region</p>
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Japanese surrender

On September 2, 1945 the formal peace treaty was signed on board the American Battle ship Missouri.

<p>On September 2, 1945 the formal peace treaty was signed on board the American Battle ship Missouri.</p>
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Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

(MAD) During the Cold War if either US or the USSR was hit with a nuclear weapons they would respond with the same. The result in the total destruction of both the attacker and the defender.

<p>(MAD) During the Cold War if either US or the USSR was hit with a nuclear weapons they would respond with the same. The result in the total destruction of both the attacker and the defender.</p>
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North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

A trade agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico that encourages free trade between these North American countries.

<p>A trade agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico that encourages free trade between these North American countries.</p>
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Nuclear deterrence

the proposition that when the two nations possess the ability to inflict nuclear damage on each other, then neither nation is likely to use its nuclear weapons in the first place

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Post Cold War world

US engaged in military and peacekeeping interventions

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Superpowers

Name for the u.S. and Soviet Union after World War II because we were the two strongest countries in the world.

<p>Name for the u.S. and Soviet Union after World War II because we were the two strongest countries in the world.</p>
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Truman Doctrine

1947, President Truman's policy of providing economic and military aid to any country threatened by communism or totalitarian ideology, mainly helped Greece and Turkey

<p>1947, President Truman's policy of providing economic and military aid to any country threatened by communism or totalitarian ideology, mainly helped Greece and Turkey</p>
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United Nations

An international organization formed after WWII to promote international peace, security, and cooperation.

<p>An international organization formed after WWII to promote international peace, security, and cooperation.</p>
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Warsaw Pact

An alliance between the Soviet Union and other Eastern European nations. This was in response to the NATO

<p>An alliance between the Soviet Union and other Eastern European nations. This was in response to the NATO</p>
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Sputnik

First artificial Earth satellite; launched by Moscow in 1957; sparked U.S. fears of Soviet dominance in technology and outer space. It led to the creation of NASA and the space race.

<p>First artificial Earth satellite; launched by Moscow in 1957; sparked U.S. fears of Soviet dominance in technology and outer space. It led to the creation of NASA and the space race.</p>
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The Rosenbergs

Couple executed for giving military secrets to the Soviets in the 1950's

<p>Couple executed for giving military secrets to the Soviets in the 1950's</p>
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Joseph McCarthy

United States politician who unscrupulously accused many citizens of being Communists (1908-1957)

<p>United States politician who unscrupulously accused many citizens of being Communists (1908-1957)</p>
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McCarthyism

accusing people of disloyalty - saying they were Communists

<p>accusing people of disloyalty - saying they were Communists</p>
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Red Scare

fear that communists were working to destroy the American way of life

<p>fear that communists were working to destroy the American way of life</p>