Cold War & Post War America Test Review

What is the policy of containment?

A U.S. foreign policy aimed at preventing the spread of communism.

What was the U-2 incident?

The downing of a U.S. spy plane over the Soviet Union, which heightened Cold War tensions.

What is the United Nations?

An international organization formed after World War II to promote peace and cooperation among countries.

What was the Marshall Plan?

A U.S. initiative to provide economic aid to help rebuild European nations after World War II.

What is NATO?

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance formed to counter Soviet expansion.

What is the Domino Theory?

The belief that if one country falls to communism, neighboring countries will also fall.

What was the Cuban Missile Crisis?

A 1962 confrontation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union over Soviet missiles in Cuba, bringing the two superpowers to the brink of nuclear war.

What is the Warsaw Pact?

A military alliance of Eastern European communist countries led by the Soviet Union.

Who succeeded Joseph Stalin as the leader of the Soviet Union?

Nikita Khrushchev.

Who led the Communist faction in China's civil war?

Mao Zedong.

What was the significance of the Berlin Airlift?

A U.S. operation to supply West Berlin after the Soviet blockade, demonstrating commitment to containing communism.

What was the significance of the Truman Doctrine?

A policy that pledged U.S. support for countries resisting communism, marking a commitment to containment.

What was the Korean War?

A conflict between North Korea (with Soviet support) and South Korea (with U.S. support) from 1950 to 1953, reflecting the struggle between communism and democracy.

What was the significance of the iron curtain speech?

A speech by Winston Churchill that described the division between the Soviet-controlled Eastern Europe and the West.

What was McCarthyism?

A campaign against alleged communists in the U.S. government and other institutions, characterized by aggressive investigations and accusations.

What were the Venona Papers?

Documents that revealed Soviet espionage activities in the U.S. during the Cold War, confirming communist infiltration.

What was the significance of Sputnik?

The first artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, which initiated the space race and increased U.S. education spending in science and technology.

What was the Limited Test Ban Treaty?

An agreement that prohibited nuclear testing in the atmosphere, signed by the U.S., the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom in 1963.

What does brinkmanship refer to?

The practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping, particularly in the context of Cold War tensions.

What was the Bay of Pigs invasion?

A failed U.S. attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro in Cuba in 1961, which embarrassed the Kennedy administration.

What was the significance of the flexible response military strategy?

A defense policy that aimed to provide the U.S. with a range of options in responding to international crises, rather than relying solely on nuclear weapons.

What was the impact of the Cold War on U.S. education priorities?

Increased funding for science and technology education in response to the Soviet Union's advancements, particularly in space.

What was the significance of the hot line established during Kennedy's presidency?

A direct communication link between the U.S. and Soviet leaders to prevent misunderstandings and reduce the risk of nuclear war.

What was the Berlin Blockade?

A Soviet attempt to cut off access to West Berlin in 1948, which was countered by the U.S. and its allies through the Berlin Airlift.

What was the impact of the Cold War on the U.S. economy?

Increased defense spending influenced the business cycle and shaped economic priorities from 1945 to the 1990s.

What was the role of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)?

A committee that investigated alleged communist activities in the U.S., particularly in the film industry.

What was the significance of the Cuban Missile Crisis for U.S. foreign policy?

It reinforced the U.S. commitment to containment and highlighted the dangers of nuclear confrontation.

What was the significance of the Korean War for U.S. foreign policy?

It solidified the U.S. commitment to containing communism and demonstrated the willingness to engage militarily in conflicts.