Setting the Stage for the Cold War and Decolonization

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to the Cold War and decolonization as discussed in the lecture notes.

Cold War

A conflict that does not involve direct military confrontation between two or more rival states, such as the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

Decolonization

The process by which colonies gained independence from colonial powers after World War II.

Self-determination

The concept that countries should have the right to determine their own form of government and leaders.

Big Three

Refers to the leaders of Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union during World War II.

Tehran Conference

A 1943 meeting where Allies planned cooperation against the Axis powers and discussed post-war arrangements.

Yalta Conference

A 1945 meeting where Allied leaders discussed the reorganization of Europe after Germany's defeat.

Potsdam Conference

A 1945 meeting of the Big Three to negotiate terms for the end of World War II.

Marshall Plan

A U.S. program providing economic aid to European countries after World War II to help rebuild their economies.

Military-industrial complex

An informal alliance between a nation's military and the defense contractors who supply it.

Hydrogen bomb

A nuclear weapon that uses fusion, significantly more powerful than atomic bombs.

Ideological conflict

A clash between different ideologies, particularly capitalism and communism during the Cold War.

Arms race

A competition between nations to achieve superiority in the development and accumulation of weapons.

Anti-colonial movements

Efforts by colonized nations to gain independence and self-governance following World War II.

Soviet buffer zone

Eastern European countries under Soviet influence, established to prevent invasions from the West.

Atomic diplomacy

The use of the threat of nuclear weapons to influence the actions of other nations.

Nuclear stockpiles

The reserves of nuclear weapons held by a nation.