The Cold War

Cold War

Ideological conflict between the US and USSR from 1945 to 1991.

Significance of 1945-1991

During this period, the US and USSR emerged as superpowers after the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Ideological Conflict

The clash between Communism (USSR) and Capitalism (USA) during the Cold War.

Proxy Wars

Conflicts in Asia, Africa, and Latin America fought indirectly by the US and USSR.

Bolshevik Revolution (1917)

The revolution that led to the establishment of a Communist state in Russia.

USSR

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, a one-party state under communist control.

USA

United States of America, a capitalist democracy.

Mutual Suspicion

Distrust between the US and USSR stemming from historical events like the Bolshevik Revolution.

Non-Aggression Pact

Agreement between Nazi Germany and the USSR allowing Hitler to focus on the West.

Stalinism

Political system under Joseph Stalin characterized by totalitarianism and state control.

Collectivization

Stalin's policy of consolidating individual land and labor into collective farms.

Five-Year Plans

Centralized economic plans in the USSR aimed at rapid industrialization.

Great Terror

Period of political purges in the USSR during the 1930s.

Operation Barbarossa

Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II.

Post-War Power Shift

Emergence of the USA and USSR as superpowers post WWII.

Military Superiority (USA)

USA became the leading air force power after WWII.

Military Superiority (USSR)

USSR became the dominant land force power post-WWII.

Economic Strength (USA)

US economy flourished after WWII, leading to global economic dominance.

Political Victory (USA)

Democracy viewed as a triumph over fascism after WWII.

Political Victory (USSR)

Communism seen as a successful ideology following WWII.

Yalta Conference (1945)

Meeting of Allied leaders to discuss post-war reorganization.

Potsdam Conference (1945)

Meeting that established the terms for the end of WWII.

Salami Tactics

USSR's gradual influence over Eastern Europe post-WWII.

Kennan's Long Telegram

George F Kennan's analysis of Soviet foreign policy and recommendation for containment.

Churchill's Iron Curtain Speech

Speech highlighting the division of Europe between East and West.

Truman Doctrine

US policy to support countries resisting communist subjugation.

Marshall Plan

US economic aid program for European recovery post-WWII.

Molotov Plan

Soviet response to the Marshall plan, focused on economic ties with Eastern Europe.

Cominform

Organization of Communist parties from various nations to coordinate actions.

Czechoslovakian Coup (1948)

Stalin's orchestrated takeover of Czechoslovakia's government.

Berlin Blockade (1948)

Soviet blockade of Berlin aimed at forcing Western powers out.

NATO (1949)

Military alliance formed among Western nations against Soviet aggression.

Warsaw Pact (1955)

Military alliance of Eastern Bloc countries in response to NATO.

Korean War (1950-1953)

Conflict between North Korea (supported by China and USSR) and South Korea (supported by the US).

Containment Policy

US strategy to prevent the spread of communism globally.

Vietnam War

Conflict seen as a failure of US containment policy.

Cultural Revolution

Mao's campaign to eliminate old customs and promote Communist ideology.

Sino-Soviet Treaty of 1950

Alliance between the USSR and PRC leveraging mutual interests.

The Great Leap Forward

Mao's economic campaign to rapidly industrialize China.

Tiananmen Square (1989)

Pro-democracy protests that were brutally suppressed by Chinese government.

Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989)

Symbol of the end of the Cold War and reunification of Germany.

Perestroika

Gorbachev's restructuring of the Soviet economy.

Glasnost

Policy promoting openness and transparency in the Soviet government.

Strategic Defense Initiative

Reagan's proposed missile defense system to protect against nuclear attacks.

The Cuban Missile Crisis

Confrontation between the US and USSR over Soviet missiles in Cuba.

Mutually Assured Destruction

Military doctrine that ensured both superpowers would not use nuclear weapons.

Reaganology

Strategies employed by President Reagan to counter Soviet influence.

Boris Yeltsin

Russian leader who played a key role in the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The End of the USSR (1991)

Marked by Gorbachev's resignation and the subsequent collapse of the Soviet state.

International Relations Post-Cold War

Shift to a unipolar world dominated by the US.

Nationalism in Eastern Europe

Resurgence leading to revolutions and independence from Soviet control.

Sino-American Relations

Tensions and cooperation between China and the US during the Cold War.

The Space Race

Competition between the US and USSR for dominance in space exploration.

Domino Theory

The belief that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would follow.

Proxy War

Conflict where two opposing powers support combatants that serve their interests.

Red Scare

Fear of communism within the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s.

McCarthyism

Political campaign against alleged communists in the US during the early Cold War.

Iron Curtain

Metaphorical division between capitalist Western Europe and communist Eastern Europe.

Mutual Defense Agreements

Treaties establishing military support between allied nations.

UN's Role in Cold War

Struggled to mediate tensions due to the superpower rivalry.

Soviet Influence in Eastern Europe

USSR's control over Eastern Bloc countries after WWII.

The Eastern Bloc

Group of communist states in Eastern Europe under Soviet influence.

Decolonization Post-WWII

Process of former colonies gaining independence, sometimes influenced by the Cold War.

Globalization of the Cold War

Spread of Cold War dynamics to various regions and conflicts worldwide.

Berlin Crisis (1961)

Heightened tensions leading to the construction of the Berlin Wall.

Détente

Period of eased tensions between the US and USSR during the 1970s.

The INF Treaty

Agreement to eliminate certain types of nuclear missiles between the US and USSR.

Oslo Accords

Agreements aimed at achieving peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Post-Cold War Conflicts

Emergence of new tensions and wars following the end of the Cold War.

USSR's Economic Decline

Factors contributing to the failure of Soviet economic systems leading to its collapse.

New World Order

The geopolitical landscape after the Cold War marked by US dominance.

Rise of China as Global Power

China's emergence as a significant world player following the Cold War.

Soviet Nationalities Policy

The governance of various ethnic groups within the USSR leading to independence movements.

Global Terrorism Post-9/11

Shift in focus of US foreign policy from the Cold War to combating terrorism.

Withdrawal from Afghanistan

Consequences of the Soviet retreat from Afghanistan leading to its weakening.

Influence of Ideology

Shaping of foreign policies based on competing ideologies of communism and capitalism.

The Role of Media

Influence of news and reporting during key Cold War events.

Rise of the Internet

Impact of digital communication on global relations post-Cold War.

Changing Nature of Warfare

Transformation in military strategies and tactics following conventional conflicts.

Post-Cold War NATO Expansion

NATO enlargement to include former Eastern Bloc countries after the Cold War.

What was the main cause of the Korean War?

The main cause of the Korean War was the division of Korea into two separate governments: the communist North backed by the USSR and the capitalist South backed by the USA.

What year did the Korean War begin?

The Korean War began on June 25, 1950.

What was the outcome of the Korean War?

The Korean War ended in an armistice on July 27, 1953, resulting in a divided Korea along the 38th parallel.

What was the main cause of the Vietnam War?

The main cause of the Vietnam War was the desire to prevent the spread of communism in South Vietnam, which was supported by the USA.

What year did the Vietnam War begin?

The Vietnam War is generally considered to have begun on November 1, 1955.

What was the outcome of the Vietnam War?

The Vietnam War ended on April 30, 1975, with the fall of Saigon, leading to the reunification of Vietnam under communist control.