Untitled Flashcards Set

United Nations

An international organization founded by 50 countries at the end of World War II to secure international peace and security through discussion and collaboration.

Security Council

A component of the United Nations charged with intervening directly to preserve peace or protect lives.

Long Telegram

A telegram written by George Kennan that became the foundation for American Cold War policy.

Containment

The concept that the U.S. must work with allies to stop the spread of communism.

Iron Curtain Speech

A speech by Churchill that described the metaphorical divide between the West and the Soviet Bloc.

Truman Doctrine

A policy establishing that the U.S. must assist free people resisting subjugation by armed minorities or outside pressures.

NSC-68

A document outlining U.S. national security objectives, emphasizing the threat from the Soviet Union.

Marshall Plan

A financial aid program initiated to help rebuild Western Europe after WWII, spending 17 billion dollars.

Berlin Blockade

The U.S.S.R's action of cutting off access to Berlin in response to the division of Germany.

Berlin Airlift

The operation involving aircraft bringing supplies to citizens in West Berlin during the blockade.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

A military alliance created to provide collective security against the USSR.

Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)

An organization formed to combat communism in Asia, ultimately proving ineffective.

Chinese Communist Revolution

The revolution led by Mao in China, resulting in a communist government that allied with the USSR.

Korean War

A conflict that began in 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea, leading to U.S. military intervention.

Sputnik

The first Soviet satellite, marking the start of the Space Race.

Nuclear Arms Race

The mass development of nuclear weapons by the USSR and USA during the Cold War.

Massive Retaliation

A doctrine asserting that the USSR would face nuclear retaliation if it attacked the U.S. or its allies.

Mutually Assured Destruction

A military strategy whereby a nuclear attack would lead to total destruction for all parties involved.

Brinkmanship

A term describing the precarious position of the U.S. and USSR on the edge of war.

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

An agency created to handle national security interests abroad, prohibited from spying on U.S. citizens.

Operation AJAX

The CIA operation that resulted in the overthrow of Iranian Prime Minister Mossadegh.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

An unsuccessful CIA-led attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro in Cuba in 1961.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A confrontation in 1962 over Soviet missiles in Cuba that resulted in a U.S. blockade.

Capitalism

An economic system where trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit.

Socialism

A political and economic theory advocating communal ownership of production and distribution.

Communism

An ideology aiming for a classless society where all property and wealth are communally owned.

Joseph McCarthy

A senator known for leveraging the fear of communism to advance his political agenda during the 1950s.

McCarthyism

The practice of making unfounded accusations and intimidation in anti-communist efforts.

Executive Order 9981

Truman's order for the desegregation of the military, promoting equal opportunity and advancement.

Military-Industrial Complex

Term used by Eisenhower to warn against the potential threat to freedom posed by defense institutions.

Duck and Cover

A civil defense instruction taught to Americans on how to react in case of an atomic bomb detonation.