APUSH Vocab 8A/(some from 8B)

Cold War

Cold War

period of geopolitical tension between the US and the Soviet Union, along with their respective allies, from the end of WW2 to the fall of the USSR in 1991

• characterized by ideological, political, & military competition (notably without direct military conflict between the 2 superpowers)

• Instead of direct military conflict, the ________ was marked by proxy wars, nuclear arms race, espionage, and a variety of diplomatic manuevers

United Nations

international organization founded in 1945 after WW2 to promote peace, security, & cooperation among nations.

• replaced the ineffective League of Nations and was designed to prevent future conflicts through diplomacy, collective security, and international cooperation

Soviet Satellite (buffer) states

refers to Eastern European countries that came under the influence/control of the Soviet Union after WW2

• included countries like Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and East Germany

• Soviet Union established these ______ as a _____ zone between itself and Western Europe, providing a strategic buffer against potential attacked and serving as a form of defense.

• Soviet Union exerted significant political, economic, and military influence over these states, often installing communist governments sympathetic to Moscow’s interests.

• The term “_________” reflects the idea that these countries were politically & economically subordinate to the Soviet Union, aligning their policies & actions with Soviet directives.

Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech

speech delivered by British Prime Minister ___________ on March 5, 1946 in Fulton, Missouri.

• In this speech, _______ warned of the growing influence on the Soviet Union in Eastern Europe and described an “iron curtain” descending across the continent, separating the Soviet-influenced Eastern bloc from the Western democracies

containment/Truman Doctrine

1. refers to the foreign policy strategy adopted by the US during the early years of the Cold War

• it was formulated by diplomat George F. Kennan and aimed to prevent the spread of communism beyond its existing borders

• strategy emphasized the need to “contain” Soviet expansionist tendencies thru diplomatic, economic, and military means if necessary while avoiding direct confrontation with the Soviet Union

2. doctrine announced by President Harry S. Truman in 1947 & was a key component of the containment policy

• pledged to provide economic & military aid to countries facing internal or external threats from authoritarian regimes or communism

• was later used to justify US intervention in various parts of the world to counter percieved communist threats

Marshall Plan

refers to European Recover Program, a US initiative launched in 1948 to aid Western Europe in rebuilding its economies after WW2

• Named after US Secretary of State George Marshall and it offered financial assistance to European countries devastated by the war, with the goal of promoting economic stability; thus, fostering the likelihood for these countries to turn to democracy and preventing the spread of communism

Berlin Airlift

major international crisis that occurred in 1948-1949, during which the Western Allies organized a massive airlift to supply West Berlin after the Soviet Union blockaded all land and water routes to the city.

• was a response to the Soviet Union’s attempt to force the Western Allies (US, UK, & France) out of West Berlin (which was located in Soviet-controlled East Germany)

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

military alliance established in 1949 btwn several North American & European countries

• The alliance was formed in response to the growing threat of Soviet expansionism after WW2

• core principle of ______ is collective defense, which states that an attack against one member is considered an attack against all members. This principle was intended to deter Soviet aggression in Europe by demonstrating the unity & strength of the Western allies.

Warsaw Pact

military alliance established in 1955 among the Soviet Union & several Eastern European countries

• created in response to the establishment of NATO by Western powers in 1949

• primary purpose of this pact was to create a unified military command structure among its members and to serve as a counterbalance to NATO

Arms Race (for atomic weapons)

competition between the US and the Soviet Union to develop and stockpile nuclear weapons during the Cold War

• After the US became the 1st country to develop/use atomic weapons during WW2, the Soviet Union accelerated its own nuclear weapons program, leading to a period of intense rivalry/escalation

• Both countries sought to develop more powerful & advanced nuclear weapons

Chinese civil war

conflict fought btwn the Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang, or KMT), led by Chiang Kai-Shek and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), led by Mao Zedong

• was a struggle for control of China’s government & territory. The KMT was supported by the US/Western powers while the CCP had more support from peasants and promised land reform/social equality

Chiang Kai-Shek/Nationalists

Chinese political/military leader who served as leader of the Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang, or KMT)

Mao Zedong/Communists

Chinese communist revolutionary and founding father of the People’s Republic of China; ruled as the Chairman of the Communist Party of China

• emerged as a key figure in the CCP and led the party’s effort to mobilize peasants in rural areas and establish rural revolutionary bases

• successfully defeated the KMT during the Chinese Civil War which led to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949

Korean War

conflict from 1950-1953 on the Korean Peninsula btwn North Korea (supported by China & the Soviet Union) and South Korea (supported by UN coalition led by the US)

Dwight D. Eisenhower

prominent American military leader and statesman who served as 34th President of the US (1953-1961)

• best known for his leadership during WW2 as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe & played a key role in planning/executing the D-Day invasion of Normany in 1944

• As president, he pursued a moderate, centrist agenda known as “Modern Republicanism” which emphasized fiscal conservatism and a balanced approach to domestic & foreign policy

• oversaw the end of the Korean War, promoted the expansion of the Interstate Highway System, and warned against the growing influence of the military -industrial complex; also implemented policies to contain the spread of communism

John Foster Dulles and “brinkmanship”

American diplomat and politician who served as US Secretary of State under President Eisenhower

• played key role in shaping US foreign policy, advocating for a strategy known as “________”

_______ is a term used to describe a foreign policy approach that involves pushing a dangerous situation to the brink of disaster in order to achieve a favorable outcome.

• Dulles believed that the US could deter communist aggression by demonstrating a willingness to use nuclear weapons and escalate conflicts to the point of brinkmanship

Nikita Khrushchev

Soviet politician who served as the 1st Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers

• known for his efforts to reform and modernize the Soviet Union’s economy & political system

• launched a series of reforms known as the “Khrushchev Thaw”, which aimed to reduce the repression and censorship that had characterized the Stalin era, as well as improve living standards & increase agricultural productivity

Hungarian Revolt, 1956

nationwide uprising against the government of the Hungarian People’s Republic & its Soviet-imposed policies

• began as a student demonstration but quickly escalated into a popular uprising against the communist government & Soviet domination

• The Hungarian people, inspired by calls for freedom & democracy, demanded the withdrawal of Soviet troops, the establishment of a multiparty system, & greater political & economic freedoms

Sputnik

first artificial satellite launched into Earth’s orbit; was launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, marking the beginning of the space age and the start of the space race btwn the Soviet Union & the US

• its launch shocked the world and demonstrate the Soviet Union’s technological capabilities, leading to fears in the US of falling behind in science & technology

• led to increased funding for science & education, the establishment of NASA, and efforts to improve science and math education in schools; also fueled the space race

National Defense and Education Act (NDEA)

federal law passed by US Congress in 1958 in response to the Soviet Union’s successful launch of the Sputnik satellite.

• was aimed at improving the quality of education in science, mathematics, and foreign languages in the US, with the goal of enhancing national security and competitiveness in the Cold War era

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)

federal agency of the US gov responsible for the nation’s civilian space program and for aeronautics/aerospace research

• was established in response fo the Soviet Union’s successful launch of the Sputnik, which heightened Cold War tensions & sparked a space race btwn the US & Soviet Union

U-2 Incident

international crisis that occurred in 1960 when an American U-2 spy plane was shot down over Soviet territory

• heightened Cold War tensions and led to the cancellation of a planned summit between Eisenhower and Khrushchev

• this incident also exposed the US’ secret aerial reconnaissance program & prompted the Soviet Union to intensify its efforts to shoot down U-2 planes flying over its territory

Fidel Castro/Communist takeover of Cuba

revolution led by Fidel Castro and his supporters that culminated in the overthrow of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista

• Castro, a Marxist revolutionary, established a communist gov in Cuba, transforming the country into a one-party socialist state

• Castro wanted to end corruption, inequality, & US influence in Cuba and US viewed Castro’s gov as a threat

• This revolution sparked fears of communist expansion in Latin America & contributed to the Cuban Missile Crisis

“military-industrial complex”

close relationship and interdependence btwn military establishment and the defense industry

• term coined by Dwight D. Eisenhower and described the combined influence of the military, defense contractors, and government agencies involved in national defense and security

• Eisenhower warned of the potential dangers of this complex and that the growing influence of the defense industry and military could lead to undue influence on government policy and decisions

  • he cautioned against the unchecked expansion of this complex, suggesting it could threaten democratic processes and priorities

John F. Kennedy

35th President of the US; Democrat, youngest person ever elected to presidency, at the age of 43

• His presidency was marked by a number of significant events, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, Bay of Pigs Invasion, the Space Race, and the Civil Rights Movement

• He oversaw the establishment of the Peace Corps and the Alliance for Progress, aimed at promoting economic and social development in Latin America

• Was assassinated in Dallas, TX in 1963

Bay of Pigs Invasion

failed military operation undertaken by the US in April 1961 to overthrow the Cuban gov led by Fidel Castro. The invasion was carried out by a CIA-trained paramilitary group of Cuban exiles who landed at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba

• planned under Eisenhower’s administration but was executed under Kennedy

• Goal of the invasion was to overthrow Castro’s gov and establish a pro-American regime in Cuba. However, the operation was poorly planned and executed, and the Cuban exiles were quickly defeated by Cuban forces

• major embarrassment for Kennedy administration & US and exposed the US’ involvement in covert operations against Castro’s gov and damaged relations btwn US and Cuba

• led to increased tensions btwn US and Soviet Union, which supported Cuba

Berlin Wall

barrier that divided the city of Berlin, Germany from 1961-1989; was constructed by the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) to prevent the defection of East Berliners to West Berlin, which was controlled by the Western Allies and was a symbol of freedom and prosperity in contrast to the communist East

• represented the physical & ideological divide btwn communism and democracy

Cuban Missile Crisis

13-day confrontation in October 1962 btwn the US and the Soviet Union over the presence of the Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba; this crisis is regarded as one of the most dangerous moments of the Cold War and brought the world to the brink of nuclear war

• crisis began when US reconnaissance aircraft discovered that the Soviet Unoin was constructing missile sites in Cuba capable of launching nuclear weapons at the US.

• In response, President Kennedy ordered a naval blockade of Cuba to prevent further Soviet shipments of missiles and demanded the removal of the missiles already in place

• Crisis was resolved when Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for a US pledge not to invade Cuba and a secret agreement to remove US missiles from Turkey

Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

international agreement aimed at limiting the testing of nuclear weapons and was signed on August 5, 1953 by the US, Soviet Union, and the UK, and later joined by many other countries

• this treaty banned the testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, underwater, and in outer space. It did not, however, ban underground nuclear tests.

• this treaty was seen as a major step towards reducing the risk of nuclear war and limiting the spread of nuclear weapons

• significant moment in the history of arms control & nuclear disarmament; demonstrated a willingness on the part of the US and Soviet Union to work together to address a common security concerns & marked a shift towards more cooperative relations btwn the 2 superpowers during the Cold War

Second Red Scare

period of intense anti-communist hysteria and fear in the US during the late 1940s & 1950s, following WW2/early years of the Cold War

• was characterized by widespread suspicion of communist infiltration in American society and government

• fueled by a combo of factors such as: the rise of communist govs in Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union’s acquisition of nuclear weapons, and the spread of communism in China. Fear of communist subversion was heightened by the Korean War and the Soviet Union’s successful test of an atomic bomb in 1949.

• During this period, the US gov (led by Senator Joseph McCarthy & the HUAC) conducted investigations into alleged communist influence in government, the entertainment industry, labor unions, and other sectors of society. Many people were accused of being communists or communist sympathizers, and some were blacklisted or lost their jobs as a result

Loyalty Review Board

government agency established in 1947 by President Harry S. Truman thru Executive Order 9835; this board was part of the federal gov’s efforts to identify & remove potential security risks, particularly communist sympathizers, from the federal workforce during the early years of the Cold War

• this board was responsible for investigating allegations of disloyalty or subversive activities among federal employees and determining whether individuals should be dismissed from their positions

• the board used loyalty oaths, background checks, and interviews to assess the loyalty of government employees

HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee)

congressional committee established in 1938 with the mandate to investigate and exposed subversive activities, particularly those related to communism, within the US; this committee was especially active during the early year of the Cold War, when fears of communist infiltration & espionage were widespread

• this committee conducted highly publicized hearings in which individuals suspected of being communists/communist sympathizers were forced to testify

• these committee hearings often targeted individuals in the entertainment industry, labor unions, and gov agencies and those who refused to cooperate or who were deemed uncooperative were sometimes blacklisted or penalized

• Notably investigated alleged communist influence in Hollywood, leading to the blacklisting of many actors, writers, and directors who were suspected of having communist ties

Alger Hiss

American government official who served in the US State Department and was accused of being a Soviet spy

• He became a central figure in the anti-communist investigations of the late 1940s & early 1950s, particularly during the Red Scare & McCarthy Era

• He came under suspicion in 1948 when Whittaker Chambers, a former communist & Soviet spy, accused him of being a member of a communist espionage network operating in the US. Chambers claimed that ____ had passed classfied documents to him for transmission to the Soviet Union. ____ denied the allegations and maintained his innocence throughout the investigations

Julius & Ethel Rosenberg

American citizens who were convicted of espionage & executed in 1953 for allegedly passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union during WW2; one of the most controversial & highly publicized espionage cases of the Cold War era

• they were accused of being part of a Soviet spy ring that passed information about the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union, allegedly helping the Soviets to develop their own atomic weapons

• Their trial sparked widespread debate & controversy; their supporters argued that they were innocent victims of Cold War hysteria and that their trial was politically motivated. Critics, however, pointed to evidence that seeemd to implicate that they were involved in espionage activities

Joseph McCarthy/McCarthyism

US Senator from Wisconsin who became famous (or infamous) for his anti-communist activities and his role in the Second Red Scare

• he rose to prominence in 1950 when he claimed to have a list of 205 State Department employees who were members of the Communist Party.

• He accused the Truman administration of being soft on communism and launched a series of highly publicized investigations into alleged communist infiltration of the gov, military, and other institutions

• His tactics were widely criticized for their disregard for due process and civil liberties. Many of his accusations were based on flimsy or fabricated evidence, and his investigations ruined the careers of many innocent people.

• McCarthyism created a climate of fear & suspicion in American society, leading to widespread paranoia & the suppression of dissent