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Cold War
A prolonged period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, which began in the aftermath of World War II in 1947 and lasted until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, characterized by a struggle for ideological supremacy and military power.
Soviet Union
A constitutionally socialist state that existed from 1922 to 1991, comprising Russia and several other republics that were bound together by a single communist government and led by the Communist Party.
Joseph Stalin
The leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953, known for transforming the USSR into a major world power through rapid industrialization, as well as for his oppressive regime that involved widespread purges and political repression.
United Nations
An intergovernmental organization founded in 1945 after World War II to promote international cooperation, peace, and security, and to address global challenges such as human rights, development, and humanitarian issues.
satellites
Countries in Eastern Europe that were politically and militarily aligned with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, often under direct control or influence from Moscow.
Winston Churchill
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during World War II and the early years of the Cold War, famous for his rousing speeches and his role in rallying British resistance against Nazi Germany, as well as coining the term 'Iron Curtain' to describe the division in Europe.
Iron Curtain
A metaphorical term used to describe the ideological, military, and cultural barrier that separated the communist countries of Eastern Europe from the democratic nations of Western Europe during the Cold War.
containment policy
A foreign policy strategy adopted by the United States during the Cold War aimed at preventing the spread of communism beyond its existing borders, particularly in Europe and Asia.
George Marshall
The U.S. Secretary of State after World War II, instrumental in formulating the Marshall Plan, which provided economic assistance to war-torn Western Europe to rebuild and prevent the spread of communism.
Truman Doctrine
A pivotal U.S. policy established in 1947 that pledged to provide military and economic aid to countries resisting communism, marking a significant shift in American foreign policy towards active intervention.
Marshall Plan
An American initiative implemented in 1948 that provided over $12 billion in economic aid to help rebuild Western European economies after the devastation of World War II, aimed at stabilizing these nations and preventing communism.
Berlin airlift
An operation conducted from 1948 to 1949 in which Western Allies supplied West Berlin with food and fuel via air transportation in response to the Soviet blockade, demonstrating U.S. commitment to containing communism.
West Germany
The Federal Republic of Germany, established in 1949, which became a capitalist democracy and a key U.S. ally during the Cold War, in contrast to Soviet-controlled East Germany.
East Germany
The German Democratic Republic, officially established in 1949 under Soviet influence, characterized by a communist government and a centrally planned economy, often marked by significant political repression.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
A military alliance formed in 1949 comprising several North American and European countries, aimed at collective defense against aggression, particularly from the Soviet Union.
Warsaw Pact
A collective defense treaty established in 1955 between the Soviet Union and several Eastern European socialist states, formed as a response to NATO and promoting military cooperation among its members.
National Security Act
A significant piece of legislation passed in 1947 that restructured the U.S. military and intelligence agencies, leading to the creation of the Department of Defense, the National Security Council, and the Central Intelligence Agency.
arms race
A competitive buildup of weapons and military capabilities between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, characterized by the stockpiling of nuclear missiles and other armaments to achieve military superiority.
Douglas McArthur
A U.S. General during World War II and the Korean War, renowned for his command in the Pacific and his controversial leadership during the Korean conflict, advocating for aggressive military strategies.
Mao Zedong
The founding father of the People's Republic of China in 1949, a communist revolutionary whose policies, such as the Great Leap Forward, caused significant social and economic upheaval in China.
People’s Republic of China
The official socialist state established in 1949 under Mao Zedong, characterized by a one-party system and significant state control over the economy and society.
38th parallel
The latitude line that served as the demarcation line dividing North Korea and South Korea, established at the end of World War II and the site of considerable conflict during the Korean War.
Korean War
A military conflict that occurred between 1950 and 1953 in which North Korea, supported by China and the Soviet Union, fought against South Korea, backed by U.N. forces led by the United States.
John Foster Dulles
The U.S. Secretary of State under President Eisenhower known for his staunch anti-communism and advocacy for military strategies such as massive retaliation and brinkmanship.
brinkmanship
A strategy involving the willingness to push a dangerous situation to the edge of war or disaster, particularly associated with U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War.
massive retaliation
A military doctrine articulated by John Foster Dulles, stating that the United States would respond to any act of aggression from adversaries with overwhelming force, particularly nuclear weapons.
Korean armistice
The agreement signed in 1953 that brought about a ceasefire in the Korean War, effectively establishing the Korean Demilitarized Zone but leaving the Korean Peninsula divided.
Nikita Khrushchev
The leader of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964, known for his policies of de-Stalinization, his role in the Cuban Missile Crisis, and attempts to improve relations with the West.
Sputnik
The first artificial Earth satellite, launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, marking the beginning of the space race between the U.S. and the USSR.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
The U.S. government agency established in 1958 responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research.
U-2 incident
The shooting down of a U.S. U-2 spy plane over Soviet airspace in 1960, leading to heightened tensions during the Cold War and the capture of pilot Francis Gary Powers.
Fidel Castro
The leader of the Cuban Revolution who became Prime Minister and later President of Cuba, known for his establishment of a one-party socialist state and alignment with the Soviet Union.
military-industrial complex
The relationship between a country's military and its defense contractors, highlighting the vested interests in maintaining and growing military spending and influence.
Bay of Pigs
A failed invasion of Cuba in April 1961 by U.S.-backed Cuban exiles aimed at overthrowing Fidel Castro, which ended in embarrassment for the Kennedy administration.
Berlin Wall
A fortified concrete barrier erected in 1961 that divided East and West Berlin, constructed to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West and symbolizing the Cold War divisions.
Cuban missile crisis
A 1962 confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union over the placement of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
A treaty signed in 1963 that prohibited nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere, underwater, and in space, aimed at curbing the arms race and promoting disarmament.
flexible-response policy
A defense strategy implemented by President Kennedy that aimed to provide a range of military options, including diplomatic, conventional, and nuclear responses to aggression.
Non-Proliferation Treaty
An international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy, first opened for signature in 1968.
Henry Kissinger
An influential American diplomat and Secretary of State who played a key role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding China and the Soviet Union, during the Nixon administration.
detente
The easing of strained relations, especially in the context of the Cold War, characterized by visits between leaders and arms control agreements aimed at reducing tensions.
antiBallistic missiles (ABMs)
Missiles designed to intercept and destroy incoming ballistic missiles, developed as part of strategic defense initiatives during the arms race.
Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT)
Negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1970s aimed at limiting the number of nuclear weapons and delivery systems for both countries.
Loyalty Review Board
A board established by President Truman in 1947 to investigate the loyalty and background of U.S. government employees, particularly to identify possible communist sympathizers.
Dennis et al. v. United States
A Supreme Court case from 1951 that upheld the Smith Act, which made it illegal to advocate for the violent overthrow of the government.
Smith Act (1940)
A law enacted in 1940 that criminalized the advocacy of violent overthrow of the government, which was used during the Cold War to prosecute individuals with communist ties.
McCarran Internal Security Act
A 1950 law aimed at protecting the United States from subversive activities, requiring Communist organizations to register and restricting their rights.
House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)
A committee of the U.S. House of Representatives established to investigate disloyalty and subversive activities, particularly targeting communism and alleged communist sympathizers.
Alger Hiss
An American government official accused of being a Soviet spy; his conviction for perjury in 1950 heightened fears of espionage within the U.S. government.
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg
American couple executed in 1953 for conspiracy to commit espionage by allegedly passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
McCarthyism
A campaign against alleged communists in the U.S. during the early 1950s, characterized by unscrupulous investigations and accusations led by Senator Joseph McCarthy.
Harry S. Truman
The 33rd President of the United States, who made significant decisions during World War II, including the use of atomic bombs, and shaped early Cold War policies.
Employment Act of 1946
Legislation aimed at promoting maximum employment and economic stability, establishing a federal commitment to maintaining a healthy economy.
Servicemen’s Readjustment Act (GI Bill of Rights or GI Bills)
A law enacted in 1944 providing veterans with various benefits, including education and housing assistance, to facilitate their reintegration into civilian life.
baby boom
A significant increase in the birth rate that occurred in the United States following World War II, lasting from approximately 1946 to 1964, leading to notable demographic changes.
Levittown
A mass-produced suburban community in New York, established after World War II, symbolizing post-war housing trends and the American Dream of homeownership for the middle class.
22nd Amendment
A constitutional amendment ratified in 1951 that limits U.S. presidents to two terms in office, reflecting concerns over the concentration of power.
Taft-Hartley Act
A 1947 federal law that restricted the activities and power of labor unions, aiming to balance the rights of workers with the rights of employers.
Fair Deal
President Truman's domestic policy initiative aimed at expanding social security, increasing minimum wage, and ensuring civil rights for all Americans.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
The 34th President of the United States, who led during the 1950s and focused on containing communism, as well as domestic prosperity.
modern Republicanism
Eisenhower's approach to governance that aimed to maintain a balance between traditional conservative fiscal policies and social welfare programs.
Highway Act
Legislation from 1956 that provided federal funding for the construction of a national system of interstate highways, greatly influencing transportation and commerce.
New Frontier
The domestic program proposed by President John F. Kennedy, which sought to implement progressive reforms in education, healthcare, and civil rights.
beatniks
Members of a social and artistic movement in the 1950s characterized by rejection of conventional society, exploration of spirituality, and appreciation for jazz and literature.
Jackie Robinson
The first African American to play Major League Baseball in the modern era, breaking racial barriers and becoming a civil rights icon.
Committee on Civil Rights
A group established by President Truman in 1946, tasked with investigating civil rights issues and making recommendations for addressing racial discrimination.
Thurgood Marshall
The first African American Supreme Court Justice, known for his role as a lawyer in landmark civil rights cases, including Brown v. Board of Education.
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
The landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, marking a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement.
Southern Manifesto
A document written in 1956 by Southern politicians in response to the Brown decision, denouncing federal intervention in segregation.
desegregation
The process of ending the separation of different racial groups in public facilities, often targeting schools and public services.
Little Rock
The site of a 1957 crisis when nine African American students were forcibly prevented from entering Little Rock Central High School by the Arkansas National Guard, invoking federal intervention.
Rosa Parks
A civil rights activist whose refusal to give up her seat on a segregated bus sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and became a symbol of the struggle for civil rights.
Martin Luther King Jr.
A prominent leader in the American civil rights movement, known for advocating nonviolent resistance and delivering the famous 'I Have a Dream' speech.
Montgomery bus boycott
A successful campaign against racial segregation on public transport in Montgomery, Alabama, initiated by Rosa Parks’ arrest in 1955.
Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)
An organization founded in 1957 to coordinate nonviolent protests against racial segregation, led by Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders.
sit-in movement
A form of nonviolent protest initiated by students in the early 1960s where participants would occupy segregated spaces and refuse to leave until served.
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)
A civil rights organization formed in 1960 to coordinate student activism and promote nonviolent protest in the struggle against racial discrimination.
covert action
Secret governmental operations designed to influence events in other countries, often through espionage or support of opposition groups, without public acknowledgment.
Suez crisis
The 1956 conflict that arose when Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal, leading to military intervention by Israel, the UK, and France to reassert control.
Eisenhower Doctrine
A policy announced in 1957 that pledged U.S. economic and military assistance to Middle Eastern nations resisting communist aggression, enhancing American influence in the region.
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
A coalition formed in 1960 by oil-producing countries to coordinate production policies and stabilize oil prices, significantly impacting global economics.
Yom Kippur (October) War
A conflict that occurred in 1973 when Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel on Yom Kippur, leading to significant military engagements and subsequent peace negotiations.
oil embargo
A prohibition on the sale of oil, notably enacted by OPEC in 1973 as a reaction to U.S. support for Israel, causing widespread energy crises in the West.
Camp David Accords
Peace agreements brokered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter in 1978 between Israel and Egypt, leading to a formal peace treaty and establishing a framework for future negotiations.
Peace Corps
A volunteer program established in 1961 by President Kennedy, aiming to provide assistance to developing nations through education, health care, and economic development.
Alliance for Progress
A program launched in 1961 to foster economic cooperation and development in Latin America, aimed at countering communism by improving living conditions and stability.
