SECTION IV — CONFRONTATIONS (Social Studies Study Guide 2025–26 (“From Yalta to Malta”).)

What caused the Berlin Blockade?

The Western Allies merged their zones and introduced a new currency, prompting Stalin to cut off land access to West Berlin.

How did the Allies respond? (to Berlin Blockade)

They launched the Berlin Airlift, flying supplies into West Berlin for 11 months.

Outcome and significance? (Allies response to Berlin Blockade)

The blockade was lifted in May 1949; it symbolized Western unity and solidified Germany's division.

Who were the opposing sides in the Chinese Civil War?

The Nationalists (Chiang Kai-shek) and the Communists (Mao Zedong).

Result? (of Chinese Civil War)

Mao's victory in 1949 and creation of the People's Republic of China; Nationalists fled to Taiwan.

Cold War significance?

Major communist victory, prompting U.S. containment focus in Asia.

What triggered the Korean War?

North Korea's invasion of South Korea on June 25, 1950.

Who intervened? (Korean War)

U.N. forces led by the U.S. aided the South; China and the USSR aided the North.

Result? (Who intervened? (Korean War))

Armistice at the 38th parallel (1953); no peace treaty.

Broader impact? (OF RESULT OF Korean War)

Strengthened NATO and militarized the Cold War globally.

What was the Berlin Crisis?

Khrushchev demanded Western withdrawal from West Berlin and recognition of East Germany.

How did it end? ( Berlin Crisis)

After tense standoffs, East Germany built the Berlin Wall (1961).

Importance? ( Berlin Crisis)

The Wall became the symbol of Cold War division.

What was the Bay of Pigs invasion?

A failed CIA operation using Cuban exiles to overthrow Fidel Castro.

Why did it fail? (Bay of Pigs invasion)

Lack of U.S. air support and poor coordination.

Effects? (of Bay of Pigs invasion fail)

Humiliated the U.S. and pushed Cuba toward the USSR.

What caused the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Soviet installation of nuclear missiles in Cuba.

How did the U.S. respond? (to Cuban Missile Crisis)

Imposed a naval "quarantine" and demanded removal.

How was it resolved? (Cuban Missile Crisis)

USSR withdrew missiles; U.S. removed missiles from Turkey and promised not to invade Cuba.

Outcome? (Cuban Missile Crisis)

Creation of the Moscow-Washington hotline and later nuclear test bans.

What divided Vietnam after WWII?

Geneva Accords (1954) dividing at the 17th parallel.

When did the U.S. enter the war? (WWII)

Escalation after the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident.

What was the Tet Offensive?

1968 surprise attacks by the Viet Cong that shocked U.S. public opinion.

How did the war end? (Tet Offensive)

U.S. withdrew in 1973; Saigon fell in 1975; Vietnam unified under communism.

Who led the Prague Spring reforms?

Alexander Dubček in Czechoslovakia.

What reforms were attempted? (Prague Spring reforms)

"Socialism with a human face" — loosening censorship and increasing freedoms.

Soviet response? (Prague Spring reforms)

Warsaw Pact invasion crushed the movement (August 1968).

Result? (Prague Spring reforms)

Reimposition of strict control; justification of the Brezhnev Doctrine.

What happened in Chile in 1973?

Socialist President Salvador Allende was overthrown by a military coup led by Augusto Pinochet.

What was the U.S. role? (Socialist President Salvador Allende was overthrown by a military coup led by Augusto Pinochet.)

CIA covertly supported opposition groups under the Nixon administration.

Why relevant? (Socialist President Salvador Allende was overthrown by a military coup led by Augusto Pinochet.)

Example of U.S. Cold War intervention in Latin America.

Who was responsible for the Cambodian Genocide?

Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge.

What happened? (Cambodian Genocide)

Nearly 2 million died from executions, starvation, and forced labor.

Why tied to Cold War politics? (Cambodian Genocide)

U.S. bombing destabilized Cambodia; Khmer Rouge were communist but later opposed by Vietnam (a Soviet ally).

What caused the Soviet invasion? (Cambodian Genocide)

Instability in Afghanistan's communist government and fear of losing influence.

Who opposed the Soviets? (Cambodian Genocide)

U.S.-backed mujahideen fighters supplied through Pakistan.

Result? (Cambodian Genocide)

Stalemate and Soviet withdrawal (1989); "Soviet Vietnam."

Who led the Solidarity movement?

Lech Wałęsa.

What did Solidarity demand?

Labor rights, free speech, and political reform.

Soviet reaction? (Solidarity movement)

Martial law imposed (1981), but Solidarity survived and later helped end communist rule.

What was Able Archer 83?

NATO exercise simulating nuclear escalation that the USSR misinterpreted as a possible real attack.

Why significant? ( Able Archer 83)

It nearly caused accidental nuclear war — revealed how paranoia and poor communication could trigger catastrophe.

What happened at Chernobyl?

A nuclear reactor explosion in Soviet Ukraine released massive radiation.

How did it affect Gorbachev's policies?(Chernobyl)

Led to more openness under glasnost due to public outrage over secrecy.

Global significance? (Chernobyl)

Increased anti-nuclear movements and distrust in Soviet management.

What caused the Wall's fall?

East German protests, economic collapse, and Soviet refusal to intervene.

Why symbolic? (Wall's fall)

Represented the collapse of communist regimes and Cold War's nearing end.

What marked the Cold War's end?

Malta Summit (1989) and the dissolution of the USSR (1991).

Main causes? (the Cold War's end)

Economic stagnation, Gorbachev's reforms, nationalist movements, and Western diplomatic pressure.