37 The Cold War

Flashcards summarizing key concepts and events related to the Cold War from U.S. history.

What was the main reason the Cold War was termed 'Cold'?

It never heated up into actual armed conflict between the superpowers.

What were the two superpowers involved in the Cold War?

The United States and the Soviet Union (U.S.S.R.).

What was the policy America used to prevent the spread of communism?

Containment.

Who introduced the concept of containment in a famous telegram?

Diplomat George F. Kennan.

What was the Truman Doctrine?

A policy pledging support to 'freedom-loving peoples' against communist threats.

What was the purpose of the Marshall Plan?

To use U.S. aid to combat economic instability that fostered support for communism in Europe.

What two major crises did the Cold War lead to with respect to Germany?

The Berlin Blockade and the subsequent airlift.

What year did the Berlin Wall get built?

1961.

What term was used to describe the intense anti-communist sentiment in the U.S. during the 1950s?

The Red Scare.

What was NSC-68?

A National Security Council report that called for a massive buildup of U.S. military power.

Who was Joseph McCarthy and what did he become known for?

A senator who falsely accused many of being communists and led the Red Scare.

What was the Supreme Court ruling in Dennis v. United States about?

It upheld the criminalization of being a communist leader.

How did the Cold War affect U.S. domestic policy?

It led to anti-communism which hindered the expansion of social policies like the Fair Deal.

What was a key effect of the Cold War on American society regarding its perception of freedom?

It defined freedom with an emphasis on government protection from destruction.

What did the U.S. infrastructure spending during the Cold War result in?

The development of the interstate highway system.