Cold War and Apartheid Movement Review

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the Cold War, the Anti-Apartheid Movement, and terrorism, aiding in the study and review of critical historical events.

Yalta Conference

Meeting in February 1945 of the Big Three to plan post-war Europe, resulting in the division of Germany and promises for free elections in Eastern Europe.

Atomic Diplomacy

The US attempted to use its atomic bomb to pressure the USSR, leading to increased distrust and the arms race.

Iron Curtain

Term coined by Churchill in 1946 to describe the division of Europe and the ideological separation between the East (USSR) and the West (USA).

Truman Doctrine

US foreign policy established in 1947 to contain communism by supporting nations resisting communist influence, particularly in Greece and Turkey.

Marshall Plan

US economic program initiated in 1948 that provided aid to rebuild Europe, aimed at preventing the spread of communism through economic stability.

Berlin Blockade

Soviet blockade of West Berlin's supply routes in 1948-49 that led to an Allied airlift of supplies, ultimately resulting in the USSR backing down.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 13-day standoff in 1962 between the US and USSR over Soviet missiles in Cuba that ended with the USSR withdrawing its missiles to avoid war.

Détente

A period in the 1970s characterized by the easing of Cold War tensions, exemplified by the SALT I arms control treaty.

Gorbachev's Reforms

Policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) aimed at modernizing the Soviet economy and reducing censorship.

Apartheid

System of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination established in South Africa in 1948, enforced by the National Party.

Sharpeville Massacre

A 1960 incident where police shot 69 peaceful protesters, leading to global outrage and the banning of the ANC.

Soweto Uprising

A student-led protest in 1976 against Afrikaans teaching in schools that resulted in hundreds of deaths and a surge in resistance against apartheid.

Nelson Mandela

Leader of the ANC, founder of MK, imprisoned for 27 years, and became a symbol of resistance against apartheid.

Al-Qaeda

Terrorist organization founded by Osama bin Laden in the late 1980s, known for suicide bombings and coordinated attacks, including 9/11.

Terrorism

The use of violence to achieve political goals, creating fear to influence governments and often targeting civilians, typically associated with non-state groups.