Korean War and Cold War Events

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to the Korean War, the Cold War, and related events, based on lecture notes.

38th Parallel

The line that divided Korea into North (Communist) and South (American Community influenced).

Containment Policy

The US policy to prevent the spread of Communism, which Truman saw as being violated by North Korea's invasion of the South.

DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)

The agreed upon zone that splits North and South Korea after the Korean War.

Inchon

Site of Douglas MacArthur's counter-offensive during the Korean War.

Alliance for Progress

A program initiated by President Kennedy to improve relations with Latin American nations and counter the appeal of Communism.

Vienna Conference

First meeting of Khrushchev and Kennedy in June 1961, where Khrushchev sought to end the American occupation of Berlin; he viewed Kennedy as weak.

Cuban Missile Crisis

The closest the US and Soviet Union came to war, triggered by the Soviet Union's placement of offensive missiles in Cuba.

Naval Quarantine

Kennedy's response to the Cuban Missile Crisis, preventing Russian missile parts from reaching Cuba.

Dien Bien Phu

French military installation that was attacked by Viet Minh members impacting France's control.

Geneva Accords (Vietnam)

Agreements that ended French control over Indochina and divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Passed in August 1964 in response to North Vietnamese torpedoes at the USS Maddox, which gave the president the power to protect American forces and led to the escalation of American forces in Vietnam.