Cold War
A period of tension and competition between the United States and the Soviet Union from 1945 to 1991, characterized by ideological, political, and military rivalry without direct large-scale fighting.
Soviet Expansionism
The Soviet Union's efforts to spread communism worldwide and establish communist regimes in Eastern Europe after WWII.
The Truman Doctrine
A policy introduced by President Harry Truman in 1947 aimed at preventing the spread of communism by supporting countries resisting Soviet influence.
Berlin Blockade
An attempt by Stalin from 1948-49 to force the Allies out of Berlin by blockading the city, which heightened tensions with the West.
Ideological Differences
The fundamental conflict between capitalism (U.S.) and communism (USSR), leading to suspicion and misunderstanding.
Iron Curtain
A term used by Winston Churchill to describe the division between the Western capitalist nations and Eastern communist nations.
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, formed in 1949 by the U.S. and its allies, viewed by the USSR as a military alliance against Soviet power.
Arms Race
The competition between the U.S. and USSR to build up large arsenals of nuclear weapons, escalating Cold War tensions.
Korean War
The first direct military confrontation between the superpowers from 1950 to 1953, further escalating Cold War tensions.
Cuban Missile Crisis
A major event in 1962 that represented the peak of Cold War tensions between the U.S. and USSR over missile installations in Cuba.