Cold War and Related Historical Concepts

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the Cold War and significant historical events.

Decolonization

The process where colonies become independent of the colonizing country.

Political Socialization

The development of people’s political values based on influence such as family and education.

Foreign Policy

Relationships and actions between countries, such as the containment of communism.

The Milgram Study

A study demonstrating that people will follow commands given by authority figures.

Totalitarianism

A system of government that is dictatorial and has total control over the people.

Authoritarian

Demanding complete obedience from people and refusing them freedom to act.

Stalemate

A situation where further action or progress by opposing parties is impossible.

Nuremberg Laws

Anti-Semitic laws enacted in Germany that segregated German Jews from society.

The Berlin Blockade

A Soviet Union attempt to block access to Berlin sectors controlled by Western Allies.

Deutschmark

The monetary unit of Germany introduced in western zones after World War II.

NATO

An alliance made in April 1949 to secure against the Soviet Union.

The Marshall Plan

A program allocating money for Europe to rebuild after World War II.

Berlin Airlift

An operation to supply West Berlin following the Soviet blockade.

Warsaw Pact

A military alliance of communist countries created in response to NATO.

Anti-Miscegenation

Laws that criminalized marriage between different races, outlawed in Loving vs Virginia.

MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction)

A Cold War military strategy where both superpowers would retaliate with equal force if attacked.

Vietnam War

Conflict (1955-1975) where U.S. supported South Vietnam against communist North Vietnam.

Domino Theory

The idea that if one country falls to communism, others will follow.

Neutrality Act

Legislation that banned sales of weapons and loans to warring nations.

Korean War

Conflict (1950-1953) between North Korea (communist) and South Korea (democratic).

Brinkmanship

A foreign policy strategy of pushing a situation toward the edge of war.

Double V Campaign

A movement aiming for victory over fascism abroad and victory over racism at home.

Deindividualization

The process that reduces personal accountability, contributing to atrocities like the Holocaust.

Lend-Lease Act

A policy allowing the U.S. to provide aid to Britain without upfront payment.

Rosie the Riveter

A cultural icon used to encourage women to join the workforce during WWII.