history cold war and liberal international order

Cold War

Geopolitical tension between Soviet Union and US.

Yalta Conference

Meeting for post-war europe strategy among Russia, Britain, and America

Harry Truman

US President supporting anti-communism after FDR.

Potsdam Conference

Final meeting to discuss post-war Europe and the war against Japan

Eastern Block

Soviet-controlled states in Eastern Europe.

Containment

Truman's strategy to limit communism's spread.

Truman Doctrine

US support for nations threatened by communism.

Marshall Plan

US financial aid to rebuild European economies.

Berlin Blockade

Stalin's blockade preventing supplies to West Berlin.

Berlin Airlift

US airlifted supplies to West Berlin during blockade.

NATO

Military alliance of Western nations against Soviet expansion.

NSC-68

US policy to develop hydrogen bomb for military advantage.

Domino Theory

Belief that asian countries would fall to communism like dominos.

Korean War

Conflict between communist North and capitalist South Korea.

Mao Zedong

Leader of communist China after revolution.

Soviet Nuclear Weapons

USSR's development of nuclear capabilities post-WWII.

Proxy States

Countries controlled by a more powerful nation.

Chiang Kai-shek

Chinese leader supported by US against communism.

French Indochina

General region near vietnam where US intervened against communist movements.

Atomic Bomb

Nuclear weapon used by US against Japan.

Isolationism

US policy of avoiding international involvement.

Robust Economy

US economic strength post-World War II.

Mutually assured destruction

Military strategy preventing nuclear war through deterrence.

Dwight Eisenhower

US President focused on nuclear arms and anti-communism.

Hydrogen bombs

Powerful nuclear weapons developed by US and USSR.

NASA

US space agency created in response to Sputnik.

Sputnik

First satellite launched by the USSR in 1957.

Bay of Pigs invasion

Failed CIA-led coup against Cuba in 1961.

Berlin Wall

Barrier built to prevent East Berliners from fleeing.

Cuban missile crisis

1962 confrontation over Soviet missiles in Cuba.

Washington-Moscow hotline

Direct communication line established between US and USSR.

Nuclear test ban treaty

Agreement to halt atmospheric and underwater nuclear tests.

Vietnam War

Conflict between communist North and democratic South Vietnam.

Operation Rolling Thunder

US bombing campaign causing high civilian casualties.

Viet Cong

Guerilla fighters supporting North Vietnam against US.

Search and destroy tactics

US strategy alienating Vietnamese peasants during the war.

Tet Offensive

Major VC attack in 1968, shifting public opinion.

Anti-war sentiment

Growing opposition to Vietnam War by 1968.

Containment

US policy to prevent the spread of communism.

Detente

Period of eased tensions between US and USSR.

Eisenhower Doctrine

US support for Middle Eastern nations against threats.

Israel's nuclear power

Israel develops nuclear capabilities during Cold War.

LBJ's war powers

Johnson's authority expanded to escalate Vietnam War.

CIA intelligence doubts

Kennedy's skepticism after failed Bay of Pigs.

PLO

Palestine Liberation Organization opposing Israel's actions.

Ceasefire

Agreement to stop fighting, often temporary.

Nixon

US President known for pragmatic foreign policy.

Henry Kissinger

Nixon's advisor focused on realpolitik strategies.

SALT Talks

Negotiations to reduce US and USSR nuclear arsenals.

Sino-Soviet Split

Ideological rift between China and Soviet communists.

Vietnam War

Conflict where US supported South Vietnam against communists.

Ho Chi Minh Trail

Supply route for North Vietnam during the war.

Reescalation

Renewed military engagement after detente

Ayatollah Khomeini

Authoritarian leader opposing US influence in Iran.

Mujahideen

Afghan fighters resisting Soviet control in Afghanistan.

Al Qaeda

Terrorist organization evolved from Mujahideen fighters.

Taliban

Governing body in Afghanistan post-Soviet withdrawal.

SDI

Strategic Defense Initiative for satellite-based defense.

Gorbachev

Last Soviet leader promoting reforms and negotiations.

Chernobyl Disaster

Nuclear accident highlighting Soviet system failures.

INF Treaty

Agreement to eliminate certain nuclear weapons.

Glasnost

Policy introducing transparency and limited democracy in USSR.

Perestroika

Economic reform introducing capitalism in the USSR.

Tiananmen Square Massacre

Protests in China for reforms, met with violence.

Anti-American Sentiment

Negative feelings towards the US, especially in Iran.

Detente

Easing of tensions between US and USSR.

Carter Doctrine

US response to USSR intervention in Afghanistan, warned USSR not to interfere in persian gulf

Saddam Hussein

Leader who invaded Iran during the Iran-Iraq War.

Iran-Iraq War

Conflict initiated by Hussein's invasion of Iran.

Suppression of Nationalism

US actions against nationalist movements in the Middle East.

Middle East Nationalism

Desire for independent nations, often seeking USSR support.

Formation of Israel

US support to counteract USSR influence in Arab states.

Shah of Iran

Monarch willing to sell oil to the US.

Overthrow of Prime Minister

US intervention to promote monarchy over democracy in Iran.

Liberal International Order

Structured liberalism through international law and cooperation.

Atlantic Charter

First case of the liberal order promoting peace.

Westphalian Principle

Each nation has sovereignty over its own affairs.

Detente

Easing of tensions between the West and East.

Paris Charter

Post-Cold War commitment to liberal policies.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

Institution to prosecute individuals for international crimes.

Russia and China Violations

Actions undermining the established international order.

NATO Intervention in Serbia

1999 military action without UN approval.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Global trade organization promoting liberal economic policies.

Economic Liberalization

Global trend favoring free markets and trade.

UN Charter

Foundation supporting fundamental human rights globally.

Tension between Liberalism and Order

Conflict between advancing liberalism and maintaining order.

Human Rights Reforms

UN efforts to uphold rights regardless of identity.

Globalization

Increased interconnectedness of economies worldwide.