Cold War

Cold War

A period of geopolitical tension between the USSR and Western countries after WWII.

Fear of Communism: Red Scare

A period of intense fear in Western countries of communist influence and espionage during the early Cold War.

Iron Curtain

A term coined by Churchill describing the division between Western democracies and Eastern communist countries in Europe after WWII.

NATO vs WARSAW PACT

NATO is a military alliance of Western countries to oppose Soviet aggression; the Warsaw Pact is a Soviet-led alliance of Eastern communist countries.

Marshall Plan

U.S. economic aid to rebuild Western Europe post-WWII to prevent the spread of communism.

Comecon

Soviet economic organization to support Eastern bloc communist countries.

MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction)

Nuclear strategy where both sides possess enough weapons to destroy each other, deterring nuclear war.

Canada’s role in foreign affairs

Canada played peacekeeping roles during the Suez Crisis and participated in the Korean War as a UN member.

Candu Reactor

A technological achievement reflecting Canada’s innovation in nuclear energy.

Alouette 1 satellite

Canada’s first satellite, showcasing advancements in technology.

Avro Arrow jet

An advanced Canadian supersonic jet fighter developed in the 1950s and controversially canceled.

Vietnam War: Why did they go to war?

The U.S. entered to stop the spread of communism in Southeast Asia based on the Domino Theory.

Client War

A war where major powers support smaller countries to fight proxy wars, like the U.S. and USSR in Vietnam and Korea.

Napalm

A flammable liquid used in bombs and flamethrowers during the Vietnam War.

Agent Orange

A toxic herbicide used by the U.S. in Vietnam, linked to severe health problems.

Operation Rolling Thunder

A sustained bombing campaign by the U.S. against North Vietnam from 1965 to 1968.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

Alleged attacks on U.S. ships that led Congress to authorize increased military involvement in Vietnam.

Korean War

A conflict between North Korea and South Korea (1950-53), with international involvement.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 1962 standoff over Soviet missiles in Cuba that nearly led to nuclear war.

Kennedy Assassination & Lee Harvey Oswald

President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963; Oswald was arrested as the lone gunman.

Afghanistan and Russia - Osama Bin Laden

The USSR invaded Afghanistan in 1979; the U.S. supported mujahideen, including groups linked to Bin Laden.

Fall of the Berlin Wall

Symbolized the collapse of communist control in Eastern Europe and the beginning of the end of the Cold War.

End of the Cold War and Dissolution of USSR

The Soviet Union dissolved into 15 independent countries, marking the end of the Cold War era.

Glasnost and Perestroika

Policies by Gorbachev promoting government openness (glasnost) and economic restructuring (perestroika).

Canada and Minorities

Post-war Canada saw increased awareness and policy changes supporting multiculturalism and minority rights.

Lester B. Pearson

Canadian Prime Minister known for promoting peacekeeping and social programs.

John Diefenbaker

Strengthened Canadian sovereignty, opposed nuclear weapons on Canadian soil.

Pierre Trudeau

Advocated for a more independent Canadian identity and multiculturalism.

Joe Clark

Had a brief tenure focusing on economic and energy issues.

Reagan (USA)

U.S. president known for anti-communism policies and military build-up.

Brezhnev (USSR)

Soviet leader known for the era of stagnation and the invasion of Afghanistan.

Mikhail Gorbachev (USSR)

Last Soviet leader who introduced reforms and oversaw the USSR’s peaceful collapse.

Boris Yeltsin (USSR/Russia)

First president of the Russian Federation post-USSR dissolution, promoted democracy and capitalism.

Ho Chi Minh (North Vietnam)

Leader of North Vietnam who fought for unification under communism.

Suez Crisis

1956 conflict where Canada negotiated peace after Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal.

Domino Theory

Belief that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would follow.

Berlin Blockade

1948-49 Soviet attempt to cut off Allied access to West Berlin, resolved by the Berlin Airlift.

Satellite States

Eastern European countries under Soviet control: East Germany, Poland, etc.

Truman Doctrine

U.S. policy to support countries resisting communism, starting with Greece and Turkey.

Draft Dodgers (Vietnam War)

Men who avoided military service in the U.S. during the Vietnam War.

NORAD

North American Aerospace Defense Command; U.S. and Canada’s joint defense system.

ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile)

Long-range missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads globally.

Nuclear Parity

Balance of nuclear weapons power between U.S. and USSR to prevent conflict.

Baby Boom

Population increase from 1946–1964 impacting Canadian society.

Expo ’67 Montreal and Expo ’86 Vancouver

Major Canadian world fairs showcasing innovation and culture.

Countries Created by the Dissolution of the USSR

15 independent nations including Russia, Ukraine, and the Baltic states.