US Containment of Communism: Historical Overview

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the U.S. policy of containment, significant events in Korea, Cuba, and Vietnam, and their broader implications during the Cold War.

What was the Truman Doctrine?

A U.S. policy established in (1947) to contain communism by providing political, military, and economic assistance to countries threatened by communism.

What was a key reason for U.S. intervention in Korea?

The U.S. aimed to stop the spread of communism due to the Domino Theory, fearing that if one country fell, surrounding countries would follow.

What caused the Cuban Missile Crisis?

The crisis was triggered by the discovery of Soviet missile installations in Cuba, which escalated tensions between the U.S. and the USSR.

How did McCarthyism impact U.S. society?

It heightened public fear of communism and led to widespread accusations and investigations of suspected communists in government and society.

What was the outcome of the Korean War?

The war ended in a stalemate with an armistice signed in (1953), leaving Korea divided at the (38)th parallel.

What was the significance of the Gulf of Tonkin incident?

It led to heightened U.S. military involvement in Vietnam after Congress granted President Johnson authority to act.

What were the consequences of the Bay of Pigs Invasion?

The invasion failed spectacularly, embarrassing the U.S. and increasing Cold War tensions, while also strengthening Castro's position in Cuba.

What is the Domino Theory?

The belief that the fall of one nation to communism would trigger the fall of neighboring countries, similar to a row of falling dominoes.

What event marked the beginning of U.S. involvement in Vietnam?

The U.S. began to provide support to the French in Vietnam during their struggle against the Viet Minh, especially after the Battle of Dien Bien Phu.

What was the impact of the Vietnam War on U.S. public opinion?

The war faced increasing opposition due to casualties, media coverage, and events like the My Lai Massacre, leading to widespread protests.

What was the purpose of the Marshall Plan?

An American initiative passed in (1948) to provide over (13) billion dollars in economic aid to help rebuild Western European economies and prevent the spread of communism.

What did the term "Iron Curtain" represent?

A metaphor used by Winston Churchill to describe the ideological and physical divide between the Soviet-controlled Eastern Bloc and the democratic Western Europe.

What was the significance of the Berlin Airlift?

A (15)-month operation from (1948) to (1949) where the U.S. and its allies flew supplies into West Berlin to bypass a Soviet land blockade.

What is NATO?

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a mutual defense alliance formed in (1949) by Western nations to counter Soviet aggression.

What was the Policy of Containment?

A Cold War foreign policy strategy using numerous strategies to prevent the spread of communism abroad, primarily advocated by diplomat George Kennan.

How did the launch of Sputnik influence the U.S.?

The (1957) Soviet satellite launch ignited the Space Race, prompting the U.S. to create NASA and increase funding for science and math education.

What was the significance of the Tet Offensive?

A series of major attacks by North Vietnamese forces in (1968) that served as a turning point in the war, greatly increasing anti-war sentiment in the U.S.