Cold War: US vs USSR, Containment, and Leadership Changes

What two nations were in conflict during the Cold War?

United States and USSR

What was the ideological conflict during the Cold War?

Communism vs democratic capitalism

What was the US's belief about communism?

It threatened freedom and democracy

What was the USSR's belief about capitalism?

It caused inequality and exploitation

What did the Iron Curtain symbolize?

The division between communist Eastern Europe and capitalist Western Europe

What was the containment policy developed by the US after World War II?

A strategy to prevent the spread of communism

What is the Domino Theory?

If one country becomes communist, others will follow

What was the Truman Doctrine?

Military and economic aid to countries resisting communism

What was the Marshall Plan?

Economic aid to rebuild Western Europe and reduce the appeal of communism

What is NATO?

A military alliance of democratic nations to protect against Soviet attacks

What was the political system of the Soviet Union during the Cold War?

Authoritarian one-party government with no free elections

What was the economic system of the Soviet Union during the Cold War?

Communist economy with state-controlled production

How did the US political system differ from the Soviet Union's?

Democratic government with free elections vs authoritarianism

What was the Soviet foreign policy during the Cold War?

Created satellite states and supported communist revolutions

What was the US foreign policy during the Cold War?

Practiced containment and formed alliances like NATO

What role did nuclear weapons play in the Cold War?

Led to an arms race and the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

What is deterrence in the context of nuclear weapons?

Fear of nuclear war prevented direct conflict

Who led the reforms that contributed to the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union?

Mikhail Gorbachev

What was glasnost?

Policy of more openness and freedom of speech

What was perestroika?

Economic restructuring to reduce government control

What was shock therapy in the transition from USSR to Russia?

Rapid switch from communism to capitalism

Who was Boris Yeltsin?

Leader of post-Soviet Russia who introduced capitalism and democracy

How did Vladimir Putin change Russia's government?

Centralized power, limited democracy, and expanded nationalism

What role did Lenin play in Russian history?

Led the Bolshevik revolution and established the first communist government

What role did Stalin play in Russian history?

Created a totalitarian state and industrialized the USSR

What role did Gorbachev play in Russian history?

Attempted reforms that led to the collapse of communism

What role did Yeltsin play in Russian history?

Led post-Soviet Russia and introduced capitalism and democracy

What role did Putin play in Russian history?

Restored centralized authority and reduced democracy