Untitled Flashcards Set

Warsaw Pact

Soviet-led military alliance of communist nations formed in 1955, as a response to NATO.

Berlin Airlift (1948-49)

U.S. and allies airlifted supplies to West Berlin after the Soviet blockade.

Cuban Missile Crisis

1962 standoff between the U.S. and Soviet Union over Soviet missiles in Cuba.

Vietnam War

1955-1975 conflict between communist North Vietnam (with Soviet support) and non-communist South Vietnam (with U.S. support).

Korean War

1950-1953 war between communist North Korea (supported by China and the Soviet Union) and capitalist South Korea (supported by the U.S.).

Detente

Period of reduced tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the 1970s.

Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989)

Symbolized the end of the Cold War and the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe.

End of the Soviet Union (1991)

Official collapse of the Soviet government, leading to the end of the Cold War.

Joseph Stalin

Leader of the Soviet Union during early Cold War, key figure in shaping Soviet policies.

Global Polarization

World divided into two blocs: capitalist (U.S. and allies) vs. communist (Soviet Union and allies).

Arms Race

Competition between U.S. and Soviet Union to develop more powerful weapons, including nuclear weapons.

Proxy Wars

U.S. and Soviet Union fought indirectly by supporting opposing sides in conflicts around the world.

End of Colonial Empires

Post-WWII, former colonies gained independence, and Cold War powers sought influence in these new nations.

Formation of International Organizations

Like the UN, aiming to promote global peace and cooperation amidst Cold War tensions.

Containment

U.S. strategy to prevent the spread of communism during the Cold War.

Gorbachev’s reforms

Policies of Glasnost and Perestroika that contributed to the end of the Cold War.