APUSH 8.2-8.3

What was the Cold War?

A long rivalry between the US and USSR fought through diplomacy, proxy wars, and arms competition — never direct military conflict; lasted from the late 1940s to 1991.

Describe Soviet-American relations before 1945.

Terrible; the US didn't recognize the USSR until 1933 and saw them as a Communist threat, completely distrusting Stalin, especially after his 1939 deal with Hitler.

Why were the Soviets annoyed with the Allies during WWII?

The US and Britain didn't open a second front in France until 1944, causing the Soviets to bear the brunt of fighting the Nazis.

What tension emerged at Potsdam and Yalta negotiations?

Disagreements over Eastern Europe's future regarding free elections and self-determination.

How did Truman feel about Stalin?

Very suspicious and distrustful; he felt tired of 'babying' the Soviets.

What was the UN Security Council?

A 15-member body responsible for maintaining international security and authorizing peacekeeping missions.

Which countries had permanent membership in the UN Security Council?

The US, UK, France, China, and the USSR, each having a permanent seat and veto power.

What was the Braun plan?

A US proposal to regulate nuclear energy and eliminate atomic weapons through the UN.

Why did the US view the USSR's rejection of the Braun plan negatively?

They interpreted it as proof of the USSR's lack of peaceful intentions.

What was the purpose of the World Bank?

To fund the rebuilding of war-torn countries after WWII.

Why did the Soviets reject participation in the World Bank?

They saw it as a tool of capitalism.

Where did the Soviet Union continue to occupy after WWII?

Central and Eastern Europe.

What were the results of the elections held by the Soviets in these countries?

They were rigged in favor of Communist candidates.

Which countries became Soviet satellites?

Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia.

What did the other Allies believe about Soviet actions in Eastern Europe?

They viewed them as a violation of self-determination, genuine democracy, and open markets.

Which countries occupied Germany?

The US, USSR, France, and Britain each had a zone.

What was the German Democratic Republic?

The Communist state that emerged from the Soviet-occupied eastern zone of Germany.

Why did the US believe Germany should not pay reparations?

They thought Germany's economic recovery was key to stability in Central Europe.

What did the Soviets try to do in Berlin?

Force the US, Britain, and France out of their sectors of the city.

What two events encouraged Truman's tough policy against the Soviets?

A Canadian spy ring stealing atomic secrets and the Soviets occupying northern Iran.

What did Winston Churchill's 'Iron Curtain' refer to?

The divide between the free democratic West and the Soviet-controlled Communist East.

What did Churchill urge Western democracies to do?

Partner together to stop the spread of communism.

What was the Containment strategy?

A plan to stop Soviet expansion without going to war, developed by Marshall, Acheson, and Kennan.

Critics of containment argued it was…

Too broad – not every region was vital to US security.

Supporters of containment claimed…

Appeasing dictators never works and Communist aggression must be challenged.

What were the first two implementations of the Containment policy?

A Communist uprising in Greece and Soviet pressure on Turkey.

What did Truman request in his Truman Doctrine?

$400 million in aid for Greece and Turkey to resist Communist pressure.

What was the Marshall Plan?

A $17 billion US aid program to rebuild Western European economies.

Why did the USSR and its satellites deny participation in the Marshall Plan?

They feared becoming economically dependent on the US.

What were the results of the Marshall Plan?

Western Europe recovered economically, Communist threat faded, but East-West divide deepened.

What happened in June 1948?

The Soviets cut off all land access to West Berlin.

How did President Truman respond to the Berlin blockade?

He launched a massive airlift to fly supplies into West Berlin.

What was the outcome after the Soviet blockade ended?

Germany was permanently split into West Germany (US ally) and East Germany (Soviet satellite).

What organization marked the end of the US policy of not forming permanent alliances?

NATO.

What was NATO's goal?

A military alliance where an attack on one member was an attack on all, to defend against Soviet aggression.

Why were troops stationed in Western Europe?

To deter a Soviet invasion.

How did the Soviet Union respond to the formation of NATO?

They formed the Warsaw Pact in 1955.

What was instituted with the National Security Act of 1947?

The Department of Defense, National Security Council (NSC), and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

What did the Selective Service System establish?

A peacetime military draft.

How did Truman react to the USSR's development of an A-bomb?

He approved the development of the hydrogen bomb.

What did the National Security Council (NSC-68) recommend to fight the Cold War?

Quadruple defense spending, convince Americans of the necessity of arms buildup, and build alliances with non-Communist nations.

What did critics say about Truman and NATO?

That the US intensified Soviet fears and started an unnecessary arms race.

What was the long-term impact of NATO?

It successfully deterred Soviet expansion into Western Europe.

What did General Douglas MacArthur establish in Japan?

A parliamentary democracy under a new 1947 constitution.

What did the emperor of Japan give up post-WWII?

His claims to divinity.

What did Japan's new constitution establish?

Japan renounced war and could only maintain limited military capability.

Who controlled China's central government during WWII?

Chiang Kai-shek of the Nationalist (Kuomintang) party.

Why did the US provide aid to China during WWII?

To prevent Japan from conquering all of China.

What continued in China after WWII?

A civil war between Chiang's Nationalists and Mao Zedong's Communists.

Why were the nationalists losing support in China?

Base on runaway inflation and corruption.

Who supported the Communists in China?

Poor, landless peasants.

What happened to most US aid sent to the Nationalists?

80% ended up in Communist hands due to corruption.

By 1949, who controlled all of mainland China?

Mao Zedong and the Communists.

Where did the Nationalists flee after losing in China?

To Taiwan (Formosa).

What occurred in Korea post-Japan's WWII loss?

Korea was divided at the 38th parallel; Soviets in the north, US in the south.

What happened in June 1950 in Korea?

North Korea invaded South Korea.

What did the UN do in response to North Korea's invasion?

Authorized a military force to defend South Korea.

Why did Congress support UN action in Korea?

Truman termed it a 'police action,' avoiding a formal war declaration.

What significant military action did General MacArthur take in Korea?

Launched a surprise amphibious attack at Inchon.

How did China respond to UN forces at their border?

They sent massive troops into Korea, overwhelming UN forces.

What did MacArthur want regarding the conflict in Korea?

To expand the war — bomb and invade mainland China.

Why was MacArthur recalled?

For publicly criticizing US policy after being instructed not to.

How did the public react to MacArthur's recall?

Most sided with him, resonating with his aggressive stance.

Why did peace talks begin in Korea in 1951?

The war reached a stalemate near the 38th parallel.

Why is Truman's containment policy considered successful in Korea?

It stopped Communist aggression without escalating into a world war.

What did the Republicans accuse Truman and the Democrats of?

Being 'soft on communism' due to the Korean stalemate.

Who won the 1952 election?

Dwight D. Eisenhower (Republican).

Describe Eisenhower's Secretary of State's belief about containment.

John Foster Dulles believed containment was too passive; he wanted to actively liberate Communist-controlled countries.

What was brinkmanship?

Pushing the Soviets to the brink of war to compel them to back down.

Militarily, what did Dulles focus on?

Nuclear weapons and air power over conventional forces.

What was the fear regarding the policy of mass retaliation?

With the Soviets acquiring an H-bomb, it risked mutual destruction.

What were 'bushfire' wars?

Small proxy conflicts in developing nations supported by the US and USSR.

What events led to an armistice in Korea?

Diplomacy, the threat of nuclear escalation, and Stalin's death.

How did US-Soviet relations change after Stalin's death?

The USSR pulled troops from Austria and improved relations with Greece and Turkey.

What ideas were proposed at the Geneva convention in 1955?

Eisenhower proposed an 'open-skies' plan for mutual aerial surveillance.

Did the USSR accept the Open Sky policy?

No, the Soviets rejected it.

Who led the USSR after Stalin and what did he call for?

Nikita Khrushchev called for 'peaceful coexistence' and denounced Stalin's crimes.

What caused the Hungarian Revolt?

The relaxation of Cold War tensions led to a full uprising in Hungary.

How did the USSR respond to the Hungarian Revolt?

Sent in Soviet tanks to crush the revolt.

What shocked America in 1957?

The Soviet launch of Sputnik I and II, showing technical advancement.

What did the US do in response to Sputnik's launch?

Passed the National Defense Education Act and created NASA.

What pressure did the USSR apply regarding US troops in West Germany?

Khrushchev demanded the West withdraw from West Berlin.

How was the crisis between the US and USSR resolved?

Eisenhower invited Khrushchev to the US, leading to a planned summit.

What did the U-2 incident reveal?

The US had been flying spy planes over Soviet territory.

What was Khrushchev's reaction to the U-2 incident?

He denounced the US and walked out of the Paris summit.

Who became the leader of Cuba in 1959?

Fidel Castro.

How did the US respond to Castro nationalizing US businesses in Cuba?

The US cut off trade with Cuba.

What support did Cuba seek after US actions?

They turned to the Soviet Union for support.

What was Eisenhower's initiative toward Cold War thawing in 1958?

He suspended above-ground nuclear testing.

What was the military-industrial complex?

The alliance between military and defense industries benefiting from the arms race.

Who was elected in 1960?

John F. Kennedy.

What event was Kennedy involved in, which became a failure?

The Bay of Pigs invasion.

What did the Berlin Wall aim to prevent?

East Germans fleeing to West Germany through Berlin.

What did Castro do after the Bay of Pigs?

Sought more Soviet aid and strengthened his power.

How did Kennedy respond to the missile sites in Cuba?

Announced a naval blockade and demanded their removal.

How was the Cuban Missile Crisis resolved?

Khrushchev agreed to remove missiles in exchange for a pledge not to invade Cuba.

What established direct communication between the US and USSR after the crisis?

A direct telecommunications hotline.

What was the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty?

A 1963 agreement to stop atmospheric nuclear testing.

What was Kennedy's flexible response policy?

Building up conventional forces for more options in conflicts.

What dominated LBJ's foreign policy?

The Vietnam War.