Cold War Key Events and Concepts

A comprehensive collection of vocabulary flashcards based on key events, treaties, and concepts from the Cold War period.

Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963)

Treaty banning all nuclear test explosions in the atmosphere, underwater, and in space.

Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (1968)

International treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology.It promotes cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

SALT I (1969-72)

Treaty that limited the number of nuclear weapons held by the United States and the Soviet Union. It established frameworks for arms control negotiations and was the first agreement to limit strategic arms.

SALT II (1972-79)

Second round of strategic arms limitation talks which aimed to curtail the manufacture of nuclear weapons. It aimed to establish more comprehensive limits on the number of strategic nuclear weapons and further reduce the risk of nuclear conflict between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

The Tehran Conference (1943)

Meeting between the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union during World War II. It focused on strategic decisions related to the war effort and post-war reorganization of Europe.

The Yalta Conference (1945)

Meeting of Allied leaders to discuss post-war Europe and reorganization. The Yalta Conference was a pivotal meeting that included Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin, focusing on the reorganization of Europe after World War II and the administration of defeated Germany.

The Potsdam Conference (1945)

Conference where Allied leaders discussed the administration of Germany and post-war Europe. It marked the first meeting after the surrender of Germany, where leaders like Harry S. Truman, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin negotiated terms for peace and addressed issues regarding the future of Europe, including reparations and territorial adjustments.

Peaceful coexistence

The theory adopted by the Soviet Union that emphasized living stably alongside capitalist countries. This policy aimed to reduce tensions between the East and West while maintaining ideological differences.

The Vietnam War (1955-75)

Conflict in Vietnam involving North and South Vietnam, with significant US military involvement. The Vietnam War was a prolonged conflict between the communist forces of North Vietnam and the anti-communist government of South Vietnam, largely supported by the United States. It aimed to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia.

The Berlin Wall (1961-1989)

Barrier that divided East and West Berlin, symbolizing the Cold War's division of Europe.

The Cuban Missile Crisis

13-day confrontation between the US and the Soviet Union over Soviet missiles deployed in Cuba.

Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD)

Military doctrine stating that full-scale use of nuclear weapons by two or more opposing sides would cause annihilation.

Washington-Moscow Hotline

Direct communication link set up between the United States and Soviet Union to prevent nuclear war.

Détente

Détente refers to the period of relaxed tensions and improved relations between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, particularly from the late 1960s to the late 1970s. This era was marked by several key events, including the signing of nuclear arms control agreements such as the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I) and SALT II, as well as increased diplomatic engagement and cultural exchanges. Détente aimed to reduce the risk of nuclear confrontation and foster a more stable international environment, though it ultimately faced challenges and criticisms, particularly during the later stages of the Cold War.

Prague Spring (1968)

A period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia during the Soviet-led invasion. This movement sought to implement reforms such as greater freedom of speech and press, but was ultimately curtailed by Soviet military intervention.

Helsinki Agreement (1975)

Accord signed by 35 nations to improve relations between the Communist bloc and the West, emphasizing human rights. The Helsinki Agreement was a significant diplomatic effort aimed at fostering cooperation among European nations, addressing security, economic, and humanitarian issues, and affirming the importance of respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Soviet-Afghan War (1979-89)

Conflict in which Soviet forces intervened in Afghanistan to prop up a communist government. This war was marked by significant resistance from Afghan guerrilla fighters (Mujahideen) and is often viewed as a key factor in the decline of Soviet influence, leading to their eventual withdrawal.

Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI)

Proposed missile defense system intended to protect the US from nuclear threats.

Realpolitik

Political philosophy focused on practical and pragmatic considerations, rather than on ideological principles. Realpolitik emphasizes diplomacy, power dynamics, and the importance of national interests in decision-making.

Multiple Independent Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs)

Missile payload that allows a single missile to carry several warheads and hit multiple targets.

Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems (ABMs)

Defensive systems designed to intercept and destroy incoming ballistic missiles.

Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs)

Ballistic missiles that can be launched from submarines, enhancing a country's second-strike capability.

Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs)

Long-range missiles designed for nuclear weapon delivery across continents.

Brezhnev Doctrine

Foreign policy that justified Soviet intervention in countries where socialism was threatened. It asserted that the USSR had the right to intervene to support communist governments and prevent counter-revolution.

Solidarity Movement

Polish labor and political movement that emerged in the 1980s leading to significant reforms in Poland. It was the first trade union in a Eastern bloc country, advocating for workers' rights and political change.

Charter 77

Manifesto signed by dissidents in Czechoslovakia demanding respect for human rights and freedoms. It sought to hold the government accountable to its own laws and international agreements on human rights.

Era of Stagnation (1964-85)

Period of economic stagnation in the Soviet Union characterized by a lack of growth and reform.

Truman Doctrine

U.S. policy of providing political, military, and economic assistance to countries resisting communism. It was a key element of American Cold War strategy aimed at containing Soviet influence globally.

Containment

U.S. strategy aimed at preventing the spread of communism.

Domino theory

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

Korean War (1950-53)

Conflict between North and South Korea, involving UN forces led by the United States.

Austrian State Treaty (1955)

Treaty that re-established Austria as a sovereign state, ending the occupation. It declared Austria's neutrality and committed it to not aligning with any military alliances.

The Sino-Soviet Split (1956)

Breaking of political relations between China and the Soviet Union.

Warsaw Pact (1955)

Military alliance of communist nations in response to NATO.

Thaw

The easing of tensions in the Cold War, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s.

Hungarian Uprising (1956)

Revolution against Soviet-imposed policies in Hungary, leading to harsh reprisals.

Cominform (1947)

Organization of communist parties from various countries aimed to coordinate actions.

Molotov Plan (1947)

Soviet plan to provide aid to communist countries in Eastern Europe.

Comecon (1947)

Economic organization of communist countries to facilitate mutual economic cooperation.

George Kennan

American diplomat and historian known for his role in developing the containment strategy. His famous "Long Telegram" outlined the need to contain Soviet expansionism.

The Long Telegram (1946)

Kennan's telegram outlining his views on the Soviet Union and the U.S. strategy of containment.

The Marshall Plan

U.S. initiative to aid Western Europe economically after World War II.

German Democratic Republic (DDR)

Official name for East Germany, established in 1949.

Brinkmanship

Foreign policy of pushing a dangerous situation to the brink of disaster to achieve favorable outcomes.

Bay of Pigs invasion (1961)

Failed military invasion of Cuba by U.S.-backed Cuban exiles.

“The Second Cold War”

Period of renewed tensions and an arms race between the U.S. and USSR during the late 1970s and 1980s.

Chernobyl disaster (1986)

Nuclear accident in the Soviet Union resulting in widespread radioactive contamination.

Iron Curtain

Term used to describe the division between the communist nations of Eastern Europe and the capitalist West.

‘Roll back’ policy

Strategy that sought to actively push communist governments out of power.

Proxy war

Indirect conflict where two opposing countries support combatants that serve their interests.

Massive retaliation

U.S. policy of retaliation with overwhelming force in response to any nuclear attack.

Flexible responses

Military strategy allowing for a variety of responses to military threats.

Austrian State Treaty (1955)

Treaty that granted independence to Austria after World War II.

Ostpolitik

West German policy aimed at improving relations with East Germany and Eastern Europe.