Key Events of the Cold War

These flashcards cover significant events and terms related to the Cold War era, including conferences, policies, and important figures.

Tehran Conference

A meeting between Allied leaders in November 1943 to discuss strategy against the Axis powers.

Yalta Conference

A meeting among the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union in February 1945 to discuss post-war Europe.

Potsdam Conference

A meeting in July-August 1945 where Allied leaders discussed terms for the end of World War II.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombing

The atomic bombings of these two Japanese cities in August 1945 led to Japan's surrender in World War II.

Iron Curtain Speech

A speech by Winston Churchill in March 1946 highlighting the division between the Soviet-controlled Eastern Europe and the West.

Novikov Telegram

A diplomatic communication by Soviet ambassador Nikolai Novikov in September 1946, indicating Soviet perceptions of U.S. intentions.

Truman Doctrine

A policy established in March 1947 to contain the spread of communism, pledging U.S. support to countries resisting Soviet influence.

Marshall Plan

An American initiative launched in April 1948 to provide economic aid to European countries to rebuild after WWII.

Berlin Blockade

A Soviet blockade of West Berlin starting June 24, 1948, aimed at limiting access to the city.

Comecon

The Soviet-led economic organization for Eastern Bloc countries established in 1949.

NATO Formation

The establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in January 1949 for mutual defense against potential Soviet aggression.

Berlin Blockade Lifted

The end of the Soviet blockade of West Berlin in May 1949.

Warsaw Pact

A military alliance established in May 1955 among Soviet satellite states in response to NATO.

Khrushchev's 'Secret' Speech

A speech given by Nikita Khrushchev in February 1956 denouncing Joseph Stalin's policies.

Hungarian Uprising

A nationwide revolt against Soviet-imposed policies in Hungary that began in October 1956.

Imre Nagy

The Hungarian leader who initiated reforms and announced Hungary's withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact.

Nagy's Execution

The execution of Imre Nagy in 1958 for his role in the 1956 Hungarian Uprising.

Geneva Summit

A diplomatic meeting in May 1959 aimed at improving relations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 1962 confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet missiles in Cuba.

Vienna Summit

A meeting in April 1961 between U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.

Berlin Wall

A fortified barrier erected in August 1961 to prevent East Germans from escaping to the West.

Berlin Ultimatum

A demand by the Soviet Union in 1958 calling for the withdrawal of Western forces from Berlin.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

A failed military invasion of Cuba by a CIA-sponsored paramilitary group in April 1961.

Paris Summit (U2 Spy Incident)

A 1960 meeting that was disrupted by the shooting down of an American U2 spy plane over Soviet airspace.

Deutschmark Introduction

The introduction of the German currency in June 1948 as part of the economic recovery of West Germany.

Cominform

The Communist Information Bureau, set up in 1947 to coordinate communist parties worldwide.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance established in 1949 for mutual defense against the Soviet Union.