Cold War

What was the Berlin Airlift?

A response to the Soviet blockade of West Berlin, demonstrating the West's commitment to defending Berlin and preventing communist expansion.

What did the Berlin Wall symbolize?

The ideological divide between communism and capitalism during the Cold War, and the lack of freedom in East Berlin compared to West Berlin.

What is the significance of the 38th Parallel?

It served as the dividing line between North and South Korea, marking the boundary of communist and non-communist territories.

What were the reasons for the unpopularity of the Vietnam War?

High casualty rates, media coverage, and the perception of it as an unwinnable conflict.

What is NATO?

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a military alliance established in 1949 among Western nations to counter Soviet aggression.

What was the role of the CIA during the Cold War?

Involved in covert operations to counteract communist influence globally, including the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

What is McCarthyism?

The period of intense anti-communist suspicion in the US during the early 1950s, characterized by Senator Joseph McCarthy's aggressive investigations and accusations.

What was the impact of the Tet Offensive?

A major turning point in the Vietnam War, shifting public perception in the US regarding the war's progress.

What are the characteristics of Communism?

Collective ownership of the means of production, absence of social classes, and the goal of a classless society.

What is the Truman Doctrine?

Established in 1947, aimed to contain the spread of communism by providing political, military, and economic assistance to countries resisting Soviet influence.

What is Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)?

A military doctrine positing that full-scale nuclear war would result in annihilation of both attacking and defending nations, thus deterring nuclear conflict.

What were the consequences of the Soviet-Afghan War?

Drained Soviet resources and contributed to the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union.

What defines Capitalism?

Private ownership of resources, free markets, and profit motive driving economic activity.

What was the purpose of the Marshall Plan?

Designed to aid Western Europe's economic recovery after World War II to prevent the spread of communism.

What were the outcomes of the Korean War?

Resulted in a stalemate, Korea remained divided at the 38th Parallel with significant casualties on both sides.

What were the consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Brought the world to the brink of nuclear war and led to a direct communication link between the US and USSR.

What was Osama Bin Laden's role in the Mujahideen?

Supported the Mujahideen during the Soviet-Afghan War by providing financial resources and facilitating foreign fighters' involvement.

Why was the Ho Chi Minh Trail important?

A crucial supply route for North Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War.

What were the Mujahideen?

A coalition of Afghan resistance fighters opposing the Soviet invasion, employing guerrilla tactics.

What is the difference between Atomic and Hydrogen bombs?

Atomic bombs rely on nuclear fission, while hydrogen bombs use nuclear fusion, making hydrogen bombs more powerful.

What was the Space Race?

A competition between the US and the USSR during the Cold War for significant milestones in space exploration.

Why was SALT II never ratified?

Never ratified due to increased tensions following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.