HMH Module 12

Containment

Strategy aimed at preventing the spread of communism and the influence of the Soviet Union.

Iron Curtain

Term coined by Churchill that described the division of Europe into communist-controlled East and democratic West.

Cold War

Political and military tension between the Soviet Union and its allies, lasting from 1945 to 1991.

NATO

Military alliance formed between North America and Western Europe for security against Soviet aggression.

Warsaw Pact

Alliance formed between the Soviet Union and its satellite states.

Truman Doctrine

Policy aimed at providing military and economic assistance to countries threatened by communism.

Marshall Plan

Program providing economic assistance to help European countries rebuild after World War II.

Berlin Airlift

Military operation supplying food and supplies to Berlin by air after the Soviet Union blocked the city.

38th Parallel

The line that divides North and South Korea, serving as the de facto boundary after the Korean War.

Blacklist

A list of people or organizations considered untrustworthy for political reasons.

HUAC

The House Un-American Activities Committee, which investigated suspected communist influences.

Hollywood Ten

Group of 10 actors blacklisted after refusing to testify for HUAC due to their political beliefs.

MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction)

Military doctrine asserting that the US and the USSR had enough nuclear weapons to destroy each other.

Brinkmanship

Policy of pushing dangerous situations to the edge of disaster for advantageous outcomes.

U-2 Incident

Downing of a US U-2 spy plane, resulting in the capture of its pilot.

Duck and Cover

Defense training method teaching children how to protect themselves during a nuclear attack.

Sputnik

Earth satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, marking a significant event in the Space Race.

Berlin Blockade

Soviet attempt to cut off Western access to Berlin, leading to the Berlin Airlift.

Comecon

Council for economic cooperation among communist states, established in response to the Marshall Plan.

American reaction to the Truman Doctrine

Overall support for the doctrine among Americans, though isolationists argued against foreign involvement.

Purpose of NATO

To provide defense for member countries against the threat of communism.

Necessity of the Berlin Airlift

Response to the Soviet Blockade of Berlin, organizing air supply of essentials.

Global events leading to US involvement in Korea

Rise of communism, Truman Doctrine, and the division of Korea.