Cold War and United Nations Overview

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on the United Nations and Cold War Conflicts.

United Nations

A peacekeeping organization established in April 1945 by 50 nations to promote international cooperation.

Cold War

A period of political tension and military rivalry between the USSR and the USA after World War II.

Veto Power

The ability of certain countries within the UN Security Council, particularly the USSR and USA, to block decisions.

Harry S. Truman

President of the USA from 1945; known for making tough decisions and not being included in FDR's policy decisions.

Potsdam Conference

A meeting in 1945 of the Big Three (US, Britain, USSR) to discuss post-war order and the handling of Germany.

Totalitarian Government

A political system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority, and seeks to regulate every aspect of public and private life.

Atomic Bomb

A weapon of mass destruction that uses nuclear reactions to generate an explosion; a source of fear during the Cold War.

Reparations

Compensation required from a defeated nation; Soviets took reparations from their occupation zone in Germany.

Soviet Control in Poland

The USSR's prevention of free elections and banning of democratic parties in Poland after WWII.

Suspicion of USSR

The growing distrust among Western nations concerning Soviet intentions during the Cold War.

The __ is a peacekeeping organization established in April 1945 by 50 nations to promote international cooperation.

United Nations.

The __ was a period of political tension and military rivalry between the USSR and the USA after World War II.

Cold War.

The __ is the ability of certain countries within the UN Security Council, particularly the USSR and USA, to block decisions.

Veto Power.

__ was the President of the USA from 1945; known for making tough decisions and not being included in FDR's policy decisions.

Harry S. Truman.

The __ was a meeting in 1945 of the Big Three (US, Britain, USSR) to discuss post-war order and the handling of Germany.

Potsdam Conference.

A __ is a political system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and seeks to regulate every aspect of public and private life.

Totalitarian Government.

An __ is a weapon of mass destruction that uses nuclear reactions to generate an explosion; a source of fear during the Cold War.

Atomic Bomb.

__ are compensation required from a defeated nation; Soviets took reparations from their occupation zone in Germany.

Reparations.

Soviet Control in Poland involved the USSR's prevention of __ and banning of democratic parties in Poland after WWII.

free elections.

Suspicion of __ refers to the growing distrust among Western nations concerning Soviet intentions during the Cold War.

USSR.

The __ is the principle which allowed permanent members of the UN Security Council to have the ability to reject resolutions.

Veto Power.

The __ established the context for increased tensions between the Eastern and Western blocs after WWII.

Cold War.

Harry S. Truman made significant decisions regarding the use of the __ against Japan in WWII to end the conflict.

Atomic Bomb.

The Potsdam Conference aimed to determine the fate of __ after the end of Nazi Germany.

Germany.

The term __ refers to the actions taken by the Soviet Union to maintain control over Eastern European countries after WWII.

Soviet Control

What is the United Nations?

A peacekeeping organization established in April 1945 by 50 nations to promote international cooperation.

What was the Cold War?

A period of political tension and military rivalry between the USSR and the USA after World War II.

What is Veto Power?

The ability of certain countries within the UN Security Council, particularly the USSR and USA, to block decisions.

Who was Harry S. Truman?

President of the USA from 1945; known for making tough decisions and not being included in FDR's policy decisions.

What was the Potsdam Conference?

A meeting in 1945 of the Big Three (US, Britain, USSR) to discuss post-war order and the handling of Germany.

What is a Totalitarian Government?

A political system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and seeks to regulate every aspect of public and private life.

What is an Atomic Bomb?

A weapon of mass destruction that uses nuclear reactions to generate an explosion; a source of fear during the Cold War.

What are Reparations?

Compensation required from a defeated nation; Soviets took reparations from their occupation zone in Germany.

What was Soviet Control in Poland?

The USSR's prevention of free elections and banning of democratic parties in Poland after WWII.

What does Suspicion of the USSR refer to?

The growing distrust among Western nations concerning Soviet intentions during the Cold War.

What is the principle of Veto Power in the UN?

The principle which allowed permanent members of the UN Security Council to have the ability to reject resolutions.

What context did the Cold War establish?

The context for increased tensions between the Eastern and Western blocs after WWII.

What significant decision did Harry S. Truman make regarding WWII?

He made significant decisions regarding the use of the Atomic Bomb against Japan in WWII to end the conflict.

What was the purpose of the Potsdam Conference?

To determine the fate of Germany after the end of Nazi Germany.

What does the term Soviet Control refer to?

The actions taken by the Soviet Union to maintain control over Eastern European countries after WWII.

What role did the USA play in the United Nations?

The USA is one of the founding 50 nations and a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

How did the Cold War impact international relations?

It resulted in a division between the Eastern and Western blocs, influencing diplomacy and military alliances.

What was the significance of the Atomic Bomb during the Cold War?

It was a source of fear and a deterrent effect on conflicts between superpowers.

What were the consequences of the Potsdam Conference?

It led to the division of Germany and set the stage for future tensions in Europe.

How did Harry S. Truman contribute to post-war policies?

He made critical decisions that shaped US foreign policy during the early Cold War.

Why were Reparations taken from Germany?

To compensate the Allies for the damages caused during WWII.

What was the effect of Soviet Control in Eastern Europe?

It limited democratic freedoms and established communist regimes in several nations.

What was the purpose of the Veto Power in the UN Security Council?

To enable permanent members to prevent the adoption of resolutions they oppose.

What was a primary characteristic of a Totalitarian Government?

The state seeks to control and regulate all aspects of life, including public and private matters.

Why was Truman's presidency considered significant during the Cold War?

He made pivotal decisions that influenced US strategies against the USSR.

What led to the growing Suspicion of the USSR post-WWII?

The USSR's actions in Eastern Europe and its refusal to allow free elections.

What was the impact of the Atomic Bomb on the Cold War?

It initiated an arms race and created a climate of fear and competition.

What were the global political effects of the Cold War?

It led to proxy wars, a division of alliances, and increased military expenditures.

What factors contributed to the start of the Cold War?

Differing ideologies, competition for influence, and unresolved tensions from WWII.

What was the role of the Big Three during the Potsdam Conference?

They negotiated the post-war order and addressed issues related to Germany and Europe.

What actions did the USSR take to ensure control in Poland?

They suppressed opposition, controlled elections, and installed communist leadership.

What key decisions were discussed at the Potsdam Conference?

The administration of Germany and reparations owed to the Allies.

How did Western nations respond to Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe?

They formed alliances like NATO to counter Soviet influence.

What treaty formally ended the hostilities of WWII?

The peace treaties signed by the Axis powers and the Allies, including the Treaty of Paris.

How did the Cold War influence United Nations operations?

It dominated agendas and led to a polarized atmosphere within the organization.

What outcome did the Veto Power have on UN effectiveness?

It sometimes paralyzed the UN from taking decisive actions during crises.

How did the use of Atomic Bombs shape military strategy during the Cold War?

It led to the development of nuclear deterrence strategies between rival nations.

What long-term effects did the Cold War have on global politics?

A shift in geopolitical alliances and ongoing conflicts influenced by Cold War dynamics.

Why was the Potsdam Conference seen as a precursor to the Cold War?

It illustrated growing ideological differences between the Allies.

What was the significance of the USSR in the post-war world?

It emerged as one of the two superpowers, challenging US hegemony.

What historical event marked the beginning of the Cold War?

The division of Europe and the formation of the Iron Curtain.

What does the term ‘Iron Curtain’ symbolize?

The ideological divide between Eastern (communist) and Western (capitalist) Europe.

What role did propaganda play during the Cold War?

It was used by both sides to promote ideologies and discredit opponents.

How did military alliances evolve during the Cold War?

NATO was formed to consolidate Western powers against the Soviet threat.

What was the impact of the Cold War on decolonization?

It influenced new nations' alignment with either the US or USSR.

How did economic factors contribute to the Cold War tension?

Competition for resources and markets intensified hostilities between blocs.

What was the significance of the Berlin Wall in the Cold War?

It became a symbol of the division between East and West and the oppression of the East.