Unit 9 Vocab

Iron Curtain

A political, military, and ideological barrier dividing Eastern and Western Europe during the Cold War, symbolizing the lack of communication and cooperation between the Soviet bloc and the West.

Cold War

A state of political and military tension between the Western bloc led by the United States and the Eastern bloc led by the Soviet Union, characterized by ideological conflict and a series of geopolitical struggles from 1947 to 1991.

containment

A strategic policy aimed at preventing the expansion of communism by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, primarily through diplomatic, military, and economic means.

Russian/H bomb

A thermonuclear weapon developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, significantly more powerful than atomic bombs, used to exemplify the escalating arms race between superpowers.

de-Stalinization

The process of political reform initiated by Nikita Khrushchev in the Soviet Union after Stalin's death, aiming to reduce the repressive tactics of Stalin's regime and promote a more liberal governance.

The welfare state

A government system that provides social services and financial support to ensure basic economic security and well-being for its citizens.

Chinese Revolution

The revolution that led to the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, resulting in the overthrow of the Kuomintang government and the rise of the Communist Party under Mao Zedong.

Frantz Fanon

A psychiatrist and political philosopher known for his works on colonialism and decolonization, particularly "The Wretched of the Earth".

existentialism

A philosophical movement focusing on individual existence, freedom, and choice, emphasizing the importance of personal experience and responsibility.

Jean-Paul Sartre

A central figure in existentialism, known for his literary and philosophical works, particularly "Being and Nothingness" and "No Exit."

The Bay of Pigs

A failed military invasion of Cuba by Cuban exiles supported by the U.S. government in April 1961.

Berlin aircraft

The program of delivering supplies and goods to West Berlin by air in response to the Soviet blockade in 1948-1949.

Marshall Plan

A U.S. program initiated in 1948 to provide economic aid to western European countries to help rebuild economies after World War II.

Yalta meeting

A conference held in February 1945 where Allied leaders, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin, discussed post-war reorganization and the fate of Europe.

NATO

a military alliance formed in 1949 for mutual defense against aggression.

Warsaw Pact

A collective defense treaty established in 1955 between the Soviet Union and seven Eastern Bloc socialist republics in response to NATO.

Hungarian Revolt

A nationwide revolt against the Soviet-backed government in Hungary that occurred in 1956, marked by demands for political reform and freedom.

COMECON

An economic organization established in 1949 to promote cooperative economic development among Eastern Bloc countries, led by the Soviet Union.

decolonization

the process by which colonies gained independence from colonial powers, often leading to the establishment of new nations.

Suez Crisis

A diplomatic and military conflict in 1956 when Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal, leading to invasion by Israel, the UK, and France.

Simone de Beauvoir

A French existentialist philosopher and feminist, best known for her work "The Second Sex," which analyzed women's oppression and the social constructs of gender.

Hannah Arendt

A German-American philosopher and political theorist known for her works on totalitarianism, authority, and the nature of evil, particularly in her book "The Origins of Totalitarianism."

Treaty of Rome

The founding document of the European Economic Community (EEC) signed in 1957, which aimed to establish a common market and promote economic integration among its member states.

Common Market

A type of trade bloc that allows for the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor between member countries.

Truman Doctrine

A foreign policy strategy established in 1947 to contain the spread of communism by providing political, military, and financial support to nations resisting communist influence.

Brezhnev Doctrine

Soviet foreign policy asserting the right to intervene in other socialist countries to maintain communist governments.

Korean War

A conflict between North and South Korea from 1950 to 1953, involving international involvement led by the United States and China, stemming from the division of Korea after World War II.

Vietnam War

A conflict from 1955 to 1975 involving North Vietnam, supported by communist allies, fighting against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States, to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia.

Soviets in Afghanistan

A conflict from 1979 to 1989 where the Soviet Union intervened in Afghanistan to support the communist government against insurgent groups, leading to a prolonged military conflict.

European Coal and Steel Community

An organization created in 1951 to regulate the coal and steel industries of its member states, aiming to enhance economic cooperation and prevent further wars in Europe post-World War II. It was a precursor to the European Union.

European Economic Community

An organization established in 1957 to promote economic integration among its member states, facilitating the common market and leading toward greater political unity in Europe, eventually contributing to the formation of the European Union.

Mohandas Gandhi

Leader of the Indian independence movement, promoting nonviolent resistance against British rule.

Indian National Congress

A political party founded in 1885 that became the principal organization advocating for Indian independence from British rule, playing a key role in mobilizing the Indian population and leading the movement.

Balfour Declaration

A statement issued in 1917 by the British government expressing support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine.

Algerian independence

The process through which Algeria gained independence from French colonial rule, culminating in a war of independence from 1954 to 1962.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 13-day confrontation in 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union over the presence of Soviet missile sites in Cuba, which brought the two superpowers to the brink of nuclear war.

Postmodernism

An intellectual stance or mode of discourse that emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by skepticism towards grand narratives and ideologies, emphasizing relativism and the subjective nature of truth.

student movements

Organized campaigns by students in the 1960s and 70s advocating for social and political change, often focusing on issues like civil rights, anti-war sentiment, and educational reform.

Prague Spring

A period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia during 1968, characterized by attempts to implement reforms and democratization, which was ultimately suppressed by a Soviet-led invasion.

Gorbachev

The General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991, known for his policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) that aimed to reform the Soviet economy and open up society.

Nicolae Ceausescu

The General Secretary of the Romanian Communist Party from 1965 until his overthrow in 1989, known for his authoritarian rule and severe repression of dissent.

glasnost

A policy introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s aimed at increasing transparency and openness in government and society, allowing greater freedom of expression and press.

perestroika

A policy initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s focused on economic reform and restructuring within the Soviet Union, aimed at modernizing the economy.

mass culture

The cultural elements that are widely shared and consumed by the public, often through mass media, including music, television, and film.

OPEC

An organization formed in 1960 to coordinate and unify petroleum policies among member countries, aiming to ensure stable oil prices.

Margaret Thatcher

The first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, serving from 1979 to 1990, known for her conservative policies and strong stance against the Soviet Union.

Velvet Divorce

The peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993.

Chechnya

A region in Russia that has experienced significant conflict and calls for independence, notably during the Chechen Wars in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Yugoslavic nationalism

The political and cultural movement advocating for the unity and independence of the South Slavic peoples

ethnic cleansing in Kosovo

involved the systematic removal or extermination of Albanians from Kosovo during the 1998-1999 conflict.

The Troubles

refers to the violent conflict in Northern Ireland from the late 1960s to 1998, marked by political and sectarian tensions between nationalists and unionists.

Kinsey Reports

A series of sexual behavior studies published by Alfred Kinsey in the mid-20th century, which significantly influenced public understanding of human sexuality.

sexual revolution

a social movement that challenged traditional codes of behavior related to sexuality and interpersonal relationships, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s.

second-wave feminism

refers to the feminist movement primarily in the 1960s and 1970s that focused on issues like equality, reproductive rights, and workplace rights, building on earlier feminist efforts.

Solidarity

a social movement that emerged in Poland in the 1980s, advocating for workers' rights and political reform.

Berlin Wall

a barrier that divided East and West Berlin from 1961 to 1989, symbolizing the Cold War and the divide between communist and democratic nations.

Boris Yeltsin

the first President of Russia, serving from 1991 to 1999, known for his role in the dissolution of the Soviet Union and implementing significant economic reforms.

USSR collapse

the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991, leading to the independence of its republics and significant geopolitical changes.

European Union

a political and economic union of member states located in Europe, established to promote integration, cooperation, and common policies.

Pope John Paul II

the first non-Italian pope in over 400 years, serving from 1978 to 2005, known for his influential role in advocating for human rights, interfaith dialogue, and opposing communism.

Vatican II

a major ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church held from 1962 to 1965, aimed at modernizing Church practices and promoting engagement with the contemporary world.

World Trade Organization

an intergovernmental organization that regulates international trade, established in 1995, with the aim of ensuring that trade flows as smoothly, predictably, and freely as possible.

globalization

the process of increasing interconnectedness and interdependence among countries, economies, and cultures, driven by advancements in technology and trade.

Bretton Woods

a conference held in 1944 that established the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, aimed at promoting international economic cooperation and stability.

International Monetary Fund

an organization created to promote global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, and reduce poverty around the world.

World Bank

an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to countries for development projects aimed at reducing poverty and promoting sustainable economic growth.

postcolonialism

a theoretical framework that analyzes the cultural, political, and economic legacies of colonialism and imperialism, and their impact on former colonies.

national front parties

political movements that seek to represent national identity and often promote anti-immigrant and nationalist agendas.