Key Cold War Events and Terms

Flashcards covering key terms and events related to the Cold War and significant historical interventions.

Detente

The U.S. and Soviet Union tried to ease tension through negotiations and agreements.

Collapse of the Soviet Union

The Soviet Union collapsed due to economic issues and the people's desire for freedom.

Operation Mongoose

A secret U.S. plan to weaken and overthrow Fidel Castro's government in Cuba.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 13 day stand-off between the U.S. and the Soviet Union when Soviets placed nuclear missiles in Cuba.

1954 Guatemalan Coup

The U.S. helped overthrow Guatemala's President Jacobo Arbenz over fears of communism.

CIA

The foreign intelligence agency for the U.S.

KGB

The intelligence agency for the Soviet Union.

Operation Ajax

A secret U.S. and British plan to overthrow Iran's prime minister in 1953.

Cuban Revolution

Fidel Castro and his fighters overthrew Cuba's dictator and established a communist government.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

A law that allowed President LBJ to use military force in Vietnam without formally declaring war.

TET Offensive

A surprise attack by North Vietnam to demonstrate that the war wasn't over.

Khmer Rouge

A communist group in Cambodia that took over and killed millions to create a farming society.

The Korean War

Communists North Korea (backed by China & Soviet Union) vs. South Korea (backed by U.S. & UN)

The Vietnam War

Communists North Vietnam vs. South Vietnam & U.S. for control of the country

Battle of Dien Bien Phu

Military victory for communist-led Viet Minh against French colonial forces

India's Independence Movement

India trying to gain independence from British control by boycotting, refusing cooperation, and peaceful protests

Domino Theory

If a country fell to communists then nearby countries would fall like dominos

Chinese Communist Revolution

Mao Zedong and the Communist Party took control of China after defeating Nationalists

Berlin Blockade

Soviet Union trying to force Western Allies out by cutting off access to West Berlin

NATO

Alliance from Europe and North America to provide security

Warsaw Pact

Alliance from Soviet Union and Eastern Europe to oppose NATO

Doolittle Commitee

A group that suggested stronger spies and counter-intelligence in the CIA to stop the Soviet Union

Truman Doctorine

U.S. commitment to free people and resist communism

Marshall Plan

U.S. helping Western Europe to recover from WWll and prevent communism

Arms Race

A competition to gain power over other nations

Long Telegram

8,000 word message from George Kennan in Moscow to Washington officials about

Soviet behavior

NSC-68

Top-secret U.S. government report of strategy for the Cold war

The Cold War

Tension between the U.S. and Soviet Union after WWIl

Capitalism

Private ownership and control of production with profits

Containment

U.S. foreign policy to prevent communism