Cold War Beginnings & Mao’s China

1. Cold War

A long period of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II.
No direct fighting, but conflict through politics, weapons, and influence.

2. Denazification

Process of removing Nazi influence from Germany after WWII.
War criminals were punished and Nazi ideas were banned.

3. Truman Doctrine

U.S. policy to stop the spread of communism.
America promised to help countries resisting communism.

4. Iron Curtain

Term for the division between communist Eastern Europe and democratic Western Europe.

5. Marshall Plan

U.S. program that gave money to rebuild Europe after WWII.
Helped prevent communism from spreading.

6. Berlin Airlift (Berlin Crisis)

When the Soviet Union blocked West Berlin.
The U.S. flew in supplies like food and fuel for almost a year.

7. NATO

Military alliance of Western countries formed in 1949.
Members agree to defend each other if attacked.

8. Warsaw Pact

Military alliance of communist countries led by the Soviet Union.
Created in response to NATO.

9. United Nations

International organization formed after WWII.
Goal: keep peace and prevent future wars.

10. Mao Zedong

Leader of Communist China.
Founded the People’s Republic of China in 1949.

11. Great Leap Forward

Mao’s plan to rapidly industrialize China.
It failed and caused a major famine.

12. Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution

Movement led by Mao to remove “old ideas” and strengthen communism.
Caused chaos, violence, and destruction of culture.

13. Little Red Book

Book of Mao’s quotes and ideas.
Used to spread his beliefs and guide behavior.