Cold War and Space Race

apartheid

A system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination that existed in South Africa from 1948 until the early 1990s, systematically privileging the white minority over the non-white majority.

decolonization

the process of removing colonial powers from political and social influence, leading to independence for former colonies.

empire

A group of nations or regions controlled by a single sovereign authority, often through conquest or colonization.

ideological

relating to a system of ideas or ideals, especially concerning economic or political theory and policy.

protest

A form of public demonstration or action expressing opposition to policies or actions, often aimed at influencing political change.

superpower

A nation that holds significant military, economic, and political influence on a global scale, often leading in international affairs and conflicts.

union

A political entity formed by the alliance of two or more states or nations, often to enhance strength and cooperation in various areas such as defense, trade, and policy.

containment

A geopolitical strategy aimed at preventing the expansion of a hostile power, primarily used by the United States during the Cold War to limit Soviet influence.

USSR

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, a socialist state that existed from 1922 to 1991, known for its central role in global politics during the Cold War.

Soviet state

A political entity governed by the principles of socialism and communism, characterized by state ownership of the means of production, primarily associated with the USSR during the Cold War.

Domino Theory

The belief that the spread of communism in one country could lead to the spread of communism in neighboring countries, prompting U.S. intervention during the Cold War to prevent this chain reaction.

intervention

the act of intervening in a country’s affairs to influence political outcomes, often to prevent the spread of communism during the Cold War.

nuclear

weapons developed during WWII and improved during the Cold War that have the capacity to cause mass destruction.

coup

a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government, often influenced by external forces during the Cold War.

dependency

a condition in which a country relies on another for economic or political support, often leading to exploitation and limited sovereignty during the Cold War.

dissident

an individual who opposes official policy, especially in a political context, often facing persecution during the Cold War.

partition

the action of dividing a country or territory into separate parts, often leading to conflict, as seen during the Cold War.

minority

a group within a larger population, often characterized by different ethnic, religious, or cultural identities, which may face discrimination or marginalization during the Cold War.

nationalize

to transfer ownership of a private asset or industry to the government, commonly occurring during the Cold War by communist countries.

nonviolence

the practice of achieving goals without the use of physical force, often promoted by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi.

collectivization

the policy of consolidating individual landholdings and labor into collective farms, aiming to boost agricultural productivity and control within communist regimes.

communism

a political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs.

arsenal

a collection of weapons and military equipment maintained by a country or organization.

M.A.D.

Mutually Assured Destruction, a military strategy during the Cold War where both sides possess enough nuclear weapons to destroy each other, deterring them from initiating a conflict.