Cold War 1945-1991

Nuremberg Trials

Trials held from 1945–1946 where Nazi leaders were prosecuted for war crimes, establishing individual responsibility for actions taken during the war.

Berlin Wall

A barrier built in 1961 to stop people from escaping East Germany to West Berlin, symbolizing the division between East and West during the Cold War.

NATO

Military alliance formed in 1949 among the U.S. and Western allies to defend against Communist expansion.

Warsaw Pact

Military alliance formed in 1955 by the USSR and Eastern European countries as a response to NATO.

Domino Theory

The belief that if one country fell to communism, nearby countries would follow, used to justify U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 1962 standoff between the U.S. and the USSR over nuclear missiles in Cuba, which brought the world close to nuclear war.

Tet Offensive

A surprise attack by North Vietnam in 1968 that, though a military loss, turned U.S. public opinion against the Vietnam War.

My Lai Massacre

A 1968 incident in which U.S. soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians, leading to increased anti-war sentiment.

Kent State shootings

Incident in which National Guard shot student protesters in Ohio in 1970, killing four and highlighting divisions in the U.S. over the Vietnam War.

Hawks

Individuals who supported the Vietnam War, advocating for military action to stop Communism.

Doves

Individuals who opposed the Vietnam War, advocating for peace and the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

containment

a United States foreign policy strategy during the Cold War (roughly 1947–1991) designed to stop the spread of communism and Soviet influence globally

38th parallel

This is the line that separated communist North Korea from democratic South Korea

when the Korean War began.

douglas macarthur

Was an American military leader who became the leader of UN forces at the

beginning of the Korean War.  He was removed from that role after he urged that the UN forces be used to also invade China.

dwight eisenhower

American President during the second half of the Korean War.

armstice

a formal, legally binding agreement between warring parties to temporarily or permanently suspend active hostilities

chairmen mao

Was the Communist leader of China, he sent his troops in to support North Korea

during the Korean War.