hist exam - cold war

Berlin Wall

A wall built by East Germany in 1961 to stop people from escaping to West Berlin that became a symbol of the Cold War.

NATO

A military alliance formed in 1949 by the U.S. and Western countries to stop the spread of communism.

Warsaw Pact

A military alliance formed by the Soviet Union and Communist countries in response to NATO.

United Nations (UN)

An international organization created after WWII to promote peace and cooperation between countries.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 1962 conflict between the U.S. and Soviet Union over nuclear missiles in Cuba that nearly caused nuclear war.

Domino Theory

The belief that if one country became Communist, nearby countries would also become Communist.

Tet Offensive

A surprise attack during the Vietnam War that caused many Americans to lose confidence in the war.

My Lai Massacre

The killing of hundreds of innocent Vietnamese civilians by U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War.

Kent State

A 1970 protest against the Vietnam War where four college students were killed by the National Guard.

Hawks

People who supported the Vietnam War and wanted stronger military action.

Doves

People who opposed the Vietnam War and wanted peace and U.S. withdrawal.