Untitled Flashcards Set

Cold War

A period of political tension and military rivalry between the U.S. and the USSR from 1945 to 1991, driven by ideological differences: capitalism vs. communism.

Containment

U.S. strategy to stop the spread of communism, introduced by George Kennan.

Command Economy

An economic system where the government controls all production and distribution, common in communist states like the USSR.

Domino Theory

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

Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD)

The idea that if either the U.S. or USSR launched nuclear weapons, both would be destroyed, creating a deterrent to war.

Yalta Conference (Feb 1945)

Meeting of Churchill (UK), Roosevelt (US), and Stalin (USSR) to discuss post-WWII Europe and the division of Germany.

Potsdam Conference (July 1945)

Meeting where Truman (US), Stalin (USSR), and Attlee (UK) finalized Germany's fate, rising tensions after U.S. atomic bomb test.

Berlin Blockade and Airlift (1948–1949)

Stalin blocked West Berlin, leading the U.S. and UK to fly in supplies until the blockade was lifted.

Hungarian Uprising (1956)

A revolt against Soviet control that was crushed by Soviet tanks, showcasing USSR's intolerance of dissent.

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

A 13-day standoff over Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, resulting in their withdrawal and U.S. promise not to invade Cuba.

Berlin Wall (Built 1961)

Erected by East Germany to prevent citizens from fleeing to West Berlin, symbolizing communist repression.

Détente

A period of eased tensions between the U.S. and USSR in the 1970s, including treaties like SALT I.

Tiananmen Square Protests (1989)

Demands for democratic reforms in China met with violent government crackdown.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Military alliance of Western nations formed in 1949 to defend against Soviet aggression.

Warsaw Pact (1955)

Soviet-led alliance of Eastern European communist countries in response to NATO.

United Nations—Security Council

Body of 5 permanent members striving to maintain international peace but often gridlocked during the Cold War.

Iron Curtain

Term used by Churchill to describe the division between democratic Western Europe and communist Eastern Europe.

Buffer Zone

Eastern European countries occupied by the USSR after WWII to serve as a protective barrier against Western invasion.

Chinese Civil War (1927–1949)

Conflict between Mao Zedong’s communists and Chiang Kai-shek’s nationalists, resulting in Mao's victory.

Mao Zedong

Communist leader of China, known for the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution.

Chiang Kai-shek

Leader of the Nationalist Party in China who fled to Taiwan after his defeat by the communists.

Deng Xiaoping

Implemented capitalist reforms in China while maintaining strict political control.

Relationship between USSR and China (1960s)

Characterized by tension and competition despite both being communist.

Richard Nixon

First U.S. President to visit Communist China in 1972, helping to open diplomatic relations.

Falun Gong

A spiritual movement in China suppressed by the government since the late 1990s.

“Grey Culture”

Refers to underground or unofficial media/culture challenging Chinese Communist orthodoxy.

Hu Jintao

President of China from 2002–2012, known for economic growth and strict political control.

Russian Satellites

Eastern European countries under Soviet control post-WWII.

Soviet A-bomb

Successfully tested in 1949, ending the U.S. nuclear monopoly.

Glasnost (Openness)

Gorbachev's policy aimed at increasing transparency and freedom of speech in the USSR.

Perestroika (Restructuring)

Gorbachev’s policy to reform the Soviet economy with limited market effects.

Korean War (1950–1953)

Conflict where North Korea invaded South Korea, prompting U.S. and UN intervention.

General MacArthur

Led UN forces in the Korean War but was fired by Truman for insubordination.

Vietnam War

Conflict involving North Vietnam (communism) against South Vietnam, supported by the U.S.

Ho Chi Minh

Communist leader of North Vietnam.

Ngo Dinh Diem

U.S.-backed leader of South Vietnam who was unpopular and ultimately assassinated.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964)

Alleged attack on U.S. ships that led to escalation of the Vietnam War.

Tet Offensive (1968)

Major surprise attack by the Viet Cong that shifted American public opinion against the war.

Vietnamization

Nixon’s plan to gradually withdraw U.S. troops and transfer war responsibilities to South Vietnamese forces.

Colonial Background

France's effort to recolonize Indochina from 1946–1954 which ended in the battle of Dien Bien Phu.