period 8

8.2 Origins of the Cold War (WOR)

Cold War

A period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union following World War II, characterized by ideological conflict, military competition, and the avoidance of direct warfare.

Soviet Union

A socialist state led by Joseph Stalin, which opposed the United States during the Cold War and sought to expand its influence through satellites in Eastern Europe.

Joseph Stalin

The leader of the Soviet Union who established communist regimes in Eastern Europe and played a major role in the early years of the Cold War.

United Nations

An international organization formed after World War II to promote peace and security, featuring a Security Council with five permanent members, including the United States and the Soviet Union.

Security Council

The most powerful body of the United Nations, responsible for maintaining international peace and security, with veto power held by five permanent members.

World Bank

An international financial institution established to help rebuild war-torn nations after World War II and promote economic development.

Satellites

Eastern European nations under Soviet Union control, serving as a buffer zone between the Soviet Union and Western Europe.

Winston Churchill

The British Prime Minister who warned of the Iron Curtain, dividing Western democracies from the communist-controlled satellites.

Containment

A U.S. foreign policy aimed at preventing the spread of communism by countering Soviet Union influence worldwide.

Containment policy

A strategy developed by George F. Kennan to limit communist expansion through economic, political, and military means.

George Marshall

U.S. Secretary of State who proposed the Marshall Plan to aid European recovery and prevent communism’s spread.

Dean Acheson

A key U.S. diplomat who played a major role in shaping the containment policy.

George F. Kennan

An American diplomat who formulated the containment policy, arguing that the Soviet Union should be prevented from expanding its influence.

Truman Doctrine

A U.S. policy providing economic and military aid to countries threatened by communism, specifically Greece and Turkey.

Marshall Plan

A massive U.S. aid program to rebuild Western European economies and prevent the spread of communism.

Berlin Airlift

A U.S. and British operation to supply West Germany with food and fuel after the Soviet Union blockaded Berlin.

West Germany

The democratic, U.S.-allied portion of Germany established after World War II.

East Germany

The communist-controlled portion of Germany under Soviet Union influence.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

A military alliance formed among Western democracies to defend against Soviet Union aggression.

Warsaw Pact

A military alliance of the Soviet Union and its satellites, countering NATO.

National Security Council

A U.S. government body responsible for coordinating military and foreign policy during the Cold War.

Arms race

The competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to develop superior nuclear weapons.

NSC-68

A secret U.S. government document advocating for increased military spending to counter the Soviet Union threat.

Cold War in Asia (WOR)

Douglas MacArthur

A U.S. general who led forces in the Korean War but was later removed by Harry S. Truman due to disagreements over military strategy.

U.S.-Japanese security treaties

Agreements that allowed the United States to maintain military bases in Japan to prevent the spread of communism in Asia.

Chiang Kai-shek

The nationalist leader of China who fled to Taiwan after being defeated by Mao Zedong and the People’s Republic of China.

Mao Zedong

The communist leader who established the People’s Republic of China in 1949 after defeating Chiang Kai-shek.

Taiwan

The island where Chiang Kai-shek and his government fled after losing control of mainland China.

People’s Republic of China

The communist government established by Mao Zedong in 1949 after the defeat of the Chinese Nationalists.

38th parallel

The dividing line between North Korea and South Korea, established after World War II and reaffirmed after the Korean War.

Kim Il Sung

The communist leader of North Korea who initiated the Korean War by invading South Korea.

Syngman Rhee

The U.S.-backed leader of South Korea during the Korean War.