Cold war Beginnings and Mao's China

Cold War

• A period of tension (not direct war) between the United States and the Soviet Union after WWII.

• It divided the world into two sides (capitalist vs communist) and led to conflicts like the arms race and proxy wars.

Denazification

• The process of removing Nazi influence from Germany after WWII (trials, banning Nazi ideas).

• It helped rebuild Germany as a democratic country and prevent future dictatorships.

Truman Doctrine (1947)

• A U.S. policy to stop the spread of communism by giving aid to countries in danger.

• It marked the start of U.S. involvement in the Cold War and containment policy.

Iron Curtain

• A term used by Churchill to describe the division between Western Europe and communist Eastern Europe.

• It showed how Europe was split politically and ideologically during the Cold War.

Marshall Plan

• A U.S. program that gave money to rebuild Western European economies after WWII.

• It helped stop the spread of communism by improving living conditions.

Berlin Airlift (1948–1949)

• A U.S. and Allied operation that flew supplies into West Berlin after the Soviets blocked it.

• It showed strong resistance to Soviet pressure without starting a war.

NATO (1949)

• A military alliance of Western countries promising to defend each other.

• It united the West against the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Warsaw Pact (1955)

• A military alliance of the Soviet Union and Eastern European countries.

• It was the communist response to NATO and increased tensions.

United Nations (UN)

• An international organization created after WWII to keep peace and cooperation.

• It provided a place for countries to discuss problems instead of fighting.

Mao Zedong

• The communist leader who founded the People’s Republic of China in 1949.

• He transformed China into a communist state and led major social and economic changes.

Great Leap Forward (1958–1962)

• Mao’s plan to quickly industrialize China by creating large communes.

• It failed badly and caused a huge famine, killing millions of people.

Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution (1966–1976)

• A movement led by Mao to remove opposition and enforce communist ideas.

• It caused chaos, violence, and destruction of culture and education.

Little Red Book

• A book of Mao’s quotes used to spread his ideas.

• It became a symbol of loyalty, especially during the Cultural Revolution.