Cold War and Decolonization Review

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the Cold War, decolonization, and their effects globally, fostering an understanding of historical events and ideologies.

Cold War

A period of political tension and military rivalry between the US and the USSR after World War II.

Decolonization

The process by which colonies gained independence from colonial powers.

Big Three

The leaders of the US, the USSR, and Great Britain during WWII.

Tehran Conference

A 1943 meeting of the Big Three to discuss post-war plans.

Yalta Conference

A 1945 meeting focused on post-war Europe and the defeat of Japan.

Potsdam Conference

The final meeting of the Big Three in 1945 where tensions emerged regarding Eastern Europe.

Armistice

An agreement to stop fighting, often used to signify the end of hostilities.

Eisenhower Doctrine

A US policy to prevent the spread of communism in the Middle East.

Containment

A US foreign policy aimed at stopping the expansion of communism.

Truman Doctrine

The US policy of providing economic and military aid to countries resisting communism.

Marshall Plan

A US program to aid Western European economies after WWII to prevent communist uprisings.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance formed in 1949.

Warsaw Pact

The military alliance of communist nations in Eastern Europe formed in response to NATO.

Non-Aligned Movement

A group of states that did not formally align with either the US or the USSR.

Proxy War

A conflict where two opposing countries support combatants that serve their interests.

Iron Curtain

A term used to describe the division between communist East and democratic West Europe.

Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

A doctrine of military strategy where full-scale use of nuclear weapons would cause the complete annihilation of both attacker and defender.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 1962 confrontation between the US and the USSR over Soviet missiles in Cuba.

Berlin Wall

A barrier that divided East and West Berlin from 1961 to 1989.

Glasnost

A policy of openness initiated by Gorbachev in the USSR allowing greater freedom of expression.

Perestroika

A policy for reforming the economic and political system in the USSR under Gorbachev.

Détente

A period of improved relations between the US and the USSR during the 1970s.

Biafran Civil War

A conflict in Nigeria from 1967 to 1970 prompted by ethnic tensions and the desire for independence by the Igbo people.

Algerian War of Independence

A violent struggle for independence from France between 1954 and 1962.

Great Leap Forward

A campaign by the Chinese Communist Party aimed at rapidly transforming the country into a socialist society.

Cultural Revolution

A sociopolitical movement in China from 1966 to 1976 aimed at preserving communist ideology.

Lebanon Civil War

A multifaceted civil conflict involving various groups from 1975 to 1990.

Anti-imperialism

Opposition to colonial rule or external domination of countries.

Open Door Policy

US policy that aimed to ensure equal trading rights for all nations in China.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

An international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.

Congo Crisis

A period of political turmoil and conflict in the Republic of the Congo from 1960 to 1965.

Suez Crisis

A diplomatic and military confrontation in 1956 involving Egypt, Israel, France, and the UK.

Zionism

The nationalist movement to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization)

An organization founded to create an independent State of Palestine.

African National Congress (ANC)

The main political party opposing apartheid in South Africa.

Apartheid

A system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa.

Proxy Forces

Local forces that a nation supports in order to pursue its foreign policy goals indirectly.

Ghadi's Principles

Nonviolent resistance methods exhibited by Mahatma Gandhi during India's independence movement.

Shining Path

A Maoist guerrilla group in Peru known for its violent rebellion against the government.

Sandinistas

Leftist political faction in Nicaragua that overthrew the Somoza dictatorship.

Civic Nationalism

A form of nationalism based on shared values, civic participation, and political rights.

Ethnic Nationalism

Nationalism that is based on shared ethnic identity and cultural history.

Mao Zedong

The founding father of the People's Republic of China and prominent communist leader.

Fidel Castro

Cuban revolutionary and communist leader who ruled from 1959 to 2008.

Terrorism

The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians.

Islamic State (ISIL)

A militant group that follows a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam.

Vietnam War

Conflict in Vietnam from 1955 to 1975, involving North Vietnam against South Vietnam and the United States.

Economic Dependency

A state in which a country relies on others for economic support.

Cultural Assimilation

The process by which a minority group adopts the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture.

Self-determination

The right of peoples to determine their own political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development.

Ethnic Cleansing

The systematic removal of an ethnic or religious group from a territory.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

A milestone document proclaiming the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to.

Balfour Declaration

A statement by the British government in 1917 supporting a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

Proxy Elections

Elections in which the primary actors are influenced or backed by external powers.

Palestinian Intifada

Protests and uprisings by Palestinians against Israeli occupation.

Berlin Blockade

A Soviet attempt to starve out the allies in Berlin in order to gain supremacy over the city.

Civic Engagement

Individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern.

Islamic Revolution

The 1979 uprising in Iran that resulted in the overthrow of the Pahlavi monarchy.

Globalization

The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence.

Neocolonialism

The use of economic, political, or cultural pressures to control or influence other countries.

Independence Movements

Efforts by nations or groups to gain political autonomy from colonial powers.

War Crimes

Actions carried out during the conduct of a war that violate international laws.

Nonviolent Resistance

A method of protest that seeks change without the use of violence.

Civil Rights Movement

A struggle for social justice by African Americans in the United States.

Feminist Movement

A movement aimed at establishing equal rights and opportunities for women.

Environmental Activism

A social and political movement focusing on protecting the environment.

Terrorism in the 21st Century

A rise in domestic and international terrorist attacks often linked to radical groups.

Civic Nationalism

A form of nationalism that considers the state as a community of citizens.

Oligarchy

A form of power structure in which power resides in the hands of a small number of people.

Ethnic Violence

Violence committed against people based on their nationality or ethnicity.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself or another state.

Scientific Racism

The use of scientific theories to support or justify racial discrimination.

Cultural Revolution

A movement aimed at enforcing communism by removing capitalist elements from Chinese society.

Extremism

Holding extreme political or religious views that may promote violence.

Resistance Movements

Collective efforts to oppose and overthrow an existing government or authority.

Peacekeeping Operations

Efforts by the international community to maintain peace in a conflict area.

Diplomacy

The practice of conducting negotiations between countries.

Economic Sanctions

Commercial and financial penalties applied by one or more countries against one or more other countries.

Nationalism

A strong identification with and pride in one's nation.

Revolutionary Ideologies

Political ideologies that advocate for societal change through revolution.

Military Dictatorship

A form of government in which a military officer rules the country.

Colonial Legacy

The lasting impact of colonialism on former colonies.

Sharia Law

A system of Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith.

Soviet Proxy Wars

Conflicts in which the USSR supported communist factions in various countries.

Marxism

A socioeconomic theory that analyzes class relations and societal conflict.

National Liberation Movements

Movements aiming to gain control over a political state from colonizers.

Civil Wars

A war between groups within the same country or state.

Dictatorship

A form of government characterized by absolute power held by a single leader or party.

Indigenous Rights Movements

Efforts advocating for the rights of Indigenous peoples.

War of Attrition

A military strategy that seeks to wear down the enemy to the point of collapse.

Coup d'état

A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.

Educational Reform Movements

Initiatives aimed at improving education systems.

Women’s Suffrage Movement

The movement to grant women the right to vote.

Labor Movement

The organization of workers to advocate for better wages and working conditions.

Youth Activism

Efforts by young people to promote social change and political engagement.

Human Rights Violations

Abuses against individuals or groups perceived to infringe on their human rights.

Civic Engagement

Participation in political and community activities.

Rebellion

An act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler.

Forced Migration

The coerced movement of a person or people away from their home or home region.

International Law

A set of rules generally accepted as binding in relations between states and nations.