Cold War Illustrated Vocabulary

The Long Telegram

A 1946 message from George F. Kennan arguing that the U.S. should adopt a policy of containment to stop the spread of Soviet communism.

The Cold War

A prolonged period of political, military, and ideological tension between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The Truman Doctrine

1947 policy by Harry S. Truman pledging U.S. support to countries resisting communism, marking the start of active containment.

West Berlin

A democratic city inside communist East Germany

The Marshall Plan

U.S. program providing economic aid to rebuild Western Europe and prevent communism.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Military alliance of the U.S., Canada, and Western Europe nations to provide collective defense against the Soviet Union.

NSC-68

U.S. policy document calling for a major military buildup to contain communism worldwide.

The Korean War

War between communist North Korea (supported by China and the USSR) and democratic South Korea (supported by the U.S. and UN)

French Rule in Vietnam

Period of colonial control by France over Vietnam until independence movements, leading to later conflict.

The Nuclear Arms Race

Competition between the U.S. and Soviet Union to build more powerful nuclear weapons.

The Space Race

Competition between the U.S. and USSR to explore space and show power.

Joseph McCarthy

U.S. senator who led aggressive investigations into alleged communists in the government, often without solid evidence.

McCarthyism

The practice of making accusations of disloyalty or communism without proper evidence

Alger Hiss

U.S. government official accused of spying for the Soviet Union.

The Rosenbergs

Julius Rosenberg and Ethel Rosenberg, executed for giving atomic secrets to the Soviet Union.

Anti-Communism

Opposition to communism in U.S. politics and society.

Cold War Christianity

The linking of American religious identity with anti-communism, portraying the U.S. as morally opposed to atheist Soviet communism.

The Military Industrial Complex

Warning by Dwight D. Eisenhower about the power of the military and defense industry.

Global Independence Movements

Efforts by colonies in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East to gain independence after WWII.

Decolonization

The process by which former colonies gained independence from European powers.