Unit 8 APWH

Cold War

A state of hostility between the U.S. and Soviet Union characterized by ideological conflict (capitalism vs. communism) without direct military confrontation.

Post-WWII Superpowers

The U.S. and Soviet Union emerged as global superpowers due to economic strength and technological advancement following WWII.

U.S. Economic Advantages

The U.S. became prosperous after WWII due to minimal destruction and programs like the Marshall Plan aiding European recovery.

Soviet Economic Recovery

The USSR rebounded using a command economy and natural resources, but overemphasized heavy industry at the expense of consumer goods.

Technological Race

Competition between the U.S. and USSR in nuclear weapon development, leading to an arms race that defined Cold War tensions.

Decolonization Trends

WWII weakened imperial powers, sparking anti-colonial movements and leading to the formation of ~80 new independent states.

Ideological Conflict

The U.S. supported democratic capitalism while the USSR promoted authoritarian communism, fueling global political divisions.

Mutual Mistrust

Tensions arose over post-war governance, especially Soviet control over Eastern Europe and avoidance of free elections.

Divided Germany

Post-WWII Germany was split into occupation zones; Soviet control of East Germany led to Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech.

Global Implications of the Cold War

The Cold War shaped military alliances, nuclear proliferation, proxy wars, and impacted newly decolonized nations.

Non-Aligned Movement

A coalition of newly independent countries that chose not to align with either the U.S. or USSR; led by figures like Sukarno.

NATO

A military alliance formed in 1949 among Western nations to counter Soviet influence in Europe.

Warsaw Pact

A military alliance created in 1955 among Eastern Bloc countries in response to NATO, led by the Soviet Union.

Nuclear Proliferation

The spread of nuclear weapons, beginning with U.S. and Soviet development, peaking during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 1962 confrontation between the U.S. and USSR over Soviet missiles in Cuba, nearly causing nuclear war.

Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (1968)

An international agreement to limit the spread of nuclear weapons and promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Proxy Wars

Conflicts supported indirectly by superpowers, including the Korean War, Angolan Civil War, and Contra War in Nicaragua.

Chinese Communist Revolution (1949)

Mao Zedong led the Communist Party to power in China, founding the People’s Republic of China.

Great Leap Forward

Mao’s economic plan to rapidly industrialize China that led to widespread famine and millions of deaths.

Nasser's Reforms in Egypt

Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal and initiated socialist policies to assert Egyptian independence.

Vietnam's Communism

North Vietnam redistributed land after independence, setting the stage for conflict with anti-communist South Vietnam.

Cuban Revolution (1956)

Fidel Castro overthrew the Cuban government, established communism, and nationalized U.S. assets, straining U.S.-Cuba relations.

Negotiated Independence in India

India gained independence from Britain in 1947 through peaceful resistance, resulting in the partition with Pakistan.

Negotiated Independence in Ghana

Ghana peacefully gained independence from Britain in 1957 under Kwame Nkrumah’s leadership.

Algerian War for Independence

A violent struggle from 1954–1962 between Algerian nationalists and French colonial authorities, ending in independence.

Angolan Independence (1975)

Angola fought Portugal for independence; civil war followed between rival factions after Portuguese withdrawal.

Impact of Colonial Boundaries

Arbitrary borders drawn by colonial powers caused post-independence ethnic conflicts, such as Nigeria’s civil war.

Partition of India

The 1947 division of British India into India and Pakistan led to mass migrations and over 500,000 deaths.

Kashmir Conflict

Ongoing dispute between India and Pakistan over the region of Kashmir following the partition, still unresolved today.

Creation of Israel (1948)

Established following a UN plan, leading to prolonged Arab-Israeli conflict over land and statehood.

Aswan High Dam Project

Part of Nasser’s modernization of Egypt, aimed at economic development and energy production.

Indira Gandhi’s Economic Policies

Promoted self-sufficiency in India through socialism, nationalization, and the Green Revolution.

Migration to Metropoles

Former colonial subjects moved to imperial centers (e.g., Indians to Britain), reshaping demographics and culture.

Gandhi’s Civil Disobedience

Led nonviolent resistance against British rule through protests like the Salt March and Homespun Movement.

Martin Luther King Jr.

American civil rights leader who used Gandhi’s nonviolent methods in the struggle for racial equality.

Nelson Mandela

Anti-apartheid leader in South Africa who shifted from nonviolence to armed resistance, imprisoned for 27 years, later became president.

Augusto Pinochet

Chilean dictator who used extreme violence to suppress opposition after a U.S.-backed coup in 1973.

Idi Amin

Ugandan military dictator known for human rights abuses and violent repression during his rule from 1971 to 1979.

Military-Industrial Complex

The relationship between military spending and economic interests during the Cold War, contributing to global militarization.

Terrorism as Political Tool

Use of violence to achieve political goals, exemplified by groups like Al-Qaeda and events like 9/11.

Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)

U.S. missile defense plan under Reagan aimed at intercepting Soviet nuclear attacks using space-based technology.

Soviet-Afghan War (1979–1989)

USSR invaded Afghanistan to support a communist regime; faced resistance from U.S.-backed mujahideen, weakening Soviet power.

Perestroika

Gorbachev’s economic restructuring policy in the 1980s to revive the Soviet economy.

Glasnost

Gorbachev’s policy of openness that allowed criticism of the Soviet government, leading to demands for reform.

Collapse of the Soviet Union (1991)

Resulted from economic decline, failed reforms, and rising independence movements in Eastern Europe and USSR.