Unit 8 - Cold War Review

Why did the U.S. economy boom after WWII?

No war damage, increased savings, and high consumer demand.

What was the Baby Boom?

A large increase in births from 1946–1965.

What did the G.I. Bill do?

Provided education, loans, and support for veterans.

What is suburbanization?

Movement of people to suburbs outside cities.

What was “White Flight”?

Movement of white families from cities to suburbs.

What was the Cold War?

A political and ideological conflict between the U.S. (capitalism) and USSR (communism).

What is containment?

Stopping the spread of communism.

What did the Truman Doctrine state?

The U.S. would help countries fight communism.

What was the Marshall Plan?

Financial aid to rebuild Europe and prevent communism.

What was the Iron Curtain?

Division between communist Eastern Europe and democratic Western Europe.

What was the Berlin Blockade?

Soviet attempt to cut off West Berlin.

How did the U.S. respond?

Berlin Airlift (supplies delivered by air).

What did the Berlin Wall do?

Prevented East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin.

What was NATO?

Military alliance of democratic nations.

What was the Warsaw Pact?

Communist military alliance.

What happened in the Korean War?

Korea split at the 38th parallel; war ended in stalemate.

What was Sputnik?

First satellite launched by the USSR.

What did it cause in the U.S.?

Fear and increased focus on science education.

Who led communist Cuba?

Fidel Castro.

What was the Bay of Pigs?

Failed U.S. invasion of Cuba.

What was the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Nuclear standoff between U.S. and USSR.

What was the Red Scare?

Fear of communism in the U.S.

Who was Joseph McCarthy?

Senator who accused people of being communists without evidence.

What was HUAC?

Committee investigating communist activity.

What was the Domino Theory?

If one country became communist, others would follow.

What divided Vietnam?

North (communist) and South (democratic).

Who were the Viet Cong?

Communist fighters in South Vietnam.

What was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution?

Gave the president power to use military force.

What was the Tet Offensive?

Major North Vietnamese attack in 1968.

What was the My Lai Massacre?

Killing of civilians by U.S. troops.

What was Vietnamization?

Turning fighting over to South Vietnam.

What was the War Powers Act?

Limited presidential military power.

What was the credibility gap?

Public distrust of government.

When did the Berlin Wall fall?

1989

When did the USSR collapse?

1991