Cold War APUSH Unit Final

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts from the Cold War era, including major events, policies, and figures.

Yalta Conference

A meeting in 1945 where Allied leaders discussed the reorganization of post-war Europe.

Potsdam Conference

A 1945 meeting where Allied leaders set terms for the end of World War II and addressed issues concerning post-war Europe.

Manhattan Project

A secret U.S. project during World War II that developed the atomic bomb.

Atlantic Charter

A 1941 policy statement that defined the allied goals for the post-war world.

Bretton Woods Conference

A 1944 meeting that established a new international monetary order and the World Bank.

World Bank

An international financial institution that provides loans and grants for development projects.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

An organization that aims to promote global economic growth and stability.

United Nations

An international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries.

Iron Curtain

A term used to describe the division between Western democracies and Eastern communist countries during the Cold War.

Satellite States

Countries that are formally independent but under heavy political and economic influence from another country.

Buffer Zone

A region that lies between two or more hostile forces, often used for security.

Containment

A foreign policy aimed at preventing the spread of communism.

Truman Doctrine

A U.S. policy to support countries resisting communism, articulated in 1947.

Marshall Plan

An American initiative in 1948 to provide economic aid to rebuild Western European economies after WWII.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

A military alliance formed in 1949 for mutual defense against aggression.

Southeast Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO)

A regional defense organization created in 1954 to prevent communism in Southeast Asia.

Warsaw Pact

A military alliance of communist nations in response to NATO, established in 1955.

Molotov Plan

An initiative by the Soviet Union to provide aid to Eastern European countries after WWII.

Berlin Airlift

The U.S. and Allied operation to supply West Berlin by air in response to the Soviet blockade in 1948.

The People's Republic of China

Established in 1949, it marked the victory of communism in China.

Mao Tse-Tung

The founding father of the People's Republic of China and leader of the Communist Party.

NSC-68

A pivotal 1950 policy document that called for a military buildup to counter the Soviet threat.

Domino Theory

The belief that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would follow.

Korean War

A conflict from 1950-1953 between North Korea (and China) and South Korea (with U.S. support), centered around the 38th parallel.

Syngman Rhee

The first president of South Korea, known for his staunch anti-communism.

Kim Sung II

The leader of North Korea who established a totalitarian regime.

Vietnam War

A conflict in Vietnam from 1955 to 1975 involving North Vietnam (communist) and South Vietnam (U.S. supported), associated with the 17th parallel.

Ho Chi Minh

The communist leader of North Vietnam who sought to unite Vietnam under communist rule.

Ngo Dinh Diem

The first president of South Vietnam, opposed communism, and was supported by the U.S.

Vietminh

A communist-led organization that fought for Vietnam's independence from French colonial rule.

Vietcong

The guerrilla forces that fought against the South Vietnamese government and U.S. forces during the Vietnam War.

The Cuban Revolution

A successful revolution in 1959 that resulted in Fidel Castro taking power in Cuba.

Fulgencio Batista

The U.S.-supported dictator of Cuba overthrown by Fidel Castro.

Fidel Castro

The leader of the Cuban Revolution and head of state in Cuba for many years.

Agrarian Reform Act

Legislation enacted by Castro to redistribute land in Cuba.

Bay of Pigs

A failed U.S.-backed invasion of Cuba in 1961 aimed at overthrowing Castro.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 1962 confrontation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union over Soviet missiles in Cuba.

Cold War Liberalism

An ideology characterized by a commitment to democracy and capitalism, coupled with a belief in the need for a strong government presence in the economy.