U.S. History: The Cold War

These flashcards cover key events, policies, and concepts related to the Cold War, which are essential for understanding its impact on U.S. history.

What was the primary conflict during the Cold War?

The primary conflict was between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

How long did the Cold War last?

The Cold War lasted 45 years.

What significant event prompted the U.S. to reconsider its military defense posture after World War II?

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

What policy did Truman announce to support free peoples resisting oppression?

The Truman Doctrine.

What was the Marshall Plan designed to achieve?

To assist Europe's recovery from war and strengthen Western European governments against communism.

What does the term 'Iron Curtain' refer to?

The division between the democratic West and the communist East in Europe.

What military alliance was created by the U.S. and its Western allies in 1949?

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).

What doctrine did Brezhnev announce regarding Soviet intervention in Eastern Europe?

The Brezhnev Doctrine.

What triggered the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962?

The U.S. discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba.

Who were the two key leaders that played vital roles in the negotiation to end the Cold War?

Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev.

What did Gorbachev propose to help reduce nuclear arms?

A 50 percent reduction in American and Soviet nuclear ballistic missiles.

How did the Cold War officially come to an end?

The dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991.