Unit 7 Study Guide: Cold War & Decolonization

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to the Cold War and decolonization, including definitions and contextual explanations.

Cold War

A period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union from 1947 to 1991 characterized by political conflict, military tension, and a nuclear arms race.

Decolonization

The process by which nations in Africa and Asia gained independence from colonial powers, particularly between the late 1940s and the 1970s, leading to the formation of new nations.

Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D.)

A military doctrine which posits that both opposing sides in a conflict would face total destruction if nuclear war was initiated, thus deterring both sides from starting a conflict.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

A military alliance formed in 1949 between the United States and Western European countries as a collective defense against the spread of communism.

Non-Aligned Movement

An association of states not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc, established in 1961 to maintain independence in global politics.

Proxy War

A conflict in which two opposing countries or parties support combatants that serve their interests instead of waging war directly, such as in Korea and Vietnam.

Containment

A U.S. policy aimed at preventing the spread of communism by providing political, military, and economic support to countries resisting it.

Warsaw Pact

A military alliance established in 1955 between the Soviet Union and Eastern European communist countries in response to NATO, reinforcing the division of Europe.

Zionism

A nationalist movement supporting the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, leading to the creation of Israel in 1948 and ongoing conflict with Palestinians.

Partition of India

The division of British India into two independent dominions, India and Pakistan, in 1947, resulting in mass migrations, communal violence, and long-lasting tensions.