Key Events and Concepts of the Cold War

These flashcards cover key events, policies, and figures from the Cold War era, focusing on definitions and important concepts for exam preparation.

Eastern Bloc

The Soviet Union formed a communist group of Eastern European nations from 1946 to 1949.

Berlin Blockade/Airlift

A crisis from 1948 to 1949 where the Soviet Union blocked access to West Berlin, leading to a major airlift by the US and Britain.

Baby Boom

The period between 1942 and 1950 when approximately 30 million babies were born in the United States.

Bay of Pigs

A failed 1961 invasion of Cuba by Cuban exiles, trained by the CIA, resulting in an embarrassment for the US.

Berlin Airlift

Joint effort by the US and Britain to supply West Berlin by air after the Soviet blockade.

Berlin Wall

A wall built by East Germany in 1961 to prevent East Berliners from escaping to West Berlin.

Brinkmanship

A policy of risking war to protect national interests, coined by Secretary of State John Dulles in 1956.

Nuclear Arsenals

The stockpiles of nuclear weapons developed by the US and USSR during the early Cold War.

Containment Policy

The Truman administration's strategy to stop the expansion of Soviet influence post-World War II.

United Nations

An international organization established to promote peace and prevent future wars, comprising 50 nations.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 1962 standoff between the US and USSR over Soviet missile deployment in Cuba.

Economic Prosperity after WWII

Post-war growth characterized by expansion of the middle class and suburban development.

Sputnik

The first artificial Earth satellite, launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, triggering a US response in science and technology.

Rock and Roll Effects

Music genre that influenced youth culture, bridging racial divides and creating a generation gap.

ENIAC

The first operational electronic digital computer, developed in 1946.

Flexible Response

Military strategy of building conventional forces to address conflicts without nuclear weapons.

GATT

The 1948 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade that aims to promote international trade.

General MacArthur

Commander of UN forces during the Korean War, dismissed by Truman for advocating aggressive action.

G.I. Bill

1944 legislation providing benefits for returning WWII veterans, including education and home loans.

Math and Science Growth

Post-Sputnik emphasis on education in these fields to compete with the Soviet Union.

Suburban Growth

Post-WWII movement towards suburbs driven by various socio-economic factors.

Harry S. Truman

US President from 1945-1953 known for his strong anti-communism stance.

Hollywood Ten

A group of filmmakers jailed for refusing to answer questions about Communist influence.

HUAC

House Un-American Activities Committee that investigated alleged Communism in the US.

Iron Curtain

Winston Churchill's term describing the division between the Soviet East and US West.

Moon Landing

The July 20, 1969 event when the US landed astronauts on the Moon, beating the Soviet Union.

Korean War

Conflict from 1950-1953 where North Korea invaded South Korea, supported by the USSR and US respectively.

Marshall Plan

US initiative from 1947 to provide aid to help European economies recover from WWII.

McCarthyism

The practice of making unsubstantiated accusations of communism.

Military Industrial Complex

Term used by Eisenhower to describe the relationship between the defense industry and government.

In God We Trust

US motto emphasizing religious trust to differentiate from communist ideologies.

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization established in 1949 as a military alliance.

New Vaccines

Vaccines developed post-WWII that significantly reduced polio deaths.

Potsdam Conference

The 1945 meeting of Allies to discuss post-war Europe but resulting in Cold War tensions.

Red Scare

A period of widespread fear of communism in the United States.

Satelite Nations

Eastern European countries under the influence of the Soviet Union post-WWII.

Senator Joseph McCarthy

A key figure of the Red Scare known for his unsubstantiated claims of communism in government.

Space Race

The competition between the US and USSR for supremacy in space exploration.

Sputnik 1957

The first Earth-orbiting artificial satellite, launched by the Soviet Union.

Subversive

A term for actions intended to undermine a political system.

Truman Doctrine

US policy to support nations resisting Soviet influence, particularly Greece and Turkey.

Venona Papers

Classified documents released in 1995 that confirmed identities of Soviet spies.

Warsaw Pact

A military alliance of Soviet and Eastern European countries in response to NATO.

Cold War

A prolonged conflict of political and economic rivalry between the US and USSR without direct military action.

WWII Devastation Effect

Led to US legislation for financial aid to rebuild Western European economies.

Launching of Sputnik 1 Result

Became a turning point leading to the formation of NASA and the Space Race.

Berlin Airlift Result

Successfully broke the Soviet blockade while avoiding military conflict.

Eisenhower’s Cold War Response

Adopted Brinkmanship and increased spending on military capabilities.

Korean War Result

The conflict began with a North Korean invasion of South Korea, escalating into international war.

John F. Kennedy

US President known for his domestic and foreign policies, including the Space Race and the Cuban Crisis.

Yalta Conference

A meeting of FDR, Churchill, and Stalin that established post-war agreements.