Cold War and Decolonization Flashcards

Flashcards for Cold War and Decolonization lecture review.

Cold War

War between two states with no direct conflict, exemplified by the United States vs. Soviet Union.

Truman Doctrine

American containment policy viewed as a declaration of the Cold War.

Space Race

A competition between the US and Soviet Union. The Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957, and the US landed a man on the moon in 1969.

Non-Aligned Movement

Countries that wanted to distance themselves from the Cold War and not align with either the US or the Soviet Union.

Marshall Plan

An American plan that provided 12 billion in economic aid for capitalist Western Europe.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

A 1949 alliance between the United States and its western allies.

Warsaw Pact

A 1955 alliance between the Soviet Union and its eastern allies.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 13 day crisis in 1962 when Soviet missiles where found in Cuba. The US blockaded Cuba and war was expected, but the Soviets removed missiles and the US promised not to invade Cuba.

Proxy Wars

Conflicts where major powers support opposing sides without directly fighting each other, exemplified by the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Chinese Revolution

Led to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China and spread communism in areas such as Vietnam, Ethiopia, India, Iran, and in Latin America.

Decolonization

The process of empires collapsing in the 20th century. Driven by political and economic factors, and the vulnerability of colonial powers after WWII.

Negotiated Independence Movement

A type of decolonization movement, exemplified by India, where independence was achieved through non-violent protests.

Secessionist Movements

A type of decolonization movement, exemplified by Biafra, where conflict arose within newly independent states, leading to civil war.

Violent Movements for Independence

A type of decolonization movement, exemplified by Algeria, where war was waged against the colonizers to achieve independence.

Partition of India

Religious conflict between Muslims and Hindus after India gained independence from the British, leading to the creation of Pakistan.

Al-Qaeda

A terrorist group made by Osama bin Laden full of Isamlic extremists, who made the 9/11 attacks because the U.S. supported “bad” states like Israel.

Glasnost and Perestroika

Policies implemented by Mikhail Gorbachev that led to the weakening and eventual collapse of the Soviet Union.

Strategic Defense Initiative

A US tech advancement dubbed “Star Wars” that was ultimately too expensive, the announcement of plan shifted tech advantage to America.