IR 350 Final (Descriptions)

This set of flashcards reviews key terms and concepts from the final study guide for the upcoming exam.

Battle of Dien Bien Phu

1954 conflict where Viet forces defeated the French, leading to the end of French colonial rule in Indochina.

Ho Chi Minh

Former founder and President of North Vietnam, nationalist, and revolutionary leader for the movement for Vietnams Independence from France.

Sino-Soviet Split

Political split between Chinese and Soviet communism by the early 1960s that weakened the global communist movement.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident

August 1964 event involving alleged N Vietnamese attacks on US vessels, leading to increased US military involvement in Vietnam.

Tet Offensive

January 1968 coordinated offensive by N Viet forces, which shocked American public opinion and increased anti-war sentiment.

Vietnamization

US policy under Nixon aimed to withdraw troops and transfer combat responsibilities to South Vietnamese forces.

Pol Pot

Leader of the Khmer Rouge responsible for the Cambodian Genocide from 1975 to 1979.

Normalization

Policy in Czechoslovakia following the Prague Spring, restoring hardline communist control.

Mossadegh/Iranian Coup

1953 coup that overthrew the democratically elected PM of Iran, motivated by his leftist policies.

Six Days War

1967 conflict where Israel fought against Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, worsening Arab-Israeli tensions.

Yom Kippur War

1973 surprise attack on Israel by Egypt and Syria during Yom Kippur that shook Israeli military confidence.

SDI/Star Wars

1983 US initiative for a space-based missile defense system that escalated Cold War tensions.

Solidarity

The first legal independent trade union in a Soviet-bloc country, founded in Poland in 1980.

Fall of the Berlin Wall

November 1989 event symbolizing the end of Cold War divisions in Europe and the collapse of East German communism.

Globalization

Increasing interconnectedness of the world through trade and technology, bringing both prosperity and instability.

Global War on Terror

US-led campaign initiated after 9/11 aimed at combating terrorism, with significant global implications.

Russian Invasion of Ukraine

February 2022 invasion by Russia under false pretenses, leading to severe geopolitical consequences and war.