Cold War Flashcards

Flashcards reviewing key events, figures, and concepts of the Cold War based on lecture notes.

What was the UN?

The United Nations, formed in 1945 with 50 allied countries and new ideologies.

Who were the permanent members of the UN Security Council?

The US, USSR, Great Britain, France, and China.

Who made up the two sides in Post WWII?

US and USSR.

What were the goals of the US after WWII?

To stop the spread of Communism and Soviet influence; based on earlier opposition to Nazi expansion in Europe.

What is NATO?

North Atlantic Treaty Organization - became the counterpart to the United Nations.

What is the Warsaw Pact?

A military alliance of Eastern European nations, essentially the Soviet and satellite states.

What was the Marshall Plan?

A US initiative to provide approximately $12.5 billion to help rebuild Western European economies after WWII.

What was the Cold War?

The United States vs. the Soviet Union.

Where did the discussions for establishing the UN begin?

Yalta Conference and then the Dumbarton Oaks.

What was a major outcome of WWII?

A new world order is created.

What was the US and USSR's goal for the UN?

To create a political and military sphere of the United Nations.

What was the Soviet Union's post WWII foreign policy?

Wanted anti-fascist ideals and to protect its own sphere of influence in Eastern Europe that were open to Soviet alliance.

What was the Space Race?

A competition to lead the research of resources and expand into space; seen as critical for national security.

Who was Yuri Gagarin?

In April 1961, Yuri Gagarin was the first man to successfully orbit and fully circle the Earth.

Who was Alan Shepard?

In May 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American to orbit the Earth; orbiting it 3 times and landing.

What was Sputnik I?

In 1957, the USSR launched the first satellite which was intended to send out a radio signal and satellite pulse.

What was Explorer I?

In January 1958, the US launched its first satellite.

What was the U-2 Incident of 1960?

The USSR shot down a CIA U2 reconnaissance spy airplane.

What did Eisenhower want his legacy to be?

An open skies agreement to launch aircraft and reconnaissance into space.

What was the initial outcome of the U-2 Incident?

Created more emotions that, in turn, affected relations throughout the world.

How was Germany divided after WWII?

Germany was split into 4 sections controlled by France, the United States, the USSR, and Great Britain.

What was the Marshall Plan?

Countries in Europe and Asia were invited to rebuild their economies to rebuild the country through the sphere of the USSR.

What was Stalin's policy?

to support countries to become fascist (USSR was viewed as the "defender of the disunion")

What was the Berlin Wall?

A barrier on the border of the disunion of issues in Europe until it fell in 1991.

What was the Berlin Airlift?

The US tried to rebuild Europe in Berlin by getting in resources to promote policies to oppose forces forced to stay in East Germany. However, the wall was erected.

What was the issue with the Yalta agreement?

The USSR denied the Yalta Conference and reused to set up a democracy and hold elections in its union.

After the split of Germany, what was the US's next move?

The US dealt with the Berlin airlift.

What were Mao's ideals leading China?

Mao instilled US ideals (led by gentrified higher-ups) to diminish Chiang's influence.

How did Mao break ties with the USSR?

Mao limited Mao to power to the USSR, broke ties with the USSR, and tried to stabilize rapidly, not globally or slowly.

Who did Truman side with in the Chinese Civil War?

Chiang (Nationalists).

Who led the communist party in China?

Mao.

What was the outcome of the war in Korea?

Korea split into two countries.

What was North Korea's position in the world during the Cold War?

Elected to create chaos in the world as a power.

Who led Vietnam during its revolt against French Colonialism?

Ho Chi Minh.

Who assassinated Ngo Dinh Diem?

President Kennedy and Johnson.

What was the Gulf of Tonkin?

US forces fired on the river.

What was the Tet Offensive?

The offensive created a major shift back on Southern households.

What type of war was the war in Korea?

Proxy.

Who was the leader of North Vietnam during the war?

Ho Chi Minh.

Who led Southern Vietnam during the war?

Ngo Dinh Diem.

Describe the war in Vietnam.

The Cold War yet merged.

Why did the US lose support for the war in Vietnam?

The Vietnam war was heavily televised in the US.

What was Nixon's campaign promise?

To end US involvement in Vietnam.

What did Castro do after his coup?

Led a communist disunion that grew across Cuba.

What happened after President Kennedy took office?

Continued spy efforts to kick active Cuba, viewed Soviet missiles destruction.

Who backed Cuba during Kennedy's presidency?

The Soviet Union.

What did the US decide to not have in Cuba?

Missiles.

What strategy did Senator McCarthy espouse?

To end US charges for Soviet espionage.

Who took over as leader of the USSR after Stalin?

Khrushchev.

What was the Space Race?

A competition to send people to the moon.

What was the Bay of Pigs incident?

Operations between JFK and Castro that sought to break the barriers.

What was detente?

To report the phase of troops and get in assistance.

What was the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty?

Ended the US arms era and had limitations set to look out on and bring evil back.

When was the Fall of the Berlin Wall?

November 3, 1990

When did the Cold War officially end?

With the fall of the USSR.

Where does the modern-day president of China live?

Bejing.

Summarize the Partition of India

After WWII, Great Britain began to work to manage much of its former empire, setting up unions for two state countries: India and Pakistan.

Who founded Pakistan?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Who founded India?

Gandhi.

What is the Zionism movement?

Post WWII, The creation of Israel allowed the displaced Jews who were forced to wave the US in Europe after WWII to make a land alien invasion.

Who was the first Prime Minister of Israel and what happened to them?

Itzhak Rabin- was assassinated.

What is Arafat known for?

Chairmen of the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization).

What is Apartheid?

No dual dominance, have to deal with it (can't establish relations or alien ideals is ignited).