Key Concepts in 20th Century History: Marxism, Russian Revolution, Cold War, and Post-WWII America

Who developed Marxism?

Karl Marx

What is Marxism?

An economic/political idea that views every problem in society as a result of the class system.

Who were the Bolsheviks?

An extreme wing of Russians that represented the workers and soldiers.

What did the Bolsheviks do?

They killed the Tsars, the Romanovs, and started the civil war.

What was the October Revolution?

A conflict between the White Army and the Red Army where the Bolsheviks won in 1917.

What is another name for the October Revolution?

Bolshevik Revolution.

Who was Vladimir Lenin?

The leader of the Bolsheviks who studied Marxism and came back from exile.

What was Joseph Stalin's early life like?

He was born in Stalingrad and rose to power after being appointed General Secretary by Lenin.

What was the Great Purge?

A campaign where Stalin killed between 3-40 million people, targeting loyalists.

What does USSR stand for?

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

What was the Potsdam Conference?

A meeting of the 'Big Three' (Truman, Stalin, Churchill) to discuss post-WWII orders.

What was discussed at the Potsdam Conference?

Division of Germany, reparations, and the Nuremberg Trials.

What is a Satellite State?

States controlled by Stalin that are not sovereign.

What countries were considered Satellite States?

Poland and Albania.

What is the Iron Curtain?

A metaphorical barrier that cut off Allies from Communist countries in Europe.

What was the Truman Doctrine?

A policy to provide military and economic aid to Greece and Turkey.

How much aid did Truman provide to Greece and Turkey?

$400 million.

What was the Marshall Plan?

A program created by George C. Marshall to send billions of dollars to Western Europe.

What was the Berlin Blockade?

A blockade ordered by Stalin in response to the U.S. creating a new currency in West Berlin.

What was the purpose of NATO?

To protect member countries, stating 'An attack on one is an attack on all'.

What was the Warsaw Pact?

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

What is the United Nations?

An organization established to maintain international peace and security, formed post-WWII.

What was the Red Scare?

A period of paranoia about communism infiltrating U.S. government and society.

What does HUAC stand for?

House Un-American Activities Committee.

Who was Alger Hiss?

A state department official accused of being a Soviet spy and convicted of perjury.

Who were Ethel and Julius Rosenberg?

The only civilians executed for espionage during peacetime, accused of passing atomic secrets.

What is McCarthyism?

A period of suspicion and accusations of communism led by Senator Joseph McCarthy.

What was 'The Crucible'?

A play by Arthur Miller that parallels the Red Scare with the Salem witch trials.

What is the Arms Race?

Competition between the US and USSR to stockpile military weapons and nuclear technology.

What was 'Duck and Cover'?

A defense strategy shown to U.S. civilians in case of a nuclear attack.

What is MAD?

Mutually Assured Destruction, a deterrent strategy where both sides fear starting a war.

What are Levittowns?

Suburban towns built for cheap housing, problematic due to segregation.

What was the Baby Boom?

The largest population increase in U.S. history following WWII.

What is the GI Bill?

A law that paid for soldiers' college tuition and helped them enter the middle class.

What is the American Dream?

The ideal of stability, comfort, and a better life for families.