SECTION I — PEOPLE (Social Studies Study Guide 2025–26 (“From Yalta to Malta”).)

Who was Harry S. Truman and what Cold War policies is he known for?

U.S. President (1945-1953). He authorized atomic bomb use, created the Truman Doctrine to contain communism, approved the Marshall Plan, and oversaw the Berlin Airlift and creation of NATO.

Why was Truman significant to the Cold War's beginning?

He defined U.S. containment policy and established America's role as the Western world's defender against communism.

What Cold War term did Churchill popularize?

The "Iron Curtain" (1946) — describing the division between communist East and capitalist West.

What was Churchill's goal in early Cold War diplomacy?

To maintain Western unity and deter Soviet expansion through strong U.S.-U.K. cooperation.

Who was Stalin and what role did he play in shaping the early Cold War?

Dictator of the Soviet Union; expanded communist influence in Eastern Europe, created satellite states, and initiated the Berlin Blockade.

What characterized his leadership style? (Stalin)

Totalitarian control, political purges, suppression of dissent, and the establishment of the Eastern Bloc.

What was George Marshall's key contribution to the Cold War?

As Secretary of State, he launched the Marshall Plan (1948) to rebuild Western Europe and prevent communist spread.

Why did the Marshall Plan matter strategically?

It strengthened capitalist democracies and deepened U.S. leadership in postwar Europe.

Who was George Kennan and why is he important?

U.S. diplomat and author of the "Long Telegram" (1946) and X Article, advocating the policy of containment.

What impact did Kennan's ideas have?

His containment theory became the foundation of U.S. Cold War foreign policy.

Who was Nikita Khrushchev?

Soviet leader (1953-1964) known for de-Stalinization, Sputnik, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

What were his domestic and foreign policies? (Nikita Khrushchev)

Advocated "peaceful coexistence" with the West but took aggressive stances abroad (Berlin, Cuba).

Why was he removed from power? (Nikita Khrushchev)

Because of internal criticism over erratic policies and the Cuban Missile Crisis outcome.

What was Eisenhower's approach to Cold War policy?

"New Look" policy — reliance on nuclear deterrence (massive retaliation) and containment through alliances.

What Cold War events occurred during his presidency? - Eisenhower's

End of Korean War, formation of SEATO, Suez Crisis, U-2 Incident, and beginning of U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

Who was Leonid Brezhnev?

Soviet leader (1964-1982) known for the Brezhnev Doctrine, which justified Soviet intervention in socialist countries.

What defined his era? - Leonid Brezhnev

Political stagnation, increased military spending, and the invasion of Afghanistan (1979).

Who was Fidel Castro?

Revolutionary leader who overthrew Cuba's Batista regime in 1959 and established a communist state allied with the USSR.

How did he influence the Cold War?

Central figure in the Cuban Missile Crisis and promoted socialist revolutions in Latin America and Africa.

What Cold War events defined Kennedy's presidency?

Bay of Pigs invasion, Cuban Missile Crisis, Berlin Wall construction, and expansion of U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

What was his main Cold War legacy? (Kennedy's )

Strengthening the U.S. image as the defender of freedom and improving crisis communication with the USSR.

Who was Alexander Dubček?

Leader of Czechoslovakia during the Prague Spring (1968) who promoted "socialism with a human face."

What happened to him? (Alexander Dubček)

He was removed after the Warsaw Pact invasion that ended Czechoslovak reforms.

Who was Ho Chi Minh?

Communist revolutionary leader and first President of North Vietnam (1945-1969).

What was his Cold War significance?- Ho Chi Minh

Led Vietnam's anti-colonial struggle and later fought the U.S. during the Vietnam War for national reunification.

What did Mao Zedong accomplish?

Founded the People's Republic of China (1949) and aligned early with the USSR before the Sino-Soviet split.

What Cold War events involved Mao?

Korean War support, Cultural Revolution, and role in transforming global communism.

Who was Clement Attlee?

British Prime Minister (1945-1951) who represented Britain at Potsdam and helped transition the British Empire into the Commonwealth.

How did he impact early Cold War policy? - Clement Attlee

Supported NATO formation and maintained Britain's nuclear weapons program.

What Cold War policies define Nixon's presidency?

Détente, opening relations with China (1972), and the SALT I Treaty with the USSR.

What doctrine is named after him? Nixon

The Nixon Doctrine, which emphasized U.S. support for allies' self-defense rather than direct intervention.

What was Reagan's Cold War strategy?

Peace through strength — heavy military buildup, Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), and pressure on the USSR.

What were his key achievements? - Reagan's

Signed the INF Treaty (1987) with Gorbachev and helped end the Cold War through diplomacy and economic competition.

What were Gorbachev's major reforms?

Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring), aimed at modernizing the Soviet system.

How did Gorbachev influence the Cold War's end?

Reduced Soviet control over Eastern Europe, signed major arms agreements, and accepted the peaceful breakup of the USSR.

Who was Lech Wałęsa?

Leader of Solidarity, Poland's independent labor union that challenged communist rule.

What was his historical impact? - Lech Wałęsa

Sparked democratic change in Eastern Europe and later became President of Poland (1990-1995).

Who was Salvador Allende?

Marxist President of Chile (1970-1973), overthrown in a military coup supported by the U.S.

Why is his downfall significant? - Salvador Allende

It reflects U.S. intervention in Latin America to prevent socialist regimes during the Cold War.

Who was Augusto Pinochet?

Chilean general who led the 1973 coup and ruled Chile under a repressive, anti-communist dictatorship.

How was he connected to Cold War geopolitics? - Augusto Pinochet

Part of Operation Condor, backed by the U.S. to suppress left-wing movements in South America.

Who was Jan Masaryk?

Foreign Minister of Czechoslovakia; died mysteriously after the communist takeover in 1948.

Why is his death notable? - Jan Masaryk

It symbolized the loss of democracy and onset of communist control in Eastern Europe.

Who was Andrei Gromyko?

Soviet Foreign Minister (1957-1985) and later head of state.

What was his role? - Andrei Gromyko

Represented Soviet diplomacy during key events from Khrushchev through Gorbachev, known for toughness and continuity.

Who was Yuri Andropov?

KGB chief turned Soviet leader (1982-1984).

Why was he important? - Yuri Andropov

He maintained strict control, suppressed dissent, and began minor reforms before dying in office.

Who was Konstantin Chernenko?

Short-term Soviet leader (1984-1985) before Gorbachev.

What characterized his leadership? - Konstantin Chernenko

Return to conservative policies and stagnation before perestroika's onset.