Untitled Flashcards Set

United Nations (UN)

Founded in 1945, aims to promote global peace and security; consists of 193 member states.

UN Security Council

A council with 5 permanent members: USSR, Britain, USA, France, China.

Iron Curtain

The ideological division between the Communist Eastern Bloc and the Capitalist West.

Cold War (1947–1991)

The period characterized by ideological conflict and tension between the Soviet Union and the United States.

Espionage

The practice of spying, used by the KGB (Soviet Union) and CIA (United States) during the Cold War.

Arms Race

A competition between superpowers to achieve superior military capabilities, particularly nuclear weapons.

Proxy Wars

Indirect conflicts in developing countries, fought between superpowers, often for influence.

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance formed in 1949 comprising Western democracies.

Warsaw Pact

Military alliance of communist countries led by the Soviet Union, established in response to NATO.

Truman Doctrine (1947)

US policy to provide aid to countries resisting Communism, exemplified by aid to Greece and Turkey.

Marshall Plan

US initiative to aid the recovery of Western European economies after World War II, providing $12.5 billion.

Great Leap Forward

A campaign initiated by Mao Zedong in China aiming at rapid industrialization, ultimately leading to failure and famine.

Cultural Revolution

A socio-political movement in China aimed at preserving Communism by targeting intellectuals.

Deng Xiaoping

Chinese leader who initiated economic reforms and opened China to global trade after Mao's era.

Jawaharlal Nehru

The first Prime Minister of India, who played a key role in shaping modern India post-independence.

Indira Gandhi

First and only female Prime Minister of India, known for her controversial policies and emergency rule.

Iranian Revolution (1979)

Overthrow of the US-backed Shah of Iran, establishing an Islamic Republic.

Dependency Theory

The theory suggesting that developing nations are economically dependent on developed nations, hindering their growth.