Russian Revolution & Cold War: Key Concepts and Leaders

Russian Revolution

(1917) Revolt that overthrew Czar Nicholas II, ended centuries of monarchy, and brought the Bolsheviks (communists) to power.

Czar Nicholas II

The last czar of Russia; abdicated in 1917 and was executed by the Bolsheviks.

Bolsheviks

Radical communist group led by Vladimir Lenin that seized power in the Russian Revolution.

Communism

Economic/political system based on collective ownership, no private property, and government control of production.

Capitalism

Economic system based on private ownership, free markets, and profit.

Socialism

Economic system where the government (or community) owns major industries, but there can still be some private property.

Buffer

A neutral or friendly state used to separate two rival powers (e.g., USSR wanted Eastern Europe as a "buffer zone" against the West).

Vladimir Lenin

Leader of the Bolsheviks; first leader of Soviet Russia; put Marx's ideas into practice.

Karl Marx

German philosopher who created the theory of communism/socialism; co-wrote The Communist Manifesto.

Gulag

Harsh Soviet labor camps where prisoners (often political) were forced to work.

Red Terror

Period of political repression and violence carried out by the Bolsheviks after the Revolution.

Cold War

Period of tension (1947-1991) between the U.S./NATO (capitalist democracies) and the USSR/Warsaw Pact (communist states).

Iron Curtain

Term used by Winston Churchill to describe the division of Europe between communist East and capitalist West.

Containment

U.S. foreign policy strategy to stop the spread of communism during the Cold War.

Cult of personality

When a leader uses propaganda to appear heroic, wise, and infallible (Stalin, Putin).

Domino Theory

Cold War idea that if one country fell to communism, nearby nations would also fall.

Truman Doctrine

U.S. policy promising military/economic aid to nations resisting communism (1947).

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (1949); military alliance of the U.S. and democratic allies.

Warsaw Pact

Military alliance of communist states led by the USSR (1955) made to go against NATO

Invasion of Ukraine (2014, 2022)

2014: Russia annexed Crimea. 2022: Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Joseph Stalin

Dictator of the Soviet Union (1920s-1953); used terror, propaganda, and gulags to maintain power.

Vladimir Putin

Current president of Russia; former KGB officer; authoritarian; invaded Ukraine in 2014 and 2022.

Crimea

Region of Ukraine annexed by Russia in 2014.

Ukraine

Independent country bordering Russia; invaded multiple times by Russia, currently resisting 2022 invasion.

Soviet Union (USSR) - Communist superpower (1922-1991) led by Russia; collapsed in 1991.

Marshall Plan

U.S. program giving aid to rebuild Western Europe after WWII to prevent spread of communism.

End of WWII

1945; Allies defeated Germany and Japan; set stage for Cold War rivalry between U.S. and USSR.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Current president of Ukraine; rose to prominence during the Russian invasion of 2022.

Goals of Foreign Policy

Key Terms

National Security

Protecting a nation from external/internal threats.

Free Trade

Encouraging open trade between nations without tariffs or barriers.

Promoting Democracy

Spreading/supporting democratic governments abroad.

World Peace

Preventing war and promoting cooperation between nations.

Concern for Human Rights

Supporting the protection of individual freedoms and dignity worldwide.

Tools of Foreign Policy

Key Terms

Intelligence

Gathering information about other countries' actions/plans.

Diplomacy

Negotiation between nations to resolve issues peacefully.

Military

Use or threat of armed forces to achieve goals.

Alliances

Formal agreements between nations to support each other.

Propaganda

Media/messages designed to influence public opinion or promote a cause.

Foreign Aid

Economic or military help given to other nations.

Trade Measures

Policies like sanctions, tariffs, or trade agreements to influence other nations.

Goals

What a nation wants to achieve (e.g., national security, democracy).

Tools

How a nation achieves those goals (e.g., military, diplomacy, foreign aid).