Cold War and Communism Overview

Flashcards covering key concepts from the Cold War period and communist ideology.

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization; a military alliance formed in 1949 among democratic countries.

Warsaw Pact

A collective defense treaty established in 1955 among the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries.

Potsdam Conference

A meeting of Allied leaders in 1945 to discuss postwar Europe and the division of Germany.

Marxism

A political and economic theory derived from the ideas of Karl Marx, advocating for a classless society.

Bourgeoisie

The wealthy capitalist class who own the means of production.

Proletariat

The working class who are exploited under capitalism.

Propaganda of the deed

Using violence to achieve political goals, notably advocated by Luigi Galleani.

Palmer Raids

A series of raids conducted by the U.S. government in 1919 to arrest and deport suspected radicals.

Sedition Act

A law that made it a federal crime to speak against the government or the war.

Espionage Act

A law enacted during WWI making it illegal to interfere with military operations or support enemies.

Article 5 of NATO

A clause stating that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all members, requiring mutual defense.

USSR nuclear weapons test

The successful detonation of nuclear weapons by the Soviet Union, escalating the arms race during the Cold War.

Communism

A political ideology advocating for a classless society in which all property is publicly owned.

General Strike

A strike by a large number of workers across various industries, as seen in Seattle in 1919.

Alien troublemakers

A term used by Palmer referring to radicals thought to threaten government stability.

J. Edgar Hoover

The first director of the FBI, instrumental in the Radical Division's surveillance of political radicals.

Chicago's Wall Street Bombing

An explosion attributed to radicals that targeted capitalists, highlighting political tensions in the 1920s.