Superpowers and the Cold War

These flashcards cover the key concepts related to the emergence of superpowers, the Cold War, and significant events and ideologies that shaped the 20th century.

What two superpowers emerged after World War II?

The United States (US) and the Soviet Union (USSR).

What ideology did the US promote post-World War II?

Capitalism and free trade.

What ideology did the USSR promote post-World War II?

Communism.

What was the purpose of the Tehran Conference in 1943?

To work out strategies for the war against Nazi Germany and discuss post-war reorganization.

What was 'Operation Overlord'?

The code name for the Allied invasion of German-occupied France on June 6, 1944.

What event signaled the beginning of the Cold War?

The Berlin Blockade in 1948.

What was the Marshall Plan?

A US program providing aid to Western Europe to help rebuild economies after World War II.

What was the 'Iron Curtain'?

A term popularized by Winston Churchill to describe the division between Western democracies and Eastern communist countries.

What did the Truman Doctrine aim to do?

Provide political, military, and economic assistance to countries threatened by communism.

What was NSC-68?

A key document that advocated for a large increase in military spending and asserted the need for a global approach to contain communism.

What was the outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

It resulted in a naval blockade by the US and the eventual removal of Soviet missiles from Cuba, avoiding nuclear war.

What was the impact of the Korean War on US foreign policy?

It led to increased military spending and a commitment to defend South Korea and other nations perceived as threatened by communism.

What was the significance of the Prague Spring in 1968?

A period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia that was ultimately crushed by Soviet intervention.

What was the goal of the Czech reforms during the Prague Spring?

To create 'socialism with a human face' through political and economic liberalization.

What was the Brezhnev Doctrine?

The justification for Soviet intervention in Eastern Bloc countries to suppress any movements towards liberalization.

What was the main aim of the Helsinki Agreements signed in 1975?

To enhance cooperation among European nations and ensure respect for human rights.

How did the Cold War affect daily life in the US?

It created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion, leading to the Red Scare and McCarthyism.

What economic model did the US adopt during the Cold War?

A consumption-led economy that emphasized consumer spending to outpace the USSR.

What cultural impact did the Cold War have on the arts in both the US and the USSR?

Both superpowers used propaganda; the US promoted freedom while the USSR emphasized socialist realism.

What was the significance of the Berlin Wall for the Cold War?

It became a symbol of division between East and West and the failure of communism to win the loyalty of its citizens.

What was the consequence of the Cuban Missile Crisis for superpower relations?

It reinforced the need for direct communication between the US and USSR, leading to the establishment of a hotline.

What was the main objective of NATO?

To provide collective security against communist aggression.

In what year did the USSR launch Sputnik, the first artificial satellite?

1957.

What was the impact of the space race on education in the US?

Increased funding for science and mathematics education to produce more engineers and scientists.