Unit 8 - Cold War and Decolonization

Cold War

Conflict between US and USSR, 1945-90s, global influence struggle

Nuclear Arsenal Race

Competition to amass nuclear weapons stockpiles

Yalta Conference

1945 meeting dividing post-WWII Europe among Allies

Truman Doctrine

US policy to aid countries threatened by communism

Berlin Airlift

US flew in resources to West Berlin during blockade

Iron Curtain

Metaphorical divide between Western and Soviet blocs

Kuomintang (KMT)

Political party led by Chiang Kai-shek in China

Chinese Civil War

Conflict between communists and KMT in China

Great Leap Forward

Mao's initiative for communal farming in China

Cultural Revolution

Mao's campaign to purge Western influences in China

Deng Xiaoping

Chinese leader focused on economic reforms

Tiananmen Square Massacre

Government crackdown on pro-democracy protests in China

Korean War

Conflict between North and South Korea, 1950-53

Vietnam War

Conflict between North and South Vietnam, involving US

Khmer Rouge

Communist faction responsible for genocide in Cambodia

Cuban Revolution

Overthrow of Batista dictatorship by Fidel Castro

Bay of Pigs Invasion

Failed US-backed attempt to overthrow Castro in Cuba

Cuban Missile Crisis

Standoff between US and USSR over missiles in Cuba

Latin American Democratization

Political shifts in Latin America influenced by Cold War

Solidarity Movement

Polish workers' movement for economic reform

German Reunification

Reuniting of East and West Germany in 1989

Mikhail Gorbachev

Soviet leader who initiated reforms leading to USSR collapse

Ethnic Cleansing

Violent removal of ethnic groups, as seen in post-Soviet era

Soviet Union Disintegration

Occurred in 1991, leading to new constitutional democracies

Ethnic Cleansing in Balkans

Occurred post-Soviet disintegration, involving Muslim murders by Serbians

UN Troop Involvement

Resulted from Balkans ethnic cleansing, to maintain peace

Cold War End

Resulted in US emerging as the only superpower

Yeltsin Presidency

First president of new Russia, faced corruption and unemployment challenges

Putin Succession

Took over from Yeltsin in 1999, alternating between President and Prime Minister

Indian Independence Movements

Led by Indian National Congress and Muslim League, culminating in independence post-WWII

Amritsar Massacre

1919 event where British killed 319 Indians during a peaceful protest

Gandhi's Resistance Philosophy

Advocated passive resistance like boycotts and demonstrations

Partition of India

Resulted in the creation of Pakistan for Muslims

African Independence Movements

Led to the establishment of independent nations, post-European colonialism

Nasser's Influence

Inspired Islamic nationalists in the Mediterranean for independence

Algerian War for Independence

Fought against France from 1954-1962

Mandela's Leadership

Fought against apartheid, became first democratically elected president of South Africa

Sharpeville Massacre

Resulted in the African National Congress supporting guerrilla warfare

Creation of Modern Israel

Resulted in conflict with neighboring Muslim nations

Six-Day War

Resulted in Israel gaining control over Palestine

Camp David Accords

Signed by Egypt and Israel, recognizing Israel's right to exist

Palestine Liberation Organization

Dedicated to reclaiming land and establishing a Palestinian state

Iranian Revolution

Led to theocracy under Ayatollah Khomeini, reversing human rights advancements

Iran-Iraq War

Resulted from Iraq invading Iran over border disputes

Oil Reserves in Middle East

Led to the formation of OPEC for oil-exporting nations

OPEC Formation

Organized to regulate oil prices and production among member nations