Cold War Conflicts and Decolonization Flashcards

Flashcards about Proxy wars, Coups d'etat, Korean and Vietnam war, Cuban revolution, Condor Plan, Decolonization, and Social Movements.

Proxy Wars

Conflicts where major powers support different sides without directly fighting each other.

Coup d'état

A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.

Korean War

1950-1953 conflict where North Korea (supported by China and USSR) fought South Korea (supported by the US and UN troops), ending in a stalemate and the continued division of Korea.

Vietnam War

1955-1975 conflict where North Vietnam (supported by China and USSR) fought South Vietnam (supported by the US), resulting in U.S. withdrawal, unification of Vietnam under communism, and significant casualties and environmental damage.

Cuban Revolution

1953-1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara that overthrew General Fulgencio Batista, leading to the adoption of communism in Cuba and alignment with the USSR.

Cuban Missile Crisis

1962 crisis where the USSR installed nuclear missile sites in Cuba, leading to a U.S. naval blockade and an agreement where the USSR withdrew missiles from Cuba and the U.S. removed missiles from Turkey.

Condor Plan

1975 plan led by Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and the CIA to stop the spread of communism in Latin America through massive human rights violations, including unlawful detentions, torture, and murder.

Decolonization

Post-WWII movement in Africa and the Middle East where nationalist movements gained momentum, leading to independence from European and US influence, with the US and USSR competing for influence.

Patrice Lumumba

1st Prime Minister of Congo who aligned with the USSR, leading to a U.S.-supported coup against him in 1961.

Gamal Abdel Nasser

President of Egypt who initially aligned with the USSR after nationalizing the Suez Canal but whose successor, Anwar Sadat, aligned with the U.S. after Egypt's defeat in the Six-Day War.

Social Movements (50s, 60s, 70s)

Boom of social movements and counterculture including hippies, anti-segregationists, opposition to war, rejection of materialism and consumerism, search for sexual liberation and drug use.