Origins of the Cold War

These flashcards cover key concepts and events related to the origins of the Cold War, focusing on the various policies, agreements, and tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Atlantic Charter (1941)

An agreement in which nations abandoned military alliances and spheres of influence, governing relations through democratic processes.

Spheres of Influence

Regions where a particular country exerts a dominant influence, often sought for strategic advantages, as seen in Soviet desires in Eastern Europe.

Tehran Conference

A meeting between Allied leaders where they discussed the opening of a second front in Western Europe.

Yalta Conference

A meeting where allied leaders discussed postwar reorganization, including promises for free elections and disagreements over Germany.

Potsdam Conference

A meeting where tensions rose as Truman adopted a more assertive stance against Soviet violations of agreements.

Containment Doctrine

U.S. strategy to prevent the further expansion of Soviet influence by supporting free peoples resisting communism.

Truman Doctrine

A policy stating that the U.S. would support free peoples resisting subjugation by external pressures, particularly communism.

Marshall Plan

An American initiative aimed at rebuilding Western European economies to prevent the spread of communism.

Selective Service System (1948)

A system established for wartime draft; responsible for conscription for military service.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

A military alliance formed in 1949, stating that an attack against one member would be considered an attack against all.

NSC-68

A National Security Council report that called for a major expansion of American military power to combat global communism.

Brinksmanship

The practice of pushing a dangerous situation to the edge of disaster in order to achieve favorable negotiation outcomes.

Massive Retaliation

A defense policy made by Eisenhower that promised a nuclear response to any act of aggression against U.S. allies.

U-2 Crisis

A diplomatic incident arising from the U.S. spying on the Soviet Union which led to heightened tensions between the two nations.