AP World History - Unit 8: Cold War and Decolonization

What two ideologies were in conflict during the Cold War?

Capitalism (USA) and Communism (USSR).

When did the Cold War begin and end?

The Cold War lasted from approximately 1947 to 1991.

What was the Marshall Plan?

A program implemented by the USA in 1948 to provide over $12 billion for the reconstruction of Europe to prevent the spread of communism.

What organization was formed by Western allies in 1949?

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).

What was the Warsaw Pact?

A military alliance established in 1955 by Eastern bloc countries to counter NATO and reinforce Soviet control in Eastern Europe.

Describe the arms race during the Cold War.

A competition between the USA and USSR to develop and accumulate nuclear weapons and delivery systems.

What significant event occurred in 1957 related to the Space Race?

The launch of Sputnik by the USSR.

What was the Non-Aligned Movement?

A group of countries that sought to remain independent from Cold War alliances, emerging in the 1960s.

What key conflict was characterized by North and South Korea's opposing ideologies?

The Korean War (1950-1953).

What was the outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

It heightened global tensions and brought the world close to nuclear conflict.

What was the Great Leap Forward?

A campaign led by Mao Zedong in China from 1958-1962 aimed at transforming the economy through rapid industrialization and collectivization, which resulted in widespread famine.

What were the economic challenges faced by the USSR?

Inefficiencies due to centralized planning, lack of innovation, and lower living standards compared to the West.

What significant nuclear treaty was established in 1968?

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

What was the significance of the fall of the Berlin Wall?

It marked the collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe and signified the end of the Cold War.

What led to decolonization after World War II?

Former colonies sought independence and superpowers vied for influence in newly independent nations.

What was the Balfour Declaration?

A statement by the British government in 1917 supporting the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

What was the primary cause of the Algerian War of Independence?

Violent conflict between Algerian nationalists and French colonial forces seeking independence.

What role did Mahatma Gandhi play in India's independence movement?

He led non-violent resistance campaigns against British rule, including the Salt March and Quit India Movement.

What was the impact of the Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa?

It led to a shift towards armed resistance against apartheid by the ANC.

What does the term 'Mutually Assured Destruction' (MAD) refer to?

The doctrine that guaranteed any nuclear attack by one superpower would result in retaliation and total annihilation of both.

What was the significance of the civil rights movement in the USA?

It aimed for racial equality and led to landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Define the term 'proxy wars' in the context of the Cold War.

Conflicts where the superpowers supported opposing sides but did not engage in direct military confrontation.

What was the Great Chinese Famine?

A catastrophic famine from 1959-1961 caused by Mao’s Great Leap Forward policies, resulting in millions of deaths.

How did the US respond to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979?

The US supported Mujahideen rebels with funding, training, and weapons.

What were the consequences of colonial boundaries after independence?

Tensions and internal conflicts, as arbitrary boundaries often did not reflect ethnic and cultural divisions.

What was the economic impact of military spending during the Cold War in the USA?

It stimulated economic growth and technological innovation, but also contributed to budget deficits.

What ideologies influenced the establishment of socialist states after World War II?

Marxist ideologies led to the emergence of socialist movements worldwide.

What was the outcome of the Boer War in South Africa?

It established British control and led to the unification of South Africa under British dominion.

What were the politics of Mikhail Gorbachev during the Cold War?

He introduced Perestroika (restructuring) and Glasnost (openness), leading to increased criticism of the Communist Party.

What was the significance of the independence of India in 1947?

It marked a significant decolonization achievement and was preceded by extensive non-violent resistance.

What role did Fidel Castro play in Cuba?

He led the revolution that overthrew Batista in 1959, establishing a socialist state allied with the USSR.

What was the impact of Deng Xiaoping's reforms in China?

Shifted China's economy towards a market-oriented approach while maintaining a strong party-state structure.

What defined the Soviet command economy?

State control over production and resource allocation, focusing on heavy industry and military production.

What was a major effect of the Non-Aligned Movement post Cold War?

It allowed countries to seek autonomy and independence from the superpowers’ influences.

What led to the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991?

Economic stagnation, political repression, nationalism, and Gorbachev's reforms contributed to its dissolution.

What was the outcome of the Vietnam War?

The fall of Saigon in 1975 led to the establishment of a communist government in Vietnam.

Describe the cultural impact of migration to metropoles from former colonies.

Migration transformed social, cultural, and economic landscapes in former colonial powers.

What was the purpose of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)?

To develop a space-based missile defense system to protect the US from nuclear attacks.

What was the aim of the Non-Violent Resistance Movement led by Martin Luther King Jr.?

To advocate for racial equality through peaceful protests and civil disobedience.

What was the role of the ANC during apartheid in South Africa?

The African National Congress organized resistance against apartheid, later including armed struggle.

What was the impact of the Chernobyl disaster on the Soviet Union?

It exposed technological weaknesses and increased public discontent leading to reforms.

Explain the concept of economic development in new states post-independence.

New states grappled with defining government roles in economic development through state-led or market-oriented models.

What caused the Biafra War in Nigeria?

Ethnic tensions and demands for secession by the Igbo people led to this civil war.

Who were the key leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement?

Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslavia), Jawaharlal Nehru (India), and Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt).

What marked the decline of Soviet power in Eastern Europe?

The fall of communist regimes in 1989 and the Warsaw Pact dissolution weakened Soviet control.

What initiated the events leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis?

The US discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba in 1962 escalated tensions significantly.

What resulted from the internal conflicts of newly independent states?

Ethnic and religious divisions often led to civil wars and prolonged violence.

What was a major effect of the economic crisis faced by the Soviet Union in the 1980s?

Economic stagnation and inability to compete with Western economies contributed to the USSR's decline.

What was the role of the United Nations during the decolonization process?

It facilitated discussions and negotiations on independence while promoting self-determination.

Why did the Taliban emerge in Afghanistan during the 1990s?

They rose to power in the power vacuum created by the Soviet withdrawal and subsequent civil war.

What was Chile's political shift after the 1973 military coup?

The overthrow of Salvador Allende by Augusto Pinochet led to a military dictatorship marked by human rights abuses.

What was the impact of colonial legacies on new nations?

New nations faced governance challenges and civil unrest due to arbitrary colonial boundaries.

What was the significance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

It aimed to eliminate barriers preventing African Americans from exercising their right to vote.

What was the goal of the Five-Year Plans implemented in the Soviet Union?

To emphasize rapid industrialization and increased production in key sectors.

What major geopolitical change followed the Cold War?

The USA emerged as the sole superpower after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

How did nationalism contribute to the end of the Cold War?

Nationalist movements within the USSR sought greater autonomy, destabilizing the Soviet regime.