Cold War Events and Concepts

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key events and concepts from the Cold War.

Detente

The period of eased tensions between the U.S. and Soviet Union through negotiations and agreements.

Collapse of the Soviet Union

The disintegration of the Soviet Union due to economic failures and a public desire for freedom.

Operation Mongoose

A secret U.S. plan aimed at weakening and overthrowing Fidel Castro's government in Cuba.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 13-day stand-off between the U.S. and the Soviet Union over the Soviet placement of nuclear missiles in Cuba.

1954 Guatemalan Coup (Overthrow of Jacobo Arbenz)

The U.S. intervention to overthrow Guatemala's President due to fears of a shift towards communism.

CIA

The Central Intelligence Agency, the foreign intelligence agency of the United States.

KGB

The Committee for State Security, the main intelligence agency for the Soviet Union.

Operation Ajax (Coup in Iran, 1953)

A secret U.S. and British plan to overthrow Iran's prime minister and install a favorable government.

Cuban Revolution

The uprising led by Fidel Castro that resulted in the overthrow of Cuba's dictator and establishment of communism.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

A law that granted President Lyndon B. Johnson the authority to use military force in Vietnam without a formal war declaration.

TET Offensive

A major surprise attack by North Vietnam to demonstrate that the Vietnam War was not over.

Khmer Rouge

A communist group in Cambodia responsible for mass killings in an attempt to create a farming society.

Domino Theory

If a country fell to communists then nearby countries would fall like dominos

Berlin Blockade

Soviet Union trying to force Western Allies out by cutting off access to West Berlin

NATO

Alliance from Europe and North America to provide security

Marshall Plan

U.S. helping Western Europe to recover from WWll and prevent communism