Meza Cold War Test

Origins of the Cold War

Tension between the U.S. and USSR after WWII due to ideological differences (capitalism vs communism), distrust, and competition for global influence.

Aftermath of WW2

Europe was destroyed, the U.S. and USSR became superpowers, and former allies became rivals, leading to the Cold War.

Stalins goals

Weaken Germany, prevent future invasions, and spread Soviet influence in Eastern Europe.

Motivations of each nation in Cold War

• U.S.: stop spread of communism, promote democracy and capitalism

• USSR: spread communism, create buffer zones for security

Iron Curtain

Term describing the division between communist Eastern Europe and democratic Western Europe.

United Nations

International organization created to maintain peace and cooperation after WWII.
Powerful UN group (U.S., USSR/Russia, China, UK, France) with veto power—often caused gridlock during the Cold War.

Warsaw Pact vs NATO

• NATO: Western military alliance (U.S. + allies)

• Warsaw Pact: Soviet-led alliance in Eastern Europe

Marshall Plan

U.S. program giving economic aid to rebuild Western Europe and stop communism.

Truman Doctrine

U.S. policy to support countries resisting communism (containment).
U.S. gave aid to prevent Greece and Turkey from becoming communist.

Berlin Crisis

USSR blocked access to West Berlin; U.S. responded by flying in supplies (Berlin Airlift).

First vs Third Worlds

• First World: capitalist (U.S. allies)

• Third World: developing, often non-aligned countries

Guatemala, Chile, Congo Crisis:

Secret U.S./CIA operations to remove or influence governments seen as pro-communist.

Cominform

Soviet organization to control communist parties across Europe.

Comecon

Economic organization for Soviet-aligned countries.

Ramifications and aftermath of Stalin’s death

Led to power struggles and slightly less strict policies (de-Stalinization).

Hungarian Revolution

Hungary tried to break free from Soviet control; USSR crushed it.

Emergence of Berlin Wall

Wall built to stop East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin.

McCarthyism

Fear of communism in the U.S.; accusations and blacklisting without strong evidence.

Eisenhowers “New Look”

Policy focusing on nuclear weapons over conventional forces to save money.

Threat to respond to any Soviet attack with overwhelming nuclear force.

Entrance into Indochina and Vietnam

U.S. got involved to stop spread of communism (domino theory).

Suez Crisis

Conflict over Egypt’s control of the Suez Canal; showed decline of European power.

Significance of M.A.D. and Brinkmanship

M.A.D. (Mutually Assured Destruction)
Both sides had enough nukes to destroy each other, preventing war.

Brinkmanship
Pushing situations to the edge of war to force the other side to back down.

Cold War in Asia

Region became a major battleground for influence (Korea, Vietnam, China).

Korean War + aftermath
North (communist) vs South (U.S.-backed); ended in stalemate, Korea still divided.

China (Communist Revolution)
Communists led by Mao Zedong took control in 1949, alarming the U.S.

U-2 Spy Plane Incident

U.S. spy plane shot down over USSR, increasing tensions.

Kennedy and Cuba

Faced major Cold War crises involving Cuba and the USSR.

Bay of Pigs (1961)
Failed U.S.-backed invasion of Cuba; strengthened Castro and USSR ties.

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
Closest moment to nuclear war; USSR placed missiles in Cuba, later removed.

Prague Spring

Czechoslovakia tried reforms; USSR invaded to stop it.

Berlin Wall

Prevent East Germans from escaping to the West.

Sino-Soviet Split and Detente

Split: China and USSR stopped cooperating due to ideological differences.

Detente: Period of relaxed tensions between U.S. and USSR in the 1970s.

“New Cold War”

Renewed tension in late 1970s–1980s after détente ended.

Significance of Gorbachev + reforms

Introduced changes that weakened Soviet control and helped end Cold War.

Glasnost
Policy of openness and freedom of speech.

Perestroika
Economic restructuring to improve Soviet economy.

Leading Causes of War’s end

Economic problems in USSR, reforms, U.S. pressure, and loss of control over Eastern Europe.

Era of stagnation
Period when Soviet economy stopped growing and fell behind.

Dissolution of the Soviet Union

USSR officially broke apart into independent countries, ending the Cold War.

SALT Talks

Agreements to limit nuclear weapons between U.S. and USSR.

Reagan’s approach to USSR

Hardline stance, increased military spending, pressured USSR economically.

Strategic Defense Initiative SDI

Proposed U.S. missile defense system (“Star Wars”).

USSR in Afghanistan

Soviet invasion led to long war; weakened USSR.