Bay of Pigs Invasion
A failed U.S. attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro's regime in Cuba using Cuban exiles, resulting in significant U.S. casualties and a public relations disaster.
Cuban Missile Crisis
A 13-day confrontation in October 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet missile deployment in Cuba, bringing the world close to nuclear war.
Alliance for Progress
A U.S. initiative aimed at fostering economic and political stability in Latin America through aid and reforms rather than military coercion.
Kennedy Doctrine
A foreign policy approach that opposed Soviet influence in the Americas, particularly in Cuba, promoting containment and support for anti-communist regimes.
Flexible response
A military strategy that shifts from reliance on massive retaliation to a range of options, including negotiation and conventional forces, to address threats.
Mann Doctrine
A policy during Johnson's administration emphasizing economic growth and protection of U.S. interests over social reforms, often supporting authoritarian regimes.
Human Rights Policy
An approach adopted by Carter's administration tying U.S. military and economic aid to the human rights records of recipient nations.
Nixon's covert actions in Chile
Efforts by the Nixon administration to destabilize the Marxist government of Salvador Allende through economic sanctions and covert operations resulting in a military coup.
Carter's Panama Canal Treaties
Agreements signed in 1977 to gradually return control of the Panama Canal to Panama, reflecting a shift towards diplomacy and improved hemispheric relations.
Cold War containment
The U.S. policy aimed at preventing the spread of communism worldwide, emphasizing military alliances, support for anti-communist regimes, and economic assistance.
What is the purpose of the Marshall Plan?
The Marshall Plan aimed to aid European economic recovery after WWII to prevent communism's spread.
Define the term 'Iron Curtain'.
A term coined by Winston Churchill to describe the division between Western democracies and Eastern communist countries.
What was the significance of the Berlin Wall?
The Berlin Wall symbolized the Cold War division between East and West Germany and the broader conflict between communist and capitalist ideologies.
What did the NATO alliance represent?
NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was a military alliance formed in 1949 for mutual defense against Soviet aggression.
What was the outcome of the Korean War?
The Korean War ended in 1953 with Korea remaining divided at the 38th parallel, solidifying the Cold War divide.
Define the term 'McCarthyism'.
McCarthyism refers to the practice of making accusations of subversion or treason without proper evidence, particularly during the Red Scare.
What was the purpose of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution?
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution authorized President Johnson to use military force in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war.
What is detente?
Detente is a period of relaxed tensions and improved relations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
What event triggered the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 aimed to support the communist government against a growing insurgency.
Define the term 'proxy war'.
A proxy war is a conflict where two opposing countries support combatants that serve their interests instead of waging war directly.
What did the Yalta Conference establish?
The Yalta Conference established post-war order in Europe and divided Germany into zones of occupation among Allied powers.
Describe the significance of the Cuban Revolution.
The Cuban Revolution led to the establishment of a communist regime under Fidel Castro and increased tensions with the U.S.
What was the main goal of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)?
The SDI aimed to develop a missile defense system to protect the U.S. from nuclear missiles, announced by President Reagan.
What were the results of the Bay of Pigs Invasion?
The Bay of Pigs Invasion resulted in a failed attempt to overthrow Castro, embarrassing the Kennedy administration.
Explain the Brezhnev Doctrine.
The Brezhnev Doctrine asserted the Soviet Union's right to intervene in the affairs of other socialist countries.
What role did the United Nations play during the Cold War?
The United Nations aimed to promote peace and cooperation but often reflected Cold War tensions in its actions.
Identify the impact of television during the Vietnam War.
Television brought graphic images of the Vietnam War into homes, influencing public opinion and opposition to the war.
What was the purpose of the U-2 incident?
The U-2 incident involved an American spy plane being shot down over the Soviet Union, escalating Cold War tensions.
What is the significance of the significant U.S.-China rapprochement?
The rapprochement marked the normalization of relations between the U.S. and China in the 1970s, altering global geopolitics.
Define the term 'Berlin Blockade'.
The Berlin Blockade was a Soviet attempt to limit access to West Berlin, leading to the Allied Berlin Airlift.
What did the 'Domino Theory' suggest?
The 'Domino Theory' suggested that the spread of communism in one country would lead to its spread in neighboring countries.
Outline the main ideas of the Truman Doctrine.
The Truman Doctrine aimed to contain communism by providing political, military, and economic assistance to countries resisting it.
Explain the significance of the Warsaw Pact.
The Warsaw Pact was a military alliance of communist nations in Eastern Europe, created in response to NATO.
What was the impact of the 1960 election on the Cold War?
The 1960 election saw John F. Kennedy's promise to address the Cold War's challenges, leading to increased U.S. involvement globally.
What caused the U.S. to withdraw from Vietnam?
Domestic unrest and the realization that victory in Vietnam was unattainable led to the U.S. withdrawal in 1973.
What was the main consequence of the Iranian Revolution of 1979?
The Iranian Revolution led to the establishment of the Islamic Republic and a significant shift in U.S.-Middle East relations.
What were the implications of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989?
The fall of the Berlin Wall symbolized the end of the Cold War, reunification of Germany, and the collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe.
Describe the significance of the Gulf War (1990-1991).
The Gulf War was significant for the U.S.'s demonstration of military power and led to debates over the U.S. role in global conflicts.
What was the 'New World Order' concept proposed by George H.W. Bush?
The 'New World Order' concept envisioned a world where democracies would cooperate to address global challenges post-Cold War.
Identify the importance of the Helsinki Accords in 1975.
The Helsinki Accords were significant for promoting human rights and cooperation between Eastern and Western blocs.
What did the Soviet Union aim to achieve with the Brezhnev Era policies?
The Brezhnev Era aimed to solidify Soviet control over Eastern Europe and counterbalance U.S. influence globally.