Cold War

21.1,2,3,4

What big idea emerged from WWII regarding superpowers?

The United States and Soviet Union emerged as two superpowers with very different political and economic systems.

Why was the United States the world's only global superpower after World War II?

Because its economy and structure remained intact while other nations like the Soviet Union were devastated.

What type of government did the United States have after WWII?

A capitalist/democratic government led by President Harry Truman.

What type of government did the Soviet Union have after WWII?

A communist/totalitarian government led by Joseph Stalin.

What wartime tensions existed between Truman and Stalin?

Truman was angered by Stalin's friendship with Hitler and Stalin was upset with Truman for delaying U.S. entry into WWII.

What promise did Stalin make at the Yalta Conference in 1945?

He promised free elections in Poland.

What did Stalin do instead of keeping his promise about free elections?

He banned democratic parties.

What does the term 'iron curtain' refer to?

An invisible dividing line between Western Europe and Eastern Europe.

Why did the Soviet Union believe they had a right to Eastern Europe after WWII?

To create a buffer zone to prevent future invasions and due to their wartime sacrifices.

What was the purpose of the United Nations after WWII?

To serve as a peacekeeping body of nations.

How did the Soviet Union respond to issues that threatened the spread of communism in the UN?

They would veto any such issues.

What was the policy of containment?

Taking measures to prevent the growth of communist rule in other countries.

How did the NSC and CIA help in the fight against communism?

They helped the president formulate foreign policy to prevent surprise attacks.

What was Truman's goal in establishing the policy of containment?

To prevent future attacks similar to Pearl Harbor.

What was the Truman Doctrine?

The first attempt to contain communism by providing aid to countries at risk.

How much aid did the Truman Doctrine provide to nations like Greece?

$400 million.

What was the Marshall Plan?

A pledge to provide assistance to all European nations to combat hunger and chaos.

How much aid did the United States provide through the Marshall Plan?

$13 billion over four years.

What were the effects of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan on the Soviet Union?

They increased tensions with the Soviet Union, which viewed these actions as a threat.

Why was the Berlin Airlift necessary?

To fly food and supplies into West Berlin.

What was the result of the Berlin Airlift?

It helped West Berlin survive and boosted American prestige.

What was the NATO Alliance?

A 12-member military alliance to support one another if attacked.

What was the significance of the NATO alliance?

It marked the first time the U.S. entered a military alliance with other nations during peacetime.

What was the U.S. response to the Soviet Union establishing a communist economy?

The U.S. created a policy to prevent the spread of communism.

What did the U.S. do in response to Stalin refusing free elections?

They created the Truman Doctrine to provide aid to nations at risk of Soviet influence.

What was the U.S. response to the Soviet blockade of Berlin?

They created the Berlin Airlift, which led to the lifting of the blockade.

What was the outcome of the Berlin Airlift?

West Germany officially became a new nation.

What major change occurred in China after WWII?

China became a Communist nation.

How was Korea divided after WWII?

Korea was split into a Communist north and a democratic south.

What were the main participants in the Korean War?

United States, China, South Korea, North Korea, United Nations.

What caused the Civil War in China?

The cooperation between Nationalists and Communists ended after the Japanese left.

What event triggered the Korean War?

North Korea surprised attacked South Korea.

Why did the United States support South Korea during the Korean War?

To prevent the spread of communism in the south and protect the free world.

What was the nature of U.S. involvement in the Korean War?

The U.S. was involved in a United Nations 'police action' but was never officially at war.

What was the outcome for the Nationalist group in China?

The Nationalists fled and attempted to create the Republic of China, but ultimately lost control to the Communists.

What was the significance of Korea remaining divided?

It was seen as a success for the U.S. in stopping the spread of communism to South Korea.

How did Americans react to China's shift to communism?

They were stunned and believed the U.S. did not provide enough support to Chiang.

What was a common belief among Americans regarding Chiang's failure?

Many believed that Chiang failed to retain the support of his people.

What was the American sentiment regarding the end of fighting in Korea?

They were relieved that fighting stopped and that it did not escalate into a larger conflict.

What was the U.S. strategy in Korea during the conflict?

To keep peace between the two groups while supporting the Nationalists.

What was the impact of the Korean War on U.S. foreign policy?

It reinforced the U.S. commitment to containment of communism.

What was the fate of the Republic of China established by the Nationalists?

It ultimately crashed, leading to full Communist control of mainland China.

What was the role of the Soviet Union in the Korean War?

The Soviet Union did not participate in the Korean War.

What was the big idea during the 1950s regarding the United States and the Soviet Union?

They came to the brink of nuclear war.

What was the estimated power of the hydrogen bomb compared to the bomb dropped on Hiroshima?

67 times greater.

When did the United States detonate their hydrogen bomb?

In 1952.

When did the Soviet Union explode their hydrogen bomb?

In 1953.

What did the arms race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union lead to?

Each side feared the other would gain a weapons advantage.

What was Dwight Eisenhower's goal regarding nuclear missiles?

To keep the lead and allow for massive retaliation.

What is mutually assured destruction?

Neither country is willing to attack as it would lead to mutual destruction.

What economic impact did the military buildup have in the U.S.?

It created an economic boom for companies in the defense industry.

What percentage of the U.S. annual budget was spent on defense in 1960?

More than half.

What action did the U.S. take in Iran in 1951?

CIA funded rebels to overthrow Prime Minister Mossadegh.

Which countries joined the Allies in SEATO?

Philippines, Thailand, and Pakistan.

What was the Warsaw Pact?

An alliance formed by the Soviet Union with seven Eastern European nations.

Which countries were part of the Warsaw Pact?

Albania, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and East Germany.

What happened during the Hungarian Uprising in 1956?

Soviets used force to squash the rebellion, resulting in 30,000 deaths.

What significant event occurred in October 1957?

The Soviets launched Sputnik into orbit.

When did the U.S. launch its first satellite?

In January 1958.

What happened to Francis Gary Powers on May 1, 1960?

He was shot down by a Soviet pilot and captured.

What was Eisenhower's response to Khrushchev's demands regarding the U-2 flights?

He refused to apologize but stopped the secret U-2 missions.