Cold War Overview (1945-1991)

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the Cold War, focusing on political strategies, events, and figures.

Containment

A strategy used by the USA to prevent the spread of communism through diplomacy, economic means, and military involvement.

Iron Curtain

A term describing the division between communist Eastern Europe and democratic Western Europe, highlighted in a speech by Winston Churchill.

Truman Doctrine

A U.S. policy established to support countries resisting communism, pledging American aid to combat communist forces.

Marshall Plan

An American initiative to aid Western Europe economically post-WW2, aimed at rebuilding their economies and preventing the spread of communism.

Berlin Airlift

A military operation in which the U.S. and GB flew in supplies to Berlin for over a year after Stalin's blockade.

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization; a military alliance formed between the U.S., Canada, and several Western European nations.

Warsaw Pact

The Soviet response to NATO, a military alliance of communist countries in Eastern Europe.

McCarthyism

A campaign led by Senator Joseph McCarthy that involved making untrue allegations regarding communist infiltration in the U.S. government.

Massive Retaliation

Eisenhower's defense strategy that threatened annihilation against any communist nation that tried to take land by force.

Strategic Triad

The capability to use air, land, and sea forces in response to a nuclear attack.

Sputnik

The first artificial Earth satellite launched by the USSR in 1957, marking a significant moment in the space race.

Red Scare

A period of intense fear of communism and its exposure within the United States government, especially during the late 1940s and 1950s.

Censure

A formal disapproval or reprimand, particularly in the context of political leaders or official actions.

Korean War

A conflict between North Korea (communist) and South Korea (democratic) that lasted from 1950 to 1953, ending in a stalemate.

J. Edgar Hoover

The first director of the FBI, known for his controversial methods in anti-communist investigations.

Duck and Cover

A civil defense strategy taught to Americans during the nuclear age to protect themselves in the event of a nuclear attack.

NASA

National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Brigmanship

Willingness to go to war to force the other side to back down

Egypt Crisis

U.S. tries to help Egypt build a dam but pull out when we learn Egypt is getting weapons from the communists.

CIA

The Central Intelligence Agency, responsible for coordinating and conducting national security intelligence activities for the United States. America’s spy industry.

U-2 incident

A Cold War confrontation in 1960 when a U-2 spy plane operated by the United States was shot down over Soviet airspace, leading to increased tensions between the two superpowers.

Francis Gary Powers

U.S. spy pilot shot down over USSR

Nikita Khrushchev

New leader of USSR. Replaces Stalin. He was known for his Desalinization policies and promoting peaceful coexistence with the West.