PAPER 3 (SEC 14-16): Latin American Political Developments, Cold War & Vietnam (Vocabulary Flashcards)

A vocabulary-style set of flashcards covering key terms, people, events, policies, and concepts from the Cuban Revolution through Cold War era events in the Americas and Vietnam.

Batista regime

Authoritarian Cuban government after the 1952 coup, backed by the U.S.; characterized by repression, imprisonment, torture, and corruption.

1952 coup

Military overthrow of Cuba's government by Batista, leading to suspended elections and autocratic rule.

Moncada Barracks Attack (1953)

A failed early assault by Castro’s movement that catalyzed the M-26-7 guerrilla movement.

M-26-7 Guerrilla Movement

Cuban revolutionary group formed after Moncada to overthrow Batista.

U.S. backing of Batista

American support that helped sustain Batista’s regime and its repressive actions.

Cuba’s sugar production dependence

U.S. controlled about 75% of Cuba’s sugar production and 85% of foreign investments.

Economic dependence and sovereignty (Cuba)

Heavy reliance on the U.S. market limited Cuban sovereignty and fostered resentment.

Social inequality in Cuba

Wealth concentrated among elites and Americans; rural unemployment 20–30% and insecure incomes.

Institute of National Agrarian Reform (INRA) (1959)

Cuban agency established to redistribute land and nationalize agrarian property.

First Agrarian Reform Law (1959)

Law setting minimum wages, shorter hours, and improved job stability as part of land reform.

“10 Million Ton Harvest” (1970)

Massive agricultural productivity campaign that ultimately failed to meet targets.

Literacy Campaign (1961)

Mass mobilization of youth to educate citizens; illiteracy substantially reduced.

Healthcare expansion in Cuba

Expansion of hospitals and clinics; significant reductions in infant mortality.

Cuban family code (1974)

Legislation to support women’s rights and reduce double burden of work.

State media propaganda

Use of state-controlled media to promote programs and foster nationalism.

Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR)

Neighborhood watch groups (est. 1960) to monitor anti-revolutionary activity.

Cancellation of elections (1961)

Move to one-party rule with the PCC under Castro; multiparty elections were not held.

Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961)

CIA-backed attempt to overthrow Castro; failure strengthened Castro and legitimacy.

PCC – Communist Party of Cuba

Ruling party that centralized leadership and strategic direction after the revolution.

Guerrilla strategy in Cuba

Use of rural hideouts, popular support, and rebel media to mobilize and sustain the movement.

Cuba’s regional impact

Served as a symbol of resistance and supported anti-imperialist movements in the region.

Che Guevara (regional influence)

Revolutionary icon whose international efforts inspired other movements; killed in Bolivia (1967).

Anti-communist backlash in Latin America

Stronger anti-communist policies and increased CIA involvement in the region.

Reestablishment of Cuba relations (1970–75)

Several Latin American countries renewed or established ties with Cuba.

Perón (Argentina) – Grupo de Oficiales Unidos

1943 coup actors; Perón rose to power through labor reforms and worker support.

Vargas (Brazil) – Estado Novo

1930 coup founder; authoritarian regime with centralized power and censorship.

CLT – Consolidation of Labor Laws (Brazil)

Brazilian law establishing minimum wage, limited working hours, paid vacations, and maternity leave.

Eva Perón and women’s rights

Key advocate for women’s suffrage (1947) and expanded social welfare under Perón.

ISI – Import Substitution Industrialization

Economic policy to develop domestic industries and reduce reliance on imports.

Petrobras, CSN, Vale

State-owned enterprises in Brazil that supported ISI and national development.

Five-Year Economic Plans (Perón)

Strategic planning and nationalization of key sectors under Perón’s leadership.

Peronism

Populist, nationalist movement centered on labor and social justice; long-lasting influence.

Estado Novo (Vargas)

Authoritarian regime under Vargas with censorship and suppression of opposition.

Domino Theory

Idea that if one country fell to communism nearby states would follow.

Truman Doctrine (1947)

Policy to contain Soviet expansion and support free peoples resisting subjugation.

OAS – Organization of American States

Regional diplomatic framework for cooperation among American states.

Rio Treaty (1947)

Mutual defense pact: an attack on one is an attack on all.

Pan American Conference (1948)

US-Diplomatic approach to avoid heavy financial commitments in the Americas.

NSC 5432/1

US policy document indicating limited economic aid to Latin America (context of the era).

McCarthyism

Red Scare in the United States; fear and persecution of suspected communists.

Hollywood Ten

Group of filmmakers blacklisted by HUAC for alleged Communist ties.

McCarran Act (1950)

US law requiring registration of Communist organizations and curtailing civil liberties.

Rosenberg Case

Spies prosecuted and executed amid anti-communist fervor in the early 1950s.

Korean War Armistice (1953)

Ceasefire ending active combat in Korea and solidifying the Korean divide.

New Look (Eisenhower era)

US defense policy emphasizing nuclear weapons, brinkmanship, and reduced conventional forces.

Covert operations in Guatemala (1954)

CIA-backed coup that overthrew President Arbenz and reshaped Guatemala’s politics.

Iran (1953) covert operation

CIA-backed coup to reinstall the Shah and curb nationalist movements.

NORAD

North American Aerospace Defense Command; joint continental air defense.。

UFCO in Guatemala and Cuba

United Fruit Company influence in regional politics and economics.

Vietnam War – Domino theory & containment

Justification for U.S. intervention to prevent the spread of communism in SE Asia.

Geneva Accords (1954) & Strategic Hamlet Program

Indochina settlement and rural relocation strategy in Vietnam conflict.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident & Resolution

1964 authorization that escalated U.S. military involvement in Vietnam.

Tet Offensive (1968)

Major Vietnamese Communist attack that shifted U.S. public opinion of the war.

My Lai Massacre (1968)

Mass killing of Vietnamese civilians by U.S. troops; intensified anti-war sentiment.

Vietnamization (1969–1974)

Nixon policy to reduce U.S. troops while expanding ARVN responsibility.

Kent State & Jackson State shootings (1970)

Protest responses to the Vietnam War; marked escalation of domestic unrest.

Canada and the Vietnam War

Canada remained officially neutral but hosted U.S. testing; some volunteers and draft dodgers relocated there.

Latin American protests & Cuba’s regional role

Cuba supported North Vietnam; regional regimes varied in alignment with the war dynamics.

Le Guin – The Word for World is Forest (1972)

Literary work reflecting anti-war and environmentalist themes amid Cold War anxieties.