Unit 9 VOCAB

World War I -

1. 1914-1918

1. Totalitarianism

1. 1920s-1945

1. World War II

1. 1939-1945 

1. Cold War

1. 1945-1991

1. European Unity

1. 1945-present

cold war

1. The ideological conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States after World War II. 

2. This period of geopolitical tension and ideological rivalry lasted roughly from the end of World War II in 1945 to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

3. Characterized by proxy wars, espionage, and the threat of nuclear conflict, the Cold War was rooted in competing political, economic, and ideological systems of democracy and capitalism against communism.

4. It reshaped global politics, divided the world into two blocs, and influenced international relations for much of the 20th century.

Truman doctorine

1.  The doctrine, announced by United States President Harry Truman in 1947, that the United States would provide economic aid to countries that said they were threatened by communist expansion.

2. It pledged American support for nations threatened by communism.

3. Its purpose was the containment of Soviet influence, which it fulfilled by providing economic and military aid to Greece and Turkey to prevent their fall to communist insurgencies.

4. It laid the groundwork for subsequent U.S. interventionism and the broader strategy of containment during the Cold War.

Marshal Plan

1. The Marshall Plan was a post-World War II initiative by the United States to aid Western Europe in its economic recovery.

2. Proposed by Secretary of State George Marshall in 1947, the plan aimed to provide financial assistance to rebuild war-torn European economies, promote stability, and prevent the spread of communism.

3. Over $12 billion (equivalent to over $100 billion today) was allocated for economic aid, which helped stimulate economic growth, infrastructure development, and the establishment of trade relationships, ultimately bolstering

4. Western Europe's resilience and contributing to the containment of Soviet influence.

Iron Curtain

1. Coined by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in a 1946 speech, the Iron Curtain referred to the ideological, political, and physical division of Europe between Western capitalist democracies and Eastern European communist states under Soviet control during the Cold War.

2. The term symbolized the isolation, censorship, and repression experienced by countries behind the Iron Curtain, such as East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary, as well as the ideological and military standoff between the Western and Eastern blocs.

3. The Iron Curtain remained a potent metaphor for the division between East and West until the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe in the late 1980s.

Berlin Blockade and Aircraft

1. The Berlin Blockade was a Soviet attempt to block Western access to West Berlin in 1948-1949, aimed at pressuring the Western Allies to abandon their plans to create a separate West German state.

2. In response to the introduction of a new currency in West Germany and the Western Allies' decision to merge their occupation zones, the Soviet Union implemented a blockade, cutting off all land and water routes to West Berlin.

3. The Western Allies responded with the Berlin Airlift, supplying West Berlin with food, fuel, and other necessities via airlifts, which lasted for nearly a year until the Soviets lifted the blockade.

COMECON

1. The Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, also known as the Molotov Plan,

2. was the Soviet Union's response to the Marshall Plan.

3. Initiated in 1949,

4. COMECON provided economic aid and assistance to Eastern European countries under Soviet influence.

5. Unlike the Marshall Plan, which aimed to promote economic recovery and stability,

6. the Molotov Plan served Soviet political and strategic interests by fostering economic dependence among Eastern European satellite states, solidifying Soviet control over the region, and countering the influence of Western capitalism.

7. During the Cold War, Soviet Bloc countries primarily had planned economies in which the Soviet Union controlled the production, distribution, and allocation of goods and services according to a comprehensive plan. 

NATO

1. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was a military alliance formed in 1949 among western democracies.

2. Its primary purpose was a collective defense against potential aggression, especially from the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

3. The signatories (Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the US) agreed to provide mutual assistance if any one of them was attacked,

4. fostering stability and security in the North Atlantic Region.

5. It later expanded to include other nations.  

Warsaw pact

1.  A military alliance,

2. formed in 1955 in response to the formation of NATO,

3. in which the Soviet Union and its satellite states (Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Romania) agreed to provide mutual military assistance.

4. It solidified Soviet control over its Eastern European allies and facilitated coordination of military forces, joint defense planning, and the deployment of Soviet troops in member countries,

5. further heightening tensions between East and West.

Arms Race

1. The Arms Race refers to the competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to develop and stockpile nuclear weapons and other military technologies during the Cold War.

2. Both superpowers engaged in a relentless buildup of their nuclear arsenals, driven by mutual distrust, ideological differences, and the desire to maintain strategic superiority.

3. The Arms Race led to the development of increasingly powerful and sophisticated weapons systems, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), heightening fears of nuclear proliferation and the possibility of global nuclear conflict.

Space race

1. The Space Race was a competition between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War to achieve significant milestones in space exploration and technology.

2. Beginning in the late 1950s,

3. the Space Race was characterized by a series of pioneering achievements, including the launch of the first artificial satellite (Sputnik) by the Soviet Union in 1957 and the first manned spaceflight (Yuri Gagarin) in 1961.

4. The rivalry intensified with each nation vying for supremacy in space, culminating in the U.S. Apollo program landing astronauts on the moon in 1969, marking a symbolic victory for American technological prowess.

Proxy wars

1. A conflict in which two opposing powers indirectly engage in hostilities by supporting rival factions or proxies rather than directly confronting each other militarily. Examples from the Cold War include the Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Russian Invasion of Afghanistan. 

Korean war

 1. A conflict between North and South Korea which lasted from 1950-1953.

2. North Korea was supported by the Soviet Union and China and South Korea was backed by the United States and United Nations forces.

3. The war began when North Korean forces invaded South Korea, aiming to reunify the peninsula under communist rule.

4. The conflict escalated into a bloody stalemate, with heavy casualties on both sides and significant involvement of international forces.

5. The war ended in an armistice agreement that established a demilitarized zone along the 38th parallel, maintaining the division of Korea into North and South.

Vietnam war

1.  The Vietnam War was a protracted conflict that took place in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1955 to 1975.

2. It stemmed from the struggle for independence and reunification in Vietnam, with the communist forces of North Vietnam, supported by the Soviet Union and China, fighting against the anti-communist government of South Vietnam, backed by the United States and its allies.

3. The war was characterized by guerrilla warfare, heavy bombing campaigns, and significant civilian casualties.

4. It had far-reaching consequences, including the loss of millions of lives, widespread destruction, and profound social and political upheaval in Vietnam and the wider region.

5. The Vietnam War also had a lasting impact on American society, leading to a crisis of confidence in government institutions and sparking widespread anti-war protests and social unrest.

Russian invasion of afghanistan

1.  Also known as the Soviet-Afghan War, this invasion occurred from 1979 to 1989 when Soviet forces intervened in Afghanistan to support the communist government against anti-government insurgents.

2. The invasion was motivated by concerns about instability in Afghanistan and the spread of Islamic fundamentalism, as well as geopolitical considerations related to Soviet influence in the region.

3. The Soviet Union initially faced little resistance from the Afghan government but encountered fierce opposition from various Afghan resistance groups, known as Mujahideen, backed by the United States, Pakistan, and other countries.

4. The conflict devolved into a protracted and costly guerrilla war, with significant human suffering and destruction.

5. The Soviet Union ultimately withdrew its forces in 1989, marking a humiliating defeat and contributing to the collapse of the Soviet Union itself.

6. The invasion had profound consequences for Afghanistan, leading to further instability, civil war, and the eventual rise of the Taliban regime.

Prague Spring

1.  The Prague Spring refers to a period of political liberalization and reform in Czechoslovakia during 1968, characterized by attempts to create "socialism with a human face" under the leadership of Alexander Dubček.

2. The reforms sought to decentralize power, increase political freedoms, and improve living standards within the communist system.

3. However, the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact countries responded with military intervention in August 1968, crushing the Prague Spring and reinforcing Soviet control over Eastern Europe.

Detente

1. Détente refers to a period of relaxation and easing of tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War,

2. particularly in the 1970s.

3. Characterized by diplomatic dialogue, arms control negotiations, and cultural exchanges, détente aimed to reduce the risk of nuclear confrontation and promote peaceful coexistence between the superpowers.

4. Key events of détente include the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT), the Helsinki Accords, and the normalization of relations between the United States and China.

5. While détente helped mitigate some aspects of the Cold War, tensions persisted, and the era eventually gave way to renewed hostilities in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Perestroika

1.  Meaning "restructuring" in Russian, it was a series of economic and political reforms initiated by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in the mid-1980s.

2. Perestroika aimed to decentralize economic planning, encourage private enterprise, respond to supply and demand, and increase transparency and accountability within the Communist Party to revitalize the stagnant Soviet economy.

3. It inadvertently contributed to the unraveling of the Soviet Union by loosening centralized control and fostering demands for greater autonomy among republics.

Glasnost

1. Meaning "openness" in Russian,

2. it was a policy of political and social liberalization introduced by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in the mid-1980s.

3. As part of his reform agenda, Gorbachev sought to increase transparency, public participation, and freedom of expression within Soviet society, challenging the repressive practices of previous Soviet leaders.

4. Glasnost led to greater freedom of speech, press, and assembly, leading to increased criticism of the government and more open public discourse.

5. The unleashed pent-up grievances and rise in nationalist movements following Glasnost contributed to the dissolution of the Soviet state.

Berlin Wall

1. A barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) in 1961 to physically divide East and West Berlin.

2. The wall was erected to prevent mass emigration and defection from East to West, as millions of East Germans sought to escape political oppression and economic hardship in their country.

3. The wall consisted of concrete walls, barbed wire, and guard towers. It served as a potent symbol of the ideological and physical divide between communism and democracy, between the Soviet Union and the United States.

4. The Fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, symbolized the end of the Cold War and the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe.

5. The dismantling of the wall followed months of popular protests and political upheaval in East Germany, fueled by demands for political freedom, and reunification with West Germany.

Decolonization

1. refers to the process by which colonial powers relinquish control over their overseas territories, granting them independence and sovereignty.

2. This process mainly occurred between 1947 and 1962. Decolonization was driven by a variety of factors, including anti-colonial movements and nationalist aspirations.

3. The process unfolded differently across regions, with some colonies achieving independence through peaceful negotiations, while others experienced protracted struggles and armed conflicts.

4. For example, in India nonviolent struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress led to Indian and Pakistani independence in 1947.

5. In Algeria, the National Liberation Front (FLN) led a guerrilla insurgency against French forces, resulting in significant bloodshed and political upheaval.

United nations

 1. An intergovernmental organization founded in 1945 at the end of World War II, to promote international cooperation and maintain peace and security among nations.

2. The organization's mission is to maintain international peace and security, foster sustainable development, and protect human rights.

3. Today, the UN works to address global challenges such as armed conflict, poverty, climate change, and human rights violations through diplomacy, peacekeeping operations, humanitarian aid, and development assistance.

European union

1.  A political and economic union of 27 European countries that are located primarily in Europe.

2. Founded in the aftermath of World War II to promote peace and economic cooperation, the EU has established a single market, customs union, and common currency (the euro) among its member states.

3. It facilitates the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people within the union.

4. Additionally, the EU plays a prominent role in areas such as trade, environmental protection, and foreign affairs, making it a significant actor on the global stage.

World Trade Organization

1.  An international organization that regulates international trade and commerce among its member countries.

2. Established in 1995, the WTO serves as a forum for negotiating trade agreements, resolving disputes between member states, and enforcing global trade rules.

3. Its primary objective is to promote free and fair trade for businesses and economies worldwide.

Simone de bouviure

1.  A French existentialist philosopher, writer, and feminist theorist known for her groundbreaking work "The Second Sex" (1949), which explored the social and existential conditions of women's oppression.

2. Beauvoir argued that women were historically relegated to the status of "other" in relation to men, perpetuating inequalities in politics, society, and culture.

3. Her ideas helped lay the foundation for second-wave feminism, inspiring generations of women to challenge gender norms and advocate for gender equality.

Second wave feminism

1.  A period of feminist activism that emerged in the United States and western Europe during the 1960s and 1970s.

2. It espoused the belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes, focusing on issues such as reproductive rights such as the creation and spread of the birth control pill and in vitro fertilization.

3. They also advocated for the end of workplace discrimination and patriarchal norms.

4. They built on the achievements of first-wave feminism (suffrage) while expanding the scope of feminist discourse to empower women in all spheres of life.

Margret thatcher

1.  The first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979-1990.

2. Known as the “Iron Lady,” her nickname was bestowed upon her by the Soviet press in the 1970s as a response to her firm stance against communism and her robust defense of Western democratic values.

3. She was a leader of the conservative party who implemented economic policies known as Thatcherism, which emphasized free markets, privatization, deregulation, and reducing the role of the government in the economy.

4. She pursued monetarist policies to control inflation and reduce government spending, leading to the deregulation of industries such as finance, telecommunications, and transportation and to the privatization of companies such as British Telecom, British Gas, and British Airways. 

Globalization

1.  A term referring to the trend by which peoples and nations have become more interdependent;

2. often used to refer to the development of a global economy and culture.

3. Countries become more interconnected through cross-border flows of goods, services, capital, technology, and information. 

Dierech Bonhoeffer

1.  a German Lutheran pastor, theologian, and anti-Nazi dissident known for his resistance to the Nazi regime during World War II.

2. Bonhoeffer was involved in the German resistance movement and participated in efforts to overthrow Hitler and the Nazi government.

3. He was arrested by the Gestapo in 1943 and executed in 1945 for his role in a plot to assassinate Hitler.

4. Bonhoeffer's writings on Christian ethics, pacifism, and the nature of political authority continue to inspire and challenge theologians and activists around the world.

Solidarity

1. The Solidarity Movement was a pivotal social and political phenomenon in Poland during the 1980s.

2. It began with the emergence of an independent trade union led by Lech Wałęsa.

3. It represented a powerful grassroots response to oppressive communist rule under the Soviet-backed government.

4. Solidarity sought to advocate for workers' rights, political reform, and greater autonomy from the Soviet bloc.

5. Despite facing repression and Soviet martial law, the movement gained popular support, eventually leading to the peaceful transition to democracy in Poland and inspiring similar movements across Eastern Europe, ultimately contributing to the collapse of communism.

Pop art

1.  An early form of postmodernism and an artistic movement of the postwar 1950s and 1960s, in which artists took images of popular culture and transformed them into works of fine art.

2. It celebrated consumer culture, mass media, and everyday objects through the appropriation of images from popular culture and advertising.

3. Pop Art embraced techniques of mass production and commercial printing, blurring the boundaries between high and low art.

4. Andy Warhol's painting of Campbell's Soup cans is one example. 

Postmodernism

1.  An artistic movement that emerged in the 1970s. It challenged the fundamental assumptions and principles of modernism.

2. It rejects the idea of absolute truth, grand narratives, and universal values; instead emphasizing the relativity of knowledge and the subjectivity of experience.

3. Postmodernism is characterized by skepticism toward traditional authority, irony, pastiche, and the blurring of boundaries between high and low culture.

4. It encompasses many mediums to reflect the fragmented, pluralistic nature of contemporary society. 

Existentialism

1. A philosophical movement that emerged primarily in the 19th and 20th centuries, emphasizing the individual's existence and the freedom and responsibility inherent in human life.

2. Existentialism asserts that individuals are free to create their own meaning and purpose in life, but they must confront the inherent uncertainties and anxieties that accompany this freedom.

3. It often focuses on themes such as choice, authenticity, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent or absurd world.

4. Key existentialist thinkers include Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Jean-Paul Sartre, each offering unique perspectives on the human condition and the struggle to find meaning in existence