Unit 5 Chapter 2 Key Terms (copy)

Iron Curtain

The symbol used to denote the separation of Europe into two rival camps during the Cold War.

Truman Doctrine

Stated that the US would not hesitate to intervene and aid nations overseas to resist communism.

Marshall Plan

A plan to provide European countries with monetary aid to resist the spread of Communism.

Containment

A foreign policy strategy followed by the United States during the Cold War to prevent the spread of Communism.

NATO

Created in 1949 by the United States, Canada, and several Western European nations to provide collective security against the Soviet Union.

Warsaw Pact

A political and military alliance established on May 14, 1955 between the Soviet Union and several Eastern European countries.

Mao Zedong

Communist revolutionary who was the founder of the People's Republic of China.

HUAC

Purpose was to root out communists within the federal government.

Joseph McCarthy

Wisconsin Senator that was convinced that communists had infiltrated high levels of government and the military.

Eisenhower Doctrine

Stated that the US would help any country in the Middle East that asked for help resisting communist aggression.

SEATO

Organization formed to stop the spread of Communism in Asia.

John F. Kennedy

35th President of the United States who led during the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Richard Nixon

The 37th president of the United States from 1969 to 1974, and the only president to resign from office.

Henry Kissinger

Secretary of State credited with formally introducing the policy of Realpolitik to the White House.

Watergate

The burglary and illegal wiretapping of the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee by members of Nixon's re-election campaign.

Ronald Reagan

The 40th president of the United States who provided aid to anti-communist movements to roll back Soviet-backed governments.

Mikhail Gorbachev

A Soviet politician who served as the last leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 until its dissolution in 1991.

Detente

A period of easing of geopolitical tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States during the Cold War.

Domino Theory

A Cold War policy suggesting that a communist government in one nation would lead to communism in neighboring states.