Cold War Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabularly terms and events from a lecture on the Cold War.

Culture of Paranoia

Refers to the heightened state of fear and suspicion during the Cold War, particularly after the Soviet Union detonated the Atomic Bomb in 1949.

Julius Rosenberg

A member of the Communist Party who was convicted of espionage and sentenced to death for communicating data to the Soviet Union.

Korean War

Began on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea, with the US intervening to push North Koreans back.

Dean Acheson

US Secretary of State who stated that the US defense perimeter did not include Korea, influencing Stalin's decision to approve North Korea's invasion of South Korea.

Douglas MacArthur

US General who reversed early losses in the Korean War by landing US forces behind North Korean positions but was later fired by President Truman for advocating the use of the 'full military arsenal,' including nuclear weapons.

Matthew Ridgeway

General who replaced MacArthur in the Korean War, reversing the situation and landing troops behind the enemy, contributing to the end of the war in 1953 with a cessation of hostilities.

The Cold War Ethos

The US policy of supporting regimes that are avowedly anti-communist and pro-US.

Operation AJAX

A covert operation led by the US to intervene in Iran after the nationalization of oil fields by Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh, leading to the Shah of Iran regaining power.

UFCO (Chiquita Bananas)

The United Fruit Company, which had its interests threatened by land reform and nationalization in Guatemala, leading to US intervention.

Operation PBSUCCESS

A covert operation in Guatemala that included assassinations and led to Col. Carlos Enrique Castillo Armas taking power.

Second Red Scare

A period of intense anti-communism in the US, characterized by concerns over 'loyalty' and efforts to root out communism in various sectors.

Joseph McCarthy

A US Senator known for his anti-communist crusade, leading the 'McCarthyism' era, marked by accusations and blacklisting.

House Unamerican Activities Commission (HUAC)

An organization established to hold Hearings and attempt to root out communism in Hollywood.

Military Keynesianism

A policy of using military spending as a government jobs program, exemplified by the US defense industry during the Cold War.

NSC-68

A document that argued for a massive armament program and a policy of containment against the Soviet Union.

Massive Retaliation

A military strategy of threatening a devastating response to any attack, often involving nuclear weapons.

Roth Case

Established that "only a work utterly without socially redeeming value may be censored."

Decay of the American City

Characterized by the Interstate highway systems as well as government loans for home buyers.