America as a World Power

Decolonization

The process by which colonies gain independence from colonial powers, occurring significantly after World War II.

Jacobo Arbenz

The elected leader of Guatemala who was overthrown in a 1954 U.S.-led coup due to his socialist policies.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

A failed military invasion of Cuba in 1961 by U.S.-trained Cuban exiles aimed at overthrowing Fidel Castro.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 1962 confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet missiles in Cuba, raising Cold War tensions.

Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi

The monarch reinstated in Iran in 1953 by a CIA-led coup after the overthrow of democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh.

Domino Theory

The idea that if one country in a region fell to communism, neighboring countries would also fall, creating a domino effect.

Military Industrial Complex

The relationship between a country's military and the defense industry, which Eisenhower warned could influence policy decisions.

Fidel Castro

The Cuban revolutionary leader who overthrew the U.S.-backed government in 1959, becoming a communist leader.

CIA (Central Intelligence Agency)

The U.S. agency responsible for intelligence and covert operations, involved in several Cold War interventions.

Proxy War

A conflict where two opposing countries or parties support combatants in a third country instead of directly waging war.

Decolonization began to occur significantly after __________.

World War II.

Jacobo Arbenz was overthrown in a 1954 U.S.-led __________.

coup.

The failed military invasion aimed at overthrowing Castro is known as the __________.

Bay of Pigs Invasion.

The 1962 confrontation over Soviet missiles in Cuba is known as the __________.

Cuban Missile Crisis.

Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was reinstated in Iran after the CIA-led __________.

coup.

The __________ Theory suggested that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would also fall.

Domino.

The relationship between a country's military and the defense industry is known as the __________ Industrial Complex.

Military.

Fidel Castro became a __________ leader after overthrowing the U.S.-backed government in 1959.

communist.

The U.S. agency responsible for covert operations during the Cold War is the __________.

CIA (Central Intelligence Agency).

A __________ War occurs when opposing countries support combatants in a third country.

Proxy.

What is decolonization?

The process by which colonies gain independence from colonial powers.

When did significant decolonization begin?

After World War II.

Who was Jacobo Arbenz?

The elected leader of Guatemala overthrown in 1954 by a U.S.-led coup.

What was the Bay of Pigs Invasion?

A failed 1961 military invasion of Cuba by U.S.-trained Cuban exiles.

What event increased Cold War tensions in 1962?

The Cuban Missile Crisis.

What is the Domino Theory?

The belief that the fall of one country to communism would lead to the fall of neighboring countries.

What does the Military Industrial Complex refer to?

The relationship between a country's military and its defense industry.

Who was Fidel Castro?

The Cuban revolutionary leader who became a communist leader after overthrowing a U.S.-backed government.

What is the role of the CIA during the Cold War?

To conduct intelligence and covert operations, influencing geopolitical events.

What is a Proxy War?

A conflict where two opposing countries support combatants in a third country instead of directly fighting.