Cold War Vocab

Cold War

A period of political, military, and ideological tension between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. from 1945–1991, without direct warfare between the superpowers.

Berlin Airlift

U.S. and Allied response to Soviet blockade of West Berlin (1948–49); food and supplies were airlifted to citizens, symbolizing Cold War tensions.

United Nations (UN)

International organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation; replaced League of Nations; played diplomatic roles during the Cold War.

Superpower

A powerful nation with global influence, strong military, and economic strength; notably the U.S. and U.S.S.R. during the Cold War era.

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)

1947 international trade agreement to reduce tariffs and barriers; promoted global economic cooperation and free trade, precursor to the World Trade Organization.

Reparations

Compensation paid by a defeated nation for war damages; Germany’s post-WWI reparations contributed to economic instability and later, Cold War divisions.

Truman Doctrine

1947 U.S. policy pledging military and economic aid to countries resisting communism, especially Greece and Turkey; foundation of American Cold War containment.

Marshall Plan

U.S. economic aid program (1948) providing over $12 billion to rebuild Western Europe after WWII, aiming to contain communism through financial recovery.

Containment

U.S. strategy to prevent the spread of communism abroad; influenced foreign policy decisions in Korea, Vietnam, and other global Cold War conflicts.

NATO

Military alliance formed in 1949 between Western nations to provide collective security against the Soviet threat; first peacetime alliance for the U.S.

Domino Theory

Cold War belief that if one nation fell to communism, neighboring countries would follow; used to justify U.S. involvement in Vietnam and elsewhere.

Arms Race

U.S. and U.S.S.R. competition to develop superior nuclear weapons and military technology during the Cold War; intensified global tension and defense spending.

Defense Spending

Government budget allocated for military purposes; surged during Cold War as U.S. built nuclear arsenal and supported global containment of communism.

Space Race

Cold War competition between U.S. and U.S.S.R. to achieve space exploration milestones; symbolized technological superiority and ideological competition.

Sputnik

First artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957; shocked the U.S., sparking the space race and increased investment in science education.

Korean War

1950–1953 conflict between communist North Korea (supported by China) and capitalist South Korea (supported by U.S.); ended in stalemate, reinforcing Cold War divisions.

Cuban Missile Crisis

1962 Cold War confrontation over Soviet missiles in Cuba; ended with Soviet withdrawal after U.S. naval blockade; brought world close to nuclear war.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

Failed 1961 U.S.-backed invasion of Cuba by exiles aiming to overthrow Fidel Castro; embarrassed Kennedy and strengthened Castro’s alliance with the U.S.S.R.

John F. Kennedy

35th U.S. president (1961–63); managed Cuban Missile Crisis, promoted space race, supported civil rights; assassinated in 1963, becoming a Cold War icon.

Blockade

Military or economic barrier preventing access; notably used during the Cuban Missile Crisis when U.S. blockaded Cuba to stop Soviet missile shipments.

McCarthyism

Era of intense anti-communist suspicion in the U.S. (1950s), named after Senator Joseph McCarthy; led to baseless accusations and violations of civil liberties.

House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)

Congressional committee investigating suspected communist influence in U.S. institutions; targeted Hollywood, government workers, and promoted Cold War paranoia.

The Red Scare

Two periods of widespread fear of communism in the U.S.; post-WWI and during early Cold War, leading to crackdowns on suspected radicals.

Prosperity

Period of economic growth and rising living standards; especially post-WWII in the U.S., fueled by consumerism, industrial growth, and government programs like the GI Bill.

Baby Boom

Massive increase in U.S. birthrate between 1946–1964 following WWII; reshaped American demographics, economy, and suburban development during Cold War years.

Suburb

Residential area outside a city; grew rapidly post-WWII due to GI Bill, baby boom, and highway expansion, reflecting American prosperity and Cold War domestic life.

GI Bill

1944 law offering WWII veterans benefits like education, housing loans, and unemployment aid; fueled U.S. economic growth and middle-class expansion post-war.

Media

Means of mass communication (TV, newspapers, radio); shaped public opinion during Cold War events like McCarthyism, Vietnam War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Polio Vaccine

1950s medical breakthrough by Jonas Salk; symbolized American scientific progress during the Cold War, enhancing global prestige and improving public health.

Rustbelt

Region in the Northeastern and Midwestern U.S. known for declining manufacturing industries in the late 20th century; economic shifts linked to Cold War priorities.

Sunbelt

Southern and Western U.S. regions experiencing population and economic growth post-WWII; attracted defense industries and retirees, reshaping American demographics and politics.

The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956

Law funding interstate highway system; improved national defense and suburban growth; reflected Cold War concerns about mobility and potential Soviet attacks.

Blue-collar Worker

Manual laborer often in manufacturing or industry; central to U.S. Cold War economy but faced job loss during automation and economic shifts in later decades.

White-collar Worker

Office or professional worker; grew during Cold War due to expanding corporate sector, suburbanization, and increased demand for technical, administrative, and service jobs.

Mutually Assured Destruction

Cold War doctrine where both U.S. and U.S.S.R. had enough nuclear weapons to destroy each other, deterring direct conflict through fear of total annihilation.