The Cold War Glossary Terms

Blockade

an act or means of sealing off a place to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving.

Brezhnev

The leader of the Soviet Union from 1964–82 who has been recognised for developing a powerful military, and for social and economic stagnation.

CIA

The US secret service, able to operate outside of official knowledge, established 1949.

Containment Policy

The US's foreign policy during the Cold War which they used to prevent the spread of communism. This meant the blocking of the expansion of Soviet influence without direct confrontation.

Coup d’état

A sudden, violent, and unlawful seizure of power from a government.

Credibility gap

Difference between what the government tells its citizens and what is actually happening.

De-Stalinisation

Khrushchev's vow to decentralise power and reduce the use of terror. It involved tearing down statues, giving hope to reformers.

Détente

The easing of tensions between nations. 1967 – 1979.

Domino Theory

If one state fell to communism, so would those around it, therefore communism must be contained and not allowed to grow in even one country.

Eastern Bloc

The Eastern European countries that were aligned politically, economically, and culturally with the USSR during the Cold War.

Embargo

A government restriction placed on the import or export of goods, services, currency, and other values to any other country or state.

Glasnost

Openness, trying to reconnect with the people, rather than a strict dictatorship. Revealed through the attempt to cover up the Chernobyl disaster.

The Grand Alliance

US, USSR, Great Britain.

Ideology

A system of ideas and ideals, which form the basis of a political and economic system.

The Iron Curtain

The political and physical boundary dividing Europe into two separate areas from 1945–91. It solidified the division between the East and West, removing future possibilities of cooperation, and highlighting distinct differences between the capitalist and socialist societies.

Isolationism

A policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups, especially the political affairs of other countries.

The Marshall Plan/European Recovery Program (ERP)

Established in 1948, the Marshall Plan meant that financial support of $13 billion was sent to Europe in an attempt to boost its economy following WWII, and reduce the appeal of communism.

Nationalism

Pride in one's country and the belief that it should be able to govern itself.

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, created in 1949. US, Canada, Western Europe in a defensive pact to reduce the expansionism of the Soviet Union.

Perestroika

Restructuring. Introduction of limited market mechanisms.

Proxy Wars

A war instigated by a major power which does not itself become involved.

Reform

To make change in an institution in order to improve it.

Reunification

The combining of the separated North and South Vietnam as one independent state, as opposed to the two areas controlled by the USSR and US.

Revolution

A movement which tries to replace a system of government and completely transform a society.

Salami Tactics

Using a series of many small actions to produce a much larger action or result that would be difficult or unlawful to perform all at once. These were used by the USSR to establish dominance over Eastern Europe.

Satellite States

Formally independent countries under heavy political, economic, and military influence from another country which it has to share control of its external relations with.

The Truman Doctrine

A US foreign policy initiative announced by President Harry S. Truman in 1947. It pledged to send military aid to countries which were potentially heading towards Communism so this could be prevented.