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Cold War

A period of intense rivalry and tension (1947–1991) between the United States and the Soviet Union, marked by ideological conflict, military buildup, and proxy wars, but without direct warfare between the two superpowers.

Soviet Union

A communist nation (1922–1991) made up of Russia and other republics, which emerged as a superpower after WWII and rivaled the U.S. during the Cold War.

Joseph Stalin

Leader of the Soviet Union (1924–1953) known for his totalitarian rule, purges, and role in shaping post-WWII Eastern Europe.

United Nations Security Council

A key body of the UN responsible for maintaining international peace and security; includes five permanent members (U.S., U.K., France, China, and the Soviet Union/Russia) with veto power.

World Bank

An international financial institution created to help countries rebuild after WWII and reduce poverty, often viewed with suspicion by communist countries.

Communist satellites

Eastern European countries controlled by or aligned with the Soviet Union during the Cold War (e.g., Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia).

Occupation zones

Areas of Germany and Austria divided among the Allies after WWII (U.S., U.K., France, and the USSR) that later solidified into East and West Germany.

Iron Curtain

Term coined by Winston Churchill to describe the division between Western democracies and Eastern communist countries in Europe.

Containment in Europe

U.S. policy aimed at stopping the spread of communism in Europe through diplomacy, military presence, and economic aid.

George Kennan

U.S. diplomat who developed the containment policy, arguing that the Soviet Union must be 'contained' to prevent global communist expansion.

Dean Acheson

Secretary of State under Truman who played a key role in shaping U.S. Cold War foreign policy, including support for NATO and the Marshall Plan.

Containment policy

U.S. strategy to prevent the spread of communism by supporting allies and resisting Soviet influence globally.

Truman Doctrine

1947 U.S. policy pledging support to countries resisting communism, starting with aid to Greece and Turkey.

Marshall Plan

A U.S. economic aid program (1948–1952) that provided over $12 billion to rebuild Western European economies and prevent the spread of communism.

Berlin airlift

A 1948–1949 operation where Western Allies supplied West Berlin by air after the Soviet Union blockaded access to the city.

East Germany

The communist, Soviet-controlled portion of Germany (GDR), established in 1949.

West Germany

The democratic, portion of Germany (FRG), also established in 1949.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

A 1949 military alliance of Western nations formed to counter Soviet threats.

National Security Act (1947)

Law that reorganized the U.S. military and created the Department of Defense, CIA, and National Security Council.

Nuclear arms race

Cold War competition between the U.S. and USSR to build the most powerful nuclear weapons.

NSC-68

A 1950 top-secret policy paper that called for a large expansion of the U.S. military and a more aggressive stance against communism.

U.S.-Japanese Security Treaty

A 1951 agreement allowing U.S. troops to remain in Japan for mutual defense, helping contain communism in Asia.

Douglas MacArthur

U.S. general who led U.N. forces in the Korean War but was dismissed by President Truman for insubordination.

Chinese civil war

Conflict between the nationalist government (Kuomintang) and communists, resulting in communist victory in 1949.

Chiang Kai-shek

Leader of China’s nationalist government, fled to Taiwan after losing the civil war to Mao’s communists.

Taiwan

Island where Chiang Kai-shek’s government retreated after the communist takeover of mainland China.

Mao Zedong

Communist leader who established the People’s Republic of China in 1949 after defeating the nationalists.

People’s Republic of China

Communist government of mainland China established in 1949 under Mao Zedong.

Korean War

1950–1953 war between North Korea (with Chinese/Soviet support) and South Korea (with U.N./U.S. support) that ended in a stalemate.

Kim Il Sung

Communist leader of North Korea during the Korean War.

Syngman Rhee

U.S.-backed leader of South Korea during the Korean War.

U.N. police action

Term used to describe the U.N.-led effort to defend South Korea, avoiding the declaration of war.

38th parallel

The dividing line between North and South Korea before and after the Korean War.

‘Soft on communism’

Political criticism used against leaders accused of not being aggressive enough in opposing communism.

Loyalty Review Board

Government body created in 1947 to investigate federal employees for communist ties.

Smith Act (1940)

Law making it a crime to advocate the violent overthrow of the U.S. government; used to prosecute communists.

Dennis et al. v. United States

1951 Supreme Court case upholding the Smith Act, allowing prosecution of communist leaders.

McCarran Internal Security Act (1950)

Required communist organizations to register with the government and allowed detention of suspected subversives.

House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)

Congressional committee that investigated alleged communist influence in the U.S., especially in Hollywood and government.

Hollywood blacklists

Practice of banning individuals suspected of communist ties from working in the film industry.

Freedom of expression in arts

Threatened during the Red Scare as artists faced censorship and blacklisting for suspected political beliefs.

Alger Hiss

Former State Department official accused of being a Soviet spy; convicted of perjury in 1950.

Whittaker Chambers

Former communist who testified against Alger Hiss, sparking widespread anti-communist suspicion.

Rosenberg case

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed in 1953 for allegedly passing atomic secrets to the Soviets.

Joseph McCarthy

U.S. senator who led a crusade against alleged communists in government, creating a climate of fear and accusation.

McCarthyism

The practice of making unsubstantiated accusations of communist ties; symbolizes the Red Scare and violation of civil liberties.