AP U.S. History Cold War Study Guide

The Cold War

a prolonged period of political, military, and ideological tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. At the same time, the U.S. experienced major economic growth and social change following World War II.

Yalta Conference (1945)

• Meeting between Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin

• Decided postwar division of Germany and Eastern Europe

• Set the stage for Cold War tensions

Truman Doctrine (1947)

• U.S. policy to contain communism

• Provided aid to Greece and Turkey

Marshall Plan (1947)

• Economic aid to rebuild Western Europe

• Prevented spread of communism

Berlin Airlift (1948–1949)

U.S. supplied West Berlin during Soviet blockade

NATO (1949)

Military alliance to defend against Soviet aggression

Korean War (1950–1953)

• First major Cold War conflict

• Ended in stalemate at the 38th parallel

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

• Closest point to nuclear war

• Resolved through diplomacy

Vietnam War (1955–1975)

• U.S. tried to prevent communist takeover

• Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, Tet Offensive, Vietnamization, War Powers Act

• Ended in U.S. withdrawal and communist victory

GI Bill (Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944)

• Provided returning soldiers with:

  • Free/low-cost college education

  • Home loans

  • Unemployment benefits

• Result:

  • Expansion of middle class

  • Growth in home ownership and education

Baby Boom (1946–1964)

• Massive increase in birth rates after WWII

• Causes:

  • Economic prosperity

  • Return of soldiers

• Effects:

  • Increased demand for housing, schools, goods

  • Long-term demographic impact

Levittown & Suburbanization

• Mass-produced suburban homes (William Levitt)

• Affordable housing for middle-class families

• Effects:

  • Growth of suburbs

  • Rise of car culture

  • Increased segregation (often excluded minorities)

The Fair Deal (Harry Truman)

• Goals:

  • Expand Social Security

  • Raise minimum wage

  • National health insurance (largely failed)

• Mixed success due to conservative opposition

Postwar Economic Boom

• Factors:

  • Industrial strength after WWII

  • Consumer demand

  • Government spending (military, infrastructure)

• Results:

  • Rising incomes

  • Growth of consumer culture (TVs, cars, appliances)

Interstate Highway Act (1956)

• Created national highway system

• Boosted:

  • Economic growth

  • Suburban expansion

  • Car dependency

Harry S. Truman

U.S

Containment, Fair Deal

Dwight D. Eisenhower

U.S

• Highway Act, Cold War policies

John F. Kennedy

U.S

• Cuban Missile Crisis

Lyndon B. Johnson

U.S

• Vietnam War escalation

Joseph Stalin

Communist

Early Cold War leader

Nikita Khrushchev

Communist

Cuban Missile Crisis

Containment

Stop spread of communism

Domino Theory

One country falling leads to others

Iron Curtain

Division of Europe

Brinkmanship

Pushing toward war

MAD

Nuclear destruction on both sides

Proxy War

Indirect conflict

Arms Race

 Weapon competition

Detente

 Relaxation of tensions

GI Bill

Benefits for veterans

Baby Boom

Population surge

Suburbanization

Movement to suburbs

Consumerism

Buying goods in large quantities

Sunbelt

Growth in southern/western states

Military-Industrial Complex

Defense spending relationship

Containment & Global Conflict

• U.S. worked to stop communism worldwide

Economic Prosperity

Postwar boom created strong middle class

Social Change

Suburbs and baby boom reshaped American life

Cold War Anxiety

Fear of nuclear war influenced culture and policy

Government Expansion

Increased role in economy and daily life

How did the GI Bill transform American society?

The GI Bill helped veterans go to college, buy homes, and get jobs, which grew the middle class and boosted the economy.

Evaluate the success of Truman’s Fair Deal.

Fair Deal had some success, like raising minimum wage, but many programs failed due to opposition in Congress.

How did suburbanization shape postwar America?

Suburbanization moved many families to the suburbs, increased car use, and often led to racial and economic segregation.

How did Cold War tensions influence domestic policies?

Cold War tensions led to fear of communism, causing loyalty programs and investigations like House Un-American Activities Committee.

Compare/contrast Korean War and Vietnam War

The Korean War was shorter and ended in a stalemate, while the Vietnam War lasted longer and ended with a communist victory, but both were efforts to stop the spread of communism.