The Cold War & Nuclear Weapons

A set of flashcards focusing on key concepts related to the Cold War and the significance of nuclear weapons.

Cold War

A period of tension after World War II between the USA and the USSR, characterized by political and military rivalry without direct fighting.

Nuclear Weapons

The most powerful weapons ever made, developed during World War II, which changed how wars were fought.

Atomic Bomb

The weapon first used by the USA in 1945 to destroy Hiroshima and Nagasaki, demonstrating the destructive power of nuclear weapons.

Arms Race

The competition between the USA and USSR to build more nuclear weapons, leading to increased fear and tension.

Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

A doctrine stating that if one side attacked, the other would respond, resulting in the destruction of both sides, which helped prevent nuclear war.

Cuban Missile Crisis

The 1962 event which was the closest moment to nuclear war, where the USSR placed missiles in Cuba, resolved through negotiation.

Nuclear Weapons Today

Nuclear weapons still exist in many countries, and treaties attempt to limit their use while fears of nuclear war persist.

Conclusion of Cold War & Nuclear Weapons

Nuclear weapons played a significant role in shaping the Cold War, where fear helped prevent war and peace depended on balance and diplomacy.