HMWH unit 5

Cold War

A state of political hostility between countries characterized by threats, the use of propaganda, and other measures. However, the powers never experience open warefare.

Communism

A political theory derived from Karl Marx, advocating for a classless society where property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs.

Democracy

A System of government run by the whole population, typically through elected representatives.

United nations

An international organization founded in 1945, that provides its members the opportunity to express their views and to take action while maintaining international peace and security.

Capitalism

An economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit.

Containment

The action of keeping something within it’s limits.

Iron Curtain

A national barrier separating the former Soviet bloc and the West

Truman Doctrine

The principle that the US should give military and financial support to countries or peoples threatened by Soviet forced or Communism.

Marshall Plan

A program created by the US to provide aid to Western Europe following the devastation of WWII

Berlin Airlift

A military operation that supplied West Berlin with food and other vital goods after the Soviet Union blockaded the city.

Berlin Wall

Barrier that surrounded West Berlin and prevented access to it from East Berlin and adjacent areas.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

An international organization created by the US and Western European countries with the purpose of safeguarding the freedom and security of all its members by political and military means.

Warsaw Pact

A political and military alliance established by the Soviet Union and Eastern European countries that served as buffer states or satellite states for the USSR

Mao Zedong

A Chinese revolutionary leader of the twentieth century who lead an army of workers and peasants to establish the People’s Republic of China

Proxy War

Wars that are fought on behalf of another power and/or country.

Socialism

A political and economic theory that advocates for the means of production, distribution, and exchange to be owned by the community as a whole

Decolonization

The action or process of a state withdrawing from a former colony, leaving it independent.

Domino Theory

The theory that a political event in one country will cause similar events in neighboring countries.

Détente

The easing of hostility or issues between countries

Glasnost

The policy or practice of a more open government and the distribution of information, initiated by the soviet union by Mikhail Gorbachev

Perestroika

The policy or practice of restructuring or reforming the economic and political system. Actively promoted by Mikhail Gorbachev, it is meant to increase production and labor.