Vietnam War, Revolts, and Cold War Events

Flashcards covering the Vietnam War, European integration, Cold War crises, and the conflict in Afghanistan.

What event marked a turning point in the Vietnam War and increased US opposition?

The Viet Cong launched a major military offensive during the Vietnamese New Year (Tet), intensifying US opposition to the war.

What were the key events leading to the end of the Vietnam War?

LBJ did not run for reelection in 1968, Nixon began to withdraw troops, a cease-fire was agreed upon, and in 1975 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces defeated South Vietnam.

What was the outcome of the Vietnam War?

After 20 years of conflict, Vietnam was reunited under communism, resulting in many deaths, refugees, and devastation.

How did the Soviets respond to revolts in Eastern Europe during the mid-20th century?

In the 1950s and 60s, the Soviets crushed attempted revolts in Eastern Europe.

What was the evolution of the European Economic Community?

The European Economic Community (EEC), or Common Market, formed in 1957 and later became the European Union in 1993, adopting the Euro as a common currency in 2002.

What characterized the year 1968 in terms of global events?

1968 was a year of widespread revolt, particularly among students at universities.

What symbolic significance did the Berlin Wall hold?

The Berlin Wall became a universal symbol of the Cold War.

What was the objective and outcome of the Bay of Pigs Invasion?

The Bay of Pigs Invasion in April 1961 aimed to overthrow Castro but was a disaster, resulting in Kennedy's humiliation and Castro seeking Soviet weapons for defense.

What is brinkmanship in the context of Cold War foreign policy?

Brinkmanship is a foreign policy used in the Cold War where a country would push an issue looking for the best outcome.

What motivated Khrushchev's deployment of missiles to Cuba?

Khrushchev feared the US would lead to loss of Cuba as an ally and secretly deployed missiles to Cuba.

What were the key events of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred in October 1962 after US forces discovered Soviet missiles in Cuba, leading to a blockade and negotiations.

What was the resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

An agreement between Kennedy and Khrushchev involved the removal of missiles from Cuba and Turkey, and a US promise not to attack Cuba.

What did the 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty prohibit?

The 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty outlawed testing of nuclear weapons above ground and in water.

What was the objective of the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty?

The 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty aimed to prevent the spread of nuclear technology to non-nuclear states.

What did the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) aim to achieve?

The Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) between Nixon and Brezhnev in 1972 aimed to limit the number of ICBMs.

What was significant about Nixon's visit to China in 1972?

Nixon visited China in 1972, marking the first visit by a US president to communist China.

What economic action did the US take with the USSR during this period?

The US sold grain to the USSR.

What changes were implemented by the Marxist party in Afghanistan in 1978?

In 1978, a Marxist party took over power in Afghanistan and implemented land reforms and liberated women, upsetting conservative Muslims.

What led to the conflict in Afghanistan involving the USSR and the US?

The USSR intervened militarily in Afghanistan from 1978-1989. The US sent aid to Afghan guerrillas to help end the communist regime.

What event marked a turning point in the Vietnam War and increased US opposition?

The Viet Cong launched a major military offensive during the Vietnamese New Year (Tet), intensifying US opposition to the war.

What were the key events leading to the end of the Vietnam War?

LBJ did not run for reelection in 1968, Nixon began to withdraw troops, a cease-fire was agreed upon, and in 1975 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces defeated South Vietnam.

What was the outcome of the Vietnam War?

After 20 years of conflict, Vietnam was reunited under communism, resulting in many deaths, refugees, and devastation.

How did the Soviets respond to revolts in Eastern Europe during the mid-20th century?

In the 1950s and 60s, the Soviets crushed attempted revolts in Eastern Europe.

What was the evolution of the European Economic Community?

The European Economic Community (EEC), or Common Market, formed in 1957 and later became the European Union in 1993, adopting the Euro as a common currency in 2002.

What characterized the year 1968 in terms of global events?

1968 was a year of widespread revolt, particularly among students at universities.

What symbolic significance did the Berlin Wall hold?

The Berlin Wall became a universal symbol of the Cold War.

What was the objective and outcome of the Bay of Pigs Invasion?

The Bay of Pigs Invasion in April 1961 aimed to overthrow Castro but was a disaster, resulting in Kennedy's humiliation and Castro seeking Soviet weapons for defense.

What is brinkmanship in the context of Cold War foreign policy?

Brinkmanship is a foreign policy used in the Cold War where a country would push an issue looking for the best outcome.

What motivated Khrushchev's deployment of missiles to Cuba?

Khrushchev feared the US would lead to loss of Cuba as an ally and secretly deployed missiles to Cuba.

What were the key events of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred in October 1962 after US forces discovered Soviet missiles in Cuba, leading to a blockade and negotiations.

What was the resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

An agreement between Kennedy and Khrushchev involved the removal of missiles from Cuba and Turkey, and a US promise not to attack Cuba.

What did the 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty prohibit?

The 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty outlawed testing of nuclear weapons above ground and in water.

What was the objective of the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty?

The 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty aimed to prevent the spread of nuclear technology to non-nuclear states.

What did the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) aim to achieve?

The Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) between Nixon and Brezhnev in 1972 aimed to limit the number of ICBMs.

What was significant about Nixon's visit to China in 1972?

Nixon visited China in 1972, marking the first visit by a US president to communist China.

What economic action did the US take with the USSR during this period?

The US sold grain to the USSR.

What changes were implemented by the Marxist party in Afghanistan in 1978?

In 1978, a Marxist party took over power in Afghanistan and implemented land reforms and liberated women, upsetting conservative Muslims.

What led to the conflict in Afghanistan involving the USSR and the US?

The USSR intervened militarily in Afghanistan from 1978-1989. The US sent aid to Afghan guerrillas to help end the communist regime.

What was the impact of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan on the Cold War?

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan led to increased Cold War tensions and a US-backed insurgency against the Soviet forces.

How did the US support the Afghan resistance against the Soviet Union?

The US, through Operation Cyclone, provided covert funding and weapons to the Afghan Mujahideen, aiding

What reforms did Mikhail Gorbachev initiate?

Mikhail Gorbachev initiated reforms, including glasnost (openness) and perestroika (economic restructuring).

What was the impact of the Gorbachev reforms on Eastern Europe?

Gorbachev's reforms led to the unraveling of communist states in Eastern Europe.

What significant event occurred in 1989 that symbolized the end of the Cold War?

In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, symbolizing the end of the Cold War divisions.

What factors contributed to the fall of the USSR?

Many factors contributed to the fall of the USSR, including economic stagnation, the war in Afghanistan, and nationalist movements.

When did the USSR collapse, and what was the result?

The USSR collapsed in 1991, leading to the end of the Cold War.

What was the geopolitical landscape after the collapse of the USSR?

After the dissolution of the USSR, the US remained the sole superpower.

The end