AP World Unit 8 Illustrative Examples

1900 - present

Cold War

A period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States from the end of World War II until the early 1990s, characterized by political, military, and ideological rivalry without direct armed conflict.

Marshall Plan

U.S. initiative to aid Western Europe post-World War II, providing economic support to rebuild economies and prevent the spread of communism.

The plan aimed to foster political stability and reduce the influence of the Soviet Union in Europe.

Command Economy

An economic system where the government controls production, allocation, and prices of goods and services, often associated with socialist or communist states.

Arms race

A competition between nations, particularly during the Cold War, to develop and accumulate superior military weapons and technology, often escalating tensions and influencing foreign policy.

Iron Curtain

The political and ideological barrier that divided Eastern and Western Europe during the Cold War, symbolizing the separation between the Soviet bloc and the West.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance formed in 1949 among Western nations to provide collective defense against aggression, particularly from the Soviet Union.

Warsaw pact

A military alliance established in 1955 among Soviet-aligned countries in Eastern Europe, designed as a counterbalance to NATO and to ensure mutual defense against perceived threats.

Nuclear proliferation

The spread of nuclear weapons and technology to nations not recognized as nuclear weapon states, raising concerns over global security and stability.

Cuban Misle Crisis

A 1962 confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet ballistic missiles deployed in Cuba, escalating Cold War tensions.

This crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear war, leading to a tense standoff that was eventually resolved through diplomatic negotiations.

Nuclear non-proliferation treaty, SALT

An international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and fostering disarmament among nuclear weapon states.

SALT I & II: Strategic Arms Limitation Talks agreements to limit the number of nuclear weapons and delivery systems between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Berlin Wall

A barrier that divided East and West Berlin from 1961 until 1989, symbolizing the Cold War divide between the communist East and the democratic West.

Detente

A diplomatic strategy aimed at easing tensions between the superpowers during the Cold War, focusing on dialogue and cooperation to prevent nuclear conflict.

Korean War

Proxy War

between North and South Korea (1950-1953), primarily involving the United States and China. It was part of the broader context of the Cold War, reflecting the struggle between communism and democracy.

Contra War

Proxy War

in Nicaragua during the 1980s, where the US supported Contra rebels against the Sandinista government. It was a significant conflict in Central America that illustrated Cold War tensions, with the US aiming to prevent the spread of communism in the region.

Ended in cease fire

Vietnam War

Proxy War

A lengthy conflict from 1955 to 1975 between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and South Vietnam, backed by the United States and other anti-communist nations. It was a crucial part of the Cold War, exemplifying the struggle against communism in Southeast Asia.

Resulted in significant loss of life and profound political consequences in both Vietnam and the US.

Great Leap Forward

An economic and social campaign initiated by the Chinese Communist Party from 1958 to 1962, aimed at rapidly transforming China from an agrarian society into an industrialized socialist society. The campaign led to widespread famine and millions of deaths.

Military-Industrial Complex

A coalition of the armed forces and defense contractors that influences national policy and promotes increased military spending, warning against its potential to sway democratic processes and foreign policy.

Space Race + Star Wars (STI)

Refers to the competition between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War to achieve significant advancements in space exploration and technology, culminating in events like the moon landing and the development of missile defense systems.

Star Wars: A proposed missile defense system, officially termed the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), announced by President Reagan in 1983, aimed at using ground-based and space-based systems to protect the US from nuclear missile attacks.

Indian Independence

• Indian national congress

• Mohandas Gandhi = Peaceful protest

• British struggled to keep power after WWII → Independence

• Negotiated Independence!

• Gained independence in 1947

• Partition of India

  • Over 1 million people died

  • Violence among each other

Algerian Independence

Armed independence

*unable to negotiate as it was a settler colony

National Liberation Front fought for independence

The process through which Algeria gained autonomy from French colonial rule following a brutal war of independence from 1954 to 1962, characterized by intense conflict and significant loss of life.

Partition of India

The division of British India into two independent dominions, India and Pakistan, in 1947, leading to widespread communal violence, mass migrations, and significant loss of life, particularly in border regions like Kashmir.

Isreal v. Palestine

Ongoing conflict over land and sovereignty between the state of Israel and Palestinian territories, marked by historical tensions, wars, and failed peace negotiations.

Nelson Mandela

Anti-apartheid revolutionary and leader of the African National Congress, who became South Africa's first black president after a long struggle against racial segregation and oppression.

Agusto Pinochet

Chilean military dictator who ruled from 1973 to 1990, known for severe human rights violations and economic reforms.

Was aided by the US because he wasn’t communist

Idi Amin

Ugandan military dictator who ruled from 1971 to 1979, noted for his brutal regime and human rights abuses.