Unit 8 WHAP Vocab (Cold War & Time Period 1)

Big Three

Refers to the leaders of the Allied Powers during WWII: Winston Churchill (UK), Franklin D. Roosevelt (USA), and Joseph Stalin (USSR).

Yalta Conference

1945 meeting between Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin to discuss post-WWII Europe's reorganization, how to defeat Japan, and the division of Germany.

Potsdam Conference

Conference held in July-August 1945 where the Allied leaders planned postwar peace while avoiding the mistakes of the Paris Peace Conference of 1919.

• Stalin broke his promise which led to the “Cold War”

Tehran Conference

Meeting in 1943 between Allied leaders Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin to discuss WWII strategy, resulting in plans for the D-Day invasion.

Cold War

conflict that does not involve direct military confrontation between the immediate rival states (in this case, the US and USSR)

Fidel Castro

Leader of the Cuban Revolution, served as Prime Minister and President of Cuba. Known for his communist ideology and defiance against the United States.

Nikita Khrushchev

A Soviet leader who succeeded Stalin in 1953. Known for de-Stalinization policies, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the famous "kitchen debate" with Nixon in 1959.

Joseph Stalin

Ruthless Soviet dictator known for his brutal rule, forced labor camps, and widespread purges in the Soviet Union during the mid-20th century.

John F. Kennedy

35th President of the United States 1961-1963 Achievements: Cuban Missile Crisis, Civil Rights Movement support, "New Frontier" domestic program, and the establishment of the Peace Corps

Harry S. Truman

President after Franklin D. Roosevelt died in 1945. Made the decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan to end WWII. Implemented the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe.

United Nations

International organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries, with 193 member states.

Security Council

A primary organ of the United Nations responsible for maintaining international peace and security through resolutions and sanctions.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Military alliance of 30 countries promoting security and defense cooperation. Formed in 1949 to counter Soviet influence during the Cold War.

Warsaw Pact

Military alliance of Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries, formed in 1955 in response to NATO. Dissolved in 1991 following the end of the Cold War.

Communist Bloc

A group of countries led by the Soviet Union during the Cold War that adhered to communist ideologies and opposed the Western Bloc.

Eastern Bloc

Refers to the group of communist states in Central and Eastern Europe, under the influence of the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Iron Curtain

Term coined by Winston Churchill in 1946 to describe the ideological division between communist Eastern Europe and democratic Western Europe after World War II.

Winston Churchill

British Prime Minister during World War II, known for his leadership and speeches. He was a key figure in the Allied victory and coined the term "Iron Curtain."

Policy of Containment

US strategy for stopping the spread of Communism

Marshall Plan

A US plan designed to offer $12 billion in aid to all nations of Western Europe after WWII, providing economic assistance for post-war recovery and preventing the spread of communism.

Truman Doctrine

A strong statement that the US would do what it had to do to stop the spread of communist influence, specifically in Greece & Turkey

Berlin

Capital of Germany

Berlin Airlift

A massive humanitarian operation (1948-1949) where Western Allies airlifted supplies to West Berlin after the Soviet Union blockaded the city.

East Germany

Officially known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR)

• Established in 1949 after WWII

• Communist state until reunification in 1990

West Germany

The portion of Germany that existed from 1949 to 1990 following World War II. It was a democratic country and a member of NATO.

Guomindang

Also known as the Kuomintang, it was a political party in China founded by Sun Yat-sen

Chiang Kai-Shek

A Chinese political and military leader who led the Nationalist government in China and fought against the Communist Party.

Mao Zedong

Chinese Communist leader who founded the People's Republic of China in 1949. Implemented socialist policies and led the Cultural Revolution.

Long March

Strategic retreat by the Red Army of the Communist Party of China in 1934-1935 to evade the Kuomintang forces, covering around 6,000 miles.

People’s Liberation Army

Is the military force of the People's Republic of China, established in 1927. It is the largest standing army globally.

People’s Republic of China

Established in 1949, it is a socialist state in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country and is governed by the Communist Party.

Great Leap Forward

A campaign in China led by Mao Zedong from 1958 to 1962 to rapidly industrialize the country through collectivization and communal farming, resulted in widespread famine and millions of deaths.

Five Year Plan

Economic development strategy used by governments to set goals and targets for industrial and agricultural growth over a five-year period

Cultural Revolution

A sociopolitical movement in China from 1966 to 1976 led by Mao Zedong to reassert communist ideology, resulting in widespread social upheaval, political purges, and economic disruption.

Domino Theory

The belief that if one country falls to communism, neighboring countries will also fall like a row of dominoes. Notably used during the Cold War to justify U.S. intervention in Vietnam.

Atomic Bomb

A powerful weapon that uses nuclear reactions to release massive amounts of destructive energy. It was used by the United States during World War II on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, leading to Japan's surrender.

Hydrogen Bomb

A powerful nuclear weapon that fuses hydrogen isotopes to release a massive amount of energy through a thermonuclear reaction.

Totalitarianism

A political system where the government has total control over all aspects of public and private life, often using repression and propaganda.

Free Market Economic Policies

Economic policies that promote minimal government intervention in the economy, emphasizing competition, private ownership, and pricing based on supply and demand.

Communism

A political ideology advocating for a classless society where all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs.

Socialism

An economic system advocating for collective ownership of production and distribution, aiming for equality and social welfare through government intervention and control.

Capitalism

Economic system based on private ownership of goods and means of production, driven by profit motive and free market competition.

Ronald Reagan

President known for Reaganomics, ending the Cold War, and conservative policies. Served as 40th President of the United States from 1981 to 1989.

Margaret Thatcher

British Prime Minister known as the "Iron Lady" for her strong leadership and conservative policies in the 1980s.

Mikhail Gorbachev

Soviet leader in the 1980s, introduced reforms like perestroika and glasnost, leading to the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)

a collective defense alliance formed in 1954 to counter communist threats in Southeast Asia. It included countries like the United States, United Kingdom, France, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan.

European Union (EU)

Political and economic union of 27 European countries, promoting cooperation, peace, and shared policies among member states.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

International agreement to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote peaceful nuclear cooperation.

Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT)

Agreements between the U.S. and Soviet Union to limit the number of nuclear weapons possessed by each country.

INF Treaty

The treaty signed in 1987 by the US (Ronald Reagan) and USSR (Mikhail Gorbachev) to eliminate all nuclear and conventional missiles with short and intermediate ranges.

Satellites

Objects launched into orbit around Earth or other celestial bodies for communication, navigation, weather monitoring, scientific research, and surveillance purposes.

Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

A Cold War concept where both sides possessing nuclear weapons deter (prevent) each other from using them due to the certainty of mutual annihilation.

Non-Alignment Movement

A group of states not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc, promoting peace, cooperation, and independence.

Red Guards

Were student-led groups during China's Cultural Revolution, promoting Mao Zedong's ideology and enforcing his policies through violent means.

Tiananmen Square

A large public space in Beijing, China, known for the 1989 pro-democracy protests brutally suppressed by the Chinese government.

Korean War

Conflict between North Korea (supported by China and USSR) and South Korea (supported by UN forces led by the US) from 1950-1953, ending in an armistice.

Vietnam War

Conflict (1955-1975) between North Vietnam (communist) and South Vietnam (anti-communist), with the US supporting the South. Ended with the fall of Saigon and the unification of Vietnam under communist rule.

Viet Cong

Insurgent communist guerrilla force in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, supported by North Vietnam. Engaged in guerrilla warfare against US and South Vietnamese forces.

• US troops sent into Vietnam to fight against communist forces

Viet Minh

A communist-nationalist organization formed in Vietnam in 1941 to fight for independence from French colonial rule. Led by Ho Chi Minh, they played a key role in the First Indochina War.

Ho Chi Minh

Vietnamese communist revolutionary leader and President of North Vietnam. Led the Viet Minh independence movement against French colonial rule and later against the U.S. in the Vietnam War.

Tet Offensive

A major military campaign during the Vietnam War launched by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces in 1968, resulted in heavy casualties and a turning point in public opinion against the war.

“Prague Spring”

Event in Czechoslovakia in 1968 where reforms were implemented but later suppressed by Soviet Union through military intervention.

Brezhnev Doctrine

Soviet policy stating the right to intervene in communist countries facing threats to socialism, used to justify invasions like Czechoslovakia in 1968.

Kent State University

University located in Ohio, it gained notoriety when National Guard troops shot and killed four students during an anti-war protest on May 4, 1970.

Berlin Wall

Barrier constructed in 1961 to divide East and West Berlin during the Cold War, symbolizing the divide between communism and democracy.

Bay of Pigs

Failed CIA-led invasion in 1961 to overthrow Fidel Castro's Cuban government, leading to embarrassment for the US.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 13-day confrontation in 1962 between the US and the USSR over Soviet missiles in Cuba, bringing the world to the brink of nuclear war.

Detente

French word meaning “cooling off” a period of improved relations between the US and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, marked by diplomacy and reduced tensions.

“Star Wars”

A program to protect the United States against attack by enemy missiles, proposed in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan, but never implemented- formally known as the Strategic Defense Initiative.

Glasnost

Policy introduced by Soviet leader Gorbachev in the 1980s, promoting transparency and openness in government and media. It led to increased freedom of speech and political reforms in the Soviet Union.

Perestroika

Policy of restructuring and reform in the Soviet Union initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s to revive the economy and political system.

Alexander Dubcek

A Czechoslovakian politician who led the Prague Spring reform movement in 1968, advocating for political liberalization and democratization within the country.

Afghan War

A conflict that began in 2001 when the U.S. and allies invaded Afghanistan to remove the Taliban from power and eliminate Al-Qaeda.

Taliban

A fundamentalist Islamic group in Afghanistan known for strict interpretation of Sharia law and oppressive rule. Came to power in the 1990s.

Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM)

Type of missile capable of traveling long distances and delivering nuclear warheads. Designed for intercontinental ranges, typically launched from ground-based facilities.

Sputnik

The first artificial satellite launched into space by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, marking the beginning of the space age.

Space Race

Competition between the US & USSR to advance space exploration during the Cold War. This led to significant advancements in technology and culminated in the moon landing in 1969.

Anti Nuclear Weapons Movement

A global social movement advocating for the abolition of nuclear weapons to promote peace and prevent catastrophic consequences.

Song Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty (960-1279 CE) known for advancements in arts, science, and technology. It replaced the Tang dynasty in 960 & had a centralized government and a prosperous economy.

Neo-Confucianism

Philosophical movement blending Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism in East Asia during the Song and Ming dynasties. Emphasizes moral cultivation, self-discipline, and social harmony.

Sinification

The process of adopting Chinese cultural traits, language, customs, or traditions in Korea, Japan & Vietnam.

Tibetan Buddhism

Branch of Buddhism practiced in Tibet, combining Mahayana and Vajrayana teachings. Focuses on chanting & emphasizes meditation, rituals, and the teachings of Tibetan lamas.

Champa Rice

A fast-ripening and drought-resistant strain of rice from the Champa Kingdom in present-day Vietnam greatly expanded agricultural production in China.

Tribute System

Ancient China's political arrangement where neighboring countries paid tribute to the Chinese emperor, acknowledging his superiority and maintaining peaceful relations.

Grand Canal

An ancient waterway in China connecting Beijing and Hangzhou, vital for transportation and trade, built during the Sui Dynasty.

Foot Binding

Traditional Chinese practice of tightly binding young girls' feet to prevent further growth, resulting in deformed and painful feet.

Zheng He

Chinese explorer during the Ming Dynasty, known for his seven voyages to Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and Africa between 1405 and 1433.

Woodblock Printing

A technique using carved wooden blocks to print text and images. Originated in China and later spread to other parts of the world.

Jurchen

Tungusic/nomadic people who established the Jin Dynasty in northern China in the 12th century. They eventually fell to the Mongol Empire.

Seljuk Empire

Turkish Sunni Muslim empire that ruled parts of Central Asia and the Middle East from the 11th to 14th centuries

Mamluk Sultanate

A medieval Islamic state in Egypt and the Levant, known for its military prowess and slave soldier ruling class.

House of Wisdom

An academic center in Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age, translating and preserving works of ancient civilizations, contributing to advancements in science, mathematics, and philosophy.

Battle of Talas

A conflict between the Abbasid Caliphate and the Tang Dynasty resulted in the spread of papermaking technology to the Islamic world.

Battle of Tours

Frankish forces led by Charles Martel vs. Umayyad Caliphate army

Outcome: Frankish victory, halting the Muslim advance into Western Europe.

Cordoba

A major city in Muslim Spain known for its cultural and intellectual achievements during the Middle Ages.

Polygyny

the practice of having more than one wife at the same time

The Thousand and One Nights

Collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled during the Islamic Golden Age.

Viziers

High-ranking officials in ancient Egypt and the Ottoman Empire, served as advisors to the ruler and oversaw governmental affairs.

Madrasa

Islamic educational institution where students learn about Islam, Arabic, and academic subjects. Often associated with mosques and religious teachings.

Ibn Sina

Influential Persian polymath in the Islamic Golden Age. Known for his contributions to medicine, philosophy, and science. Wrote "The Canon of Medicine."