cold war terms-study guide

cold war

a global period of tension lasting from the end of WW2 until 1991. It was defined by military threats, political pressure, and economic competition between major powers, especially the U.S. and the USSR, without a direct large-scale war between them.

Capitalism

An economic system where private companies and individuals control production and trade. used by the US and Western Europe, capitalism encouraged innovation and economic growth but sometimes produced inequality and economic crises.

communism

a system where the state controls land, factories, and banks. practiced in the soviet union and many of its allies, it reduced some forms of inequality but often relied on censorship, police control, and limited political freedom.

socialism

a system in which governments control key industries such as healthcare, energy, or transportation. Various forms were implemented across Europe, Africa, and Asia, often combining public services with private enterprise.

democracy

a system where citizens vote for leaders and have a say in policy. During the Cold War, democratic countries sometimes supported authoritarian regimes abroad for strategic or economic resons, showing the limits of idealistic principles.

Authoritarian government

a system where power is concentrated in the hands of an individual or small group. authoritarianism existed on both sides of the cold war, from leaders like Pinochet in Chile to Brezhnev in the USSR

containment

a policy aimed at limiting the spread of communism. while led by the US, it involved international interventions such as coups, sanctions, and military support. affecting countries like Iran (1953) and Guatemala (1954), but also influencing local politics and conflicts worldwide.

iron curtain

a term popularized by Weston Churchill in 1946 to describe Europe’s political, military, and ideological division between Western democracies and Eastern communist states, it symbolized the golabal polarization of the Cold War.global

sphere of influence

regions where powerful countries exerted political, economic, or military pressure to align other nations with their interests. ex includes soviet control over Eastern Europe and U.S. influence in parts of Latin America and Asia

non-aligned movement

Countries such as India, Yugoslavia, Egypt, and Indonesia attempted to remain neutral during the Cold War. Despite this stance, they often faced pressure or intervention from both superpowers while trying to pursue independent development and diplomacy.

Authoritarian Government

A system where power is concentrated in the hands of an individual or small group. Authoritarianism existed on both sides of the Cold War, from leaders like Pinochet in Chile to Brezhnev in the USSR.

Containment

 A policy aimed at limiting the spread of communism. While led by the United States, it involved international interventions such as coups, sanctions, and military support, affecting countries like Iran (1953) and Guatemala (1954), but also influencing local politics and conflicts worldwide.

Iron Curtain

A term popularized by Winston Churchill in 1946 to describe Europe’s political, military, and ideological division between Western democracies and Eastern communist states. It symbolized the global polarization of the Cold War.

Sphere of Influence

Regions where powerful countries exerted political, economic, or military pressure to align other nations with their interests. Examples include Soviet control over Eastern Europe and U.S. influence in parts of Latin America and Asia.

Non-Aligned Movement

Countries such as India, Yugoslavia, Egypt, and Indonesia attempted to remain neutral during the Cold War. Despite this stance, they often faced pressure or intervention from both superpowers while trying to pursue independent development and diplomacy.

Arms Race

 The United States, the Soviet Union, and later other countries rapidly developed advanced weapons, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and nuclear submarines. Both sides aimed to maintain military strength, deter the other, and secure influence over allies, fueling global tension.

Nuclear Weapons

Nuclear weapons were first used by the United States on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Afterward, both superpowers built huge stockpiles, and other countries developed them as well. The existence of these weapons posed a constant threat to global survival, affecting military strategy and international diplomacy worldwide.

Nuclear Proliferation

 By the 1970s, nuclear technology spread to countries such as China, France, and the United Kingdom. The increasing number of nuclear states raised the risk of accidents, regional conflicts, and escalation into a wider war, making nuclear issues a central concern of international relations

Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

MAD was the idea that any nuclear war would result in massive global destruction, killing hundreds of millions. While this prevented direct large-scale wars between superpowers, it created constant anxiety and a precarious balance in international politics.

Proxy Wars

Many Cold War conflicts were fought indirectly, with local forces supported by external powers. Examples include Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Angola, and Nicaragua. These wars often caused immense local suffering while reflecting the global struggle between competing ideologies and powers.

Marshall Plan (1947)

Western European countries received over $13 billion in aid to rebuild after World War II. While it helped economies recover, it also strengthened Western political influence and aimed to prevent communist parties from gaining power. European governments were active participants in deciding how to use the aid.

Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (COMECON)

This Soviet-led organization coordinated the economies of Eastern Bloc countries. While it facilitated trade and planning within the bloc, it limited economic interaction with Western nations and reinforced Soviet influence over its neighbors’ policies.

Berlin Blockade & Airlift (1948–1949)

The Soviet Union blocked roads and railways to West Berlin to pressure Western powers and test their resolve. In response, Western countries flew in food, fuel, and supplies for nearly a year, keeping West Berlin alive. The crisis highlighted the high stakes of Cold War competition and the vulnerability of divided cities.

NATO (1949)

A military alliance of Western nations that included stationing troops and nuclear weapons in Europe. While intended to deter aggression, it increased Soviet fears of encirclement and contributed to the militarization of Europe during the Cold War.

Warsaw Pact (1955)

In response to NATO, the Soviet Union formed an alliance with Eastern European states. It allowed Soviet troops to be stationed across the bloc and strengthened Moscow’s control over its neighbors’ militaries and policies.

Hungarian Uprising (1956)

Hungarians demanded free elections, political reform, and an end to Soviet domination. The uprising was crushed when Soviet tanks entered Budapest, unaliveing thousands. It exposed the limits of national independence under Soviet influence.

Prague Spring (1968)

Czechoslovak leaders tried to implement reforms such as free speech and political liberalization. Warsaw Pact forces invaded to halt these changes, demonstrating the Soviet Union’s determination to maintain control over Eastern Europe.

Berlin Wall (1961)

Constructed by East Germany to stop mass emigration to the West, the wall physically and symbolically divided the city. Over 140 people were killed trying to cross. It reflected both domestic pressures in East Germany and broader Cold War tensions.

Solidarity Movement (1980s)

In Poland, workers led by Lech Wałęsa organized strikes and pushed for political and social reforms. Solidarity weakened communist control, inspired reform across Eastern Europe, and highlighted the role of local activism in challenging superpower-dominated systems.

Chinese Communist Revolution (1949)

Mao Zedong’s Communist forces defeated the Nationalist government after decades of civil war and the disruption of the Japanese invasion. Early land reforms redistributed land to peasants, improving support for the Communists. However, later campaigns like the Great Leap Forward caused famine and widespread suffering.

Korean War (1950–1953)

The war began when North Korea, supported by China and the Soviet Union, invaded South Korea. The conflict involved forces from the United States and the United Nations supporting South Korea. Fighting ended in a ceasefire, not a formal peace treaty, leaving the Korean Peninsula divided and heavily militarized, with long-term consequences for the region.

Vietnam War (1955–1975)

The war was fought between North Vietnam, supported by the Soviet Union and China, and South Vietnam, backed by the United States and other allies. Millions of civilians and soldiers died, and the conflict caused immense destruction. The war reflected both Cold War tensions and local efforts for national unification and independence.

Domino Theory

This idea suggested that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would follow. While often used to justify foreign interventions, it ignored the political and social realities in each nation and underestimated the role of local independence movements.

Sino-Soviet Split (1960s)

China and the Soviet Union, once close allies, increasingly competed for influence over the global communist movement. Disagreements over ideology, strategy, and leadership led to tensions, shaping alliances and conflicts around the world.

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (1979)

The Soviet Union intervened in Afghanistan to support a friendly government facing internal rebellion. The nine-year conflict caused over a million Afghan deaths, massive displacement, and severe economic strain on the Soviet Union, contributing to its eventual collapse. Regional powers and global Cold War dynamics intensified the conflict.

Cuban Revolution (1959)

 Fidel Castro and his revolutionary movement overthrew the authoritarian regime of Fulgencio Batista, which had widespread domestic opposition. After the revolution, Cuba gradually aligned with the Soviet Union, receiving economic and military support, which made it a key player in Cold War geopolitics.

Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961)

 Exiled Cuban forces, with support from the U.S., attempted to overthrow Castro’s government. The invasion failed, strengthening Castro’s position within Cuba and reinforcing his reliance on Soviet support. The event showed how external interventions could backfire when local support was limited.

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

 The Soviet Union placed nuclear missiles in Cuba in response to U.S. missile deployments in Turkey and ongoing tensions in the region. After intense negotiations, both sides agreed to remove the missiles, avoiding nuclear war. The crisis highlighted the global risks of Cold War brinkmanship and the strategic importance of smaller nations like Cuba.

Sandinista Revolution (1979)

In Nicaragua, the Sandinista movement overthrew a long-standing U.S.-backed authoritarian government. The revolution sparked years of internal conflict and international involvement, as various regional and global powers supported different sides. The revolution was primarily driven by domestic social and economic grievances.

Chile Coup (1973)

 The Chilean military overthrew President Salvador Allende, a democratically elected socialist leader. The U.S.-backed coup led to widespread repression, with thousands imprisoned, tortured, or killed. 

Decolonization

After World War II, many African, Asian, and Middle Eastern colonies gained independence. While this was a step toward self-determination, many new nations faced political instability, weak economies, and internal divisions. Both the United States and the Soviet Union tried to influence these countries during the Cold War, often turning local disputes into proxy conflicts, but local leaders and groups also played decisive roles in shaping events.

Angolan Civil War (1975–2002)

Angola’s independence from Portugal led to a civil war among competing factions: the MPLA, UNITA, and FNLA. The MPLA received support from the Soviet Union and Cuba, while UNITA and FNLA were backed by Apartheid South Africa and the United States. External support intensified the conflict, but the war was also driven by internal ethnic and political rivalries, and it caused massive human suffering over decades.

Ethiopian Civil War

A Marxist government came to power in Ethiopia, supported by the Soviet Union. The government fought multiple rebel groups while enforcing strict political control, including mass arrests and executions. Regional powers and neighboring countries were also involved at times, highlighting that the conflict was part of both local struggles and broader Cold War competition.

Apartheid South Africa

Apartheid was a system of racial segregation enforced by the white minority. The government maintained power through internal repression and strategic alliances abroad. Both Western and regional powers sometimes tolerated or supported the regime because of political or economic interests, illustrating how global Cold War dynamics intersected with local oppression.

Iranian Revolution (1979)

The revolution overthrew the Shah, who had close ties to Western powers, and replaced his regime with an Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Khomeini. While foreign influence played a role, the revolution was primarily driven by domestic dissatisfaction with authoritarian rule, corruption, and social inequalities. The events showed how local movements could reshape geopolitics independently of superpower agendas.

Détente (1970s)

Détente was a period when tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union eased. Instead of constant threats, both sides focused on diplomacy, arms control talks, and cooperation. Cultural exchanges, such as student programs and sports events, helped people from both countries learn more about each other.

SALT I & SALT II

The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) were agreements meant to slow the nuclear arms race. SALT I limited the number of certain nuclear weapons, while SALT II aimed to place further restrictions. However, both countries were still allowed to improve and modernize their existing weapons, so the arms race did not completely stop.

Helsinki Accords (1975)

This agreement involved the U.S., the Soviet Union, and many European countries. It officially recognized European borders after World War II, which pleased the Soviets. In return, the agreement emphasized human rights, freedom of speech, and freedom of movement. These ideas encouraged activists in Eastern Europe to push for more rights and reforms.

Mikhail Gorbachev

Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Union in the 1980s. He believed the country needed major changes to survive. He reduced military involvement in other countries, eased tensions with the U.S., and introduced reforms to make the government and economy more effective.

Glasnost

 Glasnost means “openness.” This policy allowed greater freedom of speech and press. People could criticize the government and talk openly about problems such as corruption and economic failure. While this increased honesty, it also weakened trust in the Communist system.

Perestroika

 Perestroika means “restructuring.” Gorbachev tried to reform the Soviet economy by allowing limited private businesses and reducing government control. However, these reforms were poorly managed and led to shortages, unemployment, and economic instability.

Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989)

The Berlin Wall had divided East and West Berlin for decades. In 1989, mass protests in East Germany demanded freedom and change. After a government official mistakenly announced that travel restrictions were lifted, crowds overwhelmed the border guards, and the wall was opened. This became a powerful symbol of the end of communist control in Eastern Europe.

Dissolution of the Soviet Union (1991)

 In 1991, the Soviet Union officially broke apart into 15 independent countries. This ended the Cold War and the Soviet communist system. However, many former Soviet states faced serious economic problems, political instability, and new conflicts as they adjusted to independence.