951 to 958

Nikita Khrushchev

Soviet leader after Stalin, known for advocating 'peaceful coexistence' and confronting Western capitalism.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

U.S. President who continued containment policy and sought coexistence with the USSR.

John Foster Dulles

Secretary of State advocating anti-Communism and 'rollback' of Soviet power.

1955 Treaty on Austria

Ended Allied occupation; Austria became independent and neutral.

1955 Geneva Summit

First major U.S.-USSR meeting post-WWII aimed at improving diplomatic relations.

1959 Camp David Meeting

Eisenhower and Khrushchev discussed peaceful coexistence and mutual disarmament.

1960 Paris Summit Failure

U.S. spy flights revealed, leading to the end of diplomatic thaw.

Cold War Stabilization

Period of reduced military confrontation and nuclear coexistence between superpowers.

Khrushchev's UN Speech

Denounced the U.S. and reignited Cold War rhetoric.

Charles de Gaulle

French President who opposed U.S. dominance in NATO and pushed for European independence.

1956 Suez Crisis

Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal; U.S. blocked military action to prevent Soviet intervention.

Sputnik

First artificial satellite launched by the USSR, igniting the Space Race.

Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs)

Missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, launched by the USSR in 1958.

Eisenhower Doctrine

Policy asserting U.S. defense of the Middle East against Communist influence.

1961 Berlin Wall

Concrete barrier built by East Germany, symbolizing Cold War division.

Cuban Missile Crisis

1962 confrontation where USSR placed missiles in Cuba, bringing the U.S. and USSR to the brink of war.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

Failed CIA operation to overthrow Fidel Castro using Cuban exiles.

Decolonization

Process where former colonies in Africa and Asia gained independence after WWII.

1964 Khrushchev's Ouster

Khrushchev was removed from power in the USSR due to his handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

U-2 Incident

Revelation of U.S. spy flights over the USSR, leading to the collapse of the 1960 Paris Summit.

The Hotline Agreement

Established direct communication between U.S. and Soviet leaders post-Cuban Missile Crisis.

Missile Gap

Perceived advantage in missile capabilities that led to increased military spending under Kennedy.

Peace Corps

Program founded by Kennedy to send young Americans to assist in developing countries.

Alliance for Progress

Initiative aimed at promoting economic growth in Latin America.

Fidel Castro

Cuban leader who aligned with the Soviet Union after initially appearing progressive.

Nuclear Arms Race

Competition between the U.S. and USSR to develop and accumulate nuclear weapons.

Direct Military Confrontation

The potential for open conflict between superpowers that lessened during détente.

Rollback Policy

Strategy aimed at reducing Soviet influence, advocated by Dulles.

European Resistance to U.S. Hegemony

Push by European leaders, particularly de Gaulle, for independence from U.S. influence.

Eisenhower's Military Buildup

Initial increase in U.S. military spending aimed at countering Soviet power.

Mao Zedong

Chinese leader who clashed with Khrushchev over foreign policy.

Soviet Union's Expansion

Post-war increase in Soviet influence, particularly in Eastern Europe and peripheral regions.

Khrushchev's Nuclear Policy

Continued arms race and placement of nuclear weapons in allied nations.

Bipolar World Order

Global power structure characterized by two dominant superpowers: the U.S. and the USSR.

Military Interventions

U.S. actions in Lebanon and Jordan to support pro-Western regimes during Eisenhower's presidency.

Soviet Influence in Asia

Post-colonial expansion of Soviet power, especially in regions gaining independence.

Mutual Deterrence

Security strategy that relies on the threat of retaliation to prevent nuclear conflict.

Barbed Wire and Armed Guards

Features of the Berlin Wall, symbolizing the military divide between East and West.

Crisis Management

Diplomatic efforts employed by Kennedy and Khrushchev during the Cuban Missile Crisis to avoid war.

Flexibility in Foreign Policy

Kennedy's approach to adapt military and diplomatic options in response to international crises.

Nuclear Parity

The goal of equal nuclear capabilities between the U.S. and USSR, pursued by both superpowers.