Cold War Vocab Study for quiz

Satellite State

A satellite state is a nation that is politically and economically dominated by a more powerful country, often in the context of a larger geopolitical strategy, particularly during the Cold War. These states typically have limited autonomy and often align with the policies of the dominant power.

Iron Curtain

The term used to describe the division between Eastern and Western Europe during the Cold War, symbolizing the ideological conflict and physical boundary between the communist nations and the democracies.

Truman Doctrine

A U.S. foreign policy established in 1947 to counter Soviet expansion by providing political, military, and economic assistance to countries under threat of communism.

Marshall Plan

A U.S. initiative launched in 1948 to aid Western Europe's recovery after World War II by providing economic assistance, thereby preventing the spread of communism.

Berlin Airlift

The operation from 1948 to 1949 that supplied West Berlin with food and fuel by air after the Soviet Union blockaded the city, demonstrating Western commitment to containing communism.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

A military alliance formed in 1949 among North American and European countries to provide collective defense against the Soviet Union and promote mutual security.

Thirty Eight (38th) Parallel

The latitude line dividing North and South Korea, established as the boundary at the end of World War II and became a significant marker during the Korean War.

Arms Race

The competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to build up military weapons and technology during the Cold War.

Mutually Assured Destruction

A doctrine of military strategy where both superpowers possess enough nuclear weapons to ensure total annihilation of each other in the event of a conflict, deterring war through the threat of catastrophic retaliation.

GI Bill Of Rights

Legislation providing various benefits to returning World War II veterans, including financial assistance for education, housing, and unemployment.

Baby Boom

A significant increase in the birth rate following World War II, primarily in the United States, lasting from 1946 to 1964.

Fair Deal

A series of domestic programs proposed by President Harry S. Truman aimed at improving the social safety net and the economy, including initiatives for housing, education, and healthcare.

Interstate Highway Act

Legislation enacted in 1956 that authorized the construction of a nationwide network of interstate highways to improve transportation and promote economic growth.

Consumerism

A social and economic order that encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts, particularly prevalent in post-World War II America.

Beatnik

A social movement in the 1950s characterized by a group of American writers and artists who rejected conventional society, seeking alternative lifestyles and expressing creativity through literature, music, and art.