Cold war Begins Flashcards

Who was Karl Marx?

German philosopher. His ideas were used by the Bolsheviks. His idea gave way to communism.

What is Marxism?

An economic + political idea developed by Karl Marx. Main idea was that the only reason there was struggle in society was because there were social classes. He wanted no class and every member was equal.

Who were the Bolsheviks?

Extremist wing of the Russian societal and democratic party that seized power in Russia during the revolution of 1917.

What did the Bolsheviks believe in?

They believed in Marxism - which became communism - and were anti tsar. They believed that the Tsar's had poor leadership. The Bolsheviks leader was Vladimir Lenin.

Who was Vladimir Lenin?

Grew up studying Marxism. He was exiled in 1987, but returned and became the leader of the Bolsheviks. He thought marxism was the best way of government.

What was the October Revolution?

When the Bolsheviks lead a battle against the Tzar, and the gov. won, and the bolsheviks were in power. This created the Russian socialist federative soviet republic. (USSR).

What did the Bolsheviks do after they gained power?

They orchestrated peace with Germany and and pulled the Russians out of the WWII. They then divided the Rich people's land and shared it with the poor.

What was the Russian Civil War + When?

After the Bolsheviks gained power, the remaining Tsar and Monarchists formed an army called the White Army, and declared war against the Bolsheviks who were the Red Army . 1917-1923

What happened after the Russian Civil War?

The Red Army wins the war. Lenin dies, as well as 8-12 million Russians ( mostly civilians). The Soviet Union is established, + a new leader.

Who was Joseph Stalin?

He was born in 1878 in Georgia. He joined the Bolsheviks and war a brutal and reckless fighter. He became General Secretary of the Communist party in 1922.

What was Joseph Stalin's real name?

His birth name was Losif Dzhugashvili.

What sickness did Joseph Stalin survive as a kid?

He survived smallpox.

Where and why did Leon Trotsky flee out of the USSR?

When Lenin dies he flees to Mexico city, and is killed in 1940 by a Soviet Secret Agent.

Who was Leon Trotsky?

He was friend of Lenin and was a Russian politician. He was born in Ukraine and was Jewish. He lead the Red Army.

What was the Great Purge?

Stalin was a brutal dictator, and he killed anyone who he felt didn't agree or support him. in 1936-1938, he sent thousands of people to labor + death camps in Serbia.

NKVD

Stalin's secret police force that arrested and removed many people who were convicted of being anti-stalin. The head of NKVD was killed after being accused of being anti-soviet.

How many people did the NKVD kill?

3-40 million people killed.

When and what was the Potsdam Conference?

July 17- August 2, 1945. Pivotal meeting that was held in Potsdam Germany. The "big three" met weeks after V-E day to decide what to do with post-war Europe.

Who were "Big Three" at the Potsdam Conference?

Stalin, Truman, and Churchill (who is replaced by Clement Attlee).

What major question was gone over at the Potsdam conference?

Major question discussed post war reorganization of Europe + Asia, establishment of peace and administration or Germany. Primary goals: to determine the fate of Germany division + occupation by Allies. Define borders, declare war on Japan.

What did Truman reveal to Stalin at Potsdam?

Truman informs Stalin that the U.S has a new weapon (the atomic bomb), and Stalin already knew (from his spies).

What countries are Satellite States?

All of the countries behind the Iron curtain.

What was the "Iron Curtain"?

Term was first used in 1946 during a speech by Churchill, in Fulton College Missouri. The speech defined the Soviets issues in Europe.

What was the Iron Curtain?

It emerged after WWII when the Allies including US, UK, USSR, divided Germany + Eastern europe into Occupation zones. It describes the Ideological and Physical division between Western (NATO) and Eastern Europe (WARSAW pact).

What was the Truman Doctrine?

A policy put forth by Harry Truman on March 12, 1947. It provided military and economic aid to Greece and Turkey + any other country threatened by communism or any totalitarian ideology. 400 million dollars sent, marked the possible "start" of the Cold War.

What was Containment?

A policy used by the U.S and the United Nations that sprung of from the Truman Doctrine. It denied the spread of Communism. Avoids physical contact with the Soviet. Used throughout the entire Cold War. Reason for the U.S eventual involvement in Korea, Vietnam, China + Eastern Europe. Domino Theory.

Who coined Containment?

George F. Kennan

What was The Marshall Plan?

In june 1947 the plan was proposed to give billions of dollars to West Europe. Economic challenges facing Western Europe, devastated by WWII.

The main goal was to reconstruct destroyed Western European cities, to show how good American democracy is. Provided assistance to 16 different countries. (France, Italy, UK, W Germany.) Promoted economic recovery.

How much money did the Marshall plan give to Europe?

12 billion dollars.

Who proposed the Marshall Plan?

George C. Marshall.

What did Europe call the Marshall Plan?

E.R.P - European Recovery Plan.

What was the Deutsche Mark?

A currency that the U.S introduced in the respective areas, and Stalin saw it as a move to weaken the Soviets economy. So he started the Berlin Blockade.

What was the Berlin Blockade?

Stalin's attempt to cut off the Allies access into West Berlin. This way he could take over West berlin without having worry about the Allies. (June 24, 1948).

What was the Berlin Airlift?

June 24, 1498 - May 1949 after the Allies were cut off from West Berlin, they sent all of their supplies by air. It lasted for 10 months, and was victory over communism.

How many flights during the Berlin Airlift?

200,00 thousand flights

What was the main airport used during the Berlin Airlift?

Tempelhof Airport.

What is NATO?

Established April 4th, 1949 as a political and military alliance North America + West Europe countries.

Who is a part of NATO?

US, UK, France, Belgium, Canda, Italy, Portugal, Netherlands, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Luxembourg. HQ: Brussels, Belgium (Ukraine wants to but is not allowed because of Russia).

What is a Satellite State? Define it?

A Satellite State is a country that is heavily influenced and censored by another country.`

Ex: Poland would still be called Poland, but only has access to Soviet Information, and has a Soviet controlled Government

What is the Warsaw Pact?

Response to the creation of NATO. Alliance among the Soviet Union + 7 states. It is opposite of NATO. Lasted until 1991/1992.

Who is part of the Warsaw Pact?

USSR, Albania, Bulgaria, Czech, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, Poland.

What Is the United Nations?

October 25th, 1945, the Un was established after WWII. 50 nations met in San Fran to sign the UN charter. The governing laws and purpose. (USSR was one of the establishment member through the Cold War).

Where is the UN HQ?

HQ: NYC

How many member states are in the UN?

193 member states.

What does NATO stand for?

North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

What did the UN do?

Maintain international peace + security, promote social progress, uphold human rights, and provide a forum for resolving conflict through diplomacy.

What does HUAC stand for?

House Un-American Activities Committee.

What did NATO do?

Work together to protect against Soviet aggression. And attack on ONE Nato country is an attack on ALL Natos countries.

What was the Red Scare?

widespread ÿear and paranoia about communist infiltration into American society, government, and institutions.

When was the Red Scare?

1940s - early 1950s

Who did the Red Scare effect?

The entertainment industry was heavily affected as many actors, writers, directors, and other artists

What is a Blacklist?

Blacklisted- A list of people suspected of communist activity and therefore excluded from opportunities and boycotted.

Who was Alger Hiss?

Alger Hiss- State Department official and an adviser during the Yalta Conference in World War II - when USA, USSR, UK met to discuss

What was Alger Hiss accused of?

In 1948, he is accused by Whittaker Chambers, former

Communist Party member turned informant - of being a Soviet.

What was the Alger Hiss trail?

Hiss was convicted of perjury in 1950 for lying

about passing documents to Chambers - sentenced to 5 years in prison.

Who were the Rosenbergs?

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were the only civilians in

U.S. history to be executed for espionage during

peacetime

What did the Rosenbergs do?

Arrested in 1950 Accused of passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union. Their trial and execution in 1953 emblematic of year off Communist infiltration within the U.S. Government.

Who was Klaus Fuchs?

Worked on the Manhattan Project, and was a Soviet spy.

Where did Klaus Fuchs get arrested.

He was tried and imprisoned in the UK in 1950 (he was living in the UK after WWII)

Who was Joseph McCarthy?

Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin.

What did McCarthy do?

Fueled the Red Scare with his accusations of communist connections among politicians, Government

officials, and public figures

What was McCarthy's nickname?

"Tail Gunner Joe".

What was McCarthyism?

Widely publicized hearings where McCarthy interrogated witnesses, often bullying and making baseless accusations - contributed to public year and

damaged reputations.

When was McCarthy's downfall?

McCarthy's downfall began when he targeted the U.S. Army in televised hearings, leading to a loss of public support. In 1954, the Senate censured him for his conduct, condemning his abuse of power.

How did McCarthy die?

He dies in 1957 - an alcoholic at 48.

What was the Crucible?

Story of Salem Witch Trials of 1692, - falsely accused of witchcraft and put on trial. Wrote the play - allegory - US during the Red Scare and McCarthyism.

Who wrote the Crucible?

Arthur Miller in 1953.

Why did Miller write the Crucible?

Wanted Americans to see how fear and false accusations can spread quickly and damaĀe innocent people. The Crucible serves as an important warning about how panic,

What happened to Arthur Miller?

called to testify before (HUAC) Miller refused to cooperate - found Guilty of contempt of Congress.

What + when was the Salem Witch Trial?

1692, Falsely accused of witchcraft and put on trial.

What are "Arm Races"?

A competition between superpowers (US + USSR) to stockpile military weapons, particularly nuclear warheads and missile technology.

What was "Duck and Cover"?

"Duck and Cover" was a video produced by the government featuring Bert the Turtle and was shown on TV, movie theatres, and in schools

Who was duck and cover made for?

A civil defense strategy to protect American civilians if a nuclear attack occurred.

Where is Bikini Atoll?

Small island chain in the Pacific - Marshall Islands.

What was Bikini Atoll used for?

Tested Atomic and new Hydrogen or H-Bombs which were MORE powerful than atomic bombs. Bikini natives were removed from their homes/island - never allowed to return home and is still uninhabitable to this day.

What was "Operation Crossroads"?

1946-1958 US detonated 23 nuclear bombs during "Operation Crossroads".

What was "Castle Bravo"?

Largest was the "Castle Bravo" test - over 1,000 times more powerful than "Little Boy".

What does MAD stand for?

Mutually Assured Destruction.

What does ICBM stand for?

Intercontinental Ballistic Missile.

What did MAD do?

MAD explain Cold War tensions: both sides kept buildinĀ bigger weapons, hoping to scare the other side into backing down. MAD made some leaders believe that

nuclear weapons kept the peace because they were too dangerous to use.

What were Levittowns?

Mass-produced suburban neighborhoods in the US started in New York. Assembly-line techniques - quick and cheap.

Who created Levittowns?

Created by William Levitt

What was the G.I Bill?

Veterans used the G.I. Bill, paid ÿor college tuition;

helped them get good jobs and move into the middle class.

What was the Baby Boom?

After men returned from the war; large population increase in U.S. history.

What does USSR stand for?

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.