U.S. Foreign Policy and Cold War: Key Concepts and Events

What was Theodore Roosevelt's "Big Stick Diplomacy"?

A foreign policy where the U.S. negotiated peacefully but used military strength to influence other countries. Roosevelt believed in "speak softly and carry a big stick."

What was the main goal of Big Stick Diplomacy?

To expand U.S. influence and protect American interests abroad, especially in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Why was the Panama Canal important to the United States?

It connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, greatly reducing travel time for trade and military ships.

How did the U.S. help Panama gain independence?

The U.S. supported a revolt against Colombia in 1903 so Panama would allow the U.S. to build the canal.

What did the Roosevelt Corollary state?

It added to the Monroe Doctrine by saying the U.S. could intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability and prevent European involvement.

How did the Roosevelt Corollary expand U.S. power?

It made the U.S. the "policeman" of the Western Hemisphere and justified intervention in Latin America.

What was Taft's Dollar Diplomacy?

President William Howard Taft's policy of using American investments and business power instead of military force to influence other countries.

What was the goal of Dollar Diplomacy?

To increase U.S. economic influence abroad while protecting American business interests.

How did Dollar Diplomacy differ from Big Stick Diplomacy?

Big Stick relied more on military threats while Dollar Diplomacy relied more on economic investment and loans.

What was Wilson's Moral/Missionary Diplomacy?

President Woodrow Wilson's policy of promoting democracy and moral principles in foreign affairs instead of supporting corrupt governments.

What did Wilson believe about spreading democracy?

He believed democratic governments would create peace and stability around the world.

What event helped push the U.S. into World War I?

Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmerman Telegram increased American anger toward Germany.

What was the Zimmerman Telegram?

A secret German message to Mexico proposing an alliance against the U.S. if America entered WWI.

Why did the Zimmerman Telegram anger Americans?

Germany promised Mexico land in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona if they fought the U.S.

Who intercepted the Zimmerman Telegram?

The British intercepted and shared it with the United States.

What were Wilson's 14 Points?

A plan created by Woodrow Wilson to promote peace after WWI through self-determination, free trade, open diplomacy, and a League of Nations.

What was the purpose of the League of Nations?

An international organization meant to prevent future wars through collective security.

Why did the Senate refuse to ratify the Treaty of Versailles?

Many senators feared joining the League of Nations would force the U.S. into foreign wars and weaken national sovereignty.

What does "collective security" mean?

An agreement where countries work together to protect each other from aggression.

Why did many Americans support isolationism after WWI?

They wanted to avoid foreign conflicts and believed WWI had cost too many lives and resources.

What were the Naval Limitation Treaties?

Agreements in the 1920s where major powers limited the size of their navies to prevent another arms race.

What was the goal of the Washington Naval Conference?

To reduce naval competition and maintain peace among major world powers.

What was the Allied strategy of "Germany First" in WWII?

The Allies decided Nazi Germany was the biggest threat and focused on defeating Germany before Japan.

What did "unconditional surrender" mean in WWII?

The Allies demanded Axis powers surrender completely without negotiations or conditions.

Why were the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa important?

They were major Pacific battles that gave the U.S. strategic bases close to Japan but caused massive casualties.

Why were Iwo Jima and Okinawa especially deadly?

Japanese forces fought almost to the death and used kamikaze attacks, causing huge losses on both sides.

What was the Manhattan Project?

A secret U.S.-led project during WWII to develop the atomic bomb.

Why did President Harry Truman decide to drop the atomic bombs?

He believed it would force Japan to surrender quickly and avoid a costly invasion of Japan.

What are arguments supporting Truman's decision to drop the bomb?

It may have ended the war faster, saved American soldiers' lives, and avoided a long invasion.

What are criticisms of Truman's decision to drop the bomb?

The bombs killed massive numbers of civilians, caused long-term radiation effects, and some argue Japan was already close to surrender.

What is Rational Actor Theory?

The idea that leaders make decisions by choosing the option they believe will best achieve their goals with the least cost.

How does Rational Actor Theory apply to Truman's decision?

Truman likely believed dropping the bombs was the quickest way to end the war and minimize American casualties.

What is the "VJ Day Kiss"?

A famous photograph taken on Victory over Japan Day showing a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square after Japan surrendered.

What does the VJ Day Kiss symbolize?

Celebration and relief at the end of WWII.

What were the main pillars of U.S. Cold War foreign policy?

Containment, deterrence, intervention, and promoting global economic integration.

What was the goal of global economic integration after WWII?

To create stable capitalist economies and prevent the spread of communism.

What is the IMF?

The International Monetary Fund, which provides loans and financial support to countries facing economic problems.

What is the World Bank?

An international organization that provides loans for rebuilding and economic development.

What was the Marshall Plan?

A U.S. program that gave billions of dollars to rebuild Western Europe after WWII.

Why was the Marshall Plan important in the Cold War?

It strengthened European economies and helped stop the spread of communism.

What was GATT?

The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, created to reduce trade barriers and encourage international trade.

What was containment?

The U.S. policy of preventing communism from spreading to new countries.

Who was George Kennan?

An American diplomat who argued the U.S. should contain Soviet expansion.

What was the Truman Doctrine?

A policy promising U.S. support for countries resisting communism.

How did the Truman Doctrine change U.S. foreign policy?

It committed the U.S. to actively fighting the spread of communism around the world.

How did the focus of containment shift over time?

The U.S. first focused on stopping the USSR specifically, then expanded to stopping communism globally.

What was deterrence during the Cold War?

Using the threat of military retaliation to prevent enemy attacks.

What is NATO?

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance between the U.S., Canada, and Western European nations.

Why was NATO created?

To defend member nations against possible Soviet attacks.

What are ICBMs?

Intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons across long distances.

What is second-strike capability?

The ability to respond with nuclear weapons even after suffering a nuclear attack.

What was the MAD Doctrine?

Mutually Assured Destruction—the idea that nuclear war would destroy both sides, discouraging either from attacking first.

Why did MAD help prevent direct war between the U.S. and USSR?

Both sides feared total nuclear destruction if either launched an attack.

What started the Korean War?

North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950.

Why did the U.S. enter the Korean War?

To stop the spread of communism under the policy of containment.

What was the course of the Korean War?

North Korea first pushed south, then U.S./UN forces pushed north, then China entered the war, leading to a stalemate near the 38th parallel.

What was the outcome of the Korean War?

Korea remained divided between communist North Korea and democratic South Korea.

What were U.S. objectives in the Vietnam War?

To prevent South Vietnam from falling to communism.

What tactics did the U.S. use in Vietnam?

Heavy bombing, helicopters, search-and-destroy missions, napalm, and Agent Orange.

What tactics did the Vietcong and NVA use?

Guerrilla warfare, ambushes, tunnels, booby traps, and blending in with civilians.

Why was guerrilla warfare difficult for the U.S.?

The enemy was hard to identify and used knowledge of local terrain to their advantage.

What was the outcome of the Vietnam War?

North Vietnam defeated South Vietnam and unified the country under communism after U.S. withdrawal.

How did Vietnam affect American opinion on foreign policy?

Many Americans lost trust in the government and became more skeptical of military intervention.

What is the CIA?

The Central Intelligence Agency, responsible for gathering intelligence and conducting covert operations.

What does "plausible deniability" mean?

The ability of government officials to deny knowledge of secret operations.

What was the Church Committee?

A Senate investigation in the 1970s that exposed abuses by U.S. intelligence agencies like the CIA.

What shocking CIA activities did the Church Committee reveal?

Assassination plots, illegal surveillance, and covert operations against foreign leaders.

What was the shellfish toxin controversy?

The CIA possessed shellfish toxin that could potentially be used for assassinations.

What happened in Guatemala in 1954?

The CIA helped overthrow Guatemala's democratically elected leader Jacobo Árbenz.

Why did the U.S. intervene in Guatemala?

American leaders feared communist influence and wanted to protect U.S. business interests like the United Fruit Company.

What did declassified Guatemala documents reveal?

Evidence of CIA involvement in organizing and supporting the coup.

What was the "redacted hit list"?

Secret CIA-related documents with names removed, suggesting assassination or targeting plans during covert operations.

Why was Afghanistan important before 9/11?

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan led the U.S. to support anti-Soviet fighters.

Who were the Mujahideen?

Afghan fighters who resisted the Soviet invasion during the 1980s.

How did the U.S. support the Mujahideen?

The U.S. provided weapons, funding, and training through covert operations.

What is Al-Qaeda?

A terrorist organization founded by Osama bin Laden that grew out of extremist networks connected to the Afghan-Soviet War.

What attacks did Al-Qaeda carry out before 9/11?

The 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in Africa and the 2000 attack on the USS Cole.

What happened on September 11, 2001?

Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four airplanes and attacked the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

How many people were killed in the 9/11 attacks?

Nearly 3,000 people were killed.

How did 9/11 change U.S. foreign policy?

It led to the War on Terror, the invasion of Afghanistan, and expanded security measures.

Why did the U.S. invade Afghanistan after 9/11?

To destroy Al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban government that sheltered them.