world-politics

Cold War

A period of geopolitical tension between the Western world and the Communist world from 1945 to 1991.

Bipolar international system

A global structure dominated by two major powers or blocs.

Tehran Conference

A meeting in 1943 between Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin to discuss strategies for defeating Nazi Germany.

Yalta Conference

A 1945 meeting where leaders agreed on the post-war reorganization of Europe and Germany's unconditional surrender.

Potsdam Conference

A 1945 meeting that confirmed the post-war division of Europe and continued the disagreements between former allies.

Federal Republic of Germany

The West German state established in 1949 in zones occupied by the USA, Britain, and France.

German Democratic Republic

The East German state established in 1949 in the Soviet-occupied zone.

Berlin Wall

A barrier constructed in 1961 that divided East and West Berlin, symbolizing the Cold War division.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Military alliance formed in 1949 among Western powers as a counterbalance to the Soviet bloc.

Warsaw Pact

Military alliance formed in 1955 by the Soviet Union and its allies in response to NATO.

Iron Curtain

A term coined by Churchill to describe the division between the Western powers and Soviet-controlled regions.

Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

Doctrine of military strategy where full-scale use of nuclear weapons would lead to the destruction of both the attacker and defender.

Sino-Soviet split

A rift between the Soviet Union and China resulting from conflicting ideologies and leadership after Stalin’s death.

Prague Spring

A period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia during 1968, ended by Warsaw Pact invasion.

Korean War

Conflict from 1950 to 1953 between North Korea (with Soviet and Chinese support) and South Korea (supported by the USA).

Vietnam War

Conflict from 1955 to 1975, where North Vietnam (with Soviet and Chinese support) fought against South Vietnam (U.S.-supported).

Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

A 1979 military intervention in Afghanistan that escalated Cold War tensions and anti-communist sentiment in the West.

Perestroika

Gorbachev's policy of economic restructuring aimed at reforming the Soviet economy.

Glasnost

Gorbachev's policy of political openness and transparency in governance.

United Nations (UN)

International organization formed in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations.

League of Nations

An international organization founded after World War I to maintain world peace, ultimately unsuccessful.

International Court of Justice

The principal judicial body of the UN that settles disputes between states and gives advisory opinions.

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

UN body responsible for coordinating the economic and social work of the UN and its specialized agencies.

Transnational Companies (TNCs)

Companies that operate in multiple countries, often challenging the authority of individual nation-states.

International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs)

Non-profit organizations that operate independently from governments to address various global issues.

Global Terrorism

Transnational terrorist activities that emerged in the 21st century, exemplified by organizations like Al-Qaeda.

Dependency theory

A Marxist perspective arguing that the economic disparity between developed and developing countries is maintained through exploitation.

Collective security

An arrangement where countries promise to defend one another against aggressors, aimed at maintaining peace.

Diplomacy

The art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations, often to prevent conflicts.

Flashpoint

A specific event that escalates tensions between opposing parties, often leading to conflict.

Human Rights

Basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled, promoted heavily by the UN.

Cold War Flashpoints

Key moments of heightened tension during the Cold War, such as the Berlin Blockade and Cuban Missile Crisis.

COMECON

Soviet-led economic organization of socialist countries, meant to facilitate economic cooperation.

Détente

A period of relaxed tensions between the USA and Soviet Union during the 1970s, marked by arms control agreements.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 1962 confrontation between the USA and the USSR over Soviet missiles deployed in Cuba, bringing the world close to nuclear war.

Liberalization

The process of relaxing government restrictions, usually in areas like economy, politics, and social issues.

Proxy War

A conflict in which two opposing countries support combatants that serve their interests instead of waging war directly.

Mutual Defense Treaty

An agreement between two or more countries to provide mutual support in case of an attack.

Satellites States

Countries that were aligned with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, which were often dependent on Soviet political and economic support.

Non-Aligned Movement

A group of states that chose not to formally align with either major power bloc during the Cold War.

Nuclear Proliferation

The spread of nuclear weapons and technology to states not recognized as Nuclear Weapon States by the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Deterrence Theory

A strategy intended to dissuade an adversary from taking an action not yet started, based on the threat of significant retaliation.

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT)

Negotiations between the USA and USSR aimed at curtailing the manufacture of strategic missiles.