Untitled Flashcards Set

• Truman

• 1. What were the primary underlying tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union that contributed to the emergence of the Cold War despite their alliance during World War II? Explain at least two key factors. 

• Different visions of post-war Europe - USSR wanted many countries to turn to communism and United States wanted democracy 

• Delay in opening a second front in WWII - cause suspicion 

• Old antagonisms between USSR and West 

• 2 .Describe the significance of Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech in 1946. What did this phrase symbolize in the context of post-war Europe?

• Symbolize the ideological and psychological divide between European countries due to communism 

• Denounce Soviet interference in Europe 

• 3. Explain the core concept of the U.S. foreign policy of containment as introduced by George F. Kennan. What were the main methods envisioned to implement this policy?

• Prevent the spread of communism 

• Methods: economic aid, military alliances, and diplomatic efforts especially to countries threatened by communism 

  • Examples were Truman Doctrine, Airlift of supplies to West Berlin, 

• 4. What was the Truman Doctrine announced in 1947? What specific countries were its immediate focus, and what broader principle did it establish?

• Delivered by President Harry S. Truman 

• Provide economic and military aid to countries threatened by communism 

  • Immediate focus to Greece and Turkey 

• Policy of containment against Soviet expansionism 

• 5. Describe the purpose and significance of the Marshall Plan, which was implemented in 

• 1948. How did it aim to address the situation in post-World War II Europe?

• Purpose: economic aid to help rebuild Western Europe after WWII

• Significance: promote economic recovery and stability, prevent the spread of communism 

• Address the situation: keep countries stable to make sure they wouldn’t turn to the Soviet Union for support or resources 

• 6. What was the Berlin Blockade in 1948, and how did the Western Allies respond to it? What did this event demonstrate about the Cold War?

• Berlin Blockade: Feb 1948, the Soviets established it

  • Division of Germany, cutting off West Berlin from the rest of the country 

• Response from Allies: Airlift of supplies to West Berlin, 

• Showed the the Western Allies were willing to help West Berlin and help resist Soviet aggression 

• 7. What were the main provisions and the overall significance of the National Security Act of 1947 in shaping the U.S. national security apparatus?

• Main Provisions: Department of Defense, National Security Council, Central Intelligence Agency 

• Significance: Reorganize United States Security for the Cold War 

• 8. Explain the opposing purposes of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Warsaw Pact. What did the formation of these alliances signify in the Cold War context?

• NATO: Formed among Western European Countries and North American countries not under influence of communism 

• Warsaw Pact: Alliance formed under Eastern European countries under soviet influence 

• NATO countered Soviet aggression, 

• 9. Briefly describe the causes and one major outcome of the Korean War (1950-1953). What was the significance of this conflict in the broader Cold War?

  • Causes: Division of Korea after WWII, North Korean invasion of South Korea to unite the country as one 

  • One major outcome: Armistice signed, established a DMV

  • Signifiance: first major conflcit of the Cold War, shaped the United Nations as a peacekeeping force, shape the containment policy of the US 

• 10. What was McCarthyism, and what were its key characteristics? How did it manifest within the United States during the Truman era?

• McCarthysim Def: practice of making accusations of subversion without any actual evidence 

• Key Characteristics: led to period of unrest and unease among Americans, suspicion, individuals being unfairly targeted and persecuted 

Eisenhower

• 1. What was Eisenhower's "New Look" in foreign policy, and what were its key components? Briefly describe two main aspects of this strategy.

• New Look: control military , balance budget and cut taxes, arm friendly nations, concentrate US military in nuclear weapons 

• 2. Explain the concept of "brinkmanship" as it relates to Cold War tensions during Eisenhower's presidency. Who were the key figures associated with this strategy?

• Being on the brink of war, willing to escalate until enemies are willing to back down 

• Key Figures: John Foster Dulles and Nikita Krushevs 

• 3. How did the United States' approach to Vietnam evolve from the Truman administration to the Eisenhower administration? What key event occurred in Vietnam during Eisenhower's term?

• Vietnam Under Truman: assisted the French, support French colonial rule over Vietnam 

• Vietnam during Eisenhower: continue the support for the French, Vietnam divided and US began to fear communism in the country 

• 4. Describe one instance of US intervention in Latin America during Eisenhower's presidency. What was the stated rationale for this intervention?

• Intervention during Eisenhower in Latin America: Topple unfriendly governments, overthrow president in Guatemala

• Reason being threat to US economy  

• 5. Explain the Eisenhower Doctrine. In what region of the world was it primarily applied, and what was its main objective?

• Doctrine: Middle Eastern region, economic and military aid to middle eastern countries threatened by communism 

• Stop the spread of communism, containment 

• 6. What was Sputnik, and what impact did its launch have on the United States? Describe at least two significant consequences.

• First artificial satellite launched by the USSR

  • Soviet technological superiority, concerns about US national security 

  • Impact on the US: Competition, lead to Space Race 

• Increase tension of the Cold War 

• 7. What was "mutually assured destruction" (MAD), and how did it shape the nuclear standoff between the US and the Soviet Union?

• Knowing that both countries could destroy the other

• Kept the Cold War as a standoff, both knew that dangerous consequences could happen with launching a nuclear bomb on the other 

• 8. How did Eisenhower's administration respond to the Cuban Revolution and the rise of Fidel Castro? What actions did the US take?

• Response to Cuban Revolution: broke off diplomatic relationships with Cuba, CIA train Cuban exiles for an invasion

• 9. What was the purpose of the Federal Highway Act of 1956, and how did it connect to Cold War concerns?

• Purpose: create interstate highway system for the United States 

• Connection to Cold War: national defense for military purpose, quick way to get to nuclear shelters in case of bombing 

• 10. Briefly describe Eisenhower's overall approach to containing communism during his presidency, highlighting one key strategy or policy.

• Approach: give economic and military aid to countries struggling, make sure that they don’t turn to USSR for help, remove communist leaders,