Unit 10: The Cold War
Detente
A foreign policy of presidents Nixon and Ford; a general easing of tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
A military alliance of European and North American democracies founded after World War II to strengthen international ties between member states—especially the United States and Europe—and to serve as a counter-balance to the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact.
Warsaw Pact
A military alliance of communist nations in eastern Europe. Organized in 1955 in answer to NATO, the Warsaw Pact included Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the Soviet Union.
Iron Curtain
A symbolized boundary dividing Europe into two separate areas from the end of World War II in 1945 until the end of the Cold War in 1991; symbolized efforts by the Soviet Union to block itself off from open contact with the west and non-communist areas. On the East side of the Iron Curtain were the countries that were connected to or influenced by the Soviet Union. On either side of the Iron Curtain, states developed their own international economic and military alliance.
Democracy
A system of government by the people, typically through elected representatives.
Communism
A theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state. Basically, the government owns everything; individuals don't own any property.
Marshall Plan
An American initiative to aid Western Europe, in which the United States gave $13 billion (approximately $130 billion in current dollar value as of March 2016) in economic support to help rebuild Western European economies after the end of World War II.
Arms Race
Cold War competition between the US and the USSR to build up weapons, especially nuclear weapons; US President Reagan challenged the USSR and the USSR could not keep up; led to end of Soviet Union
Vietnam War
Hot extension of Cold War between Ho Chi Minh-led Communist North Vietnam and South Vietnam; began when French tried to reclaim Indochina colony; French pulled out but US continued to fight
Korean War
Hot extension of Cold war between Soviet-backed North Korea and US-backed South Korea; North invaded South; was pushed back to the 38th Parallel
Cuban Missile Crisis
In 1962, US spy planes discovered Soviet missiles in Cuba; the US blockaded Cuba to prevent the USSR from sending more; USSR removed missiles and US agreed not to invade Cuba
Glasnost
New policy of openness in the Soviet Union; allowed for freedom of speech and dissent or criticism of government; began by Gorbachev in the 1980s
Yalta Conference
Prior to the end of WWII, Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union met to plan the re-organization of Europe, includinhg the division of Germany into East and West
Perestroika
Restructuring of the Soviet government in the 1980s by Gorbachev; allowed some free enterprise and profit-making; created new Soviet Parliament and allowed for non-Communist parties
United Nations
The UN; created after WWII to maintain peace; member countries must get UN permission to invade; has a military and raises money through dues
Sputnik
The first man-made satellite ever placed in orbit. Constructed and launched by Soviet Union.
Domino Theory
The idea that a communist victory in one nation would quickly lead to a chain reaction of communist takeovers in neighboring states. Drove American politics during the Cold War.
Truman Doctrine
The principle that the US should give support to countries or peoples threatened by Soviet forces or communist insurrection.
Containment
US policy to prevent the spread of communism; included the formation of NATO and the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan as well as American involvement in Korean and Vietnam Wars
Berlin Wall
Wall built between East and West Berlin to prevent escape to West Germany; became a symbol of the Cold War and the iron curtain separating communism and democracy. It fell in 1989.
