12.1_2 Flashcards

1
Q

Q: What territories did Germany lose after WWII?

A

A: East Prussia, territories to Poland, and Soviet annexations.

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2
Q

Q: What did the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact lead to by the end of WWII?

A

A: Soviet annexation of Polish and German territories.

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3
Q

Q: How did post-WWII Soviet expansion affect Eastern Europe?

A

A: It became part of the Soviet bloc.

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4
Q

Q: What were the post-WWII zones of control in Germany?

A

A: Soviet, American, British, French zones.

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5
Q

Q: How was Berlin divided post-WWII?

A

A: Into four zones; East Berlin under Soviet control, West Berlin under Allied control.

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6
Q

Q: What did Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech signify?

A

A: The division between Soviet-controlled East and the West.

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7
Q

Q: Why was there mistrust between the Allies and the Soviet Union during WWII?

A

A: U.S. support for Mensheviks, Soviet non-aggression pact with Germany, and secrecy around the atomic bomb.

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8
Q

Q: How did the U.S. and Soviet views on post-war Europe differ?

A

A: U.S. focused on economic aid; USSR sought buffer zones.

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9
Q

Q: What was the Truman Doctrine’s purpose?

A

A: To contain communism, starting with aid to Greece and Turkey.

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10
Q

Q: What impact did the Marshall Plan have on Europe?

A

A: It provided economic aid for Western Europe’s recovery.

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11
Q

Q: What led to the Berlin Airlift, and its outcome?

A

A: Stalin’s blockade; airlift ended it without conflict.

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12
Q

Q: Describe NATO and the Warsaw Pact’s formation reasons.

A

A: To oppose each other; NATO against Soviet aggression, Warsaw Pact against NATO.

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13
Q

Q: What was the significance of the U.S. supporting the Mensheviks?

A

A: It fueled Soviet mistrust.

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14
Q

Q: How did the atomic bomb secrecy impact Soviet-American relations?

A

A: It deepened mistrust and led to an arms race.

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15
Q

Q: What was the effect of the U.S. not informing the USSR about the atomic bomb?

A

A: Increased Soviet suspicions and Cold War tensions.

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16
Q

Q: How did Stalin’s perception of the Allied invasion delay affect relations?

A

A: It contributed to Soviet mistrust and post-war tensions.

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17
Q

Q: What role did the UN play during the early Cold War?

A

A: A forum for U.S. and Soviet influence on smaller nations.

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18
Q

Q: Why was Truman considered unprepared for the presidency?

A

A: Roosevelt didn’t prepare him for post-war challenges.

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19
Q

Q: How did Roosevelt’s and Churchill’s health affect Yalta Conference decisions?

A

A: Possibly led to weaker Western positions and concessions.

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20
Q

Q: What was Stalin’s goal in creating a buffer zone in Eastern Europe?

A

A: To protect the USSR from future Western aggression.

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21
Q

Q: Why did the Allies combine their zones in Germany?

A

A: To form West Germany, opposing Soviet-controlled East Germany.

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22
Q

Q: How did the Berlin Airlift challenge Soviet policies?

A

A: Demonstrated Western commitment to oppose Soviet blockade.

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23
Q

Q: What was the immediate post-war fate of East Prussia?

A

A: Annexed by the USSR and Poland.

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24
Q

Q: Why was Berlin’s location significant in post-war Germany?

A

A: It was a divided city deep within Soviet-controlled East Germany.

25
Q

Q: How did the U.S. initially respond to the Soviet blockade of Berlin?

A

A: With the Berlin Airlift, supplying the city by air.

26
Q

Q: What prompted the U.S. to develop the Marshall Plan?

A

A: The need to rebuild Europe and prevent the spread of communism.

27
Q

Q: Why did Truman prioritize aid to Greece and Turkey?

A

A: To prevent them from falling under Soviet influence.

28
Q

Q: What led to the division of Germany into East and West?

A

A: The Allies’ and Soviets’ inability to agree on post-war governance.

29
Q

Q: How did the U.S.’s late recognition of the Soviet government affect relations?

A

A: It added to the mistrust and ideological divide.

30
Q

Q: What was Churchill’s role in the early Cold War rhetoric?

A

A: He coined the term “Iron Curtain” to describe Europe’s division.

31
Q

Q: What were the implications of the non-aggression pact between Hitler and Stalin?

A

A: It allowed WWII to begin with less initial resistance from the East.

32
Q

Q: How did nuclear testing in the Pacific impact the environment and public awareness?

A

A: It caused long-term radiation effects and raised concerns over nuclear fallout.

33
Q

Q: Why was the U.S. hesitant to invade France in 1943?

A

A: Concerns over readiness and the potential for failure after Dunkirk.

34
Q

Q: What strategic mistake did Stalin accuse the Allies of making during WWII?

A

A: Deliberately delaying the second front to weaken the Soviet Union.

35
Q

Q: What role did economic policies play in the Cold War’s ideological battle?

A

A: They underscored the clash between capitalist freedom and communist control.

36
Q

Q: How did the formation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact symbolize the Cold War?

A

A: They represented the formal division of the world into opposing military alliances.

37
Q

Q: What was the significance of the Berlin Wall’s construction in 1961?

A

A: It physically manifested the ideological divide and restricted freedom of movement.

38
Q

Q: How did the public’s perception of nuclear weapons change over time?

A

A: Growing awareness of their destructive power and long-term hazards led to increased public concern.

39
Q

Q: What initiated the Berlin Airlift?

A

A: Stalin’s blockade of West Berlin.

40
Q

Q: Why did the Berlin Airlift end?

A

A: Stalin ended the blockade, likely due to international pressure.

41
Q

Q: What were NATO and the Warsaw Pact?

A

A: Military alliances formed by Western nations (NATO) and the Soviet bloc (Warsaw Pact) in response to tensions.

42
Q

Q: What led to the Chinese Civil War’s resumption post-WWII?

A

A: The weakened state of Chiang Kai-shek’s forces and Soviet support for Mao Zedong.

43
Q

Q: Why was China considered a linchpin in Asia by the US?

A

A: Its loss to communism could destabilize the region.

44
Q

Q: Describe the US’s stance on supporting Chiang Kai-shek during the Chinese Civil War.

A

A: The US supported him as a non-communist option, despite his government’s flaws.

45
Q

Q: What was the significance of the Pusan Perimeter?

A

A: A defensive stance by UN forces in Korea before counterattacks.

46
Q

Q: What strategy did MacArthur employ in Korea?

A

A: Landing at Inchon to flank North Korean forces and push them back.

47
Q

Q: How did Chinese intervention change the Korean War?

A

A: It pushed UN forces south, extending the conflict.

48
Q

Q: Why did Truman oppose MacArthur’s aggressive proposals against China?

A

A: Truman feared escalating the conflict into a larger war.

49
Q

Q: What led to MacArthur’s dismissal by Truman?

A

A: MacArthur’s public criticism and differing views on war strategy.

50
Q

Q: What was the outcome of the Korean War?

A

A: An armistice in 1953, leaving Korea divided at the 38th parallel.

51
Q

Q: How did the Korean War influence US domestic politics?

A

A: It contributed to the Democrats’ loss of support and Eisenhower’s election.

52
Q

Q: What were the key tactical innovations seen in the Korean War?

A

A: The use of jet aircraft and helicopters.

53
Q

Q: How did communist forces treat civilians during the Korean War?

A

A: Often brutally, with massacres reported.

54
Q

Q: What was the impact of the Korean War on US military strategy?

A

A: It highlighted the challenges of limited warfare and set precedents for future conflicts.

55
Q

Q: Describe the geopolitical aftermath of the Korean War for Asia.

A

A: It solidified the Cold War’s division of Korea, impacting regional stability.

56
Q

Q: How did the Korean War affect perceptions of communism?

A

A: It reinforced views of communism as oppressive and aggressive.

57
Q

Q: What role did the UN play in the Korean War?

A

A: It authorized military support for South Korea, marking a significant collective action.

58
Q

Q: Why is the Korean War sometimes called “The Forgotten War”?

A

A: Its significance is often overshadowed by World War II and the Vietnam War in American memory.