1946-1982 Flashcards
Exam review
What does USSR stand for?
Lead by Stalin, it is the union os soviet socialist republics. They were Communists (Government owned, shared wealth)
Explain the Cold war
Between 1947 - 1991, US (and allies) and USSR (and satelite nations)
Stalin and Truman
USSR wanted to expand the ideology of communism and the US and allies wanted to contain it. Containment was a US policy which would not eliminate communism but contain it and prevent the USSR from spreading it.
Satelite nations
Basically USSR allies during cold war. Eastern European nations that fell under the control of soviet union, communist governments installed in these countries.
Purpose was to protect USSR from attacks from west
What was the iron curtain
A term coined by Winston Churchill, it was a word to describe the physical barrier between the communist and non communist countries of Europe
Explain the Marshall Plan and how Canada Contributed
A US plan in june of 1947. Plan was to aid capitalist european countries. The logic was that, if there were fewer poor european capitalist countries = fewer communist countries and limits spread of communism. Recall, communism is sharing wealth and governments would be installed. Example of containment.
Canada contributed by giving 706 Million dollars out of the 12.5 billion over 5 years.
Division of Germany
The allies decided to divide Germany into 4 to prevent them from becoming strong as they were in the previous wars. Divided between Russia, France, America, Britain. Berlin, the capital, was also divided
What was the berlin wall and what did it signify
Wall built by eastern germany in 1961 due to the large amount of skilled work crossing causing the eastern economy to fall. Built btw east and west germany, came down in 1989 signifying end of war.
What is Arms race?
Competition between 2 countries for military superiority. Common example is US and USSR during the Cold war. They were in competition to build more and better weapons especially nuclear ones and military superiority.
What was the DEW line?
DEW line or distance early warning line was a system of radar stations from across the artic, alaska, Canadam greenland, and iceland. It’s purpose was for early detection of soviet bombers flying over the artic that could threaten NA cities.
Ran from 1957-1993
Nuclear arm race
Competition for nuclear superiority between US and USSR and respective allies. Shaped course of cold war, both countries followed the MAD strat. Both countries could destroy the other so they didn’t take risk.
NATO
North Atlantic treaty organization. International government military containing 32 members including Canada and US. Focused on defense and protecting members from Soviet union threats and attacks
April 1949 in Washington
NORAD
North american aerospace defense command. Joint airforce command of Canada and US, provided aerospace warning and protection for both countries.
1958
Warsaw pact
Collective defense treaty between soviet union and it’s 7 satellite nations. Provided Soviet more controls over it’s nations and and unified military command.
May 1955
United nations
Founded in 1945 w 51 countries, now has 193 countries. Prevents future conflicts and wars, promotes peace
Who was Igor guazenko?
He was a soviet cipher clerk who was defected from the soviet union. He gave Canadian authorities and government intel on the soviet espionage and their plans. This included their plans to infiltrate the government and steal their secrets relating to nuclear technology. He defected in 1945
