After WWII

Question 1

What alliance did the Soviet Union form after WW2?

Answer 1

Led the Warsaw Pact in Eastern Europe

Question 2

Why did the German communists build the Berlin Wall?

Answer 2

To stop the flight of low paid east Germany, unhappy with communism coming into West Berlin. The wall sealed off West Berlin.

Question 3

What Eastern European nations attempted to stand up to the soviet domination? (4)

Answer 3

East Germany, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia

Question 4

What happened in Hungary in 1956?

Answer 4

Eastern Europeans challenged Soviet authority for economic reform in both Poland and Hungary. Hungarian leader Imre Nagy tried to pull his country out of the Warsaw Pact. Soviet troops launched a massive assault. Nagy was executed.

Question 5

What is meant by the term Mutual Assured Destruction?

Answer 5

Each side knew that the other side would itself be destroyed if it launched its nuclear weapons- discouraged nuclear war.

Question 6

What was the purpose of SALT talks?

Answer 6

To limit the number of nuclear weapons held by each side

Question 7

What was agreed upon in Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty?

Answer 7

Not to develop nuclear weapons or to stop the spread of nuclear weapons

Question 8

In 1955, which other Allied Nations were added to NATO? (8)

Answer 8

United States, Britain, France, Australia, Pakistan, Thailand, New Zealand, the Philippines.

Question 9

What three other world nations became communist?

Answer 9

Korea, China, Cuba

Question 10

What happened to the island nation of Cuba in 1959?

Answer 10

Fidel Castro led his guerrilla army to victory and transformed the country- Cuban Revolution. He sought the support of the Soviet Union. He nationalized business and put most land under political freedom.

Question 11

Why did the Cuban Revolution concern Americans greatly?

Answer 11

Because Cuba is right next to the United States.

Question 12

How did US president John F. Kennedy attempt to bring down Castro’s regime in Cuba?

Answer 12

He supported the invasion attempt by US trained Cuban exiles- The Bay of Pigs Invasion. Quickly ended in failure when Castro’s forces captured the invaders. The US put and embargo act on Cuba.

Question 13

What was the issue that caused the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Answer 13

The Soviet Union sent nuclear missiles to Cuba, and Cuba is near the United States.

Question 14

What type of economy existed in the Soviet Union during the Cold War?

Answer 14

Command Economy- government controlled most aspects of public life. There was obedience, discipline, economic security

Question 15

Who was Khrushchev’s successor?

Answer 15

Leonid Brezhnev

Question 16

What happened to the people who criticized the Soviet government?

Answer 16

They were sent to prison camp

Question 17

What kind of economy existed in the United States?

Answer 17

Market Economy- They had the freedom to make economic and political choices; and therefore valued freedom and prosperity

Question 18

What was America’s basic policy toward the spread of communism?

Answer 18

Containment- strategy of containing communism within its existing boundaries and preventing further expansion.

Question 19

Why would a person living in the US during the Cold War build a fallout shelter?

Answer 19

Fallout shelters were structures often underground designed to protect people from radioactive particles from a nuclear explosion

Question 20

What was the Red Scare?

Answer 20

Many Americans feared that communists inside the US might try to undermine the US government.

Question 21

What alliance of nation did the US form after WW2?

Answer 21

Led the North American Treaty Organization in Western Europe