After WWII Flashcards
What alliance did the Soviet Union form after WW2?
Led the Warsaw Pact in Eastern Europe
Why did the German communists build the Berlin Wall?
To stop the flight of low paid east Germany, unhappy with communism coming into West Berlin. The wall sealed off West Berlin.
What Eastern European nations attempted to stand up to the soviet domination? (4)
East Germany, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia
What happened in Hungary in 1956?
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.
What is meant by the term Mutual Assured Destruction?
Each side knew that the other side would itself be destroyed if it launched its nuclear weapons- discouraged nuclear war.
What was the purpose of SALT talks?
To limit the number of nuclear weapons held by each side
What was agreed upon in Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty?
Not to develop nuclear weapons or to stop the spread of nuclear weapons
In 1955, which other Allied Nations were added to NATO? (8)
United States, Britain, France, Australia, Pakistan, Thailand, New Zealand, the Philippines.
What three other world nations became communist?
Korea, China, Cuba
What happened to the island nation of Cuba in 1959?
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.
Why did the Cuban Revolution concern Americans greatly?
Because Cuba is right next to the United States.
How did US president John F. Kennedy attempt to bring down Castro’s regime in Cuba?
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.
What was the issue that caused the Cuban Missile Crisis?
The Soviet Union sent nuclear missiles to Cuba, and Cuba is near the United States.
What type of economy existed in the Soviet Union during the Cold War?
Command Economy- government controlled most aspects of public life. There was obedience, discipline, economic security
Who was Khrushchev’s successor?
Leonid Brezhnev
What happened to the people who criticized the Soviet government?
They were sent to prison camp
What kind of economy existed in the United States?
Market Economy- They had the freedom to make economic and political choices; and therefore valued freedom and prosperity
What was America’s basic policy toward the spread of communism?
Containment- strategy of containing communism within its existing boundaries and preventing further expansion.
Why would a person living in the US during the Cold War build a fallout shelter?
Fallout shelters were structures often underground designed to protect people from radioactive particles from a nuclear explosion
What was the Red Scare?
Many Americans feared that communists inside the US might try to undermine the US government.
What alliance of nation did the US form after WW2?
Led the North American Treaty Organization in Western Europe
