Cold War Flashcards
A sustained state of military and political tension between the USA and Soviet Union
The Cold War
Who were the two world superpowers after ww2
USA and Soviet Union
What kind of society was the USA
Capitalist Democracy
What kind of society was the USSR
Communist Dictatorship
Economic system where property and businesses are privately owned. People have freedom to succeed or fail
Capitalism
Government provides everything for the people. More security but less choice and freedom
Communism
Winston Churchill (Britain), Franklin D Roosevelt (USA), Joseph Stalin (USSR)
The Big Three
Conference that met in a Black Sea port to discuss postwar issues after ww2. The Big Three decided that:
The Soviet Union would enter Pacific War in return for territory in Asia.
Soviet Union wanted a buffer between enemies in the West. (US/Britain fear Soviet control of East & spread of communism)
Germany divided- 4 zones (US, Britain, France, Soviet Union)
FDR proposes the United Nations
Yalta
Ideological boundary dividing Europe into two separate (competing) areas. 1945-1991
Western Bloc- Democracy
Eastern Bloc- Communism
Iron Curtain
50 nations met in San Francisco to settle disputes and hopefully prevent future wars
United Nations
Clement Attlee (Britain), Harry S Truman (USA), Joseph Stalin (USSR) meet:
They agree that Germany should stay in it’s occupied zones.
Poland is moved around to suit the Soviets.
Potsdam
US make take aggressive steps to contain Soviet (communist) expansion. Fighting spread of communism by limiting to countries where already exist.
Containment/ Truman Doctrine
Us provides economic aid to European countries ($13 billion) so they can rebuild and protect themselves against communism.
Marshall Plan
1948: US, Britain, France unite their German zones to form West German Republic which includes three Berlin zones. Stalin set up blockade around Berlin
Berlin Blockade
American and British cargo planes drop food, fuel, and other supplies into West Berlin for 10 months
Berlin Airlift
1949- US, Canada, and 10 other countries join forces against communism. “An armed attack against one shall be seen as an armed attack against all”
North Atlantic Treaty Organization-NATO
Soviet Union and surrounding communist countries of Eastern Europe form a military alliance in response to NATO
Warsaw Pact
Eisenhower’s theory that when one country falls to communism, its neighbor will soon follow, and communism will eventually reach America
Domino Theory
Hammer and Sickle, tools of the middle class
Symbols of Communism
Communist who defeated Chiangmai Kai-shek and became leader of China
Mao Zedong
A climate of fear that descends upon America: Americans worry that communist spies and sympathizers have penetrated all levels of society
The Red Scare Part 2
Massive hunt to uncover communists who (it was believed) were attempting to weaken the government from the inside:
Truman to lenient
Orders an investigation in the loyalty of all federal employees
Millions investigated by FBI, required all communist to register/provide list of members
“With-Hunts” to find “Reds”
Congressional committee formed to investigate cases of communist subversion
Launched sensational investigation of the Hollywood film industry
House Un-American Activities Committee
List of individuals, barred from working in Hollywood
Blacklists
10 Hollywood actors that were arrested and blacklisted for not cooperating with HUAC’s hearings on anti-communist activity
The Hollywood 10
German born British spy who helped create the A-bomb
Klaus Fuchs
Unfounded accusations against alleged communists
McCarthyism
Wisconsin Senator who gave a speech in West Virginia. Raised a sheet with names of 250 State Dept. employees who were members of communist party
Joseph McCarthy
Summons, bullies federal employees either dismissed or resign
Congressional Subcommittee
1954: McCarthy claims that communists had infiltrated the US military.
Two-month, televised hearings expose McCarhty’s sneering, cruel style.
Senate formally criticizes (censures) McCarhty for conduct “unbecoming a US Senator”
Army attorney, Joseph Welch
Army-McCarthy Hearings
Competition with each other to have the best, most powerful weapons in the world
Arms Race