Cold War Flashcards
What is the difference between communism and capitalism
communism focuses on equality and shared ownership, while capitalism focuses on personal ownership and making money.
What is the Marshall plan
It provided funds to help Europe rebuild, aiming to prevent the spread of communism by economically helping their economy
What happened in the berlin blockade
The Berlin Blockade was a Cold War crisis where the Soviet Union blocked land access to West Berlin to force the Western Allies out. In response, the US, UK, and France organized the Berlin Airlift, flying in essential supplies. Over 200,000 flights were made, and US pilot Gail Halvorsen became known as the “Candy Bomber” for dropping candy to children. The blockade failed, and the Soviets lifted it, while the airlift continued to ensure supplies.
What was the Korean war
The Korean War started when North Korea, backed by the Soviet Union and China, invaded South Korea. The UN, led by the US, supported the South, while China and the Soviets backed the North. Major battles like Inchon shifted the tide, but China pushed back UN forces. After two years of talks, an armistice was signed in 1953, ending the fighting but not the war, and solidifying Korea’s division with the DMZ still in place today.
What happened in the Vietnam war
The Vietnam War was a conflict between communist North Vietnam, supported by the Soviet Union and China, and non-communist South Vietnam, backed by the US. The US wanted to stop communism from spreading in Southeast Asia. In 1964, an attack on US ships led to more US involvement. The US bombed North Vietnam heavily, and in 1968, the North launched a surprise attack called the Tet Offensive, which hurt US support for the war.
The Viet Cong used guerrilla tactics, making it hard for the US to fight. Many civilians suffered, and protests grew in the US. President Nixon tried to pull US troops out with a plan called Vietnamization, but fighting continued. The war ended in 1975 when North Vietnam captured Saigon, and Vietnam became one country under communist rule. The war left lasting scars on both Vietnam and the US.
