Cold War Flashcards
What was agreed at the Yalta Conference (Feb 1945)?
Germany to be split into 4 zones; free elections in Eastern Europe; USSR to join war against Japan.
How did Potsdam (July 1945) increase tensions?
Truman replaced Roosevelt and was more anti-communist. Stalin expanded Soviet influence, and there was disagreement over Poland and reparations.
What was the Truman Doctrine (1947)?
US pledged $400 million aid to Greece and Turkey to resist communism — beginning of US containment policy.
What was the Marshall Plan (1947)?
Provided $13 billion to rebuild Western Europe. USSR viewed it as capitalist imperialism and refused it.
What caused the Berlin Blockade (1948–49)?
USSR opposed West introducing the Deutsche Mark. Blockade began in June 1948; Allies responded with the Berlin Airlift — 277,000 flights over 11 months.
What was NATO and when was it founded?
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) formed in April 1949 as a defensive alliance against Soviet aggression.
What was the Warsaw Pact (1955)?
A Soviet-led military alliance formed in response to NATO and West Germany joining it.
What happened in the Hungarian Uprising (1956)?
Reformist Imre Nagy promised free elections and withdrawal from Warsaw Pact. USSR sent 200,000 troops. Over 2,500 Hungarians were killed.
What happened during the Cuban Missile Crisis (Oct 1962)?
13-day confrontation. USSR removed missiles from Cuba; US pledged not to invade and secretly removed missiles from Turkey.
What was SALT I (1972)?
Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty — capped numbers of ICBMs and limited anti-ballistic missile systems. A key Détente achievement.
