Cold War (1950-1990) Flashcards
What is the Cold War (1945-1990)?
The antagonism between the United States and the Soviet Union.
The United States sought to contain the expansion of communism through (1) sending economic and military support to oversea countries in danger of a communist take over and (2) striving to best the Soviet Union in scientific development and military power.
What is the Truman Doctrine?
Harry Truman’s policy to provide economic, political,
and military support to democratic/pro-capitalistic countries at risk of a communist take over.
The goal of the policy was to limit the expansion of communism.
BTW, Truman wanted to halt the spread of communism because he feared it would lead to another world war (i.e. he feared that Stalin will become another Hitler).
What is the Marshall Plan?
A program that help with European economic recovery after World War II. The goal of the program was to limit the spread of communism in Europe.
What is the Arms Race (1949)?
The competition between the Soviet Union and the United States to out do each other in military capacity (including in developing nuclear weapons) in order to gain political power.
What is the Space Race (1957)?
The United States and its allies’ competition with the Soviet Union to be the first to explore space.
What is the Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961)?
John Kennedy’s failed attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro (a communist leader in Cuba).
What is the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)?
Direct confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union.
After the Bay of Pigs, Cuba asked for the support of the SU, which lead the SU to position “defensive” nuclear missile in Cuba. In response, the United States quarantined Cuba and threated a military attack if SU did not withdraw its nuclear weapon from Cuba. SU refused and tension rose.
Eventually, via diplomatic effort between SU and U.S., both parties agreed to cease the nuclear threat.
What is the Antiballistic Missile Treaty (1972)?
The treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union to limit the use of projectiles and bombs when defending other countries.
What is the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty (1987)?
An agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union to reduce their nuclear arsenals.
What caused the Korean War (1950-1953)?
North Korea (supported by the SU) invading South Korea (supported by the US) started the war.
What was the outcome of the Korean War?
After three years of casualties, an armistice was signed, and Korea remained divided as it was before.
Furthermore, because the war showed that the United States was willing to war in order to stop communism, the United States gained political clout that enable it to organize NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization/ fight one, fight all).
What cause the Vietnam War (1955-1975)?
Communist North Vietnam attempting to unify Vietnam under a communist regime. South Vietnam (a U.S. ally) wanted to remain aligned with the U.S.
Like the Korea War, the Vietnam War was really a proxy war between the Soviet Union and the United States; it was part of the Cold War antagonism between the two governments.
What was the outcome of the Vietnam War?
The United States did not get what it wanted from the war. Vietnam was united under a communist regime. In addition, in the U.S., there was a great public outcry against the war and against conscription (compulsory enrollment in military service).
FYI: Nixon withdraw forces two years before the war ended.
What is McCarthyism (1950-1954)?
The practice of unduly publicly investigating government officials about their supposed communist affiliation.
McCarthyism/Red Scare was champion by Joseph McCarthy.
