Cold War

Question 1

During the Cold War, what was the closest American equivalent to the Soviet facility of Baikonur, in Kazakhstan?

Answer 1

The Baikonur Cosmodrome was the world’s first spaceport, where all the Soviet Vostok and Voshkod and Soyuz missions launched from. Their Cape Canaveral, in other words.

Question 2

Who was the leader of the USSR during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Answer 2

Nikita Kruschev

Question 3

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun takes place during a war of independence which caused one of the strangest geopolitical divides of the Cold War era. The United Kingdom and the Soviet Union supported one side while the French and the Israelis supported the other. Name the breakaway republic.

Answer 3

Biafra

Question 4

This threatening phrase was used by Soviet First Secretary Nikita Kruschev when addressing Western ambassadors at a reception at the Polish embassy in Moscow in 1956.

Answer 4

“We will bury you”

Question 5

Instituted in 1968, his “Doctrine” allowed for Soviet interference in countries where Socialism was threatened.

Answer 5

Brezhnev

Question 6

Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu received the highest honor given by the International Olympic Committee–for something he didn’t do. What did Ceaucescu *not* do to merit the gold award?

Answer 6

Unlike every other Warsaw Pact leader, he did NOT boycott the 1984 summer games in Los Angeles. He did not have very many other good qualities.