cold war key information

Question 1

Ideological Differences

Answer 1

East: Communism; state ownership and control over production.
West: Capitalism; free-market economy, private ownership

Question 2

Yalta and Potsdam Conferences (1945)

Answer 2

Yalta: Agreed to divide Germany into 4 zones; Soviet influence in Eastern Europe.
Potsdam: Tensions increased due to disagreement over Germany and reparations

Question 3

Iron Curtain Speech (1946)

Answer 3

Context: Churchill warned of Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe.
Impact: Increased Western commitment to opposing Soviet influence

Question 4

Truman Doctrine (1947)

Answer 4

Policy: USA commits to support any nation resisting communism, marking the start of containment.
Funding: $400 million in aid for Greece and Turkey to prevent them from falling under Soviet influence.

Question 5

Marshall Plan (1948)

Answer 5

Policy: USA provides $12.5 billion to rebuild European economies.
Impact: Rebuilds Western Europe, strengthens anti-communist alliances, but USSR forbids Eastern Europe from accepting aid.

Question 6

Berlin Blockade and Airlift (1948-1949)

Answer 6

Policy: Stalin cuts off road and rail access to West Berlin to push Allies out.
Statistics: USA airlifts 2.3 million tons of supplies over 11 months to sustain the city.

Question 7

NATO vs. Warsaw Pact (1949 & 1955)

Answer 7

NATO: 12 Western countries form a military alliance, committing to mutual defense.
Warsaw Pact: Formed by USSR and Eastern bloc as a direct counter to NATO.

Question 8

Korean War (1950-1953)

Answer 8

Policy: US-led UN forces fight to stop communism in South Korea; USSR supports North Korea.
Statistics: 5 million casualties; solidifies US military presence in Asia.

Question 8

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

Answer 8

Policy: USSR places nuclear missiles in Cuba, 90 miles from the US.
Outcome: Negotiated removal of missiles from Cuba and US missiles in Turkey; closest to nuclear war.

Question 9

Détente (1970s)

Answer 9

Policy: Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I) reduce nuclear arsenals.
Impact: Reduced tensions temporarily, but Cold War resumed with Afghanistan invasion.