Cold War Quiz Flashcards
Cold War
45-50 years of intense conflict between USA and USSR. War considered “cold” because the two countries never fight each other. (begins after WW2)
The Big Three
The Grand Alliance Roosevelt (USA) Churchill (Britain) Stalin (USSR)
FDR
Franklin Delano Roosevelt US President 1933(served 4 terms) died April 1945. President during Yalta conference but not president during other conferences.
Truman
FDRs Vice President, became President after FDRs death. Truman takes a hard approach to Stalin, he’s not willing to negotiate. (didn’t want a repeat of Munich)
Munich Conference
1938 When Britain agreed to give Hitler Sudetenland in exchange for Hitler to not invade any other countries (Appeasment). Many believe this is the cause of WWII.
Stalin Main Goal post WWII
Security to prevent Germany from invading Russia. They wanted to create a communist border by making countries in Eastern Europe communist.
- Western Countries thing Stalin is just trying to spread communism. (Stalin isn’t making countries go communist)
US Main Goal post WWII
The economic recovery of Europe. They need Europe as a trading partner.
- Other goals were to avoid Munich and contain communism.
Yalta Conference
Spring 1945 Peace conference that takes place right before end of WWII between Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt (discuss what the world will look like)
- agree on many subjects but cannot agree on Poland
- its not yet clear the Grand Alliance is going to break down
Iron Curtain
Term used to describe the divide between communism and capitalism (Soviet East, US West)
- Winston Churchills term
Potsdam Conference
Summer 1945 Meeting between Stalin Attle (Britain) and Truman. There were more disagreements compared to Yalta.
Containment
Policy employed by US to keep communism from spreading beyond USSR and Eastern Europe (started while Truman was President)
Long Telegram
George Kennan wrote Telegram while in Moscow stating there is no way the Soviets can be reasoned with and the US and USSR will not be able to work together.
- He says US should switch to policy of containment
Marshall Plan
USA gave economic aid to European countries after WWII. The goal was to prevent them from falling into communism.
Red Army
military troops from the Soviet Union
Berlin Airlift
later 1940s USSR blockaded Berlin so USA responded by airlifting supplies for 11 months into Berlin.