cold war quiz 2

Question 1

Cuban Missile Crisis

Answer 1

The U.S. discovered Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba. President Kennedy and Premier Khrushchev faced off for 13 days. It ended with the Soviets removing the missiles and the U.S. promising not to invade Cuba
4 – Brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.

Question 2

Czech Revolution

Answer 2

A peaceful protest movement in Czechoslovakia that ended Communist rule. Led by Václav Havel, it forced the Communist government to resign. Resulted in free elections and the transition to democracy.
1 – Peaceful, nonviolent transition

Question 3

Vietnam War

Answer 3

A conflict between communist North Vietnam (supported by the USSR and China) and non-communist South Vietnam (backed by the U.S.). The U.S. withdrew in 1973, and North Vietnam won in 1975, unifying the country under communism.
How heated? 4 – Long, deadly war with high casualties and global Cold War tensions.

Question 4

Vietnamization

Answer 4

A U.S. policy under President Nixon to gradually withdraw American troops from Vietnam and shift combat responsibility to South Vietnamese forces.
How heated? 2 – Part of a de-escalation effort, though fighting in Vietnam continued.

Question 5

Détente

Answer 5

A period of eased Cold War tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. It included arms control agreements like SALT I and more diplomatic communication.
How heated? 2 – Tensions lowered, but mistrust remained.

Question 6

SALT treaty

Answer 6

The SALT Treaty (1972) was a U.S.–Soviet agreement to limit nuclear weapons, signed by Nixon and Brezhnev. It helped ease Cold War tensions as part of détente.
How heated? 2 – Less tense but still cautious.

Question 7

Soviet-Afghan War

Answer 7

The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to support its communist government against rebel fighters (the Mujahideen), who were backed by the U.S. and others. The war was long and bloody, and the Soviets eventually withdrew.
How heated? 4 – Violent proxy war with global Cold War involvement.

Question 8

Glasnost and Perestroika

Answer 8

Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev introduced Glasnost (openness) to allow more freedom of speech and Perestroika (restructuring) to reform the economy. These changes aimed to fix the USSR but instead sped up its collapse.

Question 9

Ronald Reagan’s presidency

Answer 9

Reagan took a tough stance on the Soviet Union, increased military spending, and promoted capitalism. Later, he worked with Gorbachev to ease Cold War tensions and signed arms reduction deals.
How heated? 3 – Tense at first, but improved by the end.

Question 10

Fall of Berlin Wall

Answer 10

The Berlin Wall, which divided East and West Berlin, was torn down as communist control in Eastern Europe collapsed. It symbolized the end of the Cold War and led to German reunification.
How heated? 1 – Peaceful celebration and major turning point.

Question 11

Fall of the Soviet Union

Answer 11

The USSR collapsed due to economic problems, political unrest, and independence movements in its republics. Gorbachev resigned, and 15 separate countries emerged.
How heated? 2 – Mostly peaceful, but marked by protests and change.