History Test Unit 3 Flashcards
How did the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979) trigger a ‘New Cold War’?
It ended the détente spirit, prompting U.S. sanctions, support for Afghan rebels, and heightened NATO preparedness.
Why did Kennedy create the Peace Corps, and what did it accomplish?
He sought to improve America’s global image and provide grassroots development aid. The Peace Corps made modest gains in education, health, and agriculture, enhancing goodwill but with limited broader impact.
How did Gorbachev’s refusal to use force enable democratic changes in Eastern Europe?
Without Soviet intervention, communist governments could not suppress opposition, allowing peaceful revolutions.
Why did Russia and other republics declare independence in 1991?
Seeking sovereignty and economic freedom, they capitalized on a weakened central government, ensuring the USSR’s formal dissolution.
Why was the U.S. unable to defeat communist forces in Vietnam?
Resilient enemy tactics, local support for the Viet Cong, flawed U.S. strategy, and declining domestic backing prevented a clear victory.
In what ways did Gorbachev’s Glasnost and Perestroika aim to revitalize the USSR?
They introduced openness, limited market reforms, and public debate, seeking efficiency and legitimacy but also unleashing destabilizing forces.
Which socialist leader in Chile threatened U.S. interests, prompting covert U.S. opposition and a 1973 coup?
Allende (Chile).
Why did Castro fail to export successful revolutions in Latin America?
Robust local governments, U.S. intervention, and limited popular support thwarted efforts to replicate Cuba’s revolutionary model.
How successful was the Alliance for Progress, and what were its key goals?
It aimed at fostering economic development and democratic reforms in Latin America, achieving limited success due to corruption, uneven implementation, and the distraction of the Vietnam War.
In what ways did arms control negotiations and treaties collectively contribute to the peaceful end of the Cold War?
They lowered the nuclear threat, built mutual confidence, and supported the broader political changes that ended superpower rivalry.
What delayed the conclusion and ratification of SALT II, and how did the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan influence its fate?
Domestic U.S. politics and the Soviet action in Afghanistan eroded trust, halting SALT II’s ratification and ending the détente era.
Which president continued détente but faced post-Vietnam challenges?
Ford (1974-1977).
What is the chronological order of the U.S. presidents from Truman to Reagan?
Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan.
Which president took a hardline stance on the USSR, increased defense spending, and pressured the Soviets before Gorbachev’s reforms?
Reagan (1981-1989).
Why did Johnson turn the Vietnam conflict into a large-scale American war?
He sought to prevent communist victory, believing more troops and bombing would maintain U.S. credibility and achieve a decisive outcome.
Why did the MPLA win the Angolan Civil War, and how did it reflect the Cold War?
Soviet and Cuban support enabled the MPLA’s victory over U.S.-backed opponents, making Angola a key African Cold War battleground.
What was the outcome of the 1973 October War in Egypt and its impact on Cold War rivalries?
A stalemate led to U.S.-brokered diplomacy, drawing Egypt away from Soviet influence and boosting U.S. leverage in the Middle East.
Why was President Ngô Đình Diệm unable to maintain stable control in South Vietnam?
Corruption, repression, and neglect of rural grievances alienated the population, fueling Viet Cong support and leading to his overthrow.
What role did Mikhail Gorbachev personally play in ending the Cold War?
His reforms, tolerance of Eastern European independence, and pursuit of arms control and diplomatic engagement paved the way for a peaceful conclusion.
Who began containment and supported the French in Vietnam?
Truman (1945-1953).
Which rigid communist dictator in Romania was violently overthrown during the collapse of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe?
Ceaușescu (Romania).
How did the Vietnam War shape U.S. domestic politics?
Public dissent forced policymakers to heed popular opinion, leading to the War Powers Act and greater caution in future interventions.
How did differing U.S. and Soviet interpretations of détente shape diplomacy?
The U.S. saw détente as managing competition; the USSR viewed it as confirming its sphere of influence, causing misunderstandings and tension.
Who led the Cuban Revolution, allied with the USSR, and survived U.S. attempts to overthrow him?
Castro (Cuba).
What was the significance of Poland’s Solidarity movement?
Solidarity challenged Soviet control and inspired other Eastern European dissidents, revealing the fragility of communist regimes.
How did the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START) further reduce nuclear arsenals and build trust?
START treaties cut strategic nuclear forces, enhancing stability and reinforcing the trend toward comprehensive arms control.
How did the Tet Offensive affect U.S. public opinion and policy toward Vietnam?
The surprise attacks contradicted claims of progress, eroding public support and prompting a shift toward de-escalation and negotiations.
Why did the U.S. initially support French colonial rule in Vietnam under Truman and Eisenhower?
They saw French presence as essential to containing communism in Southeast Asia after World War II.
How did U.S. influence in Latin America change by the mid-1970s?
Many countries pursued independent policies, resource nationalism, and diverse alliances, reducing U.S. dominance in the region.
Who focused on human rights and signed the Panama Canal treaties?
Carter (1977-1981).
