Origins of the Cold War Flashcards
What factors that contributed to global uncertainty after World War II?
- Many countries, such as the Soviet Union, faced incredibly high civilian and soldier death tolls.
- Many countries faced severe physical destruction to farms, factories, and residential areas.
- Many countries faced economic instability after the war.
What actions weretaken by the Soviet Union that contributed to a growing rivalry with the
United States after World War II?
- To protect itself from future threats, the Soviet Union began establishing “satellite states” throughout eastern Europe, spreading its communist ideas.
- The Soviets greatly increased military spending, eventually developing its first nuclear weapons.
What is an arms race?
When countries increase military spending, competing to develop more and more powerful weapons.
What were satellite states?
Nations where Joseph Stalin established a communist-friendly buffer zone in Eastern Europe after WWII; providing protection for the Soviet Union.
What factors contributed to American optimism after World War II?
- The US was influential in the Allied victory- resulting in high levels of patriotism.
- The economy had recovered significantly- Great Depression finally ended.
- Many soldiers returned home, got married, and started growing families.
What opportunities were available for American veterans after World War II?
American veterans were able to access GI Bill benefits after World War II; allowing veterans to receive college tuition benefits and low-interest home loans.
What factors influenced the growth of the American economy after World War II.
- High demand for American goods in war-torn nations.
- Development of credit cards allowed people to spend more.
- New businesses and technologies emerged after the war.
- More Americans earned higher-earning “white-collar” jobs.
Describe the causes of suburbanization after World War II.
- Growing wages and low-interest home loans allowed many Americans to build new homes.
- As families grew they began seeking communities with good schools and safe neighborhoods.
- Increased car ownership and the expansion of American highways made it easier to get around.
Describe the effects of suburbanization after World War II.
- New businesses emerged to support growing communities, such as gas stations and fast food restaurants.
- Segregation continued to limit the opportunities of Black Americans, who largely remained in urban areas.
What was the Federal Highway Act?
Signed by President Eisenhower after World War II, enabling the construction of the US’ first interstate highways which encouraged the rapid growth of suburbs.
Why did some regions in the United States experienced population and economic growth after World War II, while others did not?
- Wartime growth in the South and West encouraged many Americans to move to cities like Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Atlanta.
- Nice weather, low taxes, and new communities all attracted people to the South and West– away from declining old industrial communities in the Midwest.
What were the Sun Belt and Rust Belt?
- Sun Belt: Nickname given to the postwar American West and South; Characterized by a strong economy and good weather which caused many to move to these areas; most notably California.
- Rust Belt: Nickname given to the postwar American Midwest; Characterized by slow economic growth which caused many to leave– resulting in the further decline of cities like Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland.
Describe the causes of the Baby Boom after WWII.
- Delay in marriages during WWII– led to increased marriage rates after the war.
- Thriving economy allowed families to have more children.
- Postwar optimism and hope for a better future, caused a return to traditional family values.
Describe the effects of the Baby Boom after WWII.
- From 1946 to 1964 the US experienced an increase in the birth rate– allowing the overall population to grow.
- America became much younger, which was reflect in the economy and popular culture.
- Difficult period for many American women who felt overwhelmed by domestic expectations.
What caused a surge of mass popular culture after World War II?
- Availability of new technologies– like Hi-Fi Record Players and Television.
- Strong economy and young population that drove the popularity of Rock and Roll music.
What important advancements in science and technology impacted American society after World War II?
- Credit cards
- Hydrogen Bombs
- Polio Vaccine
- Hi-Fi Record Players
- Man-Made Satellites
- Television
Who was Jonas Salk?
- American scientist credited with developing the Polio vaccine after World War II. Effectively eradicating the illness in the US by 1979.
What was Sputnik?
- Soviet satellite launched into space before successfully orbiting Earth in 1957.
- Prompted the start of the “Space Race”
What is NASA?
- American government agency created to further the United States’ goals in the Space Race in 1958.
What is the Hydrogen Bomb?
- Nuclear weapon develop by the US (1952) and USSR (1953) during the early nuclear arms race.
- Significantly more powerful than the atomic bombs developed and used by the US during World War II.
What positive impacts did advancements in science and technology have after World War II?
- Increased opportunities for entertainment through TV and record players.
- Access to credit cards allowed for easier spending and the growth of the American economy.
- The polio vaccine saved lives, prevented paralysis, and paved the way for future medical advancements.
What negative impacts did advancements in science and technology have after World War II?
- The credit card led to decreased savings and increased debt.
- Competition to build more and more powerful nuclear weapons created rampant fear around the world about the potential for nuclear war.
- The first space-based satellite made many Americans fearful the Soviets would launch a nuclear attack against the US.
Why did an attitude of conformity emerged during the decade following World War II?
- Americans wanted to return to traditional ways of life– such as women returning to household responsibilities.
- Fear of nuclear attack and distrust of technology.
- Television and advertising depicted what a typical and ideal American society looked like– expecting people to fit into that standard.
How did the attitude of conformity impact different populations of Americans during the decade following World War II?
- Certain groups, mostly women and racial minorities, felt under-represented, unappreciated, and isolated in American society.
- Many women, racial minorities, and young people challenged the standards Americans were expected to live by.
- Contributed to a foundation for future change– Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s Liberation Movement.
What was the Beat Generation?
Literary movement that challenged conformist standards after World War II; Popular with American teenagers during the 1950s.
What were Green Books?
Guidebooks that listed Black-friendly businesses and communities while traveling the United States.
Who was Betty Friedan?
- American author who wrote “The Feminine Mystique,” describing the frustrations and limitations experienced by women after WWII.
- Helped spark the Women’s Liberation Movement of the 1960s.
What was the Cold War?
- Ideological and cultural battle between the United States and Soviet Union.
- Started with the end of WWII in 1945, continuing into the early 1990s.
What factors caused a rivalry to emerge between the US and the Soviet Union after World War II?
- The US and Soviets were ideological opposites, with the US being a capitalist democracy and the Soviets being a communist dictatorship.
- Following Hitler’s death, the US and Soviets no longer shared a common enemy
- The US and Soviets disliked and distrusted one another.
- As members of the UN Security Council, the US and Soviet Union were constantly in conflict.
What is containment?
American foreign policy goal during the Cold War– focused on stopping the spread of communism.
How did the United States attempted to contain communism during the decade following World War II?
- The United States created programs that financially supported postwar Europe, such as the Marshall Plan and Truman Doctrine.
- The United States organized NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) to form an alliance with non-communist countries in Western Europe.
What was the Truman Doctrine?
- President Truman’s commitment to financially support free nations in their fight against communism. Provided $400 million to fight Communist revolutionaries in Greece and Turkey.
- Example of American containment policies during the early Cold War.
What was the Marshall Plan?
- The United States’ program that contributed $10 billion to rebuild Western Europe after World War II, hoping to prevent communism from spreading in these areas.
- Example of American containment policies during the early Cold War.
What is the United Nations?
Organization formed at the end of World War II to encourage peaceful resolutions to conflicts among the postwar world.
What was the Warsaw Pact?
Organization formed by the Soviet Union among its communist allies in Eastern Europe; to counterblance the creation of NATO.
What was the significance of the “iron curtain” during the Cold War?
Term coined by Winston Churchill, describing the dividing line between non-Communist western Europe from Communist eastern Europe during the Cold War.
How and why was Germany divided after World War II?
- How: Germany was divided into four Allied occupation zones after World War II; with the three western zones controlled by the US, Great Britain, and France; and an eastern zone controlled by the Soviet Union.
-
Why: The Allies wanted to prevent any future
resurgence of militarism in Germany and ensure that it could not become a threat to European stability once again.
How did the division of Germany after World War II contributed to Cold War tensions?
While the three western Allies governed their zones cooperatively– Stalin’s eastern zone focused on the destruction of Germany and establishment of communism.
What was the Berlin Blockade?
- In 1948, Stalin grew angry at the western Allies efforts to unify West Germany and establish a common currency.
- Therefore he established a blockade, blocking all roads and rails into the western occupation zones of Berlin (resting within the Soviet zone), which prevented food, medicine, and other resources from reaching residents.
What was the Berlin Airlift?
- In response to the Berlin Blockade, the western Allies flew airplanes over West Berlin to deliver much needed supplies to residents of the city.
- After 15 months Stalin ended his blockade, a victory for the Airlift, which prompted the creation of NATO and West Germany.
Where did communism spread during the period following World War II?
- Eastern European satellite states; including East Germany
- China
- North Korea
- North Vietnam
Who was Mao Zedong?
Chinese revolutionary leader that established China as a Communist nation at the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949.
How and why Korea was divided after World War II?
- How: Korea was divided along the 38th parallel at the end of WWII. North Korea was made Communist; South Korea was made non-Communist.
- Why: Korea had been under Japanese control and the Allies didn’t believe Korea was prepared to self-govern.
How did the division of Korea after World War II contribute to Cold War tensions?
- Neither North or South Korea was pleased with the 38th parallel– making border skirmishes common.
- Eventually, in June 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea starting the Korean War.
Why did the United States intervene in Korea during the early Cold War?
- After North Korea invaded South Korea, it appeared that South Korea would fall to communism.
- The US intervened in the Korean War to contain communism to North Korea.
How and why was Vietnam divided after World War II?
- How: Vietnam was divided along the 17th Parallel at the Geneva Conference in 1954. North Vietnam was Communist and South Vietnam was non-Communist.
- Why: After facing Japanese occupation during WWII, Ho Chi Minh attempted a communist revolution to overthrow their French imperialists. After the Viet Minh defeated France in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, the Geneva Conference was held, and Vietnam was divided.
Why did the US intervene in Vietnam during the early Cold War?
- The US began sending military advisors to Vietnam during the 1950s in hopes of containing communism to North Vietnam.
What is the domino theory?
- Concern held by American ofificals during the Cold War that if one country fell to communism, neighboring countries would fall to communism as well.
- Caused the US to intervene in many Cold War conflicts- particularly Korea and Vietnam.
How did the nuclear arms race intensify during the early Cold War?
- Both the US and the Soviet Union worked to develop as many nuclear weapons as possible.
- Both the US and the Soviet Union worked to develop more powerful and advanced technologies with their nuclear weapons; such as Hydrogen Bombs and ICBMs.
What is an ICBM?
An intercontinental ballistic missile; Missiles that could be shot at great distances with nuclear weapons attached to attack an enemy nation.
How did fears associated with the nuclear arms race impact American society after World War II?
- Americans lived in constant fear that the Soviet Union might attack the US.
- People built bunkers in the homes and businesses; children practiced “duck and cover” drills at school.
- People became increasingly fearful of anything associated with the Soviet Union– such as communism.
Describe the causes of the Second Red Scare after World War II.
- Intense fear of communism and the Soviet Union– especially amid the ongoing nuclear arms race.
- Concerns that spies were operating within the United States on behalf of the Soviet Union.
Describe the effects of the Second Red Scare after World War II.
- The American public and the government became increasingly suspicious of spies in American society.
- Several major spy trials and investigations shocked the country, such as the trial of Alger Hiss and the Rosenbergs.
Who was Alger Hiss?
US State Department employee convicted on charges of espionage after acting as a Soviet spy.
Who were Julius and Ethel Rosenberg?
- Married couple convicted and sentenced to death for providing nuclear secrets to the Soviet Union during the nuclear arms race.
- Julius had worked on the Manhattan Project.
How did the US government responded to concerns about communist spies within the US government and American society during the Second Red Scare?
- Government organizations were formed to investigate potential threats within the United States, such as the House Unamerican Activities Committee (HUAC) and Loyalty Review Boards.
- Investigations were completed to ensure that the government and public were secure.
Who were the Hollywood Ten?
- A group of Hollywood contributors that were blacklisted (banned) from working in the movie industry, after HUAC investigations connected them to the Communist Party.
How did the actions of Senator Joseph McCarthy demonstrate the extreme nature of the Second Red Scare after World War II?
- Unlike the very real connections between some convicted spies and the Soviet Union, McCarthy made false and sensationalized claims against many Americans during the Second Red Scare.
- These claims were often made with little to no evidence– ruining many people’s lives– contributing to mass hysteria.
What is McCarthyism?
The period of mass hysteria surrounding Communist allegations during the height of the Second Red Scare brought on by the allegations of Senator Joseph McCarthy.
