Superpowers Glossary Flashcards
1
Q
A bomb
A
Atomic bomb developed and dropped on Japan by the USA during WWII in August 1946
2
Q
Afghanistan 1979
A
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan to support the Communist leader. This invasion ended the period of detente during the Cold War.
3
Q
arms race
A
A period where two or more nations engage in rapid production of military technology and equipment, often in competition to each other.
4
Q
AVH
A
Abbreviation for Allamvedelmi Hatosag, the state security police in communist Hungary.
5
Q
Bay of Pigs
A
A beach in Cuba, which became famous as the main location for the failed 1961 invasion by CIA-backed Cuban exiles.
6
Q
Berlin airlift
A
A massive program using aircraft to supply Western zones of Berlin with food, fuel and coal, during the Soviet and East German blockade of the city.
7
Q
Berlin blockade
A
Joseph Stalin and East Germany’s closure of land corridors and entry points to the Western zones of Berlin in 1948-49, an attempt to starve the Western allies out of the capital.
8
Q
Berlin Wall (1962)
A
A fortified wall constructed around the Western zones of Berlin in 1961, to prevent the escape and defection of East Germans to the West. It remained a symbol of Cold War division until 1989.
9
Q
Bizonia
A
The name adopted by the US and British zones of West Germany when they merged in 1947.
10
Q
blockade
A
A military action to surround or barricade a port, island, city or nation, often with naval vessels.
11
Q
Boris Yeltsin
A
Soviet leader who emerged after the failed military coup d’etat in the USSR against Gorbachev in August 1919. Yeltsin led the USSR from 1991.
12
Q
Boycott
A
To purposely and deliberately stop attending an international event as a method of protest.
13
Q
Brandenburg Gate
A
A Berlin landmark, once a main city entrance, later closed by the Berlin Wall.
14
Q
Brezhnev doctrine
A
Soviet foreign policy after the Prague Spring stating that no Eastern European country could leave the Warsaw pact.
15
Q
brinkmanship
A
Bold, aggressive or risky measures that risk war, to pressure the other side to back down.
16
Q
buffer zone
A
A ring of countries (East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria) around Russia’s borders to protect Russia from direct invasion from Germany.
17
Q
Capitalism
A
Ideology and economic belief that puts profit-making, private ownership, the creation of wealth and free trade first.
18
Q
Carter Doctrine
A
In 1980 President Carter stated that the USA would use military force to protect its interests in the Persian Gulf and contain the spread of Soviet influence in the region.
19
Q
Checkpoint Charlie
A
A US-manned gateway on the border of East and West Berlin.
20
Q
CIA
A
Central Intelligence Agency, US government body formed in 1947. Responsible for intelligence gathering, espionage and covert operations.
21
Q
Clement Atlee
A
Replaced Winston Churchill, having won the British general election in 1945, he attended the final conference at Potsdam.
22
Q
Cold War
A
Political and dipolmatic hostiliies, military rivalry, threats made during a war of words and propaganda between the USA and the USSR, without directtly fighting a hot war, from 1945 to 1990
23
Q
Collapse of the Soviet Union
A
Soviet Union Republics rapidly began to declare their independence, after the fall of Berlin Wall in 1989.
24
Q
Comecon (1949)
A
Abbreviation for the Council of Mutual Economic Assistance, a Soviet-led council that facilitated trade, economic, technical and scientific cooperation between Soviet bloc nations. It was formed in 1949 and disbanded in 1991.
25
Cominform (1947)
Abbreviation for the Communist Information Bureau, a committee of delegates from communist countries that met between 1947 and 1956. One function of Cominform was to ensure conformity and unity between Soviet bloc governments.
26
Comintern
Abbreviation for the Communist International, a committee of delegates from communist parties around the world. The Comintern met regularly in Moscow between 1919 and its dissolution in 1943. Its main function was to expand communism by assisting communist movements with tactical direction and support.
27
Commonwealth of Independent States (or CIS)
A confederation of 11 former Soviet bloc countries, formed in December 1991 after the dissolution of the USSR.
28
communism
A political ideology and system that strives for a society with no classes or structures of government.
29
Consequence
The next step, the effect, the what happened next in the sequence of events.
30
containment
| The policy of restricting communist expansion, a key element of the Truman Doctrine.
The policy of restricting communist expansion, a key element of the Truman Doctrine.
31
coup d’etat (pronounced coo day tar)
Seizure of power by a small group, usually comprised of military officers.
32
Crisis
A major event which could have imminent negative consequences on Cold War relationships
33
Cuban missile crisis
Most significant event during the Cold War when Soviet Missiles were put in Cuba. Kennedy and the USA responded placing a naval blockade around Cuba defying Spviet ships to pass through. The World held its breath for 13 days hoping that the crisis would not lead to nuclear war.
34
Cuban Revolution
Fidel Castro seized power in 1959, against the military dictatoship led by Batista, and he evntually established a Communist regime in Cuba.
35
Decrease
To reduce in size, to become smaller.
36
DEFCON
The US DEFence readiness CONdition’, ranging from DEFCON 5 (peace) to DEFCON 1 (imminent war).
37
detente (pronounced ‘day-tont’)
A state of improved relations after a period of conflict or tension. In the Cold War it refers to the decade-long thaw in US-Soviet relations between the late 1960s and late 1970s.
38
Domino Theory
Anti-communist theory, contending that the rise of communism in one country would inevitably lead to it spreading to neighbouring countries, particularly in Asia.
39
East
The term used to describe the countries under communism or Soviet influence.
40
Eastern bloc
The satellite states controlled by the USSR in Communist Eastern Europe.
41
Eastern Europe
The Countries in Eastern Europe under the influence and control and allied to the Soviet Union
42
espionage
The practice of using agents and spies to advance government policy, through secret activities such as information-gathering, sabotage or assassination.
43
evil empire speech
Term used by Ronald Reagan in 1983 to describe the Soviet bloc.
44
EXCOMM
Abbreviation for Executive Committee, a group of politicians, defence personnel and advisors assembled by John F Kennedy during the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.
45
Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989)
The symbol of the Cold War divide, was pulled down by protestors while the DDR guards stood by watching.
46
Federal Republic of Germany (also FRG or BRD)
The formal title of the Western aligned nation of West Germany between 1949 and 1990.
47
Fiasco
Something planned that goes wrong and is a complete failure, usually in an embarrassing way
48
Fidel Castro
Communist leader from the Cuban Revolution from 1956 - 2008. Ally of the USSR.
49
first strike
The ability of one nation to launch a pre-emptive or surprise attack on another, giving them a significant advantage.
50
foreign policy
A government’s policies with regard to other nations. Can relate to areas such as diplomacy, alliances, trade, sanctions and military involvement or intervention.
51
Franklin D Roosevelt
USA President who was a held together the wartime Grand Alliance. Died in 1945 and was replaced by Truman.
52
German Democratic Republic (also GDR or DDR)
The formal title of the Soviet-aligned East Germany between 1949 and 1990.
53
glasnost
Russian for openness. A Soviet reform implemented by Mikhail Gorbachev during the late 1980s, encouraging open debate, discussion and freedom of speech.
54
Gorbachev's new thinking
Included policies of Glasnost and Perestrokia to end the Cold War which was bankrupting the Soviet economy
55
Grand Alliance
The wartime alliance 1939 - 45 of Britain, USA and USSR to defeat Nazi Germany
56
Grepo
East German armed police, responsible for guarding the Berlin Wall and other borders.
57
Helsinki Accords
An agreement signed in 1975, aimed at improving communications and relationships between Soviet bloc and Western countries.
58
Hot war
A war or a military conflict fought between two or more countries.
59
hotline
A communications system directly linking two remote points. Usually refers to teletype machines installed in the White House and Kremlin in 1963.
60
Hungarian Uprising (1956)
Anti-Communist pro-democracy popular uprising led by Nagy for Hungary to leave the Warsaw Pact.
61
ideology
system of political ideas and belief, eg communism or capitalism.
62
Increase
To make greater in size, a multiplication.
63
intercontinental ballistic missile (or ICBM)
A long-range missile capable of sub-orbital flight. During the Cold War, these missiles could be fired from the US to hit targets in Europe and Soviet Russia, and vice versa.
64
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force (INF) Treaty (1987)
The first treaty whereby the USA and USSR agreed to reduce, not limit, by destroying nuclear weapons showing the nuclear Arms Race was coming to an end.
65
Iron Curtain
A term invented by Winston Churchill to describe the political and physical barriers between the Soviet bloc and the so called free countries of Europe.
66
isolationism
A foreign policy position, where a nation refuses to commit to alliances or take sides in international disputes
67
Joseph Stalin
Ruthless Communist leader of the Soviet Union, protecting Soviet interests from American aggression and capitalism during the start of the Cold War 1945 - 1953
68
Jupiter
A nuclear-capable US ballistic missile, deployed early in the Cold War.
69
KGB
Committee for State Security, formed 1954. The Soviet Union intelligence-gathering and espionage agency and secret police. The broad equivalent of the CIA.
70
Khrushchev's ultimatum
In November 1958, Khrushchev issued an ultimatum giving the Western Powers six months to agree to withdraw from Berlin and make it a free, demilitarized city to be left under Soveit control.
71
Kitchen Debate
An informal but politically charged discussion between Richard Nixon and Nikita Khrushchev in 1959.
72
Korean War
Korean conflict (1950-53) between the Soviet-backed communist North, and the US and UN-backed South.
73
LA Olympic boycott 1984
The USSR Olympic team did not go to the LA Olympics in protest against the USA invasion of Greneda 1983.
74
Long telegram
USA diplomat in Moscow wrote a telegram in 1945 warning the US President that the Soviets intentions he believed were aggressive and that the USSR expansion should be contained.
75
Long Telegram
A diplomatic cable sent by George Kennan in 1946, offering advice on the Soviet Union aggression and possible foreign policy approaches. Kennan’s advice formed the basis of the Truman Doctrine and the idea of containment.
76
Marshall Plan
A US-financed relief package in 1948, providing 15 billion dollars in funds to European nations to assist their reconstruction after World War II.
77
Marxism
| A political philosophy and theory of history, developed in the 1800s by Karl Marx.
A political philosophy and theory of history, developed in the 1800s by Karl Marx.
78
McCarthyism
A period of anti-communist investigations, persecution and hysteria in the US during the early 1950s. Named for Senator Joe McCarthy, its chief instigator.
79
MI5
Short for Military Intelligence Section 5, the main British intelligence and espionage agency.
80
Mikhal Gorbachev
USSR leader from 1985 - 1991 who introduced reforms in the Soviet Union and who wanted to end the expensive Arms Race with the USA. Influential leader in ending the Cold War.
81
military-industrial complex
A conspiracy theory, suggesting links between politicians, military leaders and industrialists who produce weapons and other military equipment.
82
Minuteman
An American ballistic missile, developed in the early 1960s to carry nuclear payloads.
83
missile gap
A 1950s American perception that the Soviet Union had a larger stockpile of missiles. This was later proved to be incorrect.
84
Moscow Olympics boycott 1980
The USA Olylmpic team did not go to the Moscow Olympics in protest against the Soveit invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.
85
mujahideen
Islamic resistance fighters who fought against the Soviets in Afghanistan, with US backing.
86
mutually-assured destruction (or MAD)
The Cold War assumption that both the US and USSR would refrain from launching nuclear weapons, since each knew the other would retaliate, and this would lead to devastation on both sides.
87
Narrative account
The connected story analysing the causes, important key features and consequences of an event.
88
NATO (1949)
North Atlantic Treay Organisation military alliance was formed to protect US-allies in Western Europe from a possible USSR invasion; its members included US, Great Britain, France and West Germany.
89
Nikita Khrushchev
Communist leader who replaced Stalin in 1953 - 1964. His impact on Cold War relations were important over several key crisises - Hungary, Berlin Wall and Cuban Missile Crisis.
90
Novikov telegram
The Soviet repsonse to the Long telegram was sent by the Soviet ambassador in Washington in 1946 warning that the USA wanted World domination. This justified the Soveit decision to create a buffer-zone in Eastern Europe
91
Nucelar Non-Proliferation Treaty (1968)
Binding international agreement by the USA and USSR, and 59 other states, to halt the spread or development of nuclear weapons to other non-nuclear countries.
92
nuclear weapons
| Explosive devices that generate enormous heat and destructive power through nuclear fission.
Explosive devices that generate enormous heat and destructive power through nuclear fission.
93
Outer Space Treaty (1967)
USA and USSR agreement to not have nuclear weapons in space, furthermore exploration in space was to be for peaceful purposes.
94
Peaceful coexistence
Mutual respect and non-aggression between the two Superpowers during the period of detente creating a postive atmosphere
95
perestroika
Russian for ‘restructuring’. A reform movement in the USSR during the 1980s, led by Mikhael Gorbachev. It involved some liberal reforms and a relaxing of centralised controls over the economy.
96
Politburo
The executive council or cabinet of ministers in the Soviet Union and other communist nations.
97
Potsdam conference
Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill met to discuss the course of the war, the division of Germany and the possible future of Europe after WWII
98
Prague Spring (1968)
The liberal reform movement of 'Socialsim with a human face' led by Dubceck in Czechoslovakia in 1968, was brutually crushed by Moscow.
99
Propaganda
Information, ideas and opinions, that are baised and misleading, to promote a point of view and influence a persons opinion.
100
proxy war
A conflict where larger nations support and supply smaller nations involved in a war or civil war, without becoming directly involved.
101
Puppet leader
A leader who was under the influence and control of another country which dominates decisions. The puppet-master would pull the strings of a puppet-leader.
102
rapprochement
A French term describing the reconciliation or re-establishment of good relations between previously nations or governments that were previously hostile. In the context of the Cold War, rapprochement generally refers to the improved relations that occurred during detente (early 1970s) and the Gorbachev era (late 1980s).
103
Reagan Doctrine
A term given to the foreign policy of the Reagan administration, particularly regard to the Soviet Union. At the core of the Reagan Doctrine was the ‘rollback’ of communism, to be achieved by supporting anti-communist groups and movements.
104
Refugee problem
During the Berlin crisis Khrushchev wanted a solution to the brain-drain as thousands of workers were exiting and leaving East to live in West Berlin.
105
Relationship
Connected or involving the two Superpowers to negotiate and resolve, postively or negatviely, over crisis and events during the Cold War.
106
Rivalry
The two Superpowers engaged in a lasting hostile competition against one another.
107
rollback
A policy advocated by US president Ronald Reagan, who wanted to reduce the size of the Soviet bloc, rather than to contain it.
108
Ronald Regan
USA President 1981 - 1989, before he was a Hollywood actor, who was anti-Communist increasing spending on the second Cold War, then make significant progress with Gorbachev improving Superpower relations.
109
SALT I
Arms limitation talks and agreements between the USA and the USSR in 1972 showing Superpower cooperation.
110
SALT II
Further arms limitation talks between the USA and the USSR which were halted when the USSR invaded Afghanistan in 1979.
111
satellite nation
A nation that is nominally independent but relies on a larger nation for political and/or economic direction and support.
112
Second Cold War
Name sometimes given to the post-detente revival of Cold War tensions during the early 1980s.
113
secret police
A state-run police force that investigates, spies on, identifies and eliminates potential opponents.
114
Secret Speech
An address given to the Soviet Congress by Nikita Khrushchev in February 1956, in which he denounced the tyranny, brutality and “abuse of power” perpetrated by the Soviet government under Joseph Stalin.
115
Securitate
The secret police force of the communist regime in Romania for most of the Cold War.
116
self-determination
The belief that a population should have the right to form a nation, declare independence and decide on their own political system and government.
117
Singing Revolution
Describes the independence movement in the Baltic States – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – between 1987 and 1991, so-called because it began with sustained public singing.
118
Sino-Soviet split
A breakdown in relations between China and USSR during the 1960s, culminating in border clashes in 1969.
119
socialism
An ideology and political system, with the objective of transitioning from capitalism to communism. Socialist economies do not permit private ownership of capital, profit or other elements of capitalism.
120
Soviet bloc
Term describing the communist nations of Europe, under the influence of the Soviet Union (eg Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania)
121
space race
US-Soviet competition in rocket technology and space exploration, between the 1950s and 1975. This was an extension of the Cold War arms race.
122
Speech of Hope
The name given to an address given by US Secretary of State James F Byrne in Stuttgart in September 1946. Byrne assured listeners that the US would protect German sovereignty and, in time, allow a return to German self-government.
123
sphere of influence
A region or group of nations controlled or influenced by another major nation. The Soviet sphere was Eastern Europe, the American sphere was Western Europe.
124
Sputnik
The name of the first two man-made satellites to orbit Earth, launched by the USSR in 1957. The USSR was winnig the space race.
125
Stasi
An abbreviation for the Ministry of State Security, an East German secret police agency responsible for security and intelligence-gathering. The Stasi was one of the Cold War’s most repressive and brutal security forces.
126
StB
An abbreviation for Statni Bezpecnost, a plain-clothed secret police agency in communist Czechoslovakia.
127
Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (or SALT I and SALT II)
The name of two US-Soviet arms reduction summits, held in 1972 and 1979, and the agreements they produced.
128
Strategic Defence Initiative (or SDI)
The Reagan administration’s revitalised missile defence program, initiated in 1983. It included early warning systems, missile interception systems and research into the use of armed satellites.
129
strategic nuclear weapon
A larger yield nuclear weapon, intended for launching against cities, ports, military bases or other targets of major significance.
130
Summit
A conference between the two leaders during the Cold War to meet and dicuss high-profile issues like the Arms Race
131
superpowers
The most powerful countries in the world: in the Cold War, the USA and the USSR.
132
Suspicion
Untrusting of a countries real hidden intentions.
133
tactical nuclear weapon
A smaller yield nuclear weapon, intended for battlefield use against enemy forces.
134
Tehran conference
The first conference in 1943 between the three Allies to decide the next steps of the war and what to do with Germany after the WWII was won.
135
Tension
Under-stress. The two Superpowers relationship was often in degress of tension as they disagreed over events.
136
Test Ban Treaty (1963)
Agreement between the Superpowers during detente to not test nuclear weapons in space, above ground or below the sea.
137
Thaw
Metaphor for describing relationship improving during the Cold War, like ice melting and changes back into water
138
Tiananmen Square
A large public square in Beijing, China. The site where Mao Zedong proclaimed a communist victory in October 1949; also the location of a student demonstration that was crushed by Chinese troops in June 1989.
139
Truman Doctrine
Broadly refers to US Cold War foreign policy, based on Harry Truman’s pledge to support nations in their struggle to resist communism.
140
Tsar Bomba
Russian for ‘King Bomb’. A 50-megaton nuclear weapon, the largest ever tested, detonated by the USSR in 1961.
141
U-2
An American spy plane, able to fly undetected at high altitude for the covert collection of surveillance photographs.
142
United Nations (or UN)
A multilateral body formed in 1945 to consider international problems and offer resolutions, with a view to avoiding conflict.
143
USSR
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; Communist country, consisting of Russia and other regions (including Ukraine)
144
Velvet Revolution
The peaceful popular movement that emerged in Czechoslovakia in late 1989, leading to political reform and free elections.
145
Vietnam War
A south-east Asian conflict (1959-75) between communist North Vietnam and the communist Viet Cong (backed by China and the USSR) and non-communist South Vietnam (supported by US military aid and involvement). It ended with the 1975 takeover of Vietnam by communist forces.
146
Warsaw Pact
A military alliance of European communist nations, formed in response to West Germany joining NATO in 1955.
147
Wartime alliance
The wartime Alliance between USA, USSR and Britain united to defeat Nazi Germany during WWII.
148
West
The western nations were America and its capitalist allies
149
Western Europe
The USA sphere of influence in Western Europe.
150
Winston Churchill
British PM who was concerned about growing Soviet influence in Europe after the war that he gave a speech in 1946 warning the World about the menace and division of the Iron-Curtain
151
Yalta conference
Second conference between the Allies in 1945, during WWII, when USA, Britain and the USSR mostly agreed about the division of Germany and the setting up of the United Nations.
