The Cold War Flashcards
Purpose of the National Security Act of 1947?
Created U.S. Air Force & Coast Guard, established the CIA for foreign threats, & led to the NSA to improve military efficiency & effectiveness.
What was the Truman Doctrine, and how did it combat communism?
Provided $400 million in aid to Greece & Turkey, marking the U.S. policy of financially supporting nations to prevent spread of communism
What was the Marshall Plan, & how did it support capitalism?
Provided over $13 billion to rebuild Western Europe, promote free trade, & strengthen capitalist economies / only available to democratic nations.
What caused the Berlin Blockade in June 1948?
West introduced a single currency in Germany, prompting Stalin to blockade Berlin, using over 1 million soldiers to cut off supplies to West Berlin.
How did the U.S. respond to the Berlin Blockade?
Launched Berlin Airlift, dropping supplies into West Berlin, marking the first Cold War crisis and leading to permanent division of Germany.
What was NATO, and how did it differ from the Warsaw Pact?
NATO - mutual defense pact among Western democracies / Warsaw Pact - Soviet Union’s ver with its communist allies.
Who was George F. Kennan, and what was his role in Cold War policy?
Expert on Soviet policy & author of the Long Telegram, which outlined the need for containment of communism
What was the significance of NSC-68?
A 1950 National Security Council policy that shifted U.S. containment strategy from economic aid to military force to stop communism
What happened in China in Oct 1949, and why did it concern the U.S.?
Mao Zedong’s Communist Party overthrew Chiang Kai-Shek, who fled to Taiwan, making China a communist nation & increasing U.S. fears of communist expansion
How did the Space Race relate to Cold War politics?
It was about military superiority & atmospheric control, w/ Soviets launching Sputnik I & II before the U.S. created NASA in 1958.
Who was Katherine Johnson, and what was her contribution to NASA?
Mathematician whose calculations ensured successful space missions, including the trajectory for John Glenn’s flight.
What was the Korean War, and how did it begin?
In 1950, North Korea (DPRK) invaded South Korea (ROK), leading to UN and U.S. intervention to push NK forces back.
Why did Stalin hesitate to support North Korea initially?
He was cautious cuz of war w/ US, but eventually convinced China to step in and support North Korea against South Korea and UN forces.
What was the result of the Korean War?
Ended in a ceasefire, w/ N & S Korea divided at the 38th parallel, maintaining a tense, ongoing conflict
How did NSC-68 change U.S. foreign policy from the Truman Doctrine?
Instead of just using financial aid, the U.S. shifted to military action to directly contain communism worldwide.
What was General MacArthur supposed to do at the 38th parallel?
Stop at the 38th, but he pushed far north into North Korea.
What happened on November 30, 1950, during the Korean War?
U.S. forces were pushed back to Seoul after Chinese intervention.
What was the final outcome of the Korean War?
A stalemate at the 38th parallel, leading to an armistice in July 1953.
What was General Douglas MacArthur’s role in Japan after WWII?
He was the Governor of Japan, overseeing its reconstruction.
How did American policymakers view the Korean War’s outcome?
As a success, since it contained the spread of communism.
What was significant about JFK becoming president?
Youngest U.S. president & the first Catholic president.
What happened at the 1961 Vienna Summit?
JFK met Khrushchev, but Khrushchev saw him as weak.
What led to the Cuban Missile Crisis?
U.S. spy planes discovered Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba.
Who prevented WWIII during the crisis?
Soviet officer Vasili Arkhipov refused to approve a nuclear launch.
How was the Cuban Missile Crisis resolved?
The Soviets removed missiles from Cuba, and the U.S. removed missiles from Turkey
