The Cold War (1945-1989) Flashcards
What was The Cold War?
- Competition between the US & Soviet Union
- 1945-1989
- Also involved allies of the US & USSR
- Competed for global influence
- Which system would be superior?
- Called a Cold War because the two sides never actually fought
How did communism expand in Europe during the Cold War?
- Soviet occupation of Eastern Europe after WW2
- Stalin imposed communist governments to create a “buffer zone” between USSR & Europe
Which European countries did Russia impose communism in?
- Poland
- Czechoslavakia
- Romania
- Hungary
- Bulgaria
- East Germany
What was Western Europe like politically during the Cold War?
- American sphere of influence
- Democratc, capitalist, societies
- NATO
- Millitary alliance between US & Western European states
What was Eastern Europe like politically during the Cold War?
- Soviet Sphere of Influence
- Communist Dictatorships
- Forced imposition of communism
- Warsaw Pact
- Millitary alliance between USSR & E. European states to oppose NATO
What was the nickname given for the division of communism and democracies within Asia during the Cold War?
The Bamboo Curtian
How was Korea politically divided during the Cold War & what conflict was a result of the division?
- Communist North supported by USSR
- Capitalist South supported by US
- US military involvement from 1950-1953 known as Korean War
- Division exists today
How was Vietnam politically divided before the Vietnam War?
- Communist North supported by the USSR
- Capitialist South supported by US
When was the Vietnam War?
1960s and 1970s
What was the result of the Vietnam War?
Communism won and Vietnam was unified under communism in 1975
What other 3 Asian states aside from Korea and Vietnam that were communist during the Cold War?
- Mongolia
- Laos
- Cambodia
What are two examples of Proxy Wars in Asia during the Cold War?
- Vietnam War
- Korean War
The US became the leader of the Western world because:?
- Educated & industrial capitalist democracy
- American pop culture goes global
- Only major WW2 participant not to be bombed
What were the effects of the US leading the charge against communism?
- An “Imperial presidency” with expanded powers
- Increased power of defense & intelligence agencies making a “national security state”
When was the first atomic weapon developed in the US and where were they used?
In 1945 on Hiroshima & Nagasaki
When did the USSR test its first atomic bomb?
In 1949
What nuclear developments occur during the Cold War between the USSR & US?
- Both countries rapidly stockpile nuclear weapons, and improve ways to deliver them
- Bombers, submarines, missiles
- about 60,000 warheads by 1989
What was M.A.D and how did prevent direct confrontation between the US and USSR?
Mutually Assured Destruction
The US and USSR carefully avoided direct confrontation because of fears that global nuclear war would result in human extinction
What were examples of Cold War Characteristics?
- Nuclear Arms Race
- Space Race
- Proxy Wars
- Cuban Missile Crisis
- Eastern European Revolutions
What was the Space Race?
- Emphasis on science and technology
- USSR & US compete scientifically to see which country was the most scientifically advanced
What were some major events during the Space Race?
- 1957 - USSR launches first man-made satellite into orbit (Sputnik)
- 1961 - USSR launches first human into space (Yuri Gagarin)
- 1969 - US sends humans to the moon and back successfully (Apollo 11)
What were Proxy Wars?
While avoiding direct confrontation, the US and USSR often supported opposing sides in regional conflicts around the world
What are some examples of Proxy Wars?
- Korea
- Vietnam
- Cuba
- Afghanistan
- Nicaragua
- Newly-independent African states
Which Proxy Wars resulted in communinst victories during the Cold War?
- Vietnam
- Cuba
