Unit 8

Question 1

Define: Yalta Conference

Answer 1

USSR, US and GB meeting in Feb 1945. Decided to divide Germany into zones of occupation controlled by Allied military forces. Germany to compensate Soviets for loss of life and property. Soviets to join ware against Japan and allow free elections in Europe.

Question 2

Define: “Iron Curtain”

Answer 2

Term coined by Churchill in March 5, 1946 to describe the division between eastern (communist) and western (democratic) Europe.

Question 3

Define: containment

Answer 3

Truman policy to block expansion of communism – form alliances and help weak countries resist Soviet advances

Question 4

Define: NATO

Answer 4

North Atlantic Treaty Organization formed in 1949 by 10 western European countries, U.S. and Canada. All to mobilize if one is attacked.

Question 5

Which 4 countries occupied Germany following WWII?

Answer 5

U.S.
Soviets
GB
France

Question 6

Why did the USSR blockage Berlin in 1949? How did the Allies respond?

Answer 6

The Soviets wanted to force surrender of efforts to reunify Germany. Allies responded with the 11 month Berlin Airlift.

Question 7

Define: Ho Chi Minh

Answer 7

Vietnamese nationalist who led Communist North Vietnam after French were ousted and Vietnam was divided at the 17th parallel

Question 8

Define: Khmer Rouge

Answer 8

Communists in Cambodia in 1975 under Pol Pot – ruthless conversion effort killed 1/4 of population

Question 9

In what way was the Korean War important for the United Nations?

Answer 9

15 UN nations (largely U.S. ) participated in defense of S. Korea

Question 10

Define: Third World

Answer 10

Developing nations, often newly independent, who weren’t aligned with either superpower (U.S. or Soviet Union).

Question 11

Define: Fidel Castro

Answer 11

Cuban communist revolutionary who came to power after 1959 revolution against U.S.-backed dictator Batista and was the new, extremely harsh dictator for many years.

Question 12

Define: Ayatollah Khomeini

Answer 12

Conservative Muslim leader who led Iranians in 1978 revolt against the U.S.-backed Shah of Iran. Established an Islamic State.

Question 13

Define: Taliban

Answer 13

Religious group in Afghanistan, part of the mujahedeen (holy warriors) backed by the U.S. to repel Soviet invaders

Question 14

Why did some nations maintain neutrality?

Answer 14

(??) Wanted no part of the arms war (e.g., Indian Nehru)

Question 15

Define: detente

Answer 15

French word meaning “loosening” that became the international policy created by Nixon and became more widespread under the Helsinki Accords. Replaced brinkmanship.

Question 16

Define: realpolitik

Answer 16

Under Nixon: dealing with other nations reasonably and flexibly.

Question 17

Define: Gorbachev

Answer 17

General Secretary of the Communist Party, chosen by the Politburo (ruling committee of the Communist Party). Pursued reform to save Soviet Union, but ultimately triggered its breakup. Glasnost, perestoika and democratization policies. Signed INF treaty with U.S. (banned intermediate range nuclear missiles).

Question 18

Define: glasnost

Answer 18

“openness.” 1985 Gorbachev policy. Free flow of ideas & information to spark economic and social reform and remedy economic stagnation.

Question 19

Define: perestroika

Answer 19

“economic restructuring.” 1985 Gorbachev policy. Gave greater authority to local managers and allowed opening of small private businesses.

Question 20

Define: Boris Yeltsin

Answer 20

1st directly elected Russian president (elected in 1991). Critical of Gorbachev’s crackdown in Lithuania. Entered into war with rebellious Chechnya (Muslim area) in 1994. Resigned in 1999 and replaced by Vladimir Putin.

Question 21

What were the 3 policy reforms that Gorbachev instituted and how did they help to move the USSR toward democracy? Identify and explain each.

Answer 21

glasnost, perestroika, democratization (gradual opening of political systems – elections)

Question 22

Why did the USSR officially cease to exist?

Answer 22

Yeltsin formed Commnwealth of Independent States (CIS) with republics which were part of USSR with Russia. Gorbachev resigned as president 12/25/91.

Question 23

Define: solidarity

Answer 23

Polish union led by Lech Walesa. Striking workers at Gdansk shipyard demanded its recognition.

Question 24

Define: reunification

Answer 24

Merging of the two Germanys after the fall of the Berlin wall (opened November 9, 1989 by East German leader Egon Krenz). Official reunited October 3, 1990.

Question 25

Define: Lech Walesa

Answer 25

Leader of Polish Solidarity union, elected president in 89/90 elections. Shock therapy to reform economy (abrupt shift to free market economics). Inflation and unemployment up, but economy improved. Voted out in 1995.