The Cold War from 1945 to 1980 (College Board AP® US History): Flashcards
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When did the Cold War begin?
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Cards in this collection (32)
When did the Cold War begin?
The Cold War began as World War II ended in 1945.
True or False?
The United States and the Soviet Union were enemies during World War II.
False.
The United States and the Soviet Union were allies during World War II.
Why did the US-Soviet alliance break down after World War II?
The Soviets installed their own governments in Eastern European nations.
In which Eastern European countries did the Soviets install their own governments?
They installed governments in countries including Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and East Germany.
Why did the Soviets want a buffer zone in Eastern Europe?
They wanted to protect the Soviet Union in case Germany rose to power again.
Besides creating a buffer zone against Germany, the Soviets installed their own governments in Eastern Europe to spread .
Besides creating a buffer zone against Germany, the Soviets installed their own governments in Eastern Europe to spread communism.
Why did the US fear the spread of communism?
Communism directly conflicted with American democratic capitalism.
How did US goals for Germany differ from Soviet goals?
The Soviets wanted to keep Germany weak, while the US wanted Germany to embrace democratic values and become strong enough to help stabilize Europe.
How did the breakdown of the alliance affect US views of the Soviet Union?
US officials stopped trusting their former Soviet allies.
Define containment.
Containment was the US policy, adopted in 1947, of preventing the spread of communism without starting a war.
Who proposed containment in "The Long Telegram"?
Soviet affairs expert George F. Kennan proposed containment in "The Long Telegram."
Define Truman Doctrine (1947).
The Truman Doctrine was the first test of containment: $400 million in economic and military aid to help Greece and Turkey resist communism.
How did the Marshall Plan help the US economy?
It increased American exports to Europe.
Why did Eastern European nations and the Soviet Union refuse Marshall Plan aid?
They felt it would make them dependent on the United States.
What did the National Security Act (1947) create?
It created a centralized Department of Defense, the National Security Council (NSC), and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
How did Truman respond to the Soviet atomic bomb test in 1949?
Truman authorized a hydrogen bomb, which was completed in 1952.
Define mutually assured destruction (MAD).
MAD was the idea that if one side launched nuclear weapons, the other would too, destroying both, so simply having nuclear weapons was a deterrent.
Define collective security.
Collective security is a system in which countries agree to defend each other, so an attack on one is an attack on all.
Who were NATO's founding members (1949)?
NATO was founded by the United States, Canada, and 10 European nations.
How did the Soviet Union respond to NATO?
The Soviet Union created its own collective security alliance, the Warsaw Pact.
The Berlin Blockade began in June , when the Soviets cut off all land access to Berlin.
The Berlin Blockade began in June 1948, when the Soviets cut off all land access to Berlin.
How did Truman respond to the Berlin Blockade?
The Berlin Airlift flew supplies to West Berlin, and Truman sent 60 atomic-capable bombers to England.
What was the result of the Berlin Blockade?
It ended after 11 months and led to the creation of West Germany (FRG) and East Germany (GDR).
What was the Bay of Pigs invasion (1961)?
It was a failed invasion of communist Cuba by CIA-trained Cuban exiles, authorized by Kennedy, which pushed Castro closer to the Soviet Union.
How did Kennedy respond to the discovery of missile sites in Cuba in October 1962?
He announced a naval blockade of Cuba until the weapons were removed, bringing the world to the verge of nuclear war for 13 days.
Define proxy war.
A proxy war is an indirect war between communist and non-communist powers, fought through other nations, such as the Korean War.
How did China become involved in the Korean War?
UN forces got too close to China's border, so Chinese troops drove them out of North Korea.
Why did Truman block MacArthur's plan to invade China?
The plan did not follow the policy of containment.
Define détente.
Détente was the easing of Cold War tensions, pursued by President Richard Nixon and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger.
How did Nixon and Kissinger use China to ease Cold War tensions?
They improved relations with China and used this to pressure the Soviet Union into arms-limitation talks (SALT I).
The Korean War began when North Korea invaded South Korea in June .
The Korean War began when North Korea invaded South Korea in June 1950.
True or False?
The United States won the Korean War.
False.
Neither side won the Korean War. Containment worked, but many Americans thought Truman was not hard enough on communism.
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