1970s Cold War Flashcards
(11 cards)
What common objective kept the UK and USA aligned during the 1970s Cold War?
Containing and resisting the spread of Communism.
What was “détente” during the 1970s?
An easing of tensions between the US and USSR, leading to arms control talks and direct communication (e.g., the hotline
What speech earned Margaret Thatcher the nickname “The Iron Lady”?
Her 1976 “Britain Awake” speech criticising the Soviet Union for being “bent on world dominance.”
What was the significance of the 1978 assassination of Georgi Markov?
It exposed continued Cold War tensions; he was a critic of the USSR, killed in London, allegedly by the KGB.
What Cold War event occurred in 1979 involving the Soviet Union?
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, which reignited Cold War hostilities.
How did the US respond to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?
The CIA secretly armed the Mujahideen, including Osama Bin Laden’s faction.
Who led Communist China from 1949 until 1976?
Mao Zedong.
What was the Soviet-Sino Split?
A breakdown in relations between the USSR and China due to leadership disputes in the Communist world
What major diplomatic event occurred in 1971–72 involving China?
US President Nixon visited China in 1972, improving relations; Britain followed suit in 1979.
What was Edward Heath’s role in UK–China relations?
As PM, he visited China multiple times and helped establish formal diplomatic ties.
What happened during Premier Hua Guofeng’s 1979 visit to Britain?
It marked the first Chinese leader’s visit to the UK since the Communist Revolution; he discussed Hong Kong and improved relations.
