Cold War Flashcards
(18 cards)
Who were Ethel & Julius Rosenberg?
American couple executed in 1953 for espionage after being convicted of passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union
Their trial and execution remain controversial, with debates over whether they were guilty.
What is NATO?
A military alliance formed in 1949 among the United States, Canada, and several Western European countries to provide collective defense against the Soviet Union and its allies.
Define McCarthyism.
The practice of making baseless accusations of communism or subversion, particularly by U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s.
What was the Warsaw Pact?
A military alliance formed in 1955 by the Soviet Union and its Eastern European satellite states as a response to NATO.
What were the Army-McCarthy hearings?
A series of hearings in 1954 in which Senator Joseph McCarthy was publicly challenged by the U.S. Army regarding his anti-communist investigations.
What was the Berlin Blockade?
A Soviet blockade in 1948-1949 of West Berlin, attempting to force the Allies out of the city.
What strategy is referred to as massive retaliation?
A Cold War strategy where the U.S. would respond to any Soviet aggression with overwhelming nuclear force.
What was the Berlin Airlift?
A massive airlift operation in 1948-1949 by the United States and its allies to supply West Berlin during the Soviet blockade.
What was Sputnik?
The first artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, marking the beginning of the space race.
What is the Department of Defense?
The U.S. government department responsible for coordinating and supervising national defense and the armed forces.
What are ICBMs?
Long-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads and traveling thousands of miles to target distant locations.
What does the CIA do?
The U.S. government agency responsible for gathering, analyzing, and conducting covert operations to protect U.S. national security interests abroad.
Who was Francis Gary Powers?
An American U-2 spy plane pilot shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960.
What is the NSC?
A U.S. government body that advises the president on national security and foreign policy matters.
What is the military-industrial complex?
A term popularized by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1961, warning about the close relationship between the military, government, and defense contractors.
Define nuclear proliferation.
The spread of nuclear weapons and technology to countries beyond the original nuclear powers.
Who was Nikita Khrushchev?
The leader of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964, known for de-Stalinization and improving relations with the West.
What is NSC-68?
A key document produced by the U.S. National Security Council in 1950 outlining the U.S. strategy of global containment of communism.
