Cold War P1 Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is the economic system characterized by private ownership and free markets in the USA?
Capitalism
Capitalism emphasizes individual wealth and minimal government intervention.
What economic system does the USSR represent, characterized by government ownership and a planned economy?
Communism
Communism prioritizes equality over profit.
What type of political system is found in the USA?
Democracy and free speech
This system allows for multiple political parties and citizen participation.
What political system does the USSR have?
Single-party state and censorship
This system restricts political pluralism and controls information.
What were the postwar goals of the USA and Britain regarding Germany?
Strong, united Germany; independence for Eastern Europe
They aimed to prevent future conflicts and promote democracy.
What were the postwar goals of the USSR regarding Germany?
Weak, divided Germany; maintain Soviet control over Eastern Europe
This aimed to secure Soviet influence and prevent Western encroachment.
What promise did Stalin make at the Yalta Conference in 1945?
Free elections in Eastern Europe (unfulfilled)
This promise contributed to rising tensions between the superpowers.
What event in 1945 escalated tensions between Stalin and the US/Britain over free elections?
Potsdam Conference
Disagreements at this conference highlighted the growing divide.
What did Winston Churchill’s ‘Iron Curtain’ speech in 1946 signify?
The divide between Soviet-controlled Eastern Europe and the free Western world
This metaphor illustrated the ideological conflict of the Cold War.
What was the purpose of the Truman Doctrine introduced in 1947?
US pledged to support nations resisting communism
Examples include Greece and Turkey.
What was the Marshall Plan and how much aid was provided?
$13 billion in aid to rebuild Western Europe
This plan aimed to strengthen alliances and contain communism.
What was the Berlin Airlift in 1948?
Allied airlift countering the Soviet blockade of West Berlin
This action demonstrated the commitment to containment.
What is NATO and when was it formed?
A mutual defense pact among Western nations, formed in 1949
NATO stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
What was the Warsaw Pact and when was it created?
Soviet-led alliance in Eastern Europe, created in 1955
This was a response to the formation of NATO.
Who rose to power in China in 1949?
Mao Zedong’s Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
This marked the establishment of a communist government in China.
What was the outcome of the Korean War?
A ceasefire in 1953 with no clear winner
Korea remained divided at the 38th parallel.
What was the Eisenhower Doctrine introduced in 1957?
US pledges aid to Middle Eastern nations resisting communism
This was part of the broader containment strategy.
What was the Suez Crisis and what did it involve?
US pressured Britain, France, and Israel to withdraw from Egypt in 1956
It highlighted US influence in the Middle East.
What was the Loyalty Review Program initiated in 1947?
Federal employee background checks
This was part of the domestic response to perceived communist threats.
What were HUAC Investigations focused on?
Targeting suspected communists in government and Hollywood
HUAC stands for House Un-American Activities Committee.
What is McCarthyism?
Baseless accusations leading to paranoia about communism
This resulted in the Senate censure of McCarthy in 1954.
Who was Stalin and what was his role during the Cold War?
Leader of the USSR whose expansionist policies created tensions
His actions were pivotal in escalating the Cold War.
What was Truman’s contribution to US foreign policy?
The Truman Doctrine set a precedent for US containment strategy
It marked a shift in US involvement in global affairs.
What was Eisenhower’s approach to containment?
Advocated brinkmanship and military aid
This approach emphasized a strong military stance against communism.
