Cold War Terms P2 Flashcards
(20 cards)
What was Ping Pong Diplomacy?
Friendly matches between American and Chinese ping pong players that eased tensions and opened relations between the US and China
Occurred from April 10–17, 1971
When did Nixon visit China?
February 21-28, 1972
He was the first US president to visit China, improving US-China relations.
What was the purpose of the SALT I Agreement?
To limit the number of nuclear weapons held by the US and the Soviet Union
Signed on May 26, 1972, to slow the arms race.
What were the Helsinki Accords?
A major agreement between 35 countries to respect human rights and national borders in Europe
Signed on August 1, 1975, it aimed to ease Cold War tensions.
What event is referred to as the Iran Hostage Crisis?
Iranian revolutionaries held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days
From November 4, 1979, to January 20, 1981, damaging US-Iran relations.
What was the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan?
The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to support a communist government
Occurred on December 24, 1979, seen as aggressive expansion by the US.
What is the Carter Doctrine?
A policy stating the US would use military force to protect its interests in the Persian Gulf
Announced on January 23, 1980, after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
What was the Moscow Olympics Boycott?
The US and other countries refused to attend the Olympics in Moscow to protest the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
Took place from July 19 – August 3, 1980.
What is the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)?
A proposed missile defense system to protect the US from nuclear attacks using space-based technology
Announced on March 23, 1983, also known as ‘Star Wars’.
What is the Reagan Doctrine?
A policy where the US helped anti-communist groups around the world
Announced on February 6, 1985, involving support to Afghan rebels against the Soviet invasion.
What was the INF Treaty?
An agreement to eliminate a whole category of nuclear missiles
Signed on December 8, 1987, especially those that could hit Europe quickly.
What happened during the Tiananmen Square Massacre?
Chinese students protested for more freedom, leading to a violent crackdown by the government
Occurred on June 3–4, 1989, shocking the world.
What did the Fall of the Berlin Wall symbolize?
The end of the Cold War and the collapse of communist control in Eastern Europe
Happened on November 9, 1989.
What was the Velvet Revolution?
A peaceful protest movement that ended communist rule in Czechoslovakia
Took place on November 17, 1989.
What was the End of the Warsaw Pact?
The military alliance of communist countries led by the Soviet Union ended
Occurred on July 1, 1991, as those countries began turning democratic.
What was the Dissolution of the Soviet Union?
The Soviet Union broke apart into 15 separate countries
Happened on December 26, 1991, ending the Cold War and Soviet communism.
What is Realpolitik?
A practical approach to politics focused on power and results
Emphasizes outcomes over ideals or morals.
What does Détente refer to?
A period during the Cold War when the US and USSR tried to reduce tensions and improve relationships
Particularly notable in the 1970s.
What is Glasnost?
A Soviet policy meaning ‘openness’ that allowed more freedom of speech and the press
Introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev.
What is Perestroika?
A Soviet policy meaning ‘restructuring’ aimed at reforming the economy and government
Introduced to fix major problems in the USSR.
