The Cold War Vocabulary

Question 1

Geopolitical

Answer 1

Definition → This is the influence of geography on politics and usually affects international relations.

Context → Geopolitical tensions rose around regions like Eastern Europe during the Cold War.

Question 2

Sovereignty

Answer 2

Definition → This is the right for a country to rule themselves.

Context → Many countries gained sovereignty after the slave trade.

Question 3

Containment

Answer 3

Definition → A U.S. policy that aims to prevent the spread of communism beyond its borders.

Context → The U.S. used a containment policy on the USSR.

Question 4

Nationalization

Answer 4

Definition →This is the transfer of privately owned assets into government property.

Context → During the Cuban Missile Crisis many American-owned businesses were nationalized.

Question 5

Cold War

Answer 5

Definition →It was a time when political and military tension between the U.S. and the USSR was without direct contact with each other.

Context → During the Cold War, the U.S. made the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan.

Question 6

Alliance

Answer 6

Definition → This is the formal joining of country forces together usually for mutual benefit and is often done as a matter of defense.

Context → The U.S. had allied with the USSR during World War II.

Question 7

ExComm

Answer 7

Definition → Executive Committee of the National Security Council used to manage the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Context → The ExComm was the one who advised President J.F.K. on how to deal with the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Question 8

Diplomacy

Answer 8

Definition → This is managing International Relations through negotiations and dialogues.

Context → Diplomacy was very much needed in resolving the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Question 9

Blockade

Answer 9

Definition → The prevention of importing and exporting goods overseas with the use of military action.

Context → The U.S. invoked a naval blockade on Cuba as a result of their strong support of communism.

Question 10

Espionage

Answer 10

Definition → Illegal spying on another country to gain information for a military or political advantage.

Context → The U.S. conducted espionage on Cuba which led to the Bay Of Pigs invasion.

Question 11

Deterrence

Answer 11

Definition → Preventing action and aggression by inflicting the fear of retaliation on the victim or opponent.

Context → The U.S. used nuclear deterrence as one of its main tactics during the Cold War.

Question 12

Doctrine

Answer 12

Definition → A given principle or policy adopted by a government or leader of a country.

Context → The Monroe Doctrine was used during the Cold War.

Question 13

Nuclear Arms Race

Answer 13

Definition → A competition or a race for nuclear power/dominance between two countries.

Context → The USSR and the U.S. adopted the nuclear arms race during the Cold War.

Question 14

De-escalation

Answer 14

Definition →This is the process of reducing tensions or conflict, often done through diplomacy.

Context →De-escalating during the Cuban Missile Crisis helped prevent a nuclear war.

Question 15

Socialism in One Country

Answer 15

Definition →Stalin’s policy of strengthening socialism before exporting it outside their borders.

Context → Under this policy, the USSR focused on industrialization and collectivization of agriculture.

Question 16

Five-Year Plans

Answer 16

Definition → Soviet government initiatives aimed at industrializing the economy and increasing production.

Context → Stalin’s Five Year Plans prioritized heavy industry over consumer goods.

Question 17

Collectivization

Answer 17

Definition → Forced consolidation of individual farms into large state-controlled enterprises.

Context → Collectivization in the Soviet Union led to widespread famine.

Question 18

Propaganda

Answer 18

Definition → Biased or misleading information that is used to promote a political cause.

Context → Propaganda posters of the USSR depicted it as a utopia.

Question 19

Iron Curtain

Answer 19

Definition → A metaphorical division between Communist Eastern Europe and Capitalist Western Europe.

Context →Winston Churchill used the term “Iron Curtain” in one of his speeches in 1946.

Question 20

Embargo

Answer 20

Definition →Official ban or trade or other commercial activity with a particular country.

Context →The U.S. imposed an embargo on Cuba after the revolution.

Question 21

Describe the geopolitical factors leading to the Cold War. Provide at least TWO examples.

Answer 21

The division of Europe into Western and Eastern regions.

The Iron Curtain intensified tensions between both areas.

Question 22

What were the main goals of the Truman Doctrine? Name TWO.

Answer 22

The Truman Doctrine was made to contain communism.

Economic military aid to countries resisting communism.

Question 23

Explain TWO outcomes of the Yalta Conference.

Answer 23

At the Yalta Conference, the decision to divide Germany into four occupational zones was made.

The promise to hold free elections in Eastern Europe.

Question 24

Identify TWO key policies of Stalin’s “Socialism in One Country.”

Answer 24

There was rapid industrialization made to strengthen the Soviet economy and make it self-sufficient.

Including the collectivization of agriculture to increase food production and eliminate private firms.

Question 25

Provide TWO reasons why the U.S. implemented the Marshall Plan.

Answer 25

It was implemented to rebuild war-torn Europe and prevent economic stability. It was also made to stop the spread of communism by stabilizing European Democracies.

Question 26

Name THREE key decisions made at the Potsdam Conference.

Answer 26

A decision to demilitarize and disarm Germany was made. Reparations would be taken from each occupying zone. The Allies agreed to prosecute Nazi war criminals in the Nuremberg Trials.

Question 27

Describe THREE impacts of Stalin's Five-Year Plans on the Soviet Union.

Answer 27

There was rapid industrial growth, especially in areas like steel and coal. There was a severe shortage of consumer goods due to a large focus on industry. Widespread suffering because of forced labor and collectivization.

Question 28

Identify TWO causes of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Answer 28

The soviet union’s decision to install nuclear missiles in Cuba. The U.S. missiles in Turkey.

Question 29

List THREE actions taken by the U.S. during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Answer 29

The U.S. imposed a naval blockade on Cuba to prevent further missile shipments. They also publicly demanded the removal of Soviet Missiles from Cuba. Negotiated with the USSR secretly to remove missiles in Turkey as an exchange

Question 30

Name THREE measures taken by the USSR to control Eastern Europe after WWII.

Answer 30

Established communist governments in Poland and Hungary. Created the Warsaw Pact as a military alliance. Used secret police and suppression of dissent,

Question 31

Identify TWO methods used in Soviet propaganda under Stalin.

Answer 31

They glorified Stalin as a heroic and infallible leader with posters and speeches. The censoring of opposing views and promotion of communist ideals in schools and media.

Question 32

What were TWO consequences of the Great Purge on Soviet society?

Answer 32

Political rivals were eliminated including perceived enemies consolidating Stalin’s power. Significant loss of intellectuals, military leaders, and professionals weakening societal institutions.

Question 33

Explain TWO impacts of the Cuban Revolution on U.S.-Cuban relations.

Answer 33

The U.S. imposed an economic embargo on Cuba after Fudel Castro aligned himself with the USSR. Cuba became the center point of Cold War tensions, culminating in the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Question 34

List THREE major decisions made during the Cuban Missile Crisis negotiations.

Answer 34

The USSR agreed to remove its missiles from Cuba. The U.S. agreed not to invade Cuba The U.S. secretly agreed to remove missiles from Turkey

Question 35

What were TWO effects of the Bay of Pigs invasion on Cold War tensions?

Answer 35

It strengthened Cuban-Soviet ties, as Cuba turned to the USSR for protection. This embarrasses the U.S., increasing Cold War animosities and eventually leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Question 36

Name THREE ways the Space Race influenced U.S.-Soviet relations.

Answer 36

It intensified the competition for technological and scientific dominance. It led to massive investments in science and education in both countries. Improved public morale and global influence for the space race leader,

Question 37

Identify TWO immediate consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis for Cuba.

Answer 37

It increased their overdependence on the USSR for military and economic aid. It assured them from the U.S. that Cuba would not face further invasions.

Question 38

List TWO reasons Khrushchev criticized Stalin in his 1956 speech.

Answer 38

Stalin’s use of terror and purges against innocent people. Stalin created a cult of personality, betraying Marxist-Leninist principles.

Question 39

What were THREE long-term consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis on global politics?

Answer 39

The establishment of direct communication between the U.S. and the USSR via Hotline to prevent future crises. An increase in focus on arms control agreements such as the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Heightened global awareness of the dangers of nuclear war, leading to peace movements.