Unit 8 Most Important Concepts

Question 1

Cold War

Answer 1

A geopolitical tension (1947–1991) between the US (capitalist) and USSR (communist), marked by arms race, proxy wars, and ideological conflict.

Question 2

Iron Curtain

Answer 2

Term used by Winston Churchill to describe the division between democratic Western Europe and communist Eastern Europe.

Question 3

Truman Doctrine (1947)

Answer 3

US policy to support countries resisting communism, particularly Greece and Turkey.

Question 4

Marshall Plan

Answer 4

US program providing aid to rebuild Western Europe after WWII to prevent the spread of communism.

Question 5

NATO vs. Warsaw Pact

Answer 5

NATO: Western military alliance led by the US.
Warsaw Pact: Eastern bloc alliance led by USSR, response to NATO.

Question 6

Non-Aligned Movement

Answer 6

Group of states that remained neutral during the Cold War (e.g., India, Yugoslavia, Egypt).

Question 7

Korean War (1950–1953)

Answer 7

Proxy war between North Korea (USSR/China) and South Korea (USA/UN); ended in stalemate.

Question 8

Vietnam War

Answer 8

Proxy war where communist North Vietnam (with Soviet/Chinese support) fought US-backed South Vietnam; ended in communist victory.

Question 9

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

Answer 9

Standoff between US and USSR over Soviet missiles in Cuba; brought world close to nuclear war.

Question 10

Soviet-Afghan War (1979–1989)

Answer 10

USSR invaded Afghanistan to support communist regime; US-backed mujahideen resisted; considered USSR’s “Vietnam.”

Question 11

Chinese Communist Revolution (1949)

Answer 11

Mao Zedong’s Communist Party defeated the Nationalists, establishing the People’s Republic of China.

Question 12

Great Leap Forward (1958–1962)

Answer 12

Mao’s plan to industrialize China quickly; led to massive famine and millions of deaths.

Question 13

Cultural Revolution (1966–1976)

Answer 13

Mao’s campaign to purge capitalist elements and enforce communist ideology; involved mass persecution.

Question 14

Indian Independence (1947)

Answer 14

Achieved through nonviolent resistance led by Gandhi; resulted in partition into India and Pakistan.

Question 15

Partition of India

Answer 15

Division into Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan; triggered massive violence and migration.

Question 16

African Decolonization

Answer 16

Gained momentum post-WWII; countries like Ghana (Kwame Nkrumah) and Kenya (Mau Mau) fought for independence.

Question 17

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Answer 17

Ongoing conflict over land and statehood after the creation of Israel in 1948; escalated by wars and displacement.

Question 18

End of the Cold War

Answer 18

Marked by reforms in USSR (Perestroika & Glasnost), fall of Berlin Wall (1989), and USSR collapse (1991).