The Cold War - AP World History: Modern

Harry S. Truman. Announced the doctrine in 1947 to Congress requesting aid for Greece and Turkey.

It brought the US and Soviet Union close to nuclear war. Thirteen-day standoff in 1962 was the closest the world came to nuclear war.

Nikita Khrushchev. Soviet Premier who placed missiles in Cuba and negotiated their removal.

A geopolitical tension between the US and Soviet Union after WWII. Defined by nuclear arms race and proxy wars without direct military confrontation.

Capitalism vs. Communism. Two opposing economic and political systems that shaped global alliances.

A metaphorical division between Eastern and Western Europe. Churchill's term describing Soviet control over Eastern European satellite states.

A US policy to contain the spread of communism. Established to support free nations against communist expansion and Soviet pressure.

1. Constructed overnight to stop East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin.

Easing of tensions between the US and Soviet Union in the 1970s. Period of reduced hostility marked by arms control agreements and diplomatic dialogue.

An American initiative to aid Western Europe's economic recovery. Provided $13 billion to rebuild Western Europe and counter Soviet influence.

NATO and the Warsaw Pact. Opposing military alliances representing Western and Eastern bloc nations respectively.

The launch of Sputnik by the Soviet Union in 1957. First artificial satellite demonstrated Soviet technological superiority and shocked America.

To prevent the spread of communism. Core US strategy to limit communist expansion without direct military confrontation.

The Monroe Doctrine. 19th-century policy extended to justify intervention against communist influence.

A doctrine of deterrence during the nuclear arms race. Both superpowers held enough weapons to destroy each other completely.

To develop missile defense systems against nuclear attacks. Reagan's 'Star Wars' program aimed to intercept incoming nuclear missiles.

The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. USSR's breakup into independent republics ended bipolar world order.

The belief that communism would spread to neighboring countries. Theory that communist victory in one nation would trigger regional spread.

To prevent conflicts and promote peace. International forum for dialogue though often paralyzed by superpower vetoes.

A group of states not formally aligned with any major power bloc. Led by countries like India and Egypt, sought independence from bloc politics.

A proxy war between communist and capitalist forces. First major Cold War conflict testing containment policy in divided Korea.

A major conflict symbolizing US efforts to prevent communism. Costly American defeat that weakened public support for containment strategy.

Increased global tension and fear of nuclear conflict. Created climate of mutual suspicion and massive military spending.

To limit the number of nuclear weapons held by the superpowers. Strategic Arms Limitation Treaties sought to control nuclear weapon stockpiles.

Openness. Policy allowing greater freedom of information and public discussion.

Restructuring. Economic and political reforms to modernize the Soviet system.

Soviet policy to intervene in support of communism. Justified 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia to preserve communist rule.

Heightened Cold War tensions due to a US spy plane capture. 1960 downing of Francis Gary Powers' spy plane ended summit diplomacy.

To supply West Berlin amidst a Soviet blockade. Massive operation delivering supplies by air for 11 months in 1948-49.