Download Cold War Study Guide

Social Studies Study Guide: 5th Grade
Fighting the Cold War
1, Communism: a political system where the government owns the
factories and natural resources and controls the production of goods; all
industries, land, and businesses are owned by a government; people are
not free to make decisions and have liberty. The Soviet Union set up this
type of government after World War II and intended to spread their
control to other countries.
2. Cold War: a period of hostility and tension during the 1950s and 60s
between democracy and communism. The primary countries were the
U.S. and the Soviet Union. It was fought with propaganda, money, and a
buildup of arms instead of with soldiers on the battlefield.
3. Iron Curtain: an imaginary wall or dividing line separating the Soviet
Union and other countries that it controlled from all other nations. Prime
minister of Great Britain created this metaphor. People living on the
communist side of the curtain were cut off from the rest of the world.
4. Berlin Airlift: in an effort to pressure the Allies out of West Berlin, the
Soviet Union blocked all supplies from getting into the city by water, road,
or rail. That included food and fuel. The U.S. and Allied countries brought
in supplies by airplane to West Berlin, Germany; the airlift began in 1948
and lasted until 1949; The Soviet Union gave up and lifted the blockade in
West Berlin.
5. Korean War: South Korea was a free country that was invaded by
communist North Korea; South Korea was helped by the United States to
try to stop the spread of Communism. North Korea was helped by the
People’s Republic of China. The war lasted from June 1950 to July 1953. In
the end, the war was a stalemate – no winner.
6. NATO: The United States and European countries decided to form an
alliance (partnership) for protection against Communism. In 1949, 12
nations joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). They agreed
to help each other in case of a military attack. Since 1949, more nations
have joined the organization.
7. Cuban Missile Crisis: In 1962, the U.S. learned that the Soviet Union had
built missile launch sites in Cuba; President John Kennedy ordered a naval
blockade of Cuba – blocking any Soviet ship carrying missiles from
getting to Cuba. This led to tension, anger, and fear between the U.S.,
Cuba, and the Soviet Union. After a13 day stand-off, the Soviet Union said
they would remove the missiles in Cuba if the U.S. would promise not to
invade Cuba. The U.S. agreed. This was the closest the world has ever
come to a nuclear war.
8. Vietnam War: war fought in Vietnam from 1957 – 1973. The U.S.
entered the war to help South Vietnam stay free and independent from
the communist government of North Vietnam.
There were many protests at home in the U.S. Some people felt that we
needed to fight more aggressively and end the war quickly. Some
thought that the U.S. needed to let the Vietnamese take care of
themselves. Many American lives were lost and young men were angry
about being drafted.
The U.S. withdrew its troops in 1973. South Vietnam had to surrender to
North Vietnam. Today, Vietnam in one country under Communist rule.
9. Cease Fire: an agreement to stop fighting; the war in Vietnam ended
with a cease fire.
10. Joseph McCarthy: a senator from Wisconsin that accused some U.S.
state department officials of being Communists; although it was never
proven, many people believed him and he became a powerful influence.
This was known as “McCarthyism” – his accusations ruined many people’s
lives and reputations.
11. Nikita Khrushchev: he was the premier (political leader) of the Soviet
Union and head of the Soviet Communist Party; in 1956, he made a
famous speech warning Western countries – “History is on our side. We
will bury you!”
Khrushchev negotiated with Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis to
end the stand-off and pull the two countries back from the brink of
nuclear war. Both leaders realized that war would have been an
unspeakable disaster.