Download COLD WAR TO MODERN TIMES VOCABULARY

COLD WAR TO MODERN TIMES VOCABULARY
balance of power : A political policy in which countries attempt to preserve peace by keeping an equal
military and economic status.
Bay of Pigs : An unsuccessful invasion of Cuba in 1961, which was sponsored by the United States. Its
purpose was to overthrow Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.
Berlin Airlift : A re-supply operation to the city of Berlin that lasted 11 months during 1948-49 when the
Soviet Union attempted to close off the city.
Berlin Wall : A wall built in 1961 dividing Soviet controlled East Berlin from the democratic West
Berlin. It was destroyed when communism ended in 1990.
Castro, Fidel : (1926?- ) Leader of the Cuban Revolution and communist dictator of Cuba. He is
responsible for making Cuba a socialist country which has often been at odds with the United States.
Notably, the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Cold War : Non shooting conflict between the Soviet Union and their allies and the United States and
their allies. Numerous secondary conflicts arise due to the Cold War.
containment : A cold war policy that called for containing communism to areas already under its
influence. This policy was proposed by U.S. President Harry Truman.
Cuban Missile Crisis : (1961) Crises that developed as a result of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro’s decision
to allow the Soviet Union to base nuclear missiles in Cuba. Upon discovery, the United States confronted
the Soviet Union and demanded the missiles be removed. For nearly two weeks, nuclear war was
imminent. Fortunately, diplomacy succeeded and crisis was averted.
Cuban Revolution : (1958) A political revolution that removed the United States supported Fugencio
Batista from power. The revolution was led by Fidel Castro who became the new leader of Cuba as a
communist dictator.
détente : A policy during the Cold War which was aimed at relaxing tensions between the United States
and the Soviet Union. The policy calls for increase diplomatic and commercial activity.
domino theory : The idea that countries bordering communist countries were in more danger of falling to
communism unless the United States and other western nations worked to prevent it.
European Community/European Union : Economic union between countries in Europe for mutual
gain. Originally formed in 1951 as the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), it later became the
European Community in 1967, then the European Union in 1991.
Five Year Plans : Stalin's economic policy to rebuild the Soviet economy after World War II. Included
massive industrialization and farm collectivization, where peasants lived collectively on government
owned farms, often resulted in widespread famine as many peasants resisted this policy.
Glasnost : A policy of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev which called for more openness with the nations
of West, and a relaxing of restraints on Soviet citizenry.
Gorbachev, Mikhail : (1931- ), leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. His policies of Perestroika
and Glasnost, which aimed at revitalizing the Soviet Union contributed to the downfall of communism.
Iron Curtain : A term popularized by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to describe the Soviet
Union’s policy of isolation during the Cold War. The Iron Curtain isolated Eastern Europe from the rest
of the world. Its most poignant symbol was the Berlin Wall.
Khrushchev, Nikita : (1894-1971) Leader of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964. Khrushchev was
critical of Stalin’s policies and attempted to reverse some of them. He is responsible for placing nuclear
missiles in Cuba which resulted in the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Marshall Plan : Economic aid from the United States used to rebuild Europe after World War II. Named
after United States Secretary of State George Marshall.
NATO : North Atlantic Treaty Organization, an international defense alliance between the United States,
Great Britain, and others formed in 1949 as a response to the spread of communism.
Perestroika : A policy of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to revitalize the Soviet economy by opening it
up to more free enterprise.
Soviet Union (U.S.S.R.) : Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) Formed in 1922 from most of the
former Russian Empire. The Soviet Union was controlled by the Communist Party headquarter in
Moscow, Russia. The Soviet Union was a world superpower along with the United States, and was one of
the two major antagonist during the Cold War.
Space Race : Term given to the competition between the United States and the Soviet Union during the
Cold War to advance their space programs.
superpowers : Term given to the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
totalitarian state : A state or country completely controlled by a single power, such as a monarch or
dictator.
Truman Doctrine : A policy if the Truman presidency that called for supporting any nation resisting
communism.
United Nations : An international body composed of many countries that seeks to promote peace,
prosperity, and cooperation around the world. It was formed in 1945 at the end of World War II.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights : A document published by the United Nations in 1948 stating
that all people had certain basic rights including life, liberty, equality, justice and self determination.
Warsaw Pact : An international defense alliance between the Soviet Union and many of its Eastern
European satellite states as a response to NATO. Formed in 1955.