American Yawp Chapter 25 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary purpose of the Long Telegram?

To declare war on the Soviet Union

To establish a peace treaty with the USSR

To promote democracy in Eastern Europe

To inform the US of Soviet expansionism (correct)

What does Churchill's curtain refer to?

The Iron Curtain that split Europe into democratic West and communist East.

What event led to the Cold War's emergence?

A failure to achieve a durable settlement among the Big Three Allies after World War II.

What does 'long roots' of it all refer to?

Decades of mutual suspicions between the US and Soviet Union. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their descriptions:

Security Council = An important division of the UN with five permanent members. Mr. X = George Kennan's warning about the Soviet Union. Truman Doctrine = Support for countries threatened by communism. Marshall Plan = US economic aid for rebuilding Western Europe. Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the Security Council?

To respond quickly to international crises. Signup and view all the answers

What was the warning given by Mr. X?

To regard the Soviet Union as a rival, not a partner. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Truman Doctrine?

It was a principle to support countries threatened by Soviet forces. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Marshall Plan's primary goal?

To rebuild Western Europe and win support for capitalist democracies. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Allied airlift in response to?

The Soviet Union's ground blockade of West Berlin. Signup and view all the answers

What was NATO?

A mutual defense pact among Western countries Signup and view all the answers

What escalated the Cold War in 1949?

The victory of the Chinese Communist Party and the Soviet Union's atomic bomb test. Signup and view all the answers

What does NSC-68 argue?

It urged a rapid build-up of US political, economic, and military strength. Signup and view all the answers

What triggered the Korean War?

Fighting between communist North Korea and US-backed South Korea. Signup and view all the answers

What does MAD stand for?

Mutually Assured Destruction. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Long Telegram

Authored by George Kennan while at the US Embassy in Moscow.
Warned the US State Department about Soviet expansionism and the need for containment of communism.

Churchill's Curtain

Coined by former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Described the "Iron Curtain" dividing democratic West and communist East Europe.

Cold War

Emerged from a failure to create a stable postwar order among the "Big Three" Allies: US, Britain, and the Soviet Union.

Long Roots of Conflict

WWII alliances were temporary, masking deep-seated mutual suspicions.
US and Soviet collaboration hinged solely on their shared enemy, Hitler.

Security Council

A key UN body with five permanent members: US, Britain, China, France, and Russia, plus ten rotating members.
Activated to address international crises promptly.

Mr. X

George Kennan's pseudonym where he articulated that the US should regard the Soviet Union as a rival, not a partner.

Truman Doctrine

Introduced in 1947 by President Truman, advocating US support to countries threatened by communism.
Seen as a declaration of the Cold War, especially concerning aid to Greece and Turkey to combat growing communist influence.
European concerns about poverty heightened vulnerability to Soviet propaganda.

Marshall Plan

US initiative providing $13 billion for Western European reconstruction (1948-1952).
Aimed at rebuilding economies, easing trade barriers, and promoting capitalist democracy.

Allied Airlift

Initiated by the US in response to the Soviet blockade of West Berlin.
Essential supplies were airlifted into West Berlin for eleven months until the blockade ended on May 12, 1949.

NATO vs. Warsaw Pact

NATO formed as a mutual defense alliance in 1949 with twelve member nations, including the US and Canada.
The Soviet Union established the Warsaw Pact in 1955, including Eastern Bloc states.

1949 Escalation of the Cold War

Chinese Communist Party victory under Mao Tse-tung marked a significant loss for the US.
Coincided with the Soviet Union's successful atomic bomb test.

NSC-68

A pivotal National Security memorandum advocating for expedited military and economic strength against Soviet actions.
Emphasized the need to “roll back” perceived Soviet ambitions.

Korean War

Armed conflict erupted between communist North Korea and US-backed South Korea after a surprise attack.
General MacArthur's push for nuclear action led to his dismissal by President Truman, who sought to avoid escalating to a world war.

Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

A strategic doctrine where both sides deterred from initiating war through the threat of total nuclear annihilation.
Ensured stability in cold relations due to the fear of catastrophic outcomes.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts from Chapter 25 of the American Yawp. This quiz covers important historical terms such as the Long Telegram and Churchill's Iron Curtain. Prepare to delve into the Cold War era and understand the geopolitical divisions of the time.