Questions and Answers
What was the primary purpose of the Long Telegram?
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?
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Match the following concepts with their descriptions:
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What was the role of the Security Council?
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What was the warning given by Mr. X?
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What is the significance of the Truman Doctrine?
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What was the Marshall Plan's primary goal?
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What was the Allied airlift in response to?
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What was NATO?
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What escalated the Cold War in 1949?
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What does NSC-68 argue?
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What triggered the Korean War?
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What does MAD stand for?
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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.