Brinkmanship in the Cold War Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Identify at least two effects of the arms race between the United States and the USSR.

Nuclear weapons threatened to begin regional arms races, and a solid agreement limiting stockpiles was difficult to find.

In which year was U.S. defense spending the lowest?

1984

When did U.S. defense spending increase the most?

Between 1950 and 1953

Which of the following best describes Eisenhower's position on the arms race?

If one nation used its nuclear weapons on another, both nations would be destroyed. Signup and view all the answers

What key component of U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War is Dulles describing?

Brinkmanship Signup and view all the answers

The most important goal of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was to?

Achieve human space flight Signup and view all the answers

The launch of Sputnik I stunned Americans because?

The USSR had launched the world's first artificial satellite. Signup and view all the answers

What NASA program had Neil Armstrong successfully completed when he took his first steps on the moon?

The Apollo Program Signup and view all the answers

The policy of containment involved?

Stopping the spread of Communism beyond its 1947 borders. Signup and view all the answers

President Eisenhower used domino theory to argue that?

The United States had to prevent the spread of Communism. Signup and view all the answers

The country shown on the map to the right is?

Vietnam Signup and view all the answers

During WWII, this country was a colony of?

France Signup and view all the answers

In 1958, Ho Chi Minh was the leader of?

North Vietnam Signup and view all the answers

Why did the United States oppose Ho Chi Minh?

He wanted to reunite Vietnam under Communist rule. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement(s) below are true?

Ho Chi Minh and his supporters defeated the French at Dien Bien Phu. Signup and view all the answers

The purpose of SEATO was to prevent the spread of?

Communism in Southeast Asia. Signup and view all the answers

Which country refused to grant independence to Vietnam?

France Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly sequences the events in Vietnam?

Ho Chi Minh won at Dien Bien Phu. Signup and view all the answers

The United States became involved in Vietnam because Americans feared that?

Laos and Cambodia would become Communist if Vietnam became Communist. Signup and view all the answers

Brinkmanship was a bold, aggressive idea because it required?

Bluffing an attack so an enemy would back down. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the United States suffer a loss of confidence following the launch of Sputnik I?

The United States assumed that they would be first into space, before the Soviets. Signup and view all the answers

What was the goal of President Truman's policy of containment?

To stop Communism from spreading to non-Communist countries. Signup and view all the answers

After the success of the Sputnik launch, the United States feared that?

The Soviets had superior nuclear capabilities. Signup and view all the answers

One goal of both the United States and the USSR during the arms race was to?

Build more destructive weapons. Signup and view all the answers

How did the United States try to influence Vietnam's national elections in 1956?

It backed Ngo Dinh Diem as president in South Vietnam. Signup and view all the answers

The theory that the threat of nuclear war is enough to prevent an attack is called?

Nuclear deterrence. Signup and view all the answers

What was the major impact of the launch of Sputnik I on the United States?

The United States took steps to catch up and surpass the Soviets in the space race. Signup and view all the answers

During the Cold War arms race, how did the hydrogen bomb differ from the atomic bomb?

The hydrogen bomb was more destructive than the atomic bomb. Signup and view all the answers

How did the concept of mutually assured destruction influence the Cold War?

It reminded people that a nuclear war would be devastating for everyone. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Arms Race Effects

Nuclear weapons acquisition by both the U.S. and USSR created potential for regional arms races.
Agreement to limit nuclear stockpiles was challenging, illustrating difficulties in Cold War diplomacy.
President Eisenhower advocated for ‘open skies’ in 1955 to promote transparency and trust.

U.S. Defense Spending Trends

U.S. defense spending was lowest in 1984.
The most significant increase in defense spending occurred between 1950 and 1953.

Eisenhower and the Arms Race

Eisenhower recognized that nuclear conflict would lead to mutual destruction of involved nations.

Key Cold War Policies

Dulles described brinkmanship as a major component of U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War.

NASA and Space Exploration

NASA's primary goal was achieving human space flight.
The launch of Sputnik I by the USSR was a pivotal moment, as it marked the first artificial satellite in space.

Apollo Program

Neil Armstrong completed the Apollo Program, famously stating, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" upon moon landing.

Containment Policy

The policy of containment aimed to halt the spread of Communism beyond its 1947 boundaries.
President Eisenhower utilized the domino theory to assert that preventing Communist expansion in Vietnam was crucial.

Vietnam War Context

Vietnam was originally a French colony and struggled for independence.
Ho Chi Minh led North Vietnam in 1958, seeking to reunite Vietnam under Communist rule, which alarmed the United States.

SEATO and U.S. Involvement

The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was established to prevent the spread of Communism in Southeast Asia.
The U.S. supported Ngo Dinh Diem as president of South Vietnam to counter potential Communist influence during the 1956 national elections.

Impact of Sputnik I

Following the launch of Sputnik I, the U.S. experienced a loss of confidence, fearing the Soviets possessed superior nuclear capabilities.
Sputnik prompted U.S. efforts to enhance capabilities in the space race.

Nuclear Deterrence

The theory of nuclear deterrence suggests that the threat of nuclear war can prevent military attacks.
Mutually assured destruction highlighted the catastrophic consequences of a nuclear war, influencing Cold War dynamics.

Hydrogen Bomb vs. Atomic Bomb

The hydrogen bomb surpassed the atomic bomb in destructiveness, escalating the arms race further.
Both the U.S. and USSR focused on developing more powerful, destructive weapons during the Cold War.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the key concepts of brinkmanship during the Cold War with these flashcards. Explore the effects of the arms race between the United States and the USSR, as well as important events and agreements from that era. Perfect for students of history and political science.