Questions and Answers
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Define the Cold War.
A state of high tension between the US and USSR and their allies following World War II that lasted until the fall of communism.
Explain the Truman Doctrine.
US policy established by Truman after WWII to stop the spread of communism, promising to support any nation threatened by it.
Explain the Marshall Plan.
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Explain the policy of Containment.
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What nations did the USSR take over after WWII?
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Identify NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
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What was the Berlin Blockade?
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What was the Berlin Airlift?
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What were the results of the Yalta Conference?
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Summarize the Korean War.
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List the successes of containment.
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List the failures of containment.
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What is the Domino Theory?
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What was the Tet Offensive?
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Study Notes
Cold War Overview
- High tension between the US and USSR after World War II, lasting until communism's fall.
- Conflict manifested through espionage, arms race, and containment policies like the Truman Doctrine.
Truman Doctrine
- Established by President Truman to prevent communism's spread.
- US pledged financial support to nations threatened by communism.
Marshall Plan
- Financial aid package from the US to Europe post-WWII.
- Aimed to stabilize economies to resist communism, despite being a covert initiative against it.
Policy of Containment
- US and allies aimed to stop the expansion of communism.
- Focused on preventing communist influence without attempting to overthrow existing communist governments.
USSR Expansion Post-WWII
- Nations overtaken by the USSR included Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and East Germany.
NATO and Warsaw Pact
- NATO formed in 1949 by the US, Canada, and ten European nations for mutual defense against communism.
- Warsaw Pact established as a communist counter-alliance among the USSR and its satellite states.
Berlin Blockade
- USSR blockaded West Berlin in response to currency reforms, cutting off supplies.
- Truman viewed this as a test of containment and rejected Soviet control over West Berlin.
Berlin Airlift
- US and UN sustained West Berlin through an airlift, lasting nearly a year.
- Stalin’s realization of the blockade's failure led to its removal, boosting US global image.
Yalta Conference Outcomes
- Agreements included free elections in liberated countries and widespread territorial adjustments.
- Germany divided into four zones of occupation; USSR promised to aid in the war against Japan.
Korean War (1950-53)
- Initiated by North Korea's invasion of South Korea; UN, primarily US forces, intervened.
- Conflict ended in a stalemate with an armistice, leaving heightened tensions.
Successes of Containment
- West Berlin's survival signified a defeat for Stalin after the Berlin Airlift.
- Marshall Plan and Truman Doctrine helped rebuild Western Europe, reducing communist susceptibility.
- US support secured a non-communist outcome in Turkey, Greece, and South Korea.
Failures of Containment
- USSR quickly established control over Eastern Europe with little opposition.
- Cuban Missile Crisis destabilized the Cuban government, fostering greater communist influence.
- US withdrawal from Vietnam led to South Vietnam's collapse, despite earlier intervention.
Domino Theory
- Concept that a communist victory in Vietnam would trigger widespread falls of non-communist governments in Southeast Asia.
- Only partially true; while Laos and Cambodia fell, it was not a direct result of Vietnam's communism.
Tet Offensive
- Major North Vietnamese military strategy involving significant assaults during the Tet holiday.
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Test your knowledge about the Cold War and the concept of Containment with these flashcards. Explore key terms and definitions that highlight the tension between the US and USSR post-World War II. Perfect for students looking to enhance their understanding of this pivotal historical period.