Cold War Background and Spheres of Influence

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Questions and Answers

What characterized the Cold War notably aside from the nuclear standoff between superpowers?

Proxy conflicts in various regions (correct)
A united military front against Germany
Global trade agreements
Direct military confrontations between the USSR and USA

Which of the following statements is true regarding the division of Europe after WWII?

All European countries remained neutral after the war
Countries were divided into those under Soviet control and those allied with the USA (correct)
Germany was controlled by only one country following its defeat
Europe was unified under NATO control

What led to the formal division of Berlin after WWII?

An agreement between the USA and Germany
The immediate reunification of Europe
The failure of the Soviet union to unite Berlin (correct)
The establishment of nuclear disarmament discussions

Which alliance did many countries close to the USA join after WWII?

<p>North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one significant effect of the Cold War on newly independent countries in Africa?

<p>They became battlegrounds for proxy conflicts (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is the Cold War?

A period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II, characterized by proxy conflicts and nuclear rivalry, but no direct military confrontation.

What is NATO?

Countries closely aligned with the United States during the Cold War formed an alliance known as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Why was Germany divided?

The division of Germany into four zones of occupation after World War II, controlled by the USA, USSR, Britain, and France, symbolized the broader division of Europe into spheres of influence.

How did the Cold War impact Africa?

After World War II, newly independent countries in Africa and liberation movements in Southern Africa were significantly impacted by the competition between the two superpowers.

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What are Proxy Conflicts?

The Cold War was characterized by indirect conflicts between the two superpowers, often involving proxy wars and support for different factions within other countries.

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Study Notes

Cold War Background

Struggle between two world powers after World War II
Characterized by proxy conflicts and the threat of nuclear weapons
Deeply affected newly independent countries, especially in Africa, during decolonization
Cold War lasted roughly from 1945-1991

Spheres of Influence

Alliances formed between different countries with different leaders/power
Post-World War II, Europe divided into two blocks (under close ties with either the USA or USSR)
Emergence of new empires
Breakdown in relations between the USA and USSR
Germany was divided into zones of occupation by the Allied forces (USA, USSR, Great Britain, and France)
Post-war division of Berlin into zones
Creation of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
Formation of opposing alliances