Cold War Flashcards

Study Notes

Domino Theory

A U.S. foreign policy principle emerging after WWII, suggesting that the fall of a noncommunist state to communism would trigger similar falls in neighboring countries.
Proposed by President Harry S. Truman regarding military aid to Greece and Turkey in the late 1940s.
Gained traction in the 1950s through President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s application to Southeast Asia, notably South Vietnam.
Central to justifying U.S. military involvement during the Vietnam War under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.

Satellite States

Refers to countries that were formerly independent but are now politically and economically dominated by another country.
Commonly used to describe the nations under the influence of the Soviet Union, known as Soviet Satellite States or the Eastern Bloc.

Iron Curtain

A metaphorical barrier established by the Soviet Union post-WWII, separating its Eastern European allies from the Western world and noncommunist nations.
Prominently referenced by Winston Churchill in a 1946 speech, highlighting the division across Europe from Stettin to Trieste.

Truman Doctrine

Announced by President Harry S. Truman on March 12, 1947, to provide immediate U.S. economic and military assistance to Greece and Turkey.
Aimed to counter potential communist insurrections and Soviet influence, particularly after Britain withdrew support due to financial struggles.
Promptly led the U.S. Congress to allocate $400 million for these efforts.

Marshall Plan

Officially known as the European Recovery Program, initiated from April 1948 to December 1951.
A U.S.-sponsored initiative aimed at revitalizing the economies of 17 western and southern European countries to foster stable democratic conditions.

Berlin Blockade and Airlift

An international crisis from 1948-49 initiated by the Soviet Union to challenge Western Allied presence in West Berlin.
Following the Allied powers' decision to unify their occupational zones, the Soviets imposed a blockade blocking all transport routes to West Berlin in response to the introduction of a new currency.
The U.S. and Britain launched an airlift starting June 26, 1948, delivering vital supplies to West Berlin while increasing military presence.
Tensions escalated without resulting in direct conflict.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, formed on April 4, 1949, as a military alliance to counter the Soviet military threat in Central and Eastern Europe.

Containment

A strategic foreign policy adopted by the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s, designed to prevent the spread of Soviet communism and influence globally.

Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts from the Cold War era with these flashcards. Each term brings insights into U.S. foreign policy and the geopolitical strategies that shaped this critical period. Perfect for students and history enthusiasts alike.