Cold War Origins and Consequences

A Soviet tactic used in Eastern Europe to gradually eliminate opposition parties and consolidate communist control, often through small, incremental steps.

The Soviet Union's policy of actively expanding its influence and control into neighboring countries, particularly in Eastern Europe.

A key factor in shaping the Soviet Union's policies in Eastern Europe was the desire to ensure its own security against potential threats from the West.

The Soviet Union's control of Romania was motivated by its strategic location and access to valuable oil resources.

The Soviet Union used a combination of political pressure and intimidation to install communist governments in Eastern Europe, ensuring its influence after WWII.

The Soviet Union installed a communist government in Bulgaria and sought to make it a bulwark against Western expansion.

The Soviet Union supported Tito's communist government in Yugoslavia, but their relationship was strained due to Tito's independent policies.

The US policy to contain the spread of communism, exemplified by the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan, played a significant role in shaping Soviet policies in Eastern Europe.

The Yalta Conference in 1945 promised free elections in Poland. However, the Soviet Union manipulated the process to ensure a communist victory, establishing a Soviet satellite state.

The Soviet Union's actions in Eastern Europe after WWII led to the creation of a bloc of communist states under its control, known as the Soviet Bloc.

The US commitment to containing communism led to their involvement in the Korean War, where they aimed to roll back communist expansion and maintain global influence. This position shifted the US into a more prominent international role as they actively intervened in conflicts.

The Korean War significantly increased US military spending, quadrupling the previous budget, as they ramped up their efforts to counter communism. This demonstrated the growing significance of the Cold War and the US's resolve to assert its dominance.

Chinese intervention in the Korean War involved mobilizing a substantial army, pushing back US forces, and showcasing support for communism. This move not only solidified Mao Zedong's power in China but also demonstrated his active role in the global communist movement.

NSC-68 was a policy document that advocated for a forceful response to communism, viewing it as an aggressive and expansive threat. This document led to the intensification of US military buildup, including the development of nuclear weapons, reflecting a heightened sense of Cold War anxiety.

General Douglas MacArthur's aggressive approach to containing communism, including threats to use nuclear weapons, led to his dismissal. This illustrates the tension between military ambition and political restraint during the Cold War, highlighting the complex relationship between military leaders and civilian authorities.

The Korean War sparked a wave of anti-communist fear in the US, known as the Red Scare. This fear permeated various aspects of society, from government policies to everyday life. It exemplified the intense ideological conflict and paranoia that characterized the Cold War.

The Korean War resulted in a substantial loss of life in South Korea, with millions killed and significant infrastructure damage. The conflict caused severe economic hardship, impacting industrial production, foreign trade, and overall development.

The Korean War was devastating for North Korea, resulting in a high casualty rate and a shift in their industrial structure. This period emphasized heavy industry development at the expense of producing essential goods, revealing the North's focus on economic self-reliance and military strength.

The Korean War ended with the division of Korea into two distinct states: North and South. This division, a lasting consequence of the conflict, cemented the political and ideological separation that continues to this day.

Despite the heavy losses and stalemate, the Korean War ushered in a thaw in Cold War tensions. The armistice signed in 1954 marked a step towards easing global tensions and a shift in the Cold War dynamic.

The Korean War demonstrated the use of proxy wars by major powers, particularly the US and USSR. They supported opposing sides in the conflict, ultimately contributing to the complex global power dynamics of the Cold War.

North Korea, despite its reliance on the Soviet Union and China, adopted its own ideology of Juche, which emphasized self-reliance and independence. This ideology encompasses principles of political independence, economic self-sufficiency, and military self-defense.

The South Korean government under Syngman Rhee, which existed between 1948 and 1960, faced a slow economic growth rate due to the lack of effective policies and economic instability. The post-war period was marked by a struggle to rebuild and establish a stable economy.

A period of economic growth and political integration in Western Europe following World War II, driven by factors like increased production due to "guns and butter" policies, the Marshall Plan, and the removal of price controls.

A Soviet-led organization established in 1947 to coordinate communist parties in Eastern Europe, aiming to strengthen Soviet influence and control.

An economic organization founded in 1949 by Soviet-controlled Eastern European countries, meant to counter the Marshall Plan and integrate their economies with the Soviet Union.

The German Democratic Republic (GDR), founded in 1949 as a Soviet satellite state, was a key member of COMECON and implemented policies like collectivized agriculture and centralized planning under Walter Ulbricht's leadership.

Tito's communist Yugoslavia's refusal to bow to Soviet pressure and his decision to pursue independent foreign policies, leading to a split with the USSR in 1948.

A disputed territory on the Adriatic coast, claimed by both Italy and Yugoslavia, leading to tensions and military interventions after World War II.

A civil war in Greece between communist and royalist forces following World War II, which involved international support and heightened tensions between the Soviet Union and its allies.

Tito's vision of a federation of Balkan socialist states under Yugoslav leadership, ultimately thwarted by Soviet opposition and concerns about Western influence.

A policy adopted by Yugoslavia under Tito, aiming to promote neutrality and international cooperation, avoiding alignment with either the Soviet or Western blocs.

A rapid expansion in Yugoslav industry following World War II, driven by aid and reconstruction efforts, but facing challenges such as dependence on foreign assistance and limited worker incentives.

The implementation of worker self-management and market socialism in Yugoslavia after Tito's break with Stalin, aiming to decentralize economic control and empower workers.

A conflict fought between communist North Korea and South Korea, backed by the US and its allies, from 1950 to 1953, showcasing Cold War tensions and highlighting the US policy of containment.

A speech given by US Secretary of State Dean Acheson in 1950, outlining a US defense perimeter in Asia that excluded Korea, leading to the US involvement in the Korean War as a response to the perceived threat of communist expansion.

The "Rollback" policy pursued by the United States during the Cold War, aiming to actively force back communist expansion and influence.

The "Appeasement" policy, which the United States ultimately rejected in favor of containment, involved accepting communist gains and avoiding direct confrontations.

The Truman Doctrine, a cornerstone of the US containment policy, pledged US support to nations fighting communism, primarily used in Greece and Turkey, marking the beginning of direct US involvement in anti-communist efforts.