Origins of the Cold War

The post-World War II division of Germany into four zones of occupation, with the USA, USSR, Britain, and France each controlling a section.

The agreement that Germany would be demilitarized and disarmed after World War II.

The disagreement between the Allies over who would govern Poland after World War II. The Soviet Union favored the Lublin government, while the West favored the London government.

The line established as the new border between Poland and its eastern neighbors after World War II. It shifted westward from the pre-war border, giving Poland access to significant German territories.

The period after World War II characterized by mistrust and tension between the United States and the Soviet Union.

A plan launched by the United States in 1947 to provide economic aid to European countries recovering from World War II.

The Soviet Union's response to the Marshall Plan, offering aid to Eastern European countries.

The Soviet Union's strategy of expanding communist influence and control over neighboring countries.

The conditions attached to the Marshall Plan, requiring recipient countries to adopt certain economic policies.

The Soviet Union's criticism of the Marshall Plan, calling it a form of American economic imperialism.

The belief that the Soviet Union's promotion of communism and hostility towards capitalism were the main drivers of the Cold War.

A historical viewpoint that argues the US's policy of economic expansionism was primarily responsible for the Cold War's outbreak.

A tactic employed by the Soviet Union to isolate West Berlin from Western influence by cutting supply lines from the West.

A military alliance formed in 1949 by Canada, the United States, Iceland, and Western European countries to counter the threat of Soviet expansionism.

A military alliance formed by the Soviet Union in 1955, encompassing Eastern European countries, as a response to NATO.

A term describing a period of significant tension between the US and the Soviet Union, marked by hostile relations and mistrust.

Stalin's policy towards Poland aimed at establishing a Soviet satellite state under the guise of promoting Polish independence and national identity.

The impact of the atomic bomb on international relations, shifting the balance of power significantly in favor of the US and influencing global affairs.

A state that is formally independent but is heavily influenced and controlled by another, more powerful nation.

A policy of containing the spread of communism by using various means, including military, economic, and political pressure.

An organization formed in 1947 by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union to coordinate its activities and policies with other communist parties.

An economic organization established in 1949 by the Soviet Union and its satellite states to promote economic cooperation and integration within the Eastern Bloc.

A term used to describe the process of implementing Soviet-style social, political, and economic structures in satellite states.

The potential for a vast communist bloc spanning Eurasia, encompassing China and the Soviet Union, due to Mao Zedong's communist victory in China in 1949.

A term used to describe American dominance and influence in the world after World War II.

The first meeting of the Big Three (Stalin, FDR, Churchill) during World War II, held in Tehran in 1943.

The second meeting of the Big Three (Stalin, FDR, Churchill), held in Yalta in 1945. Marked by growing distrust between the allies, it established the foundations for postwar Germany and the UN.

The final meeting of the Big Three (Stalin, Truman, Churchill/Attlee), held in Potsdam in 1945. It solidified the division of Germany and Europe, leading to the Cold War.

The principle of allowing people within a particular region to choose their own form of government.

The division of Europe into two spheres of influence, with the Soviet Union dominating the east and the Western powers dominating the west.

An agreement made at the Teheran Conference where the USSR promised to join the war against Japan within three months after the defeat of Germany.

The Allied agreement at the Yalta Conference to establish a new international organization to replace the League of Nations.

The agreement at the Yalta Conference for the USSR to be granted a sphere of influence in Manchuria and some Japanese territory after entering the war against Japan.

The disagreement between the Allies at the Yalta Conference about the legitimacy of the Polish government, with the US backing the London-based government and the USSR backing the Lublin government.

A policy of accepting only unconditional surrender, meaning no special treatments or negotiated settlements with the enemy.

The secret development and use of the atomic bomb by the US during World War II, not disclosed to the Soviet Union during the Potsdam Conference.

The economic burden placed on Germany after World War II, requiring reparations to be paid to the Allied countries, which was never fully imposed.

The significant increase in the power and influence of the US and the USSR after World War II, making them superpowers.

The heightened militarization of the US and the USSR, each possessing vast arsenals of weapons and large military forces, after World War II.