WWII to the Cold War
The differing experiences of these two superpowers during World War II—one suffering immense devastation and the other emerging economically strong—contributed to rising tensions that sparked the Cold War.
What is: The United States and the Soviet Union?
This U.S. policy aimed to stop the spread of communism by providing political, military, and economic support to countries resisting Soviet influence.
What is: Containment?
This Asian peninsula was divided at the 38th parallel after a war between communist and non-communist forces from 1950 to 1953.
What is: Korea?
Established by President Truman in 1947, this board was created to investigate government employees and dismiss those suspected of having communist ties.
What is: The Loyalty Review Board?
This Cold War policy involved pushing dangerous situations to the brink of war to force the enemy to back down without actual conflict.
What is: Brinkmanship?
Private ownership of the means of production. The government plays a limited role in the economy, and individuals can own and operate their own businesses.
What is: Capitalism?
The U.S. provided over $13 billion in aid to help rebuild European economies after World War II through this 1948 program.
What is: The Marshall Plan?
This country joined the Korean War after the US, South Korean, and UN troops pushed the North Koreans back across the 38th parallel.
What is: China?
This U.S. couple was executed in 1953 after being convicted of passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union, sparking controversy over the fairness of their trial.
Who are: Julius and Ethel Rosenberg?
This Cold War strategy, introduced by Kennedy, emphasized having a range of military responses to crises, rather than relying solely on nuclear weapons.
What is: Flexible Response?
Government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Eligible citizens have power in governmental matters and/or vote to elect citizens who represent them in governmental matters.
What is: Democracy?
In 1948, the Soviet Union attempted to force the Allies out of West Berlin by cutting off all road, rail, and canal access to the city in this event.
What is: The Berlin Blockade?
This U.S. general led United Nations forces during the Korean War but was later fired by President Truman for insubordination after pushing for the expansion of the war into China.
Who is: General Douglas MacArthur?
This U.S. senator became the face of the Red Scare by claiming he had a list of communists working in the government, leading to a wave of accusations without proper evidence.
Who is: Joseph McCarthy?
This 1961 invasion, organized by the U.S. to overthrow Fidel Castro, ended in disaster and severely damaged Kennedy's reputation.
What is: The Bay of Pigs?
Government ownership of the means of production. Created as a way to eliminate socioeconomic classes and create financial equality throughout a society.
What is: Communism/Socialism?
At this 1945 conference, Allied leaders met to decide how to administer post-war Germany, but tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union began to surface.
What is: The Potsdam Conference?
One major effect of this 1950–1953 conflict was that it set a precedent for U.S. involvement in future wars to contain communism without directly declaring war.
What is: The Korean War?
This congressional committee investigated suspected communist influence in industries like Hollywood, leading to blacklists that ruined many careers during the Red Scare.
What is: The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC)
In 1956, a crisis erupted when Egypt nationalized this crucial waterway, leading to a conflict involving Britain, France, Israel, and pressure from both the U.S. and the Soviet Union to de-escalate.
What is: The Suez Canal?
The focus is on a group of people who work together for a common goal. Once the goal is reached the benefits derived from the work are equally shared amongst the group members.
What is: Collectivism?
Announced in 1947, this U.S. policy pledged to support countries resisting communism, starting with aid to Greece and Turkey.
What is: The Truman Doctrine?
The Korean War resulted in this type of agreement in 1953, which stopped the fighting but did not officially end the war, leaving North and South Korea technically still at war.
What is: An Armistice?
This event, televised in 1954, exposed Senator Joseph McCarthy’s aggressive tactics during investigations into alleged communist influence in the U.S. Army, leading to his public downfall.
What are: The Army-McCarthy Hearings?
In 1953, the CIA helped overthrow this democratically elected Iranian leader after he nationalized the country’s oil industry, fearing it would strengthen Soviet influence.
Who is: Mohammed Mossadegh?