The Cold War
What does MAD stand for, and how is it relevant to the Cold War?
Mutually Assured Destruction, and it's the idea that multiple countries with nuclear weapons make it less likely that any of those countries will use the weapons.
What was the Red Scare, and how did it affect Americans during the Cold War?
A fear of communism spreading in the U.S., leading to investigations, blacklists, and public panic.
What was the Lavender Scare?
a period during the late 1940s and 1950s in the United States when the government targeted and fired thousands of federal employees because they were suspected of being gay or lesbian. It was driven by the belief that LGBTQ individuals were a national security risk, as it was thought they could be blackmailed by foreign agents
What caused the Rwandan Genocide, and what was the world’s response?
Ethnic conflict between Hutus and Tutsis; the world largely failed to intervene.
What was the main ideological conflict between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cold War?
Democracy and capitalism vs. communism and authoritarianism.
How did proxy wars allow the U.S. and Soviet Union to compete without direct conflict?
They supported opposing sides in regional conflicts to expand influence without fighting each other directly.
What were the goals of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s–60s?
To end racial segregation and secure voting and equal rights for Black Americans.
What happened in Bosnia in the 1990s, and why is it considered a major humanitarian crisis?
Ethnic cleansing and genocide during the breakup of Yugoslavia; NATO intervened late.
What was the purpose of the Berlin Airlift in 1948–1949?
To deliver food and supplies to West Berlin after the Soviet Union blockaded it.
What was the Vietnam War, and why was it so controversial in the U.S.?
A conflict between communist North Vietnam and U.S.-backed South Vietnam; controversial because of the draft, media coverage, and high casualties.
What was the significance of the LGBTQ rights movement and events like the Stonewall riots?
They sparked global activism for LGBTQ rights and legal protections.
What global security changes followed the September 11, 2001 attacks?
Increased airport security, surveillance, and the launch of the War on Terror.
What event is often seen as bringing the world closest to nuclear war during the Cold War?
The Cuban Missile Crisis
Known as a potential "truth serum" the CIA favored this psychoactive drug in their MKUltra lien of experiments.
LSD
What was apartheid in South Africa, and how was it eventually dismantled?
A system of racial segregation; ended through internal protests, international pressure, and Nelson Mandela’s leadership.
Why did the United States invade Afghanistan in 2001?
To dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban government after the 9/11 attacks.
What year did the Berlin Wall fall and what did it signify?
The Berlin Wall fell in November 1989 and signified the reunification of Germany. The Cold War wouldnt officially end until 1991.
A 1989 Chinese student-led protest took place here, soon ending in bloodshed when soldiers and tanks took occupation
Tiananmen Square
What was the goal of the women’s rights movement that gained momentum globally in the late 20th century?
To achieve gender equality in areas like voting rights, employment, education, and legal protections.
What was the main reason the U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, and what controversy followed?
The U.S. claimed Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, but none were found, leading to major controversy.