Cold War Origins
What were the two main opposing ideologies during the Cold War?
Liberal Democracy (United States) vs. Anti-Liberal Communism (Soviet Union).
What was the main cause of the Cuban Missile Crisis?
The presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba.
What was "Containment"?
US policy to prevent the spread of communism.
What is a Command Economy, and which Cold War power used this system?
An economy where the government controls all decisions; used by the Soviet Union.
What is an economic "boom"?
A period of rapid economic growth.
Which two conferences highlighted post-WWII tensions between the US and USSR?
Yalta and Potsdam Conferences.
What was the purpose of the Berlin Wall?
To prevent East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin.
What was "Mutually Assured Destruction" (MAD)?
The idea that nuclear war would destroy both superpowers.
In a Mixed Economy, how are decisions made differently than in a Command Economy?
Decisions are made by both the government and private sector, unlike complete government control.
What was the "Great Depression"?
A severe global economic downturn in the 1930s.
What did Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech symbolize?
The division between Western democratic nations and Eastern communist nations.
What is a "proxy war," and give two examples?
Conflicts where superpowers support opposing sides, e.g., Korean War, Vietnam War.
What was the Marshall Plan?
US economic aid program for European recovery after WWII.
What was the purpose of the New Deal in the United States?
To provide economic relief, recovery, and reforms during the Great Depression.
What is "Monetary Policy" and how is it used during a bust?
Central bank policies that adjust interest rates to control the money supply.
What two alliances were formed during the Cold War?
NATO (Western allies) and the Warsaw Pact (Eastern Bloc).
What event showed early Cold War tensions in Berlin?
The Berlin Blockade (1948-1949). (air lift)
What was the Molotov Plan?
Soviet economic aid to Eastern European countries.
What was the significance of the Five-Year Plans in the Soviet Union?
They were state-directed plans to rapidly industrialize and control the economy.
What are "Fiscal Policies"?
Government policies on taxation and spending to influence the economy.
What was the main purpose of the Truman Doctrine?
To provide support to countries resisting communism.
What Cold War event is an example of brinkmanship?
The Cuban Missile Crisis.
What does "Detente" refer to?
A period of eased tensions between the US and USSR.
What is "Welfare Capitalism," and which country is an example?
A system combining a free market with worker protections and social safety nets; seen in the United States.
What is the difference between Keynesian economics and Laissez-Faire economics?
Keynesian supports government intervention in the economy, while Laissez-Faire advocates minimal government involvement.