Important People
The leader of the Soviet Union (1964–1982), known for his hardline policies, the Brezhnev Doctrine, and stagnation in the Soviet economy.
Leonid Brezhnev
A period of political and military tension between the United States and the Soviet Union (1947–1991) marked by ideological conflicts, proxy wars, and nuclear arms competition, but without direct warfare between the superpowers.
The Cold War
A term coined by Winston Churchill describing the ideological and physical divide between Western capitalist countries and Eastern communist states in Europe.
The Iron Curtain
A conflict (1950–1953) between communist North Korea (supported by China and the USSR) and democratic South Korea (backed by the U.S. and UN), ending in an armistice but no peace treaty.
Korean War
A U.S. foreign policy aimed at preventing the spread of communism by providing economic, military, and diplomatic support to vulnerable nations.
Containment
The leader of the Soviet Union (1953–1964) known for de-Stalinization, handling the Cuban Missile Crisis, and his role in Cold War diplomacy.
Nikita Khrushchev
A military alliance formed in 1949 among Western nations to counter Soviet influence and ensure mutual defense against aggression.
NATO
Ordinary people and businesses control the production of goods and services.
Capitalism
A conflict between North Vietnam (communist) and South Vietnam (non-communist). The U.S. tried to stop the spread of communism, but failed. South Vietnam became communist 2 years after the war ended.
Vietnam War
A U.S. policy announced in 1947 that pledged support to countries resisting communism, particularly Greece and Turkey, marking the start of containment.
Truman Doctrine
The president who took over after Franklin D. Roosevelt's death and who tried to stop the spread of communism.
Harry S. Truman
A U.S.-led operation (1948–1949) to supply West Berlin with food and supplies after the Soviet Union blockaded the city in an attempt to force Western powers out.
The Berlin Airlift
The government controls production and owns the nation's natural and capital resources.
Communism
An anti-Soviet uprising in Hungary crushed by Soviet forces, demonstrating the USSR's unwillingness to allow Eastern Bloc countries to break free from communist control.
Hungarian Revolution of 1956
A U.S. economic aid program (1948–1952) providing financial assistance to Western European countries to rebuild after World War II and prevent the spread of communism.
Marshall Plan
The last leader of the Soviet Union (1985–1991), known for implementing reforms like glasnost and perestroika, which ultimately led to the collapse of the USSR.
Mikhail Gorbachev
After WWII, Germany was divided into four occupation zones controlled by the U.S., UK, France, and the USSR, later forming West Germany (democratic) and East Germany (communist). Berlin was also divided, leading to tensions like the Berlin Blockade.
Berlin Wall
An international organization founded in 1945 to promote global peace, security, and cooperation, playing a role in Cold War diplomacy and conflict resolution.
United Nations
A 1962 confrontation between the U.S. and USSR over Soviet nuclear missiles placed in Cuba, bringing the world to the brink of nuclear war before a negotiated resolution.
Cuban Missile Crisis
A military alliance formed in 1955 by the Soviet Union and its Eastern European allies in response to NATO.
Warsaw Pact
The Soviet leader who helped Fidel Castro set up a communist government in Cuba and ordered the construction of the Berlin Wall.
Who is Nikita Khrushchev?
A period of relaxed tensions between the U.S. and USSR during the 1970s, characterized by arms control agreements and diplomatic efforts.
Détente
The first artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, marking the beginning of the Space Race and intensifying Cold War tensions.
Sputnik I
A 1979 Soviet military intervention to support Afghanistan's communist government against insurgent groups (mujahideen), leading to a costly war and contributing to the USSR's decline.
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
A policy introduced by Gorbachev promoting openness, transparency, and freedom of information in the Soviet Union.
Glasnost