US had believed itself to be world leader in space technology/missile development -- surprise of Sputnik launch & failure of first two US launch attempts proved otherwise. President Eisenhower called shock “Sputnik Crisis” because of looming threat of USSR.
100
Why did the US get involved in Korea?
To assist South Korea and contain the spread of communism
100
Which nations possessed the atomic bomb coming out of WWII?
Just the US
100
How was Germany divided up after WWII?
East and West Germany, with the Soviets controlling East Germany, and the US, Britain & France controlling West Germany
100
What is a Cold War?
Continuing state of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition, which never erupts into direct military conflict.
200
What is McCarthyism?
Originally coined to criticize the anti-communist pursuits of U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy. The practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence.
200
Who was the leader of North Vietnam?
Ho Chi Minh
200
What is brinkmanship?
Pushing USSR to brink of war in order to exact concessions
200
Which Asian nation adopted Communism in 1949 and prompted US concerns about containment in the far east?
China
200
How did the Civil Rights philosophies of Martin Luther King differ from those of the Black Panthers?
Non-violent vs. violent protest
300
What is a conscientious objector? When did America have a lot of these?
A person who morally or philosophically opposes performing military service. This term became popular in the US during the Vietnam War.
300
What was the Vietcong?
(or National Liberation Front (NLF)) A group of communist rebels backed by the Soviet Union who fought US and South Vietnamese governments during Vietnam War
300
What year did the Soviet Union successfully detonate its first atomic bomb?
1949
300
List all US presidents between 1944 and 1970
*Bonus* List all Soviet leaders between that same time period
List of screenwriters, actors, directors & other US entertainers who were denied employment in field because of their alleged membership in or sympathy toward the American Communist Party
400
What was Johnson's "Great Society"?
Great Society programs were designed to make “profound” changes in American society -- based on idea that fed gov’t could & should solve social problems
400
What is the longest war in US history?
Vietnam War
400
How many atomic bombs have been used as an attack in the world's history?
2
400
Who was Syngman Rhee and with whom was he aligned?
President of South Korea, and he was aligned with the US during the Korean War.
400
What does ICBM stand for?
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
500
Name one domestic social program from Johnson's Great Society that still exists today.
Head Start; Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA); Medicaid
500
What was Vietnamization and whose idea was it?
Vietnamization was a policy of the Richard M. Nixon, as a result of Tet, to "expand, equip, and train South Vietnam's forces and assign to them an ever-increasing combat role, at the same time steadily reducing the number of U.S. combat troops."
500
What is deterrence? Please provide an example of how deterrence was used during the Cold War.
The maintenance of military power for the purpose of discouraging attack.
500
What prompted the Berlin blockade?
February 1948 - US & Britain announced they were merging zones and issuing common currency. Stalin perceived this act as an attempt to restore Germany without Soviet consent.
500
Who was the first person to be killed on live television?