Flashcards: Cold War Strategies and Conflicts — 20 cards

Cold War — definition?

Limited rivalry post-WWII between US and USSR.

Superpowers — role?

Dominant states with contrasting political and economic systems.

Iron Curtain — location?

Line dividing Western and Soviet-influenced Eastern Europe.

Decolonisation — movement?

African and Asian countries ending colonial rule.

Third way — policy?

Developing countries refusing Cold War bloc alignment.

Cold War period?

1947 to 1991, from Truman Doctrine to USSR collapse.

Soviet sphere — purpose?

Control neighboring states via Communist regimes.

People’s democracies — system?

Eastern European Communist-led political systems.

Churchill’s accusation?

Stalin creating a Russian empire with an Iron Curtain.

Soviet control tactics?

Occupation, coalition governments, repression, control of key sectors.

Containment — strategy?

Stop communism spread via political, economic, diplomatic means.

Marshall Plan — purpose?

US economic aid to rebuild Europe and curb communism.

Zhdanov doctrine — aim?

Mobilize communist forces against US and allies.

Berlin Blockade — year?

1948–1949 Soviet attempt to cut West Berlin access.

Korean War — years?

1950–1953, superpower conflict in Asia.

Cuban Missile Crisis — year?

1962, near-nuclear confrontation over missiles in Cuba.

French Indochina — conflict?

French control, Vietnamese resistance, leading to Vietnam’s independence.

Geneva Conference — outcome?

Vietnam divided into North and South in 1954.

Vietcong — who?

Communist opposition fighters in South Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh Trail — purpose?

Supply route for Vietcong arms from North Vietnam.