WHAP Flashcards - Unit 8 - Cold War 1900-Present

Front

What is a Cold War?

Back

A Cold War refers to hostility between two states due to an ideological struggle, not open warfare. The Cold War was a 40-year struggle between the US and the Soviet Union.

Front

What led to the United States becoming a superpower after WWII?

Back

The US economy grew due to industrial production for the war, and the US was in a stronger position compared to European countries. The Marshall Plan helped rebuild Western Europe, creating dependence on the US. Technologically, the US had the atomic bomb.

Front

How did the Soviet Union become a superpower after WWII?

Back

The Soviet economy grew rapidly, and the USSR had vast natural resources. By 1949, the Soviet Union also developed its own atomic bomb, matching the US militarily.

Front

What led to massive decolonization movements after WWII?

Back

European imperial powers denied self-rule to colonies after WWI, and during WWII colonial troops fought for their imperial leaders without promises of independence. After WWII, European powers were too weak to stop decolonization movements.

Front

What were the two major causes of the Cold War?

Back

1. Conflicting ideologies: democracy and capitalism of the US vs. authoritarian communism of the Soviet Union. 2. Mutual mistrust due to broken promises regarding free elections in Eastern Europe after WWII.

Front

What was the Non-Aligned Movement?

Back

The Non-Aligned Movement was led by Indonesian President Achmad Sukarno in 1955, with countries refusing to choose sides between the US and USSR. These countries were referred to as third-world countries.

Front

What were two major effects of the Cold War?

Back

1. Creation of military alliances: NATO (US and allies) and the Warsaw Pact (Soviet Union and satellite states). 2. Proxy wars: Conflicts in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, where the US and USSR supported different sides.

Front

What was an effect of nuclear proliferation during the Cold War?

Back

A direct conflict between the US and USSR would result in mutually assured destruction (MAD), meaning both would be destroyed by nuclear war.

Front

What was the Korean War, and how were the superpowers involved?

Back

The Korean War (1950-1953) was fought between communist North Korea (backed by the USSR) and anti-communist South Korea (backed by the US). The war ended with Korea remaining divided along the 38th parallel.

Front

What was the Contra War in Latin America?

Back

The Contra War (1979-1990) in Nicaragua was a proxy war where the socialist Sandinistas, backed by the USSR, fought against the anti-communist Contras, supported by the US.