Unit 8: Global Polarity and Ideological Conflict

Cold War

A geopolitical struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union characterized by ideological conflict and no direct military combat.

Iron Curtain

A term coined by Winston Churchill to describe the division between Western democracies and Eastern communist countries in Europe.

Containment

US foreign policy aimed at preventing the spread of communism to new countries.

Truman Doctrine

A 1947 policy pledging economic and military aid to countries threatened by communism.

Marshall Plan

A 1948 US initiative providing over $12 billion in economic aid to help rebuild Western European economies.

Proxy Wars

Conflicts where the US and USSR supported opposing sides without engaging directly.

Soviet Union (USSR)

One of the two superpowers during the Cold War, advocating communism and state-controlled economies.

United States (US)

The other superpower in the Cold War, promoting capitalism and democracy.

Domino Theory

The belief that the fall of one country to communism would lead to the spread of communism to neighboring countries.

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance established in 1949 among Western nations.

Warsaw Pact

A military alliance formed in 1955 between the Soviet Union and Eastern European nations.

Bandung Conference

A 1955 meeting of 29 Asian and African nations to discuss anti-colonialism and non-alignment.

Sputnik

The first artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, marking the start of the Space Race.

Cold War Ideology

The fundamental differences in beliefs between capitalism (US) and communism (USSR).

Korean War

A conflict (1950-1953) where North Korea invaded South Korea, leading to a stalemate.

Vietnam War

A conflict (1955-1975) where the US intervened against communist forces in Vietnam, leading to a defeat.

Cuban Missile Crisis

A 1962 confrontation between the US and USSR over Soviet missiles in Cuba, bringing them close to nuclear war.

Berlin Wall

A barrier constructed by East Germany in 1961 to prevent East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin.

George Kennan

The diplomat who articulated the policy of containment in response to the Soviet threat.

Military Alliances

Formal agreements between countries to cooperate for military purposes during the Cold War.

Non-Aligned Movement

A group of states that did not formally align with either the US or USSR during the Cold War.

Nkrumah (Ghana)

An important leader who advocated for non-alignment and Pan-Africanism in the Cold War era.

Kennan's Containment Policy

The strategy designed to prevent the expansion of Soviet influence and communism globally.

MPLA

Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola, supported by the USSR during the Angolan Civil War.

UNITA

National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, supported by the US and South Africa during the Angolan conflict.

Fidel Castro

Leader of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis, which brought the US and USSR to the brink of nuclear war.