Term | Definition |
Cold War | period of tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union that was characterized by economic, scientific and political competition, but no direct warfare between them. |
Germany | This country was divided into West (Democratic, non-Communist) and East (Communist) following World War II |
Berlin | This city was divided into West (Democratic, non-Communist) and East (Communist) following World War II |
containment policy | US policy during the Cold War that was designed to stop communism from spreading beyond its current borders |
domino theory | the idea that when one nation falls to communism, the nations around it will fall. |
Truman Doctrine | policy that the United States will provide military and economic assistance to nations directly threatened by communism. An example of the containment policy. |
Marshall Plan | designed to rebuild the economies of war torn Europe to make them less likely to turn to communism. An example of the containment policy |
satellite states | nations whose policies were guided by and who were dependent on the Soviet Union. |
iron curtain | imaginary dividing line between communist Eastern Europe and democratic Western Europe. |
Berlin Blockade | In response to British, French and American cooperation in West Germany and West Berlin, Stalin attempted to keep supplies out of West Berlin during this event. |
Berlin Airlift | To combat the Berlin Blockade, Western (British, French and American) planes flew supplies to West Berlin to ensure it would be able to survive without having to turn to the Soviet Union without war. |
Berlin Wall | Barrier built to keep East Berliners and East Germans from fleeing into West Berlin. |
NATO | North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The western alliance against communism. |
Warsaw Pact | The Soviet alliance in response to NATO |
Fidel Castro | Left-wing revolutionary who overthrows the oppressive government of Fulgencio Batista (by gaining support of the peasants), and allies himself with the Soviet Union. |
Bay of Pigs invasion | Failed attempt by the United States to overthrow Castro |
Cuban Missile Crisis | The Soviet Union places nuclear missiles in Cuba. The US responds by blockading Cuba to prevent the arming of the missiles. War is narrowly avoided when the Soviets agree to withdraw the missiles. |
heavy industry | items such as railroads, machinery, ships, coal, factories, etc. Was a focus of the Soviet economy and 5 Year Plans |
Common Market | Also called the European Economic Community. Eliminated tariffs between member nations. |