What was the Cold War quizlet?
Certainly! The term “Cold War” refers to the geopolitical tension and rivalry that existed between the United States and its NATO allies on one side and the Soviet Union and its allies on the other from the end of World War II in 1945 until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Here’s a brief quizlet-style overview of key aspects of the Cold War:
1. Dates:
Start: 1945 (end of World War II)
End: 1991 (collapse of the Soviet Union)
2. Ideological Conflict:
Capitalism vs. Communism: The United States and its allies embraced capitalism and democracy, while the Soviet Union and its allies adhered to communism.
3. Key Events:
1945: The Yalta Conference and Potsdam Conference set the stage for post-war division.
1947: Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan aimed at containing communism and aiding post-war European recovery.
1949: NATO was established; the Soviet Union tested its first atomic bomb.
1950-1953: Korean War – a proxy war between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
1955: The Warsaw Pact was formed in response to NATO.
1961: Berlin Wall erected.
1962: Cuban Missile Crisis—a 13-day nuclear standoff between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
1972: Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) begin.
980s: Ronald Reagan’s presidency was marked by increased tension and the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI).
1989:Fall of the Berlin Wall
1991: Dissolution of the Soviet Union
4. Proxy Wars:
Conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and other regions were ideological and strategic battlegrounds.
5. Space Race:
Intense competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union to achieve milestones in space exploration.
6. Arms Race:
Both superpowers engaged in a nuclear arms race, developing increasingly powerful weapons.
7. Détente:
Periods of easing tensions, such as the late 1960s and early 1970s, were marked by arms control agreements.
8. McCarthyism:
The anti-communist fervour in the U.S., led by Senator Joseph McCarthy, resulted in investigations and blacklisting.
9. Cultural Impact:
Cold War themes influenced literature, film, and popular culture.
10. End of the Cold War:
The Cold War officially ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Feel free to ask for more details on any specific aspect of the Cold War!
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