Cold War Vocabulary

The name given to the Eastern European nations that were under the control of the Soviet Union.

The name given to the place that divided democratic West Europe and communist East Europe.

1945-1991; The cold war was caused by the conflicting aims of the US and the USSR. There was never any direct confrontation on the battlefield.

Proposed by George F. Kennan in February 1946, this policy involved taking measures to prevent the extension of communism

March 12,1947; the US gave $400 million to Turkey and Greece. "The US must support free people who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures."

The US provided aid to 16 European countries to prevent "hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos."

Flew food and supplies to West Berlin after Stalin closed all roads/routes that led into the city. Flew a total of 2.3 million tons total.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization; A defensive military alliance with the West European nations and the US.

Soviet Union version of NATO; comprised of Soviet Union and other satellite nations.

House of Un-American Activities Committee; Investigated communist influence in the movie world and the sneaking in of propaganda into films.

Divided communist North Korea and Democratic South Korea.

1950-1953; Fought between North and South Korea along the 38th parallel. US and the UN aided the South, while China aided the North.

Anti-communist activist who stated that communists were taking over the government.

Attacks made on suspected communists. Unfair -- no evidence provided.

First satellite launched into space; Launched by the USSR, making the US feel inferior.

The theory that countries that were on the brink of communism were like dominos waiting to fall on top of each other (Eisenhower).

Communist opposition group in South Vietnam who attacked the Diem government and assassinated thousands of South Vietnamese government officials.

[August 7, 1964] Granted President Johnson broad military powers in Vietnam and to take "all necessary measures to repel any armed attack."

A gasoline-based chemical bomb that set fire to the jungle; used to expose tunnels.

Leaf-killing toxic chemical that was used on elephant grass. Blamed for cancer in Veterans.

A network of paths along the borders of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, where Ho Chi Minh supplied arms to the Vietcong.

Believed that the US should unleash a greater military force in order to win the war.

Strongly opposed the war; Believed that the US should withdraw from Vietnam.

A large surprise attack on the towns and cities in South Vietnam by the Vietcongs. Attacked 12 US air bases. Continued for one month before the US and South Vietnam gained control of the cities.

Caused by the conflicting aims of the US and the Soviet Union; The spread of communism and the spread of democracy.

A form of government when the government of a country controls the distribution of property and all economic activities. Totalitarian Government (no opposing parties).

When countries came together to form military alliances. First seen with the US/West Europe forming NATO, and then seen with the USSR/East Europe in the Warsaw Pact.

Willingness to go to the edge of war; greater nuclear dependence.

The policy where the US increased defense spending, upgraded military forces, and tripled the US' nuclear capabilities.

[October 14, 1961] Soviets were keeping missiles on military bases in Cuba, pointed at the US; Navy quarantined Cuba; 100,000 troops were on standby in Cuba.

To prevent the spread of communism, and the communist countries were to take over the other countries. No allies.

[1951] McArthur wanted to attack China, since the Chinese had a treaty with the North Koreans, and use nuclear weapons. Went over Truman's head, and got fired.

Signed armistice July 1953. Agreements: -Border between North and South Korea at 38th Parallel -exchanged Prisoners of War Stalemate because North Korea was pushed bad, but Korea was still split. Communism was contained without nuclear capabilities.

What was being seen on TV was different than what was being reported in newspapers. Resulted in a lack of trust with the government.

[November 1973] Stated that the President must tell Congress that he is sending troops into an area (without a declaration of war) at least 48 hours in advance.

Led the North Vietnamese (Vietminh) and the rebels in the South (Vietcong). Communist activist.

Corrupt leader of South Vietnam, aided by The US and the UN.

[May 4,1970] Protest by Ohio college students, who burned down the ROTC building. National Guard opened fire, killing 4 people.

Soldiers were effected; Vietnam Syndrome, and the Credibility Gap

Where the US thinks about the effects on its people before intervening in other nations' affaires.

The policy that Nixon adopted to help ease Cold War tension. Nixon visited China and Moscow, using this as a guideline.

[1963] Following the Berlin Crisis, the Treaty was signed between the US and the Soviet Union. Treaty banned nuclear testing from the atmosphere.

[1971] Nixon visited China to seek "normalization of relations," and formally recognized China as a communist country. The US wanted China on their side when talking with the Soviets.

[1960] Broke relations. Lack of relation opened up diplomatic and economic relations with China.

[1992] USSR falling apart; Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was formed, and the President, Boris Yeltsin, met with Reagan. Declared the end of the Cold War during the meeting.

Allowed non communist parties to be organized all over the world, and satellite nations/other communist countries began advocating for their rights.

[December 1979] The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. The Us refused to sign the SALT II Treaty with the Soviet Union because they thought they had a military disadvantage.

[1972] Signed by Nixon and Brezhnev, the treaty was a 5 year agreement, where both nations had to limit the number of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and submarine-launched missiles.

Controlled and combined petroleum companies under the power of Middle Eastern countries (Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, etc.). Raised oil prices and contributed to inflation.

[1977] Israeli leader and Egypt leader invited by President Carter to sign a treaty between the two nations. Israel withdrew from an Egyptian Island and Egypt formally recognized Israel as a country.

Arab OPEC nations cut off all oil sales to the US, after the US sent lots of military aid to Israel, an ally of the US.

[1957] The US would take whatever means necessary to protect Middle Eastern countries from communist attacks.

The steady withdrawal of US troops from Vietnam.

Divided Vietnam along the 17th parallel

[1954] France lost one of it's very important military bases, and was defeated by the Vietminh. Lost power of Vietnam.

[16 March 1968] Lt. William Calley Jr. and his platoon killed 200 women, children, and elderly people while searching for Vietcong rebels.

Refused to be investigated by the HUAC; said that the hearings were unconstitutional. Sent to prison.

People who were condemned for communist backgrounds; Not allowed to be hired.

Sent to jail for giving a microfilm of government documents to the Soviet Union. Couldn't be charged with espionage because it was too late.

"Gave the secret of the A-bomb to the Soviets." Convicted for the charge of espionage, and hung in June 1953

Secretary of State; anticommunist. Proposed brinkmanship.

Used spies to gather information, and carried out covert ops.

Secretary of Date; Head of the Soviet Communist Party, and publically criticized Stalin.

A U-2 Pilot that was convicted of espionage after his plane was shot down and he was forced to parachute into Soviet-controlled territory.

Communist; Revolutionary leader of Cuba

[August 13, 1961] Concrete Wall topped with barbed wire that was designed to separate East and West Berlin

Phone line connecting the White House and Kremlin; Having the ability instantly, in case of a crisis.