Study 08 The Early Cold War with 12 free online flashcards. Review key terms, definitions, and concepts with this interactive flashcard deck.
What drove the early Cold War rivalry?
Clashing postwar aims and mutual suspicion divided the former allies. Soviet efforts to secure influence in neighboring states conflicted with U.S. support for self-determination and concern about communist expansion.
What was the goal of U.S. containment?
Containment aimed to prevent further expansion of Soviet influence, rather than overthrow the Soviet government.
What did the Truman Doctrine commit the United States to do?
The 1947 Truman Doctrine committed the United States to assist Greece and Turkey, whose governments Truman considered threatened by authoritarian forces.
How did the United States and Britain respond to the Berlin Blockade?
The Soviet Union blocked land access to Western-controlled Berlin in 1948. The United States and Britain supplied the city by air until the blockade ended in May 1949.
What changed in the nuclear balance when the Soviet Union tested an atomic bomb in 1949?
The Soviet Union tested its first atomic bomb in 1949, ending the U.S. nuclear monopoly.
What event began the Korean War in 1950?
North Korean forces invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950. The United States then led a United Nations military coalition to defend the South.
How did the GI Bill affect many returning veterans?
The 1944 GI Bill assisted many veterans with education and home purchases, contributing to increased college enrollment and homeownership.
Why was postwar prosperity not shared equally?
Postwar affluence coexisted with poverty and racial segregation. Many people of color faced discrimination in housing, employment, and education, while women also encountered barriers to equal opportunity.
How did the 1954 Army–McCarthy hearings affect McCarthy?
McCarthy made sweeping claims about communist infiltration. The 1954 Army–McCarthy hearings weakened his standing, and the Senate censured him that December.
How did the Marshall Plan support containment?
The Marshall Plan provided economic aid to rebuild Western Europe. Its recovery effort was also intended to reduce instability that could strengthen communist parties.
What was NATO's central commitment when it formed in 1949?
NATO, formed in 1949 by the United States, Canada, and Western European nations, was a military alliance based on collective defense.
What approach to containment did NSC-68 recommend?
NSC-68 called for a major military buildup and a broader, more heavily militarized approach to containment.