History Cold War

• The Berlin Wall was built to prevent East Germans from escaping to the West.
• What are the names of the two armed camps established in 1948 and 1955?

  NATO and Warsaw Pact
• What does the term "arms race" refer to?

  Competition between the USA and USSR to build weapons
• When did the US develop the atomic bomb?


  1945
• When did the USSR develop its own atomic bomb?

  1949
• When did the US develop the hydrogen bomb?


  1952
• When did the USSR develop the hydrogen bomb?

  1953
• What is an ICBM?

  Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
• What was a significant development in 1957 regarding US missile capabilities?

  The US developed ICBMs capable of firing nuclear warheads at targets 4,500 km away
• What was one consequence of the arms race between the US and USSR?

  Increased risk of mutually assured destruction
• What did the arms race create between the US and USSR?

  A nuclear deterrent
• Who was the new leader of the USSR after Stalin's death in 1953?

  Nikita Khrushchev
• What was the significance of Khrushchev's secret speech in 1956?

  It initiated destalinization and promoted peaceful coexistence
• What was the impact of the revolt in East Germany in 1956?

  It was brutally crushed
• What was the Warsaw Pact created in 1955?

  A military alliance of communist countries in response to NATO
• What was one consequence of Stalin's death for US-Soviet relations?

  The US hoped for a thaw in relations
• What was destalinization?

  The process of ending Stalin's harshest policies
• Who was the leader of Hungary during the uprising in 1956?

  Rakosi
• What happened on 23rd October 1956 in Budapest?

  An uprising occurred against Rakosi's government
• What reforms did Nagy implement when he came to power?

  • Trade with the West
  • Freedom of speech and press
  • Free elections
• What did Nagy announce on 1st November 1956?

  He wanted to leave the Warsaw Pact
• What was the Soviet response to Nagy's announcement?

  They invaded Hungary on 4th November
• How many soldiers and tanks did the USSR use to invade Hungary?

  200,000 soldiers and 6,000 tanks
• What was the outcome of the Soviet invasion of Hungary?

  The uprising was crushed in two weeks, with 20,000 Hungarians killed
• How did the West respond to the invasion of Hungary in 1956?

  There was no military intervention
• What was the Berlin Ultimatum issued by Khrushchev?

  It demanded that West troops leave Berlin within 6 months
• What was the impact of defections from East Germany to the West?

  It led to a 'brain drain' and skill shortages in the East
• What was the significance of the Geneva Summit in 1959?

  No agreement was reached on how Berlin should be governed
• What was the outcome of the Camp David Summit in 1959?

  Khrushchev withdrew the Berlin Ultimatum
• What event occurred on 1st May 1960 during the Paris Summit?

  The USSR shot down a U2 spy plane
• What was the consequence of the Paris Summit in 1960?

  Relations between the USSR and USA deteriorated
• What did Khrushchev believe about JFK during the Vienna Summit in 1961?

  He believed JFK was inexperienced in foreign affairs
• What was one consequence of the Vienna Summit in 1961?

  There was an increased chance of war
• When was the Berlin Wall erected?

  13th August 1961
• What was the impact of the Berlin Wall on families?

  It separated families
• What was the impact of the Berlin Wall on the USSR?

  It stopped the brain drain and stabilized the East German economy
• What was the impact of the Berlin Wall on the US?

  It was a propaganda victory for the US
• What was the significance of JFK's 'Ich bin ein Berliner' speech?

  It symbolized US support for West Berlin
• What was one consequence of the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961?

  It became a symbol of communist oppression
• What was the impact of the Berlin Wall on defections?

  Only 5,000 were able to defect between 1961 and 1989