the cold war conflicts

• What major event marked the beginning of the Cold War?

  World War Two
• What happened to the old order of European powers after World War Two?

  It disappeared due to war devastation
• By 1948, which two superpowers were in conflict?

  USA and USSR
• What was the significance of communism spreading to the Far East after World War Two?

  It heightened tensions between the USA and USSR
• When did China become a communist country?

  1949
• What was the domino theory?

  If one country fell to communism, others would follow
• What was the policy recommended by the American National Security Council in 1950?

  Rollback of communist control
• How was Korea divided after World War Two?

  At the 38th parallel into North and South
• Who led North Korea after World War Two?

  Kim Il Sung
• Who led South Korea after World War Two?

  Syngman Rhee
• What event triggered the Korean War in June 1950?

  North Korea attacked South Korea
• What was the initial response of the USA to the North Korean invasion?

  Sent troops to support South Korea
• Why did the UN agree to send troops to Korea?

  The Soviet Union was boycotting the Security Council
• Who led the UN forces during the Korean War?

  General Douglas MacArthur
• What was the outcome of the UN forces' landing in Inchon?

  They pushed North Koreans back over the 38th parallel
• What action did China take in October 1950?

  Invaded Korea to support North Korea
• What was President Truman's response to General MacArthur's call for atomic weapons?

  He denied the request and sacked MacArthur
• What happened in June 1951 during the Korean War?

  More UN troops were deployed to Korea
• What was the result of the Korean War by July 1953?

  An armistice was signed, leaving Korea divided
• Why was the Korean War significant in the context of the Cold War?

  It was the first proxy war between superpowers
• What was the impact of the Korean War on US military presence in South Korea?

  US soldiers remained stationed in South Korea
• What event in 1945 initiated the nuclear arms race?

  USA dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima
• When did the USSR successfully develop its own nuclear weapons?

  1949
• What was the concept of nuclear deterrence?

  Possessing nuclear weapons prevents attacks
• What did the theory of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) imply?

  Open war would end life on earth
• What warning did President Eisenhower give about military spending?

  Too much power lay with the Military-Industrial Complex
• What was the first major event of the arms race in 1945?

  USA dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima
• What were the major events of the arms race from 1945 to 1968?

  • 1945: USA drops atomic bombs
  • 1949: USSR's first atomic bomb test
  • 1952: USA tests first Hydrogen bomb
  • 1955: USA's Doctrine of Massive Retaliation
  • 1957: USSR develops ICBM
  • 1961: USSR detonates Tsar Bomba
  • 1962: Cuban Missile Crisis
  • 1968: USA develops MIRV technology
• What was the first satellite launched by the USSR in 1957?

  Sputnik 1
• What was the significance of the launch of Sputnik 1?

  It marked the start of the Space Race
• What were the major events of the space race from 1957 to 1969?

  • 1957: USSR launches Sputnik 1
  • 1959: USSR launches Luna 1
  • 1961: USSR puts first man in space
  • 1969: USA lands first men on the moon
• What was NATO formed in response to?

  The Berlin Blockade crisis
• What was the aim of NATO?

  To resist attacks by the USSR
• When was the Warsaw Pact formed?

  1955
• What was the aim of the Warsaw Pact?

  To resist attacks on the Soviet bloc
• What were the original members of NATO?

  • USA
  • UK
  • Canada
  • Portugal
  • France
  • Belgium
  • Holland
  • Denmark
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • Luxembourg
  • Norway
  • West Germany (joined in 1955)
• What political changes occurred in the Soviet Union in the mid-1950s?

  Reaction against Stalin's regime and de-Stalinisation
• Who emerged as the new Soviet leader after Stalin?

  Nikita Khrushchev
• What was the Hungarian leader Matyas Rakosi known for?

  Being a hard-line communist under Moscow's control
• What reforms did Imre Nagy propose?

  Free elections and withdrawal of Soviet troops