Introduction to superpower relations and the Cold War

• What does the term 'Cold War' refer to?

  Relationship between the USA and USSR
• When did the Cold War take place?

  1941 to 1991
• What do 'East' and 'West' refer to in the context of the Cold War?

  'East' refers to the Soviet Union, 'West' to the USA
• What are the two ideologies represented in the Cold War?

  Communism and Capitalism
• What characterized the Cold War in terms of military action?

  No direct fighting occurred between the superpowers
• What was the nature of the conflict during the Cold War?

  A 'war of words' between the two sides
• What were the two superpowers after 1945?

  The USA and the Soviet Union
• What was the public sentiment during the Cold War due to media coverage?

  Fear of a nuclear war
• When did the Cold War officially end?

  1991
• What happened to the Soviet Union in 1991?

  It broke up into smaller states
• What remains of the Cold War today?

  Ongoing relationship between Russia and the USA
• What role did spies play during the Cold War?

  Gather intelligence on each other's activities
• How did the superpowers compete against each other during the Cold War?

  • Media Propaganda: Negative stories to sway public opinion
  • Finance: Funding states/groups for support
  • Arms Race: Competing in nuclear weapons development
  • Space Race: Competing in space exploration achievements
• What was the purpose of media propaganda during the Cold War?

  To win public support through negative stories
• How did the superpowers use finance during the Cold War?

  By funding states/groups for support
• What was the Arms Race during the Cold War?

  Competition to develop nuclear weapons
• What was the Space Race?

  Competition to achieve space exploration milestones
• What are the main differences between Capitalism and Communism?

  Capitalism (Western Powers):

  • Democracy with multiple political parties
  • Private ownership of industry
  • Profit retention by business owners
  • Trade with global markets
  • Freedom of speech with little censorship

  
  

  Communism (Eastern Bloc):

  • Dictatorship with one political party
  • Government ownership of all industry
  • Equal sharing of money
  • Trade limited to Communist countries
  • High censorship and limited freedom of speech
• What type of political system does Capitalism support?

  Democracy with multiple political parties
• How does the economy function under Capitalism?

  Industry is privately owned for profit
• What is a key feature of the Communist economy?

  No private ownership allowed
• How does trade differ between Capitalism and Communism?

  Capitalism trades globally, Communism trades internally
• What is the level of censorship in a Communist system?

  High levels of government censorship
• What is the political system in a Communist state?

  Only one political party exists
• How is freedom of speech treated in a Communist regime?

  Little freedom of speech allowed