Ch. 5 - Cold War
Origins of the Cold War (pp. 825-830)
1. Cold War-
-strategic and political struggle that developed after World War II between the democratic United States and the communist USSR
-began as the USSR used military forces to install Communist governments in Eastern Europe
-Soviet Union wanted a buffer between them and invading Western European nations
-U.S. viewed these actions as and attempt to spread communist ideology into Western Europe
2. Iron Curtain-
-term was used first used by Winston Churchill to describe economic, social, and military barriers created between East and Western Europe
3. The Greek Issue-
-a civil war between communists and non-communist followers broke out after the Nazis pulled out
-Great Britain was asked to help but had few funds and only a battered army
-the United States agreed to help
4. Truman Doctrine-
-delivered in a speech to Congress asking for support for Greece
-declared that the United States would not seek to change communist governments where they already exist
-however, he also said that U.S. would assist nations attempting to stop communist take overs
-became U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War
5. Containment-
-the policy of containing communism where it already exists, not allowing it to spread to other countries
6. Marshall Plan-
-announced by Secretary of State George C. Marshall as the European Recovery Program
-all European nations were invited to join, but the Eastern European nations declined
-member nations needed to draw up a plan for economic reconstruction
-must be a democratic nation in support of U.S.
-from ‘48 t ‘52 the U.S. sent $13.15 billion in aid
7. Federal Republic of Germany
-West Germany with capital in Bonn (FRD)
-established with a democratic government and free economy
-far more profitable than East Germany
-front line in US-Soviet Cold War competition
8. German Democratic Republic-
-East Germany with capital in East Berlin (DDR)
-established by the Soviets with a communist government and planned economy
-slow to rebuild after war and rather poor nation
-many sought to leave east for the more lucrative west (especially professionals)
9. European Economic Community-
-now called the European Community (EC)
-organization of 12 Western European nations, designed to create economic growth
-makes trade and finances easier for member nations
-common currency, the Euro
10. COMECON-
-Council for Mutual Economic Assistance
-economic policy for the communist nations of Eastern Europe
-set up by the Soviet Union to counter the Marshall Plan
-not as profitable or successful as Marshall Plan was in the west
11. NATO-
-North Atlantic Treaty Organization
-established on Apr. 4, 1949 with 12 member nations
-it’s main purpose was to stop possible Soviet aggression in Europe
-an attack against on of the member nations would be viewed as an attack against them all
-a united military was the main goal of treaty however, also promoted political, social, and economic ties among the members
12. Warsaw Pact-
-military alliance between the USSR and it’s Eastern European satellites
-created to offset West Germans participation in NATO
13. West German Miracle-
-following a the principles of a free market economy, West Germany quickly rebuilt and became one of the world’s leading industrial nations
-West Germany’s economy and freedom prompted may to migrate from the west
14. Berlin Airlift-
-the USSR blockaded West Berlin in response to the Allies unification of West German occupation zones
-Britain and the United States flew more than 2 million tons of supplies into West Berlin
-carried out from June 1948 to September 1949
15. Arms Race-
-competition between Soviet Union and the US to create the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons in the world
-view was that powerful nations would not be attacked
16. Nikita Khrushchev-
-became leader of the Soviet Union after the death of Stalin in 1953
-his unorthodox policies and sometimes colorful behavior changed the view of the Soviet Union
-although still a hard-line communist, allowed more freedoms than Stalin
-wanted to create a "peaceful coexistence" with the west
-first Soviet leader to travel to the United States (even Iowa)
-showed his temper by removing and pounding his shoe on the podium at the UN
-embarrassed by the Cuban Missile Crisis
-as his policies became less successful, he was pushed from power in 1964
15. Cominform-
-Bureau of Information of the Communist and Workers Parties
-an organization of Communist parties establishing Soviet domination in Eastern European countries
16. Marshall Tito-
-communist dictatorship of Yugoslavia from 1945 until his death in 1980
-supported by both Soviet and U.S. for his help in defeating the Germans
-resisted Soviet control and Stalin expelled the country from the Soviet bloc
-set up relations with the west and other eastern European nations
17. Sputnik-
-Soviet satellites which became the first ever launched into space in 1957
-began the “space race” between the United States and the Soviet Union
-the success of Soviet technology came as a tremendous shock to the West
-President Kennedy challenged the U.S. to be the first to put a man on the moon
18. Yuri Gagarin
-Soviet cosmonaut (space sailors)
-became the first person in outer space, using the Soviet Vostok I space craft
19. U-2-
-U.S. spy plane with the capability of flying so high that it could not be seen
-the U.S. denied accusations that they were spying on the Soviet Union from these planes
-on May 1, 1960, the Soviet Union shot down a U-2 flown by Gary Powers
-Powers was later released when the U.S. admitted the spying (but stopped short of an apology)
War in Korea
20. 38th Parallel
-at the end of World War II the USSR administered Japan’s surrender north of the 38th parallel in Korea, and the United States supervised the South
-the Soviets and Americans disagreed on how Korea should be governed
-to avoid conflicts, the United Nations established the 38th parallel as the international boundary between North and South Korea
-by 1949, both sides had pretty much pulled out of Korea
-at approximately 4 AM on June 25, 1950, North Korea opened fire on South Korean units standing watch along the 38th parallel
21. Douglas MacArthur
-American commander in East Asia
-was in Japan overseeing post-World War II reconstruction
-was given command over U.N. forces in Korea
-publicly criticized the way President Truman handled the Korea War and was fired
-upon his return to the U.S. he received a heroes welcome
-he said “old soldiers never die, they just fade away” in a speech to Congress
22. Pusan
-port city located at the Southern tip of Korea
-became the only territory on the peninsula controlled by South Korea
-the North Koreans did everything they could to take over Pusan
-American reinforcements arrived just in time
23. Inchon
-North Korean port city on the west side of the country
-General MacArthur’s planed to launch a counteroffensive against the North Koreans here
-American forces in Japan attacked the Inchon from the west continued east to separate the North Koreans from their supplies
-by Oct. 1950 North Korean had been pushed out of South Korea and UN forces were ready to move north across the 38th Parallel
24. Yalu River-
-border between North Korea and the Chinese province of Manchuria
-fearing that the Chinese would enter the war, President Truman angers MacArthur when ordering him to remain at least 20 miles away from the border
-MacArthur assures Truman the Chinese would not enter the war and that the war would be won “by Christmas" (approximately one month)
25. Chosin Reservoir-
-where U.N. forces converged near the Chinese border with North Korea
-the winter conditions were extremely cold
-Chinese soldiers crossed the Yalu and attacked the Americans
-with long supply lines, the Americans were forced to make a rapid retreat back across the 38th parallel
-became the longest retreat in American military history
26. Panmunjon
-after dragged on for two years, an armistice was finally signed here
-demarcation line would remain at the 38th parallel
-arrangements were made for the exchange of prisoners of war
-little political significance was acquired by either side
27. Demilitarized Zone
-2.5-mile wide band stretching 155 miles across the Korean peninsula dividing Korea
-designed to halt the massing of weapons or troops for another attack
The United States Takes on Communism
28. Joseph McCarthy-
-U.S. senator from Wisconsin who use America’s fear of the Soviets to advance his own Senate career
-sensationalized allegations of Communist subversives in the Truman administration
-gave rise to the term McCarthyism
-became discredited when he failed to substantiate claims of Communist in the army on nationally televised hearings
29. John F. Kennedy-
-narrowly won the 1960 Presidential election over Richard Nixon
-was convinced by CIA and military leaders to endorse the Bay of Pigs Invasion and to take the blame when it failed
-maintained a firm stance on Berlin when Khrushchev threatened to take over West Berlin
-in response, the Soviets erect the Berlin Wall
-maintained a firm stance when the Soviets placed nuclear missiles in Cuba, forcing the Soviets to back down
-began sending advisors and supplies to South Vietnam, although questioned the wisdom of direct American involvement
30. Fidel Castro-
-became (communist) leader of Cuba in 1959 and remains in control there today
-led an attack against Cuban President Fulgencio Batistia and was defeated but brought notoriety to his cause
-he was jailed and later exiled to Mexico where he organized and designed a government takeover
-the Cuban people rallied behind him
-once in control, Castro’s promises of elections were never fulfilled, foreign-owned properties confiscated, and opponents of the regime killed or driven into exile
-allied Cuba with the Soviet Union in exchange for foreign aid and military assistance
31. C.I.A.-
-Central Intelligence Agency-
-established in 1948 to gathering foreign intelligence vital to the security of the United States
-responsible for undercover operations during the Cold War, including Bay of Pigs, assassination attempt of Castro
32. Bay of Pigs-
-occurred in April 1961
-unsuccessful attempt by Cuban exiles,to topple Fidel Castro in Cuba
-rebels were organized, trained, and financed by the C.I.A.
-news of the attack leaked out to Cuban officials and they lay waiting for the invaders
-Kennedy refused to send in American air and ground support, allowing the rebels to be defeated
-Castro agreed to release those he captured for $53 million worth of U.S. food and drug aid to Cuba
33. Berlin Wall-
-August 1961
-2.6 million East Germans relocated in West Berlin or West Germany from 1949-1961, most professionals
-Communist East Germany cut off access to West Berlin by erecting a 28-mile long, 10-foot high concrete wall
-escape became virtually impossible after minefields and guard towers were installed
34. Cuban Missile Crisis-
-occurred in October 1962
-U.S. intelligence flights reported that the USSR placing nuclear missiles on the island of Cuba
-Kennedy rejected military advice for a full-scale attack on Cuba
-he instead delivered an ultimatum to the USSR to remove the missiles
-he placed a naval blockade of Cuba and demanded withdrawal of all offensive missiles
-after two weeks of unprecedented tension, Khrushchev agreed to remove missiles
-Kennedy agreed to halt plans to overthrow Castro and to remove troops from Turkey
35. DEW Line-
-early warning radar installations designed to detect a nuclear missile attack on North America
-began to be phased out in 1985 as new technology began to replace this early warning system
Independence Struggles in Southeast Asia (pp. 863-869)
36. Ho Chi Minh
-first president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam), from 1945 to 1969.
His given founded the Indochinese Communist party in 1930
-led the Viet Cong in defeating the united states
Six years after his death the war ended in North Vietnamese victory and the unification of Vietnam
37. Viet Minh
-Vietnamese resistance forces battling Japan during World War II and then the French after the war
-headed by Ho Chi Minh
38. Dien Bien Phu
-small Vietnam village where French soldiers were surrounded by the Viet Minh
-U.S. refused to help evacuate French soldiers
-their eventual surrender ended the eight year struggle France had to retain control of Indochina
39. Geneva Accords
-under pressure from the Soviet Union and China, Ho Chi Minh was forced to accept Vietnam’s division at the 17th parallel
-Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam were granted independence
-christian Vietnamese were forced to move south and communist followers to move north
-U.S. did not agree with terms of peace and South Vietnam never signed an agreement
-SEATO began to split in support
40. Viet Cong
-short for Vietnamese Communist
-militarily opposed the Geneva Accords, South Vietnam, and the United States
-were very successful using guerilla tactics to defeat the U.S.
-very resourceful
-could hide among the South Vietnamese population or in Cambodia
41. Ngo Dinh Diem
-South Vietnamese president, supported by the United States
-communist resistance to his leadership began immediately
-his hostility toward Buddhists and increasing corruption led the US to support a coup which led to his assassination on Nov. 1, 1963
42. Domino Theory
-belief that if one Southeast Asian country were allowed to fall under Communist control, others would follow like a row of dominoes
-U.S. intervention into Vietnam was based on the belief of this theory
-U.S. president John F. Kennedy gradually increased the number of U.S. advisors to 16,000
43. President Lyndon Johnson
-became U.S. President on Nov. 22, 1963 when John F. Kennedy was assassinated
-opposed Kennedy’s view of the U.S. having a secondary role in Vietnam
-increased the number of advisors to 23,000
44. Gulf of Tonkin
-Aug. 2, 1964
-two American destroyers in international waters reported being attacked by North Vietnamese torpedo boats
-neither ship was damaged and evidence of the attack was weak at best (later found to be erroneous)
-Johnson ordered retaliatory air strikes
-the incident served to justify escalation of the U.S. effort
45. Tonkin Gulf Resolution
-Aug. 5, 1964
-Pres. Johnson urged Congress to support a measure that would increase the president power to responding to attacks on American forces
-there were only two dissenting votes.
-after massive public demonstration, Congress repealed the Resolution on Dec. 31, 1970
46. General William Westmoreland
-commanded U.S. forces in South Vietnam
-accused of deliberately misrepresented enemy troop strength (never proven)
-tried to fight a conventional war against an unconventional opponent
-maintained that the U.S. was winning the “body count” and always promised "light at the end of the tunnel"
47. Operation Rolling Thunder
-Feb. 1965
-Viet Cong attack a U.S. Army barracks
-the U.S. retaliated with a massive bombing campaign against North Vietnam
-50,000 more where soon sent to Vietnam
-fearing a backlash possibly leading to an investigation, details of the plan were never revealed to Americans
48. Tet Offensive
-beginning of Chinese New Year and major holiday in Southeast Asia
-major turning point in the war
-three week counter offensive North Vietnam aimed at taking over the U.S. held cities
-American troops were drawn out to Khe Sanh than surrounded sustaining heavy losses
-Viet Cong attempted an attack on the U.S. embassy in Saigon
-although the Viet Cong failed in their military objectives, anti-war public opinion in America peaked
49. Livingroom War
-Americans could watch scenes from the war on the television in their own living rooms
-helped shape public opinion about the war
50. Ho Chi Minh Trail
-supply route from North Vietnam through Laos and Cambodia to the Viet Cong in South Vietnam
-U.S. policy was to not escalate war into “neutral” countries
-mostly walking path and bicycle route hidden in the jungle
51. Richard Nixon
-Johnson surpassingly announced he would not seek a second presidential term
-Robert Kennedy was assassinated
-democrat nominee Hubert Humphrey announced he would continue support of the war
-Nixon won the presidential race in 1968
-tried to convince the Soviets to withdraw support of North Vietnam so U.S. could attain “peace with honor”
-visited Communist China
-spread war into Cambodia to destroy Viet Cong sanctuaries and supply points, touched off violent protests in America
52. Vietnamization
-Nixon’s plan of replacing American troops in combat with trained South Vietnamese troops
-South Vietnamese troops fled under battle conditions
53. Paris Peace Accords
-Jan. 31, 1973
-U.S. would begin withdrawal of troops and U.S. POW’s would be returned
-the two remaining governments of Vietnam would be left to negotiate a peace
-with the withdraw of troops also came a withdraw of financial support (boosted by Watergate)
54. Fall of Saigon
-North Vietnam continued to press southward until Saigon was surrounded
-last remaining Americans and US supporters were withdrawn as Viet Cong entered the city
55. Boat People
-millions of former U.S. and South Vietnamese supporters fled Vietnam after communist takeover
-many boarded unsafe overcrowded boats to navigate the open ocean to safe countries
Communism Spreads to Cambodia
56. Khmer Rouge
-Cambodian Communist movement to overthrow the American backed government
-used the mountains of southern Cambodia to defeat the democratic government despite massive economic and military aid from the United States
-Phnom Penh, the capital, fell to the Khmer Rouge on Apr. 16, 1975.
-implemented radical social change in which entire city populations were evacuated to rural areas
-responsible for the deaths of at least one million (one in four) Cambodians
57. Pol Pot
-Cambodian communist leader Pol Pot, b. May 19, 1928, became prime minister of Democratic
-attempt to build a purely agrarian-based Communist society by killing off over one million people
-Vietnamese forces invaded Kampuchea and overthrew the Pol Pot government forcing him to flee to
-dies in 1998 of an apparent heart attack just days before being turned over to an international genocide trial
58. Killing Fields
-large mass graves containing thousands of killed Cambodians