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Key Term |
Definition |
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Iron Curtain |
The division between communist Eastern Europe and capitalist Western Europe during the Cold War. |
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Cold War |
The period of tension and rivalry between the USA and USSR after 1945. |
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Eastern Bloc |
Communist countries in Eastern Europe controlled or influenced by the USSR. |
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Western Bloc |
Capitalist countries in Western Europe supported by the USA. |
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Buffer Zone |
Friendly countries surrounding the USSR designed to protect it from invasion. |
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Containment |
The American policy of stopping the spread of communism. |
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Soviet Expansion |
The spread of Soviet influence and communist governments across Eastern Europe after 1945. |
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Truman Doctrine |
A 1947 American policy promising support for countries threatened by communism. |
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Marshall Plan |
An American programme of economic aid to rebuild Europe after the Second World War. |
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Marshall Aid |
Money, supplies and economic assistance given through the Marshall Plan. |
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Cominform |
Soviet organisation created in 1947 to coordinate communist governments and increase Soviet control. |
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Comecon |
Soviet economic organisation created in 1949 to increase trade and cooperation between communist countries. |
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Capitalism |
An economic system based on private ownership and profit. |
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Communism |
A political and economic system where the state controls industry and wealth. |
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Democracy |
A system where people choose governments through free elections. |
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Propaganda |
Information used to influence people’s opinions, often biased or misleading. |
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Eastern Europe |
Countries east of Germany that came under Soviet influence after the Second World War. |
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Harry S. Truman |
American president who introduced the Truman Doctrine and supported containment. |
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Joseph Stalin |
Leader of the Soviet Union during the early Cold War. |
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George C. Marshall |
US Secretary of State who proposed the Marshall Plan. |
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Josip Broz Tito |
Communist leader of Yugoslavia who resisted Soviet control. |
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Yugoslavia |
Communist country that remained independent from Soviet control under Tito. |
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Berlin Blockade |
Stalin’s attempt in 1948–49 to cut off West Berlin from the West. |
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Berlin Airlift |
The Western operation supplying West Berlin by air during the blockade. |
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West Berlin |
The western-controlled part of Berlin inside communist East Germany. |
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Occupation Zones |
Areas of Germany controlled by Britain, France, the USA and the USSR after 1945. |
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Blockade |
An attempt to cut off a place from supplies or communication routes. |
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Airlift |
Supplying a location using aircraft. |
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NATO |
Military alliance formed in 1949 between Western countries for mutual defence. |
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Superpower |
A country with enormous military and political influence. |
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Rigged Elections |
Elections manipulated to guarantee a particular result. |
7.1.1 The end of the Second World War
The end of the Second World War: Yalta and Potsdam Conferences; the division of Germany; contrasting attitudes and ideologies of the USA and the USSR, including the aims of Stalin, Churchill, Roosevelt, Attlee and Truman; effect of the dropping of the atom bomb on post-war superpower relations.
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7.1.2 The Iron Curtain and the Evolution of East-West rivalry
The Iron Curtain and the evolution of East-West rivalry: Soviet expansion in East Europe; US policies; the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan, their purpose and Stalin’s reaction; Cominform; Comecon; Yugoslavia; the Berlin Blockade and Airlift.
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7.2.1 The significance of events in Asia for superpower relations
The significance of events in Asia for superpower relations: USSR's support for Mao Tse-tung and Communist revolution in China, and the military campaigns waged by North Korea against the UN and by the Vietcong against France and the USA.
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7.2.2 Military rivalries
Military rivalries: the arms race; membership and purposes of NATO and the Warsaw Pact; the space race, including Sputnik, ICBMs, Polaris, Gagarin, Apollo.
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7.2.3 The ‘Thaw’
The ‘Thaw’: Hungary, the protest movement and the reforms of Nagy; Soviet fears, how they reacted and the effects on the Cold War; the U2 Crisis and its effects on the Paris Peace Summit and the peace process.
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7.3.1 Berlin Wall
Berlin Wall: reasons for its construction and Kennedy’s response.
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7.3.2 Tensions over Cuba
Tensions over Cuba: Castro’s revolution, the Bay of Pigs and the missile crisis: the roles of Castro, Khrushchev, Kennedy; fears of the USA and reaction to missiles on Cuba; dangers and results of crisis.
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7.3.3 Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia: Dubeck and the Prague Spring movement; USSR’s response to the reforms; the effects the Prague Spring had on East-West relations, including the Warsaw Pact; the Brezhnev Doctrine.
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7.3.4 Easing of Tension
Easing of tension: sources of tension, including the Soviets' record on human rights; the reasons for Détente and for SALT 1; the part played by key individuals Brezhnev and Nixon.
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