Boost Review Activities
Sections Overview
- 9.1 Intro to Cold War
- 9.2 Mapping the Cold War
- 9.3 Cuban Missile Crisis Simulation
- 9.5 Decolonization and the Cold War
- 9.6 Mao and Communist China
Study Tools
- Quizlet
- The Cold War Oversimplified part 1 & 2
9.1 Origins of the Cold War
Key Questions
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Transformation from Alliance to Rivalry
- Alliance during WWII between US and USSR shifted to rivalry post-war.
- Factors: Ideological differences, geopolitical conflicts, mutual distrust.
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Yalta and Potsdam Conferences
- Outcomes influenced US-USSR post-war relations.
- Yalta & Potsdam exposed growing disagreements.
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Iron Curtain
- Defined the division of Europe.
- Symbolized ideological divide between Eastern and Western Europe.
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Goals and Strategies of US vs USSR
- US: Capitalism, democracy
- USSR: Communism
- Shaped foreign policies and global actions.
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Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan
- Aimed at containing communism in Europe.
- Examples of effectiveness.
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NATO and Warsaw Pact
- Military alliances reflecting Cold War tensions.
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Berlin Blockade (1948-1949)
- Causes and consequences; escalation of Cold War tensions.
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1956 Hungarian Revolution
- Revealed limits of Soviet control in Eastern Europe.
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Berlin Wall (1961)
- Built to prevent emigration from East to West Berlin.
- Impact on German lives and Cold War dynamics.
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US-USSR Relations (1945-1961)
- Analysis of the deteriorating relationship with examples.
Multiple Choice Sample Questions
- US-USSR rivalry post-WWII
- Yalta and Potsdam's impact
- Iron Curtain significance
- Ideological influences on strategies
- Marshall Plan's primary goal
- NATO and Warsaw Pact's Cold War reflection
- Berlin Blockade consequence
- Hungarian Revolution insights
- Construction of Berlin Wall
- US-USSR relationship characterization
9.2 Mapping the Cold War
Key Questions
-
Korean War Involvement
- US: Direct military involvement
- USSR: Aid and planning
- Reflection of Cold War strategies.
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Cuban Missile Crisis Consequences
- Shaped US-Soviet relations and nuclear policy.
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Vietnam War and Containment Policy
- Analysis of strengths and weaknesses.
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Congo Conflict and Decolonization
- Beyond US-Soviet rivalry; included ethnic tensions.
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Nicaraguan Revolution
- Unique due to Iran-Contra Affair.
- Changing Cold War dynamics.
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US Involvement in Chilean Coup (1973)
- Ethical implications and contradictions with US values.
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Angolan Civil War
- Intersection of natural resources and ideological goals.
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US Strategies in Vietnam vs Afghanistan
- Lessons applied from Vietnam to Afghanistan.
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Proxy Wars and Soviet Collapse
- Evidence supporting proxy wars hastening Soviet fall.
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Impact of Cold War on Developing Nations
- Patterns of political and economic instability.
Multiple Choice Sample Questions
- U.S. vs Soviet Korean War involvement
- Cuban Missile Crisis long-term consequences
- Weaknesses in Vietnam containment
- Complexity of Congo's decolonization
- Unique aspects of Nicaraguan Revolution
- Ethical implications of US in Chile
- Economic and ideological drivers in Angola
- Lessons from Vietnam to Afghanistan
- Proxy wars and Soviet Union collapse
- Proxy conflicts' impacts on new nations
Proxy Wars Overview
- Korea: Military conflict, US direct involvement, Soviet aid.
- Cuba: Bay of Pigs, Cuban Missile Crisis.
- Vietnam: Long-term US involvement, Soviet support of North Vietnam.
- Congo: Proxy war dynamics, US and Soviet involvement.
- Nicaragua: Iran-Contra Affair, Soviet support for Sandinistas.
- Chile: US-backed coup, Soviet support for Allende.
- Angola: Civil war, natural resources at stake.
- Afghanistan: Soviet invasion, US-backed mujahedeen.
Summary
The Cold War era was marked by geopolitical tension between the US and Soviet Union, manifesting in various forms such as ideological confrontations, military alliances, and proxy wars. Key themes include the struggle for influence, containment policies, and the ethical implications of foreign interventions.