The Cold War from 1945 to 1980
Grace Lewis
10 min read
Study Guide Overview
This AP US History study guide covers the Cold War, from its origins to détente. Key topics include the UN, atomic secrets, the Iron Curtain, Soviet satellite states, Truman's containment policy (Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan), the Berlin Blockade and Airlift, NATO, the Chinese Civil War, the Korean War, massive retaliation, the U-2 incident, communism in Cuba (Bay of Pigs), the Berlin Wall, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Nixon's diplomacy, SALT treaties, and the impact of the Cold War on US foreign policy. It also includes practice questions and exam tips.
AP US History: Cold War Study Guide 🚀
Hey there! Let's get you prepped and confident for your APUSH exam. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially the night before the test. We'll break down the Cold War into manageable chunks, highlight key concepts, and make sure you're ready to ace it! Let's dive in!
1. Origins of the Cold War
The Cold War (1947-1991) was a clash of ideologies between the U.S. (democracy/capitalism) and the USSR (communism). It was a battle of influence, not direct military conflict, but it brought the world close to nuclear war several times. 😨
The United Nations (UN)
The UN, founded in 1945, aimed for global cooperation. The General Assembly represents all members, while the Security Council (with 5 permanent members: U.S., UK, France, China, USSR) maintains international security. Optimism was high, but tensions quickly rose.
The UN Security Council's veto power for permanent members often led to gridlock during the Cold War. This highlights the limitations of international cooperation when major powers are in conflict.
Atomic Secrets
FDR and Churchill kept the atomic bomb a secret from Stalin. This mistrust led Stalin to start the Soviet atomic program in 1943. By the time Truman informed Stalin, the USSR was already well on its way to developing its own bomb. This secrecy fueled early Cold War tensions. 🤫
2. The Iron Curtain and Satellite States
Soviet Influence in Eastern Europe
In 1946, the USSR maintained forces in Central and Eastern Europe. Though elections were held, they were manipulated to install Communist dictators loyal to Moscow in countries like Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia. These nations became Soviet satellite states. 🌍
Division of Germany
Germany was divided into Soviet, French, British, and U.S. zones. The Soviet zone became the German Democratic Republic (East Germany), a Communist state. The U.S. and Britain merged their zones, favoring German reunification and economic recovery. The USSR feared a resurgent Germany and tightened its grip on its zone. 🇩🇪
Image Courtesy of Reformation
The Iron Curtain
In 1946, Winston Churchill declared that an "iron curtain" had descended across Europe, dividing the democratic West from the communist East. This metaphor symbolized the ideological and physical division of Europe during the Cold War. 🚧
Think of the Iron Curtain as a literal barrier, like a heavy, impenetrable curtain, separating East and West. This helps visualize the division and lack of communication.
3. Truman’s Containment Policy
In 1947, President Truman adopted the containment policy to stop Soviet expansion. This became the cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy for decades. 🛑
Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine was a response to:
- Communist uprising in Greece
- Soviet demands in Turkey. Truman requested $400 million in aid to support “free people” against “totalitarian” regimes. This was an informal declaration of the Cold War. 🏛️
Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan (1948) was a massive U.S. aid program ($17 billion) to rebuild Europe. It aimed to prevent the spread of communism by fostering economic recovery. It worked by boosting Western European economies and increasing U.S. exports. 💰
Remember the Marshall Plan as a key example of economic diplomacy. It shows how the U.S. used financial aid to achieve political goals.
4. Berlin Blockade and Airlift
Stalin blockaded all land access to Berlin (the Berlin Blockade). Truman responded with the Berlin Airlift, a massive operation to supply West Berlin by air. This showed U.S. resolve and forced Stalin to lift the blockade. ✈️
Image Courtesy of Wikipedia
The Berlin Airlift was a huge logistical achievement and a major propaganda victory for the U.S. It demonstrated the commitment to containing communism.
5. NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed in 1949. It was a military alliance where an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. The U.S. extended its nuclear umbrella over Europe. General Dwight Eisenhower was appointed as NATO's supreme commander. 🛡️
NATO is a crucial example of collective security and a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy during and after the Cold War. Be sure to understand its purpose and significance.
6. The Chinese Civil War
The Chinese Civil War was between Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalists (supported by the U.S.) and Mao Tse-tung’s Communists. Despite U.S. aid, the Communists won in 1949, establishing the People's Republic of China. The Nationalists fled to Formosa (Taiwan). Mao and Stalin signed the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Mutual Assistance. 🇨🇳
Image Courtesy of Britannica
7. The Korean War
Korea was divided at the 38th parallel after WWII. The North (Communist, led by Kim Il Sung) invaded the South (nationalist, led by Syngman Rhee) in 1950, starting the Korean War. The U.S. intervened under the UN banner, led by General Douglas MacArthur. The war ended in 1953 with an armistice, leaving Korea divided. 🇰🇷
Image Courtesy of Britannica
Many students confuse the Korean War with the Vietnam War. Remember that the Korean War occurred first and was fought under the UN banner.
Remember the 38th parallel as the dividing line in Korea. Think of it as a line drawn on a map, separating the two sides.
8. Massive Retaliation and Détente
Massive Retaliation
Eisenhower’s policy of massive retaliation relied on nuclear weapons to deter Soviet aggression. The development of the hydrogen bomb led to the concept of mutually assured destruction (MAD), which prevented direct war between the superpowers. ☢️
Geneva Convention
After Stalin's death, Eisenhower proposed the "atoms for peace" plan. The Geneva Summit in 1955 led to a brief thaw in the Cold War, known as the "spirit of Geneva". The U.S. proposed an “open skies” policy, which the Soviets rejected. 🕊️
U-2 Incident
The U-2 incident in 1960, where a U.S. spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union, exposed U.S. espionage and ended the "spirit of Geneva". Khrushchev denounced the U.S. and walked out of the Paris summit. 🛩️
Understand the concept of MAD. It's a key idea that shaped Cold War strategy and prevented a full-scale nuclear war.
9. Communism in Cuba
Castro's Rise
Fidel Castro overthrew the Cuban dictator in 1959 and established a Communist state. The U.S. cut off trade, and Castro turned to the Soviets for support. The U.S. authorized the CIA to train Cuban exiles to retake Cuba. 🇨🇺
Bay of Pigs Invasion
Kennedy approved the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, a failed attempt by Cuban exiles to overthrow Castro. The invasion was poorly executed and quickly defeated, damaging Kennedy's reputation. 🐷
10. Kennedy and Berlin
Berlin Wall
The Soviets built the Berlin Wall in 1961 to stop the flow of East Germans to the West. This wall became a symbol of the Cold War division. At Checkpoint Charlie, American and Russian tanks faced off. 🧱
"Ich bin ein Berliner"
Kennedy's famous speech in Berlin, declaring "Ich bin ein Berliner", showed U.S. solidarity with West Berlin. He emphasized the importance of defending freedom. 🗣️
11. Cuban Missile Crisis
Missile Buildup
In 1962, the Soviets began a massive arms buildup in Cuba, including nuclear missiles. This led to the Cuban Missile Crisis, the closest the world came to nuclear war. 🚀
Image Courtesy of Smithsonian Magazine
Resolution
Kennedy imposed a naval quarantine of Cuba. After tense negotiations, Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for a U.S. promise not to invade Cuba and to remove U.S. missiles from Turkey. A “hotline” was established for direct communication between Washington and Moscow. 📞
Think of the Cuban Missile Crisis as a high-stakes game of chess, where one wrong move could have led to disaster. This helps illustrate the tension and danger of the situation.
12. Détente
Nixon's Diplomacy
Nixon and Kissinger pursued détente, a policy of reducing Cold War tensions. Nixon visited China in 1972, improving U.S.-China relations and leveraging the Sino-Soviet split. 🤝
SALT I
The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) led to the SALT I treaty in 1972, limiting antiballistic missiles and freezing the number of ballistic missiles. This was a major step in arms control. 📝
Carter and the Cold War
Carter signed the SALT II treaty in 1979, but it was never ratified by the Senate. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 ended détente, and the Cold War resumed. Carter responded with the Carter Doctrine, halting grain exports and boycotting the 1980 Moscow Olympics. 🏃
Final Exam Focus
High-Priority Topics:
- Containment Policy: Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, Berlin Airlift
- Key Conflicts: Korean War, Cuban Missile Crisis
- Arms Race: Massive Retaliation, MAD, SALT Treaties
- Détente: Nixon's China visit, SALT I
Common Question Types:
- Multiple Choice: Focus on key events, policies, and figures.
- Short Answer: Analyze the causes and effects of specific events.
- Free Response: Compare and contrast different aspects of the Cold War, analyze the impact of U.S. foreign policy.
Last-Minute Tips:
- Time Management: Pace yourself, don't spend too long on any one question.
- Common Pitfalls: Avoid vague answers, use specific evidence.
- Strategies: Read questions carefully, plan your essays before writing, and always connect your points back to the main question.
Practice Questions
Practice Question
Multiple Choice
-
The primary goal of the Marshall Plan was to: (A) Provide military aid to Western Europe (B) Promote democracy in Eastern Europe (C) Rebuild the economies of Western Europe (D) Establish a military alliance against the Soviet Union
-
The Cuban Missile Crisis resulted in all of the following EXCEPT: (A) The establishment of a direct communication hotline between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. (B) A U.S. pledge not to invade Cuba. (C) The removal of U.S. missiles from Turkey. (D) The permanent stationing of Soviet missiles in Cuba.
-
Which of the following best describes the policy of "massive retaliation"? (A) A diplomatic strategy aimed at reducing tensions with the Soviet Union. (B) A military strategy relying on the use of nuclear weapons to deter aggression. (C) An economic policy focused on rebuilding war-torn countries. (D) A cultural initiative designed to promote understanding between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
Free Response Question
Analyze the ways in which the Cold War shaped United States foreign policy from 1945 to 1975. Point Breakdown:
- Thesis (1 point): A clear, defensible thesis that addresses the prompt.
- Argument Development (2 points): Provides specific examples of how the Cold War shaped U.S. foreign policy, such as containment, the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, intervention in Korea and Vietnam, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and détente.
- Evidence (2 points): Supports the argument with specific historical evidence, including key events, policies, and figures.
- Analysis (2 points): Explains how the evidence supports the argument and analyzes the broader implications of U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War.
- Synthesis (1 point): Connects the Cold War to other historical periods or themes, demonstrating a broader understanding of U.S. history.
You've got this! You're well-prepared and ready to rock the APUSH exam. Believe in yourself, stay calm, and go get that 5!
How are we doing?
Give us your feedback and let us know how we can improve