Glossary
Capitalism
An economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production, free markets, and the pursuit of profit.
Example:
The United States championed capitalism as the ideal economic system, promoting free trade and individual economic freedom globally.
Cold War
A period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, lasting from the mid-1940s until 1991.
Example:
The Cold War was characterized by an ideological struggle, proxy conflicts, and a dangerous nuclear arms race, but no direct military confrontation between the two superpowers.
Communism
A political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society where the means of production are owned and controlled by the community as a whole, often through a single-party state.
Example:
The Soviet Union sought to spread communism worldwide, believing it would lead to a more equitable society free from capitalist exploitation.
Containment
The US foreign policy strategy during the Cold War aimed at preventing the spread of communism beyond its existing borders.
Example:
The containment policy guided US actions from the Truman Doctrine to military interventions, seeking to limit Soviet influence globally.
Marshall Plan
An American initiative enacted in 1948 to provide financial aid to rebuild Western European economies after World War II.
Example:
The Marshall Plan successfully revitalized Western European economies, helping to prevent the spread of communism by fostering stability and prosperity.
Nuclear Arms Race
A competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to develop and accumulate more powerful nuclear weapons.
Example:
The nuclear arms race led to the development of devastating weapons like hydrogen bombs, creating a constant threat of mutually assured destruction.
Potsdam Conference
A meeting in July-August 1945 between Truman (US), Attlee (UK), and Stalin (USSR) to further discuss the future of Germany and post-war order.
Example:
The Potsdam Conference revealed deepening suspicions between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union, as they failed to resolve major issues regarding Germany's future.
Proxy Wars
Conflicts in which opposing powers support opposing sides without directly engaging each other in combat.
Example:
The Korean War and the Vietnam War were significant proxy wars during the Cold War, where the US and USSR supported opposing factions.
Satellite States
Countries that are formally independent but are under heavy political, economic, and military influence or control by another country.
Example:
After World War II, Eastern European nations like Poland and Hungary became satellite states of the Soviet Union.
Soviet Union
A communist state in Eastern Europe and Asia that became a global superpower after World War II, opposing the United States ideologically.
Example:
The Soviet Union established a sphere of influence in Eastern Europe, creating satellite states aligned with its communist ideology.
Truman Doctrine
A US foreign policy established in 1947 stating that the United States would provide military and economic aid to any country threatened by communism.
Example:
The Truman Doctrine was first applied to Greece and Turkey, demonstrating the US commitment to containing Soviet expansion.
United States
A North American nation that emerged as a global superpower after World War II, advocating for democracy and capitalism.
Example:
During the Cold War, the United States supported democratic governments in Western Europe through initiatives like the Marshall Plan.
Yalta Conference
A meeting in February 1945 between Roosevelt (US), Churchill (UK), and Stalin (USSR) to discuss the post-World War II reorganization of Europe.
Example:
At the Yalta Conference, the Allied leaders made key decisions regarding the division of Germany and the future of Poland, setting the stage for post-war tensions.