Effects of the Cold War
Sophie Anderson
7 min read
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#Cold War: A Night-Before Review 🚀
Hey! Let's get you prepped for the AP World History exam. We're going to break down the Cold War into easy-to-digest sections, hitting all the key points you need to know. Remember, you've got this!
# Cold War Alliances 🤝
The Cold War was a global power struggle. Two major alliances defined the conflict:
- NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization): Formed in 1949 by Western nations (primarily Europe and North America) to counter Soviet expansion and support capitalism.
- Warsaw Pact: Created in 1955 by the Soviet Union and its Eastern European allies as a military alliance to counter NATO and exert influence over Eastern Europe.
These alliances created a clear division in the world, setting the stage for decades of tension and proxy conflicts. Think of them as the two main teams in a global standoff.
# Rising Tensions 🌡️
Direct conflict between the US and USSR was rare, but tensions were always high. Here are some key examples:
#Non-Violent Conflicts
- The Space Race 🧑🚀: A competition between the US and USSR to achieve milestones in space exploration. It began with the Soviet launch of Sputnik and culminated with the US Apollo 11 moon landing. This wasn't just about science; it was about showing off technological and military power. 🚀
Remember Sputnik (USSR) and Apollo 11 (USA) as key symbols of the space race.
- The Berlin Wall 🧱: A physical and symbolic barrier. The Berlin Blockade/Airlift in 1948 saw the US and allies airlift supplies to West Berlin after the Soviets blocked access. Later, the Berlin Wall (1961-1989) divided East and West Berlin, symbolizing the Cold War division of Europe.
When discussing the Berlin Wall, remember it was both a phy...
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