Cold War Review

Front

A US belief that if a non communist country fell to communism that surrounding countries would also fall.

Back

Domino Theory

Answer explanation

The correct answer is Domino Theory, which posits that the fall of one non-communist country to communism would lead to the subsequent fall of neighboring countries, similar to a row of dominoes.

Front

The Cold War was primarily a period of...

Back

Intense rivalry and tension between the US and the Soviet Union.

Answer explanation

The Cold War was characterized by intense rivalry and tension between the US and the Soviet Union, rather than direct military conflict or nuclear weapon use, making this choice the most accurate representation of the period.

Front

Major difference in belief between the US and the Soviet Union during the Cold War?

Back

The US believed in democracy and capitalism; the Soviet Union believed in communism.

Answer explanation

The major difference in belief during the Cold War was that the US supported democracy and capitalism, while the Soviet Union advocated for communism. This fundamental ideological divide shaped their global interactions.

Front

The military alliance formed by the United States and its allies for protection was called:

Back

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).

Answer explanation

The military alliance formed by the United States and its allies for protection is NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), established in 1949 to ensure collective defense against aggression.

Front

The "Iron Curtain" was a term used to describe:

Back

The ideological division between communist Eastern Europe and democratic Western Europe.

Answer explanation

The "Iron Curtain" symbolized the ideological divide during the Cold War, separating communist Eastern Europe from democratic Western Europe, highlighting the stark political and cultural differences between the two regions.

Front

The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 to:

Back

Keep East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin.

Answer explanation

The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 primarily to keep East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin, as many sought better opportunities and freedom in the West, leading to a significant brain drain from East Germany.

Front

The Space Race was a competition primarily between the US and the Soviet Union to achieve milestones in:

Back

Space exploration.

Answer explanation

The Space Race was a competition focused on achieving significant milestones in space exploration, such as launching satellites and sending humans to the Moon, primarily between the US and the Soviet Union.

Front

Why was the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 a dangerous time?

Back

There was a high risk of nuclear war between the US and the Soviet Union.

Answer explanation

The Cuban Missile Crisis posed a high risk of nuclear war between the US and the Soviet Union due to the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba, escalating tensions and bringing both superpowers to the brink of conflict.

Front

"Communism" as practiced in the Soviet Union during the Cold War involved:

Back

Government control of most industries and a focus on equality (in theory).

Answer explanation

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union's version of communism involved government control over industries and aimed for equality, contrasting with free markets and private ownership.

Front

Why were nuclear weapons a major concern during the Cold War?

Back

They had the potential to cause massive destruction.

Answer explanation

Nuclear weapons were a major concern during the Cold War primarily because they had the potential to cause massive destruction, threatening global security and leading to a tense arms race between superpowers.