Cold War and Related Concepts

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The Cold War

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A period (1945–1991) of tension and competition between the United States and the Soviet Union, without direct fighting between the two nations.

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Communism

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An economic and political system where the government owns businesses and property, and there is little personal freedom.

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Capitalism

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An economic system where businesses are privately owned, and people are free to make economic choices.

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'Iron Curtain'

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The division between democratic Western Europe and communist Eastern Europe after WWII.

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Containment

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A policy to stop the spread of communism to other countries.

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Truman Doctrine

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A U.S. promise to support countries fighting against communism, especially with money and supplies.

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Marshall Plan

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A U.S. program that gave money and aid to rebuild Western European countries after WWII so they wouldn’t fall to communism.

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The Berlin Airlift

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When the U.S. and allies flew food and supplies into West Berlin after the Soviet Union blocked access to the city.

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NATO

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A military alliance of the U.S., Canada, and Western European nations formed in 1949 to defend against communism.

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Domino Theory

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The idea that if one country fell to communism, nearby countries would also fall, like dominoes.