wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

NEW

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

The Cold War

Total questions: 27

Worksheet time: 14mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The Cold War started and ended in which years?

a)

1945-1991

b)

1939-1945

c)

1914-1918

d)

1961-1989

2.

What events in Europe caused relations between the superpowers to go bad?

a)

The division of Germany and Berlin

b)

The signing of the Treaty of Versailles

c)

The formation of the League of Nations

d)

The end of World War I

3.

Joseph Stalin was the leader of which country during the early Cold War, and why did he turn down the Marshall Plan?

a)

France; because he wanted to focus on rebuilding his own country

b)

United States; because he disagreed with European recovery

c)

Soviet Union; because he saw it as a threat to Soviet influence

d)

United Kingdom; because he wanted to support the US instead

4.

A Cold War turns “hot” when:

a)

countries begin direct military conflict

b)

countries sign peace treaties

c)

countries increase diplomatic relations

d)

countries engage in trade agreements

5.

Which of the following are ways the Cold War influenced Asia?

a)

Korean War, Vietnam War, support for anti-communist governments

b)

Berlin Airlift, Cuban Missile Crisis, Marshall Plan

c)

Space Race, Arms Race, Détente

d)

NATO formation, Warsaw Pact, Berlin Wall

6.

6. War broke out in Korea because:

a)

North Korea invaded South Korea.

b)

The U.N. declared war on Korea.

c)

South Korea attacked China.

d)

Japan invaded Korea.

7.

President Kennedy faced the ______ crisis in Cuba.

a)

Bay of Pigs

b)

Cuban Missile

c)

Berlin

d)

Watergate

8.

The U.S. got involved in Vietnam because of:

a)

The spread of communism in Southeast Asia

b)

Economic interests in Vietnam

c)

A desire to colonize Vietnam

d)

A request from the United Nations

9.

We fought all of the Vietnamese during the Vietnam War.

a)

True

b)

False

10.

President Nixon played China against the Soviet Union to:

a)

strengthen U.S. relations with both countries

b)

weaken the alliance between China and the Soviet Union

c)

promote global communism

d)

support the Soviet Union against China

11.

President Reagan dealt with the Cold War by:

a)

Increasing military spending and taking a hard stance against the Soviet Union

b)

Reducing military spending and seeking immediate peace with the Soviet Union

c)

Forming an alliance with the Soviet Union against China

d)

Withdrawing the United States from all international affairs

12.

The Strategic Defense Initiative refers to:

a)

A U.S. missile defense program proposed during the Cold War

b)

A United Nations peacekeeping mission

c)

A trade agreement between NATO countries

d)

A Soviet plan for economic reform

13.

The Soviet Union collapsed in which year?

a)

1989

b)

1991

c)

1993

d)

1985

14.

Define the following key term: United Nations.

a)

An international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries.

b)

A regional trade agreement between North American countries.

c)

A military alliance formed during World War II.

d)

A global financial institution focused on economic development.

15.

Define the following key term: Containment.

a)

A U.S. policy aimed at preventing the spread of communism.

b)

A strategy to increase global trade.

c)

A plan to promote democracy worldwide.

d)

A method for economic recovery after World War II.

16.

Define the following key term: Truman Doctrine.

a)

A U.S. policy to provide economic and military aid to countries resisting communism, announced in 1947.

b)

A Soviet plan to rebuild Eastern Europe after World War II.

c)

A treaty that ended World War I and imposed heavy reparations on Germany.

d)

A United Nations initiative to promote global health and education.

17.

Define the following key term: Marshall Plan.

a)

A U.S. program providing aid to Western Europe after World War II to help rebuild economies and prevent the spread of communism.

b)

A Soviet initiative to expand influence in Eastern Europe after World War II.

c)

A United Nations peacekeeping mission in Asia after World War II.

d)

A British economic policy to rebuild its empire after World War II.

18.

Define the following key term: NATO.

a)

North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance formed in 1949 between North American and European countries.

b)

National Aeronautics and Technology Organization, a space research agency.

c)

New Asia Trade Organization, an economic partnership in Asia.

d)

Northern Agricultural Trade Office, a food export agency.

19.

Define the following key term: Warsaw Pact.

a)

A military alliance of communist nations in Eastern Europe formed in 1955 in response to NATO.

b)

An economic agreement between Western European countries after World War II.

c)

A peace treaty signed by the United States and the Soviet Union in 1945.

d)

A trade organization established by Asian countries in the 1960s.

20.

Define the following key term: Berlin Wall.

a)

A wall built by East Germany in 1961 to separate East and West Berlin, symbolizing the Cold War division.

b)

A bridge constructed to connect East and West Berlin for trade purposes.

c)

A monument built in Berlin to commemorate World War II.

d)

A border fence between Germany and Poland established after World War I.

21.

Define the following key term: Cuban Missile Crisis.

a)

A 1962 confrontation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union over Soviet missiles in Cuba.

b)

A 1948 blockade of West Berlin by the Soviet Union.

c)

A 1950-1953 war between North and South Korea.

d)

A 1961 failed invasion of Cuba by Cuban exiles.

22.

Define the following key term: Vietnam War.

a)

A conflict from 1955 to 1975 between communist North Vietnam and non-communist South Vietnam, with U.S. involvement.

b)

A civil war in China between the Nationalists and Communists.

c)

A conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

d)

A war fought between North and South Korea from 1950 to 1953.

23.

Who were the Rosenbergs?

a)

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were American citizens executed for passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union.

b)

The Rosenbergs were a famous jazz duo from New Orleans in the 1920s.

c)

The Rosenbergs were a political family from Massachusetts known for their civil rights activism.

d)

The Rosenbergs were inventors who created the first commercial radio.

24.

Who was Joe McCarthy?

a)

Joe McCarthy was a U.S. senator who led investigations into alleged communist influence in the U.S. government.

b)

Joe McCarthy was a famous Hollywood actor known for his roles in Western films.

c)

Joe McCarthy was a renowned scientist who discovered penicillin.

d)

Joe McCarthy was a celebrated jazz musician in the 1940s.

25.

What does U.S.S.R. stand for?

a)

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

b)

United States of Soviet Russia

c)

Union of Socialist States of Russia

d)

United Soviet States Republic

26.

What does I.C.B.M. stand for?

a)

Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

b)

International Civilian Business Model

c)

Integrated Communication Base Module

d)

Internal Combustion Battery Motor

27.

Which was a main cause of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union?

a)

a large decrease in military expenditures

b)

the founding of the United Nations

c)

direct, armed conflict between the two nations

d)

a competition for political influence over other countries