The Cold War Flashcards

Grade 10 · Social Studies · Flashcards

Key terms, figures, and events from the Cold War era for Grade 10 review.

Flashcards

Iron Curtain

Metaphorical barrier separating Soviet-controlled Eastern Europe from Western democracies; coined by Winston Churchill in 1946.

Containment Policy

U.S. strategy to prevent communism from spreading beyond existing Soviet-influenced states, articulated by George Kennan.

Proxy War

Conflict where superpowers support opposing sides without directly fighting each other, e.g., Korean War, Vietnam War, Afghan War.

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

13-day nuclear standoff after Soviet missiles discovered in Cuba; resolved when USSR removed missiles in exchange for U.S. assurances.

Berlin Wall (1961–1989)

Concrete barrier dividing East and West Berlin; built to stop East German emigration; fell as communism collapsed.

Détente

Period of relaxed U.S.–Soviet tensions in the 1970s; led to SALT arms limitation treaties and Nixon's visit to China.

Space Race

U.S.–USSR competition for space supremacy: Sputnik (USSR, 1957) vs. Moon landing (USA, 1969).

Glasnost

Gorbachev's policy of political openness and transparency in the USSR, begun in 1986.

Perestroika

Gorbachev's economic restructuring policy designed to modernize the Soviet economy; contributed to the USSR's collapse.

Truman Doctrine

1947 U.S. policy providing aid to Greece and Turkey to resist communist pressure — expanded into global containment.

Warsaw Pact

Soviet-led military alliance of communist Eastern European countries formed in 1955 in response to NATO.

Arms Race

Escalating competition between the U.S. and USSR to build larger nuclear and conventional weapons arsenals.

Get a personalized course on The Cold War built around your child.