World History: Cold War (Global Perspective)

What were the two primary opposing ideologies that defined the global struggle of the Cold War?

Capitalism (led by the United States) and Communism (led by the Soviet Union).

What term did Winston Churchill use to describe the ideological and physical divide between Western and Eastern Europe?

The Iron Curtain.

What was the primary goal of the United States' policy of 'containment'?

To prevent the spread of communism to new countries beyond its existing borders in Eastern Europe and Asia.

Which two military alliances were formed to represent the Western and Eastern blocs during the Cold War?

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and the Warsaw Pact.

Explain the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD).

A military strategy where the full-scale use of nuclear weapons by two opposing sides would result in the total annihilation of both the attacker and the defender.

How did the Cuban Missile Crisis change the nature of communication between the US and the USSR?

It led to the installation of a direct 'hotline' between the White House and the Kremlin to prevent accidental nuclear war.

How did the Cold War influence India's foreign policy under leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru?

India adopted a policy of non-alignment, refusing to join either the US or Soviet blocs to maintain independence and focus on internal development.

Why is the year 1960 significant in the context of African decolonization?

It is known as the 'Year of Africa' because seventeen African nations gained independence from colonial rule in that year alone.

Why is the Vietnam War classified as a 'proxy war'?

It was a local conflict where the superpowers (US and USSR/China) supported opposing sides to advance their own interests without fighting each other directly.

What was the outcome of the Korean War regarding the borders of the peninsula?

The war ended in a stalemate, leaving the peninsula divided near the 38th parallel by a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).