Copy of 20th Century History Terms

7/31/2019 Copy of 20th Century History Terms

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Term Date Nation Description

Agent Orange USA

Chemical herbicide used in Vietnam as a jungle clearing

technique, named for the color of the barrel, associated

with cancer and birth defects

Appeasement 1920s-1930s Europe

Many western governments ignored the actions of Hitler

after WWI, thinking that they'd just blow over since

Hitler had nothing to complain about, but he escalated

his efforts instead.

April Theses 1917 Russia

Lenin drafts a document rejecting support for the

Provisional Government of Russa as established by the

Duma.

ARVN 1955 Vietnam

The Army of the Republic of Vietnam, Northern Army.

Brutal reputation, sort of a KGB role in some cases.

Beer Hall Putsch 1922 Germany

Hitler tries to hold hostage government officials but is

arrested and sent to jail where he writes his book.

Blackshirts/SS Germany Shutstaffel, secret police, win over SA

Bolsheviks 1903 Russia Power by violence, chosen by Lenin

Brownshirts/SA Germany Shutzanteil, storm troopers, state control

Buddhist Protest 1963 Vietnam

Buddhist monk sets himself on fire, accusing the Diem

government of religious discrimination. Widely

published, it led to Diem's downfall and the naming of a

new President loyal to the US.

Chancellor Hitler 1933 Germany

Appointed Chancellor and begins to take control of the

legislative bodies.

Cheka/KGB 1918-1991 USSR Secret Police, helped meet quotas, general discipline

Christmas

Bombing 1972 USA, Vietnam

The bombing campaign in late December in response to

the suspension of peace talks with the north

Vietnamese.

Civil War 1918-1921 Russia

Causes them to pull out of WWI (Brest-Litovsk), Reds

versus Whites (US support)

Containment of

China Indochina

A cause of the Vietnam war. With the French losing

power, vaccum would be filled with Red China?

Cooper-Church

Amendment 1970 USA

Prevents Nixon from maintaining troops in Laos and

Cambodia - forbids them from being anywhere but

Vietnam. Nixon bombs the nations in response.

Death of Lenin 1924 USSR

Lenin's death signals a new era of power. Struggle

between Leon Trotsky and Stalin begins. Stalin has

power because he is secretary of Politburo.

Dien Bien Phu 1954 France, Vietnam

last battle of French in Vietnam. Vietnamese massacre

French. Spurs France to leave, happens during Geneva

Conference. Signals the end of the First Indochina War.

Distrust of China Vietnam

The decades of occupation by China made Vietnam

distrust them greatly. It was absurd for the US to

assume that the Vietnamese wanted to be like China or

even part of China.


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Domino Theory 1970s Indochina

If one falls, the others will follow suit. Also applies to

Latin America.

Evacuation of US

Embassy in Saigon 1975 Vietnam

The US ordered the embassy evacuated as North

Vietnamese troops neared Saigon. Just a week

afterwards, Saigon fell to the North.

Fall of Saigon 1975 Vietnam

The fall of the South's capital city signaled the end of

the war. Finally Vietnam was reunited, though under a

communist government.

Five Year Plan 1928-1932 USSR

economic advances needed to become more socialist.

Brutal industrialization, break power of pesants to get

industrial tools (communal farms), wage scales based

on production.

Free Fire Zones Vietnam

US soldiers were informed of free fire zones where they

were instructed to shoot anything that moved, regardless

of what it was.

Green Berets USA, Vietnam

The US Special Forces used to go directly into villages

to win over the South Vietnamese over the Viet Cong.

Hanoi Hotel Vietnam

A notorious North Vietnamese prison that used tortue ofPOWs for information. An example of the lack of

humanitarian rights.

Ho Chi Minh 1890-1969 Vietnam

A nationalist Vietnamese man with a French education.

Went to Paris Peace Conference, but disillusioned.

Then became revolutionary with Soviet training.

Disliked China, but received aid from USSR in hopes of

becoming independent nation.

Ho Chi Minh Trail 1960s-70s Vietnam, Cambo

A system of roads and paths used as supply lines for the

Vietminh. Named by USA after their leader.

Indochina FranceFrench colony in Asia that is now Vietnam, Laos, andCambodia.

Japanese Control of

Vietnam WWII France, Japan

The Vichy government of France hands over Indochina

to the advancing Japan. It is later returned to France

July Days 1917 Russia demonstrations against the provisional government

Kent State 1970 USA

The shootings at Kent State by National Guardsmen

during student protests of the invasion of Cambodia by

Nixon.

Kerensky

Offensive 1917 Russia

A failed offensive movement against Germany in WWI

by the provisional government. Downed morale even

more, huge casualties.

Khmer Rouge 1970 Cambodia

Overthrows Cambodia, communits. Humanitarian

crimes, helped Viet Cong.

Kornilov Revolt 1917 Russia

A Russian general tries to take power for himself and

bring back the Tsar. It fails.

Kristallnacht 1938 Germany

The people's response to Hitler's decree that all Jews are

bad and are responsible for the bad economy, etc.

Killing, looting, property destruction


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Lebensraum 1923 Germany

Mentioned in Mein Kampf, Hitler calls for more living

space before he unites with Austria-Hungary and the

Sudetenland.

Marx and Engels 1848

Communist Manifesto; all history is a class struggle,

economics influences history, industrial revolution is

last class struggle.

My Lai 1968

A massacre by the USA, comparable to the Rape of

Nanking in WWII. William Caulley, the commander ofthe US troops, was later tried and convicted for the

event.

Mensheviks 1903 Russia Power by democratic process

Munich Conference 1938 Europe

Russia and Czechoslovakia not invited, appeasement

rules that USSR isn't doing anything wrong. They are

within the limits.

Napalm USA

A gasoline-based flamethrower used since WWII. It

produces horrible wounds when in contact with people.

In Vietnam, it was used as a jungle clearing technique,often harmful to the villages and people living there.

National Women's

Day Riot 1917 Russia Led to the "February" revolution in March

NEP (New

Economic Policy) 1921-1928 USSR

let communism go for now (hands-off), economy

recovers from wars, mixed economy

Ngo Dinh Diem

The S. Vietnamese President, Catholic, unpopular, US

supported

Night of the Long

Knives 1934 Germany

SA Falls to SS, establishing the country's secret police

system.

Nuremberg Laws 1935 GermanyDiscrimination against the Jews, causes some to go intohiding, reveals Hitler's racism to the core.

Operation Rolling

Thunder USA

The first bombing of North Vietnam in response to the

Tonkin Gulf incident. This escalates the conflict.

PeMex 1938 Mexico

American companies lose their holdings in Mexican oil

as they are nationalized.

Pentagon Papers 1971 USA

The release of these papers during the Vietnam war

fueled anti-war sentiment. The papers referred to US

policy in Vietnam during the Truman Presidency. The

aftermath formed the committee who burglarized the

Democratic National Headquarters (WatergateScandal).

Politburo USSR 7 key men making decisions (Lenin alive)

Provisional

Government 1917 Russia

A weak democracy that was still involved in WWI,

unpopular with people, Bolsheviks still want power.

Lenin does not cooperate with them (April Theses)

Purges 1936-1938 USSR

Stalin becomes paranoid, rids army of valuable officers

from WWI, doesn't trust anyone. Exile and death

common. Quotas for traitors must be met.


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Reichstag fire 1933 Germany

Hitler uses this fire set by a 'communist' to justify more

power and the emergency decree, allowing him to act

out against any communists trying to harm Germany.

Reparations 1921 Europe

33 Billion US Dollars to be repayed by Germany after

WWI. Money goes into Germany through US, Germany

to France/Britain, France/Britain back to US to repay

the debt. Germany defaults in 1923, Rhur Valley is

occupied by France.

SEATO 1955 Asia

The South East Asian Treaty Organization, modeled

after NATO, came into power as the struggle with the

French ended. South Vietnam signed, but North did not.

Senator Wayne

Morse Oregon

A senator during the Gulf of Tonkin resolution who

voted against it because of suspicions that President

Johnson was lying about the incident in SE Asia. He

was also a civil rights supporter.

Spartakist Uprising 1919 Germany

After WWI, the communists in Germany rise up, but

fail to overthrow the government.

Stakhanov 1928-1932 USSR

The model worker, produced more than anyone else,

Paul Bunyan of Russia.

Tet Offensive 1968 Vietnam

The Communists attacked virtually every major city in

S. Vietnam on the first day of Tet, a holiday. American

and S. Vietnamese troops were surprised because of a

holiday truce. It took several months for the South to

regain control of those cities, and they inflicted large

casualties on the North. The North held the US

Embassy in Saigon for 8 hours, allowing for the further

decline of confidence in the US. Inspired WalterCronkite's "stalemate" comment.

Tonkin Gulf

Resolution 1964 USA

The legislation pushed through Congress by Johnson

with the promise that things wouldn't escalate. It gave

Johnson the power to make war without Congress'

permission.

Trade Agreements

Act 1934 USA

Roosevelt has the power to lover tariffs as part of the

Good Neighbor Policy. Increased trade results.

Treaty of Brest-

Litovsk 1918 Russia, Germany

ends Russian involvement in WWI, lose territory to

Germans, get on with civil war at home.

Truman Doctrine 1947 USA

Truman, in a speech with the goal of getting money forGreece, declared a new policy: any nation wishing to be

free (democratic) would be supported militarily by the

US (against communism.)

U.S.S. Maddox 1964 USA

The US Navy ship 'attacked' by the North Vietnamese in

1964. Spurs the Tonkin Gulf Resolution. The ship was

in disputed waters.

Ukrainian Famine 1932 USSR

The famine of Ukraine was due to collectivization and

harse collection policies of the USSR government

coupled with a severe draught. Est. 5 million die


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Viet Cong 1955-1975 Vietnam

A derogatory term meaning Vietnamese Communists,

the equivalent to "Commie"

Vietminh 1941-Present Vietnam

League for the Independence of Vietnam, founded by

Ho Chi Minh, mixture of many ideological groups.

Vietnamization 1970-1975 USA, Vietnam

The movement of American troops to simply put the

conflict back in the hands of the Vietnamese.

War Communism 1918-1921 Russia

not real communism, just trying to win the war, lots of

looting, grain at gunpoint on both sides.

Black: Rise of Single Party States

Red: Vietnam

Green: Politics in Latin America


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442nd Infantry

Combat Team 1942-1945 USA

All-nisei unit, most decorated in the war, European

theatre only, wanted to prove patriotism

Adolf Hitler 1889-1945 Germany

Austrian born painter who served in WWI. Blamed Jews

and Communists for Germany's troubles. Jailed in 1923

for Beer Hall Putsch, wrote Mein Kampf in jail.

Appointed Chancellor in 1933, later appointed Fuhrer.

Airplane Reconnaissance efforts only, small dogfights.Airplane bombings, supplies, total warfare

Alsace Lorraine 1870-1871 France

This area was lost to Germany in the Franco-Prussian

war. It was a sore spot for French at the beginning of

WWI.

America First 1940s USA

Organization including Charles Lindbergh that wanted

to stay out of the conflict in Europe to take care of our

own problems.

Anschluss 1938

Germany/Austria-

Hungary

Germany "unifies" with Austria Hungary in a rigged

election. Also called the annexation.

Arms Race 1910 Europe

Germany, Russia, Great Britain, and France jumped intoaction building huge peacetime armies in preparation for

the inevitable war to come.

Artillery

Shell-hole shelters, many casualties, relatively

ineffective versus machine guns.

Assassination of

Arch Duke Franz

Ferdinand 1914

Austria-Hungary

and Serbia

Sarajevo. The Black Hand ambushes and assassinates

the royal convoy, sparking Austria Hungary to give

Serbia an ultimatum.

Axis Powers 1936 Europe

Germany (unified) and Italy, Russia until Operation

Barbarossa, during WWII.

Bataan Death March 1941USA/Philippines/Japan

US surrender in Philippines, Japanese march them totheir death camps.

Battle of Britain 1940 Britain, Germany

Germany bombs civilian targets in England in an

attempt to weaken morality and ability to fight total war.

Black Hand Serbia

The nationalist organization that assassinated Franz

Ferdinand. There were five members who staged an

ambush of the royal transport.

Blitzkrieg 1939-1945 Europe

Lightning war, a tactic used by Germany to reduce

casualties and prevent long wars.

Bombing of

Dresden Feb-45 Germany

Allies bomb Dresden for no strategic purpose, part of

total war.Committee to

defend America 1940s USA

Allen White (journalist); America should get involved

through aid to Britain and France.

Double Entente 1904 Europe

France and Britain enter a military alliance and non-

agression pact.


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Dreadnaught 1906 Britain

Britain builds the first dreadnaught, a ship designed

specifically for war, heavy warfare. It had more

firepower and armor than any other ship made up to that

time. This spurs an arms race between the Entente and

Alliance powers.

Dreadnought England Standard naval ship, too expensive for battle use.

Dual Alliance 1879 Europe German and Austria-Hungary sign a military alliance

Dunkirk Evacuation 1940 France, BritainAll British troops were evacuated to England fromFrance during this northern retreat.

Exclusion Act 1882 USA

No ethnic Chinese to immigrate for 10 years, renewed

for another ten.

Executive Order

8802 1941 USA

No discrimination in employment for defense industries

and government. Enforced by Fair Employment

Practices Commission.

Executive Order

9066 1942 USA

Internment for all Japanese and Japanese-Americans.

Loss of property, loss of rights, unlawful

detainment/beating.

Facism 1930s Europe

The nationalistic, anti-communist, anti-semitic, racist,social darwinist ideology characterized by a paramilitary

force, glorified war, elite race, propaganda/symbolism, a

great leader, and no clear doctrine.

Hitler/Mussolini/Franco

Finnish War 1939-1940 USSR/Finland

During the time Germany was busy with France, the

USSR took the opportunity to invade Finland.

Firebombing Europe/Pacific

Several cities were firebombed as a tactic of total

warfare.

Fourteen Points 1919 USA

Woodrow Wilson's idea of ending the war, benefited

only allies

Franz Ferdinand 1863-1914 Austria-Hungary

Heir to Austro-Hungarian empire, assassinated by Black

Hand with wife Sophie at Serbian border in 1914.

Franz Joseph 1830-1916 Austria-Hungary

Father of Ferdinand, Hapsburg emporer, grieving over

son's death, sent ultimatum to Serbia under advice from

Germany.

Gentleman's

Agreement 1907 USA, Japan

No immigrants from Japan, San Francisco's schools

would not discriminate.

Hirohito 1941-1945 Japan

The Japanese Emporer during WWII, the US allows him

to stay alive after the war, the source of gret fervor(kamikazes) and nationalism. He had no real military

power.

Imperialism Europe

Germany and Russia are left out of the loop because

they were too late. The race for Africa, a warm-water

port for Russia, nationalism in the Balkans all contribute

to Germany and Russia being anxious to gain territory

nearer to home. England, France, Spain, Portugal, and

Belgium amass large tracts of land abroad.


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Invasion of Poland 1939 Poland

Germany invaded Poland using the Blitzkrieg tactic. The

justification was a 'border incident' staged by the SS

troops. It was prearranged to partition the land between

Germany and the Soviet Union.

Island Hopping 1941-1945 Pacific

A tactic used by the U.S. in an attempt to reach Japan

through fueling station islands instead of invading Japan

directly. It was costly but effective in wiping out

opposition on small islands.

issei, nisei, sansei 1941-1945 USA

In this order: aliens, naturalized, born citizens. These

terms referred to the generations of Japanese in

America. All three were interned.

Italy invades

Ethiopia 1934 Africa

Mussolini invades N. Africa. US imposes embargo, but

Ethiopia falls.

Japanese Embargo 1939-1941 USA/Japan

Included a cancelled commercial agreement, no

shipments of fuel or scrap metal, and Roosevelt froze

their assets in 1941. All of this was in response to the

Japanese invasion of mainland Asia down to Indochina.

Korean War 1950-1953Divided Korea into same line as before, firstinvolvement of UN military (multilateral forces).

League of Nations 1919

Wilson's brainchild, precursor to the UN but without any

power.

Lend-Lease Act 1941 USA/Europe

Congress; extended to Britain and France, the US

'leased' military equipment to the allies. It was extended

to the Soviets later that year when the non-agression

pact was violated by Germany.

Limitations of Japan 1900-1945 Japan

Areas to emigrate to (Korea/Manchuria), food resources

in exchange for techology, peaceful economic growth.

Machine Gun 1883

The first modern model was the Maxim. Inflicts major

carnage. Infantry rushes are obsolete, hard to destroy

because of portability, required big artillery to destroy.

Maginot Line 1940 France

The famed usless defenses set up by France on the

Eastern border to defend against Germany. Hitler simply

went through Belgium and the Netherlands to get around

the line.

Mahan Theory 1890s USA

Top navy and in control of seas will lead to world

dominance (Control of trade).

Makinder Theory 1904 EnglandHaving control of E. Europe leads to control of morekey areas, leading to world domination.

Midway 1942 Pacific

A small island west of Hawaii that was the turning point

in favor of the U.S. in the Pacific theatre.

Molotov-Ribbentrop

Treaty 1939 USSR/Germany

The non-agression pact signed by the Soviet Union and

Germany before the outbreak of WWII.

Morocco

1905 and

1911 Africa

Germany challenged French authority. GB helped and

Germany loses both times. This only heightens the threat

of war.


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Munich Conference 1938 Europe

Leaders from Germany, GB, Italy, and France got

together and set limits for Germany. No moving beyond

the Sudetenland. This was not enforced. Stalin and the

Czech leader were not invited.

Neutrality Act 1935 USA

US Congress authorizing the president to prohibit all

arms shipments to nations at war and to adivse all US

citizens not to travel on belligerents' ships except at their

own risk.

Nicholas II 1894-1917 Russia

Tsar of Russia, gave some power to Duma because of

protest, didnt' want war, killed winter 1917 during Civil

War.

Office of Price

Administration 1942 USA

Set prices on items to control inflation, rationed scarce

goods, opressive?

Operation

Barbarossa 1941 Axis

The violation of the German-USSR non-agression pact

signed before the war. In an attempt to reach the capital

city quickly, Hitler did not count on the Russian winter.

The mission failed.

Operation Overlord 6/6/1944 Allies Normandy invasion (coalition forces)

Otto Von Bismarck 1871-1890 Germany

Chancellor of Germany under William I, specialized

foreign treaties/alliances. Kept complicated diplomatic

strategy.

Passchendaele 1917 Belgium

British attack, bogged down by mud and mustard gas,

1/2 million dead.

Pearl Harbor 12/7/1941 Pacific

The hub of US naval activity in the Pacific was bombed

by Japanese aircraft. This was made possible by aircraft

carriers, a new technology. 2,403 people died. Japan also

attacked the Philippines, Guam, Midway, Hong Kong,and Malaya. Congress declared war one day later.

Poison Gas Effective at first until issue of gas masks.

Potsdam Jul. 1945 Allies

After end of war with Germany, before Japan is

defeated, Truman mentions atomic bomb (TCS)

Quota Immigration

Act 1924 USA

limited the number of immigrants from any nation to 3%

of the population living in the US in 1890

Rape of Nanking 12/13/1937 China/Japan

Japanese invade Nanking, raping, killing, pillaging.

Retaliation for Shanghai. 100,000-300,000 dead.

Revenue Act 1942 USA Raised taxes, introduced income tax to Americans.

Rhineland 1934 Germany

Militarization of this area is banned by Versailles. Hitlerpayed no attention and began to secretly build an army.

Appeasement prevented any action on the part of the

allies

Russian

mobilization 1914 USSR

When Austria Hungary declares war on Serbia, Russia,

who has an alliance with them and who is gaining

support in the Balkans, declares war on Austria Hungary

and mobilizes.


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Schlieffen plan 1914 Germany

Implemented after Austria declares war, Germany

begins to try to quickly defeat France through Belgium

before Russia can mobilize and they will have to face

two fronts of war. Failes miserably. Britain declares war

to protect Belgium.

Secret Alliances before WWI Europe

Many European nations signed secret military alliances

between one another in an attempt to protect themselves

from agression. The result of this was that if one nationdeclared war on another, it would only be a matter of

hours until the whole continent would be at war with

one another.

Sir Edward Grey 1905-1916 England

English Prime Minister, ambiguous figure, didn't stop

war when he could have.

Spanish Civil War 1936 Spain

Franco and Catholics supported by Germany and Italy

vs. the republican gov't and communists supported by

the USSR.

Stalingrad 1942-1943 USSR

The city in the USSR was never taken by the Nazis in

Operation Barbarossa because of the Russian winter. Itwas the turning point on the eastern front in Europe in

favor of the allies. The brutality of the seige makes it

one of the bloodiest in world history.

Submarine

Sinking of many ships (cut off supplies), killing of many

innocent people.

Submarine covert operations, controlled Baltic Sea

Sudetenland 1938 Czechoslovakia

The area of Czechoslovakia that Germany claimed was

being opressed. The Munich Conference finalized the

union of it with Germany because Chamberlain believed

it would prevent war.Tank New technology, not widely used.

Tehran 1943 Allies Timetable for 2nd front in WWII (RCS)

The Manhattan

Project 1941 USA

Scientists escaping Nazis and US scientists develop the

atomic bomb to be used in the war. It is a race to

develop the technology before Germany.

The Somme 1916 France

British/French attack on German line at strategically

unsound point, 1 million casualties, allies gain only 8

miles.

Theobold VonBethmann-Hollweg 1909-1917 Germany

Chancellor under William II, ignored negotiations

orders, couldn't deal with Bismarck's complicateddiplomacy.

Total War Europe

A general term involving economics, politics, civilians,

demoralization, and brutal tactics to create an

environment in the enemy territory that was not

condusive to war.


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Treaty of Brest-

Litovsk 1918 Russia, Germany

Treaty ending Russia's involvement in WWI after the

revolution in 1917. It gave Germany Poland, Azerbijan,

and Balkan states, draws troops away from Western

Front.

Treaty of Versailles 1919 Europe

Treaty ending the first World War. Included a guilt

clause blaming Germany and called for reparations. It

also returned all territories to prewar status.

Triple Alliance 1882 Europe Italy joins the Dual allianceTriple Entente 1907 Europe Russia joins the Double Entente.

Ultimatum for

Serbia 1914

Austria-Hungary

and Serbia

This document required Serbia to give in to ALL points

in order to avert war with Austria Hungary. The one

term they couldn't accept was military control by

Austria.

US Quotas on Asian

immigrants 1890s USA, Japan

Angered Japan - can't go to US for emigration. Racism

prevents prosperity, blocked from citizenship.

Verdun 1916 France

Symbolic fort, 9 months of battle, 1 million casualties.

Germans win the fort, moral victory.

War Bonds 1941-1945 USABought war goods, spurred consumption when theyexpired, controlled inflation, propaganda tool

War Guilt Clause 1919 Europe

In the Treaty of Versailles after WWI, Germany was

blamed explicitly for the war and was therefore required

to pay reparations.

War of Attrition

Winning by dragging the war out to kill more people -

more people still alive = victory

War Production

Board 1942 USA

Sears and Roebuck VP headed this congressional

committee. It gave opportunities to American businesses

to produce war goods in exchange for generous, fixed

profit from the gov't.

Weimar Republic 1919-1933 Germany

The Democratic government established in Germany

after WWI. It failed to provide economic solutions to

reparations and was widely criticized.

Weltpolitik 1900-1914 Germany

Germany's policy of becoming a world power - through

colonization, economic power, and perhaps even

outright war.

William II 1888-1918 Germany

Emporer of Germany, compensated for physical

deformity, military, rival England, didn't want war

Willy-Nicky

Telegrams 1914 Russia, Germany

Each leader is trying to get the other's nation to step

down from war

Wolf Packs Germany

The groups of German submarines that tried to interrupt

supply lines in the Atlantic in order to cut off GB. Failed

because of guarded convoys and radar.

Woodrow Wilson 1913-1921 USA

US President, no involvement until Zimmerman

telegram to Mexico

Yalta Feb. 1945 Allies

Spheres of influence, poland free elections, division of

Germany (RCS)


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Red: Causes of WWII

Blue: Causes of WWI

Purple: World War II Europe

Pink: World War II Pacific (US included unless otherwise colored)

Brown: World War I


13/17


A Divided Berlin 1945 Germany During the Cold War, Berlin was an exit point for those

in the USSR and a haven for spies. This prompted the

building of the Berlin wall.

Bay of Pigs 1961

Cuba, USA,

USSR

A group of Cuban exiles sponsored by the US invades

Cuba in a failed attempt to overthrow Castro. Fails due

to lack of air support.

Berlin Blockade 1948 Germany 1948; an attempt by the Soviets to get America to give

up their part of Berlin. Air drops of food saved many

lives and preserved the sectors of Berlin.

Brezhnev 1964 USSR

Successor to Khruschev, implemented perestrioka and

glasnost - moving towards free market and free speech.

Negotiated SALT I and II talks.

Breznev Doctrine 1962 USSR USSR's response to the Truman Doctrine. They will give

military assistance to any nation attempting to become

communist. This was directed at Latin America and

Africa.

Brussels Pact 1948 Europe The military alliance of European nations beginning

NATO. Was it in violation of the UN?

Buffer Zone USSR The idea that the Soviet Union wanted a buffer between

them and Germany. They had been invaded 2 times in

20 years and had a right to protect themselves.

Change in US-Cuba 1934 Cuba, USA

Favors Batista, forgoes Platt Amendment rights, changes

tariffs to favor Cuba. Supports until 1958.

Comecon (CMEA) 1949 USSR The USSR's response to the Marshall Plan. It allowed

them to capitalize on E. European resources for their

military expansion during the Cold War.

Containment 1947-1962 USA A policy adopted by the U.S. in reference to

communism. They will not fight the USSR or China, but

will prevent the expansion militarily, economically, and

politically.

Coup in 1959 1959 Cuba

Castro leads 9,000 men into Havana. Castro becomes

prime minister when he succeeds.

Coup in Iran 1953

Iran/USSR/US

A

The USSR-friendly gov't is overthrown by CIA-

sponsored rebels. This ends USSR's hopes for a warm-

water port and their investments in Iranian oil

Cuban Exiles 1950s-Present Cuba, USA

Fleeing Castro, then communism and persecution.

Agreement to accept 20,000/year in 1994. US allows

money to be sent to relatives 1998.


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Cuban Independenc 1898 USA, Spain

Spanish-American war ends, Teller Amendment dictates

that US will allow Cuban autonomy, but Platt

Amendment allows them to become involved at any

time.

Cuban Missile Crisi 1962

Cuba, USA,

USSR

U-2 spy plane spots Soviet missile silos in Cuba in

October, spurring a crisis bringing the world close to

nuclear war.

Death of FDR 4/12/1945 USA Truman becomes president by default, must attend

Potsdam in FDR's place.

Death of Stalin 1953 USSR Krushchev takes power, purges end.

Dtente 1962-1975 USA and

USSR

A period of easing of the tension, making cooperation in

many areas possible.

Ernesto 'Che' Guevara

Cuba, Latin

America

Helps Castro, Communist, writes guide to guerilla war,

killed in Latin America during a guerilla war he was

advising, the hero of Latin America and US liberals.

Fall of Berlin Wall 1989 Germany

The fall of the Berlin Wall, as the US pressured the

USSR, symbolized the fall of the Soviets two years

afterward and the reunification of many families and

friends divided by the wall.

Famine of 1932 1932-1933 Ukraine Massive famine due to drought and economic control

over crops by USSR, 6 million dead

Gorbachev 1985 USSR

The last leader of the Soviet Union, targeted for the

Berlin Wall. Negotiates with George H. W. Bush.

Guatemala 1952, 1954

Guatemala/US

A

in 1952 Truman tries to overthrow Arbenz but is

unsuccessful. Arbenz recieves aid from USSR and

Czech arms. In 1954, Carlos (CIA supported) invades

and is successful. CIA kills many Guatemalans.

Guerilla Warfare 1956-1959 Cuba

Castro's tactics after landing in the Sierra Maestros, Che

Guevara aids and writes guide, Batista kills civilians in

an attempt to find Castro's men.

Helsinki Conferenc 1975 Europe Established disputed territory from WWII. Made

possible by dtente.

Hiroshima/Nagasaki1945

Asia/USSR/U

SA

Russia is threatened by the use of atomic bombs so near

to their border. USA had originally asked USSR to

invade Japan as ally but decides to use bombs instead.

Hungarian Revoluti 1956 Europe

Hungarian students revolt, USSR invades Hungary to

support communist interests.

Hurricane Michelle 2002 Cuba, USA

US exports to Cuba when they ask for help after the

storm

International Invest 1971 USSR

The Warsaw Pact's answer to the IMF/World Bank,

providing aid to the members of the Warsaw Pact.


15/17

Iron Curtain 1946 Europe A term given to the dividing line between communist

and democratic nations, especially in Europe after

WWII.

KGB 1917-1991 USSR

Communist secret police, involved in international

disputes as well as purges and trapping spies in the

USSR.

Kulaks 1930s USSR Larger farm owners; withheld grain because of cheap

prices, main targets of collectivization. Result of

collectivization is famine.

League of Nations 1918 Europe

USSR refuses to get involved. Brain child of US

President.

Limited Wars Asia Korea and Vietnam were not total war for fear of nuclear

destruction of the world. Cold War era wars were all

limited.

Machado Overthro 1933 Cuba

Batista rules through 1959 when Castro overthrows him.

Characterized by corruption, gambling, prostitution, and

tourism for foreigners.

Marshall Plan 1947 Europe The plan for economic assistance of postwar European

nations. It was offered to all nations, even the USSR, but

they refused.

Moncada Barracks 1953 Cuba Failed coup led by Castro, gives revolution its name.

Nationalization of B1960 Cuba

No compensation, US cuts off diplomatic relations.

United Fruit Company loses all Cuban land.

NATO 1949 Europe/USA/C

anada

Beginning with the Brussels Pact, a military alliance of

W. Europe against any agressor, especially USSR.

Nazi War Criminals 1945 USSR/USA

USA and USSR recruit war criminal scientists fordevelopment of military technology and for intelligence

reasons.

New Constitution 1976 Cuba

Communist party writes, declares Cuba socialist, Castro

is elected president.

New

Czechoslovakian

Constitution 1960

Czechoslovaki

a

Declares Czechoslovakia a socialist nation, under USSR

control (satellite)

Non-Aligned Move 1961Latin America,Africa, Asia

The establishment of this group of smaller nations that

do not wish to be aligned with either the USA or the

USSR. The movement is fairly strong, but never reallypicks up for a lasting impression.

Ostpolitik 1972

West/East

Germany

Willy Brandt, Chancellor of West Germany, recognizes

East Germany as a nation. It is made possible by dtente.


16/17

Potsdam 1945 Churchill,

Stalin, Truman

Decided to divide Korea between communist and

dictatorship at the 38th parallel. Division of Germany

between Allies, division of Berlin. Returned all property

taken by Germany during the war; terms of surrender by

Japan; Reparations at 20 billion US but never payed

fully; Truman threatens to use atomic bomb

Prague Spring 1968

USSR/Czecho

slovakia

A liberal movement in Czechoslovakia is put down by

the Warsaw Pact forces, led by USSR.

Recognizing the So 1930s Roosevelt chose to recognize the nation, though they did

not accept the tzar's debts after WWI.

SALT I and II 1972, 1977 USA/USSR

Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty; limits number of

nukes. Made possible by dtente.

Soviets Invade Afgh1979

USSR/Afghani

stan

Soviets invade Afghanistan and put their own leader in

place.

Suez Canal Crisis 1956 Egypt In 1956, Egypt (USSR) and Israel (US) went to war over

the Suez canal. Eventually it was reopened under an

international force.

Trade Embargo 1960-Present Cuba, USA

Originally diplomatic, the US stops trade after missile

crisis, made permanent in 1996 after 2 planes are shot

down

Treaties of Rome 1957 Europe

Establishes the European Economic Community, main

foundation for the EU.

Treaty of Paris 1951 Europe

Established European Coal and Steel Community,

precursor to EU.

Truman Doctrine 1947 USA Truman, in a speech with the goal of getting money for

Greece, declared a new policy: any nation wishing to befree (democratic) would be supported militarily by the

US (against communism.)

War in the Pacific 1941-1945 USSR/USA

USSR refuses to get involved in Japan and open two

fronts. This costs many American lives in order to win.

Warm Water Port USSR A need of the USSR for a warm water port year-round

for commerce. They attempt to get it in the middle east

during the Cold War, but never succeed.

Warsaw Pact 1955 Europe The military alliance of E. European nations in response

to NATO.

World Bank andIMF Established 1946 Europe

USSR sees these two organizations as a way for the USto spread capitalism and western ideas.

Yalta 1945 Allies Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin. Russan help in Japan,

division of Germany, free elections in Poland, organize a

United Nations Organization

Orange: Aftermath of WWII; establishing Cold War tension


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Green: The Cold War

Sky Blue: Cuba

Documents

Copy of 20th Century History Terms