SOL II.8abc: Post WWII Recovery and the Cold War Study Guide
1.
After WWII, how did the United
States show that they had
learned from the mistakes of
their past?
The United States accepted its role as a world
____POWER________ after World War II, helping to
____REBUILD_____ Europe and Japan and taking the leading
role in establishing the ___United _____ __Nations______.
2.
What was Europe like after
World War II?
Much of Europe was in _Ruins________ following World War
II. _Soviet_______ forces occupied most of Eastern and
Central Europe and the eastern portion of Germany.
3.
Why did the United States
decide to help countries in
Europe?
The United States felt it was in its best interest to help rebuild
_____Europe_____ and prevent __Communism______
and __Economic___ instability.
4.
What is one way the United
States provided Europe with
economic assistance after
WWII?
The United States instituted George C. Marshall’s plan to
_Provide financial aid to rebuild Europe (the Marshall
Plan).
5.
What was the Marshall Plan?
The _Marshal Plan provided massive ____financial____ aid
to rebuild European economies and prevent the spread of
___communism____.
6.
What happened to Germany
after WWII?
Germany was partitioned into two parts - __East_ and
___West_ Germany.
7.
Describe East Germany.
___East__ Germany remained under the domination of the Soviet
Union and did not adopt ______Democratic______ institutions.
8.
Describe West Germany.
___West__ Germany became Democratic and resumed
___self__-______government_____ after a few years of
American, British, and French occupation.
9.
What happened to Japan after
WWII?
Following its defeat, Japan was occupied by American forces. It
soon adopted a ___democratic________ form of government,
resumed self-government, and became a strong __ally_____ of the
United States.
What is the United Nations?
The _United_______ _Nations_______ is an organization of
independent nations formed in 1945 to promote international
peace_ and security. Fifty-one countries are members of this
organization. (UN)
10.
The United Nations was formed near the end of World War II to
create a body for the nations of the world to try to prevent future
_global__ ____wars____. (international conflicts)
11.
Why was the United Nations
formed?
12.
How did businesses change after
WWII?
With rationing of consumer goods over, businesses converted from
production of _war_ materials to production of consumer
goods.
13.
How did consumers affect the
rapid growth of the American
economy after WWII?
Americans purchased goods on credit_, helping the rapid growth
of the American economy.
14.
How did the work force change
after WWII?
The work force shifted back to men_, and most women returned
full time to household responsibilities.
15.
How were workers affected by
the changes after WWII?
Labor __Unions________ merged and became more powerful.
Workers gained new _benefits__ and higher __wages_.
16.
What happened when economic
prosperity continued and
technology boomed?
The next generation of _women_ entered the labor force in large
numbers.
17.
Which two countries were
superpowers after World War II?
The _United _ __States_ and the _Soviet_ __Union__
18.
How were the United States and
the Soviet Union different?
The United States was ____democratic___ and _capitalist_.
The Soviet Union was _communist__ and __dictorial__.
What is the Cold War?
The Cold War is a state of _tension_ without actual _fighting_
between the United States and the __Soviet__ __Union__,
which divided the world into two camps.
19.


20.
What were the origins of the
Cold War?


Differences in beliefs_ and __ideologies_____ between
the United States and the Soviet Union
The Soviet Union’s domination over _central & eastern
European countries
American policy of _containment_ to stop the spread of
communism
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) versus
_Warsaw_ __Pact__
21.
How was the division created by
Cold War tensions and hostilities
reflected in the United States?
There were a series of major _Conflicts_ throughout the world in
which the United States was directly involved after WWII
22.
Explain how the United States
was involved in the Korean War.
South Korea and the United States resisted _Chinese_ and
__North __ __Korean__ aggression. The conflict ended in a
stalemate. (no one wins) communist
23.
What was the Cuban Missile
Crisis?
The _Cuban__ _Missile_ _Crisis__ occurred when the Soviet
Union placed missiles in Cuba. The Soviets removed the missiles
in response to a U.S. blockade of Cuba. KENNEDY
24.
What is the Domino Theory?
The belief that there was danger of many surrounding countries
becoming _communist_ if Vietnam was permitted to do so
25.
How was the United States
involved in the Vietnam War?
The U.S. intervened to stop the spread of _communism_ into
South Vietnam. Americans were _divided_ over whether the U.S.
should be involved militarily in Vietnam. The conflict ended in a
cease-fire agreement in which U.S. troops _withdrew_.
26.
What events signaled the
collapse of communism in
Europe?
27.
How were the challenges after
the Cold War different from
earlier challenges?
1. Breakup of the Soviet Union into independent
_countries_
2. Destruction of the Berlin_ Wall__ between East and West
Germany
New challenges included the role of U.S. military__ intervention,
environmental__ challenges, and _global__ issues, including
trade, jobs, disease, and energy