Unit 3 Vocabulary definitions
Cold War-
Era of ideological tensions
between the two major
superpowers (U.S. & Soviet
Union) from 1945-1990’s.
Characterized by conflict and
competition for technological
advancement and spread of
ideologies.
Arms Race
competition to have more
powerful and larger quantities of
weapons, especially nuclear
weapons.
Iron Curtain-
symbolic term introduced by
Winston Churchill to describe the
divide between Western Europe
and the Eastern portion of Europe
that was controlled by the Soviet
Union. (1947-ish)
Space Race
competition to be the first
in the advancement of
space technology.
Unit 3 Vocabulary definitions
Domino Theory
Satellite States
the belief that if
Vietnam falls to
communism, its Asian
neighbors will also fall
under communist influence.
terms used to describe the Sovietdominated countries along the western
border of Russia. These “eastern
bloc” nations served as a buffer zone
from potential invasion from the West.
containment
deterrence
official foreign policy of the U.S.
throughout most of the Cold War.
Influenced by the Kennan Telegram
and focused on not allowing
Communism to spread beyond where
it already existed.
a security policy which holds
that if two sides in a political
conflict have huge arsenals of
nuclear weapons, war can be
prevented.
Unit 3 Vocabulary definitions
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty
Organization—1949, international
organization to promote defense &
collective security of most Western
democratic nations during the Cold
War.
Brinkmanship
the practice of taking a dispute
to the verge of conflict hoping that
the opposition will give in first; an
international game of “chicken.” 
Warsaw Pact
1955, The Soviet Union
responded to the creation of NATO
by creating a similar alliance
composed of Soviet-dominated
communist nations in the East.
De-Stalinization
the process of eliminating
Stalin’s more ruthless policies from
public life; sponsored by Nikita
Khrushchev.
Unit 3 Vocabulary definitions
Eastern Bloc
term used to describe the
nations of eastern Europe that
were on the Soviet side of the Iron
curtain.
detente
a period of relaxed tensions and
increased cooperation between
opponents, or adversaries.
dissident
a person who publicly speaks
out against the government
Perestroika & Glastnost
perestroika—Soviet reform policy
instituted by Gorbachev. Called for
decentralized control of industry &
agriculture; some private ownership.
glasnost—policy of governmental
“openness.” More disclosure of
government information to the public.
Unit 3 Vocabulary definitions
Sputnik
first un-manned satellite to orbit
the earth. Launched by the
Soviets in Oct. 1957. Major first
step in the space race.
Berlin Airlift
Western response to the Soviet
blockade of West Berlin in East
Germany. Supplies were flown in
to the cut-off zone.
blockade
Exile (noun)
an organized action to
a citizen of one
prevent people or goods country who is forced or
entering or leaving a
chooses to live in
place
another country
Unit 3 Vocabulary definitions
Vietcong
A-bomb & H-Bomb
South Vietnamese guerrilla
both are nuclear weapons of
fighters who supported communist mass destruction.
North Vietnam.
A stands for Atomic and uses fission
(splitting atoms)to release energy.
H stands for Hydrogen and uses
fusion (binding atoms)…more powerful
than an A-bomb.
Red Guard
militant youth movement that
promoted Mao’s Cultural
Revolution.
communes
groups of collective farms where
more than 30,000 people lived and
worked together in 1950’s China.
Unit 3 Vocabulary definitions
Little Red Book
Cultural Revolution
Publication of Mao’s thoughts—
seen as the “bible” to Chinese
communists.
failed attempt to promote a working
class culture throughout China by
eliminating the “four olds”—ideas,
culture, customs & habits.
17th parallel
Great Leap Forward
refers to parallel of latitude along
which Vietnam was divided into
North Vietnam & South Vietnam.
Failed attempt to boost
agricultural production. Millions
starved to death.
38th parallel
One-Child Policy
population control policy implemented in
China to reduce population growth rate.
Uses rewards and penalties to encourage
citizens to limit family size.
refers to parallel of latitude along
which Korea was divided into
North Korea & South Korea.