a period between c. 1945 and c. 1991 of intense rivalry and tension between the USA and the USSR

a collection of states known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; also known as the Soviet Union

relating to a system of government where all property is owned by the state and resources are shared equally

relating to an economic system where businesses and resources are owned privately for profit

Early causes of tension between the USA and the USSR

History

In this unit pupils undergo a wider depth study which tells a story about a period that shaped the world we live in today: the Cold War. They look at the key events, developments, people and stories that defined the international relations in this Cold War period.

Wider Depth Study - Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945–1972

a type of nuclear weapon; a powerful and destructive bomb that gets it power from the energy released when atoms are split

a highly destructive explosive device that gets its power from nuclear reactions

secret activities, such as spying, carried out by one government or group to gather confidential information from another, typically for strategic advantage

a short written message sent via a telegraph line

special buildings where diplomats work to represent their country's interests in other countries around the world

The impact of the atomic bomb

a region of the world in which one country is dominant

a country that is dominated by another country

a government in which two or more political parties work together to run a country

an election in which unfair tactics or cheating are used to influence the outcome

Soviet influence over Eastern Europe

Truman's idea that it was the USA's responsibility to prevent the spread of communism around the world

using American influence and military resources to prevent the spread of communism into non-communist countries

an approach to international relations that is based on not getting involved in the affairs of other countries

an American programme of economic aid that aimed to stop the spread of communism by supporting countries to recover from the Second World War

The Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan

an attempt to prevent goods, people or supplies from entering or leaving a certain area

the transportation of people or goods by air, often used when other forms of transport are not available

a difficult or dangerous situation, often with the potential for serious consequences, requiring immediate action or resolution

a system where countries cooperate to protect one other from threats, agreeing to respond together if any member is attacked or faces aggression

The Berlin Crisis, 1948-9

a county that is dominated by another country

when countries compete with each other to build up their military strength

The origins of the Cold War, 1941-58

a conflict between people and groups from the same country

The growth of communism in China

the power of different countries and groups of states compared to one another

relating to relations between China and the USSR

a written agreement between two or more countries

an agreement between countries or political parties to work together to achieve something

The ‘loss’ of China and the Cold War

process in which a country that was divided is joined together again as one country

belief that if one country became communist, others near it would more easily become communist too

to become or make something become greater or more serious

a situation in which neither group involved in a conflict can win or get an advantage

Outbreak of the Korean War

an agreement to stop fighting that is made between two countries

the pre-war border between North Korea and South Korea

a conflict where some groups fight on behalf of a larger country, which does not participate directly itself

Consequences of the Korean War

a country or territory controlled by another, more powerful, country

using someone or something unfairly, in a way that helps you but may cause harm to other people

the feeling of pride in your own country and belief that it should be free from the control of others

the border established between North and South Vietnam

The collapse of French Indochina

the feeling of respect and admiration for a country, often because it is successful

a conflict where those involved refuse to use their full strength or try to avoid it spreading into additional locations

US involvement in the Vietnam War

the situation in which two or more countries try to have more and stronger weapons than each other

something which you cannot avoid or prevent from happening

a meeting between different nations or political powers where key issues and problems are discussed

Khrushchev and peaceful coexistence

when only one person or country has control over something

a catastrophic conflict, especially one seen as likely to destroy the world or the human race

the fear of US government officials that Soviet development and production of missile technology had overtaken the USA's

an action or system intended to prevent or discourage someone from doing something

The nuclear arms race

in this context, an object that moves around a planet in space

the circular journey that a spacecraft or planet makes around the sun, the moon, or another planet

respect and admiration people feel for someone else, often because they are successful

short for inter-continental ballistic missile; a missile that can deliver bombs to hit targets over 5500 km away

The Space Race

something that causes a lot of disagreement or argument

the process of supplying yourself or others with new weapons, especially in order to become a strong military power again

NATO and the Warsaw Pact

a country controlled by or depending on a more powerful country

unfair treatment that limits people's freedom

American policy aimed at preventing the spread of communism into non-communist countries

Hungary and Soviet power in Eastern Europe

the belief that conflict between the USA and USSR could be avoided

the act of spying and gaining secret information about another country

The U2 Crisis

someone who has been forced to leave their home country because of war, persecution, natural disaster, or violence, and seeks safety in another country

information, especially of a biased nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view

a demand that if rejected will bring about an end of peaceful talks and could lead to forceful action

a way of acting or making important decisions alone and without waiting for others to agree

Construction of the Berlin Wall

a region of the world in which one state is dominant

when the government takes control of a business or property

an official ban on trade with another country

The Cuban Revolution and its consequences

the background of a source including who, why, and when it was written

stands for Central Intelligence Agency; a US intelligence agency used for spying and organising secret operations in other countries

someone who has been forced to leave their home and live somewhere else, often for political reasons

The Bay of Pigs Invasion

an agreement between countries to work together

respect and admiration which a country enjoys from others

the strength of different countries compared to one another

to make someone less likely to do something

Initial stages of the Cuban Missile Crisis

a situation in which a government or soldiers stop goods or people from entering or leaving a place

an agreement to accept something which is not exactly what you want

The 13 Days of the Cuban Missile Crisis

a special direct phone connection for emergencies

the official residence of the President of the USA

the official residence of the leader of the USSR

when two or more countries compete to have more and stronger weapons than one another

Consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis

items purchased by individuals for their personal use and enjoyment

a word sometimes used as an alternative to communism

The Prague Spring

a military alliance of Eastern European countries led by the Soviet Union during the Cold War

something that is quickly put across a road or entrance to prevent people from going past

International responses to the Prague Spring

actions which are considered hostile towards or inconsistent with communist beliefs

to make someone less likely to do something, or to make something less likely to happen

The Brezhnev Doctrine

to examine books, documents, or films and remove parts of them that are not considered acceptable

a person who publicly disagrees with and criticises their government

severe prisons used in the Soviet Union where prisoners had to perform forced labour

Tensions between the superpowers by the late-1960s

the relaxation of tensions between states which were previously hostile towards one another

issues that exist within a country, rather than those related to its relationship with foreign countries

The reasons for Détente

the development of friendlier relations between countries who have been enemies

when the leader of one country makes an official visit to another

to prevent something from reaching extremes

Wider Depth Study - Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945–1972

Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945–1972

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These lessons will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.