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This deck focuses on The Cold War From 1945 1980, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP US History.
AP US History Flashcards: The Cold War From 1945 1980
Study The Cold War From 1945 1980 in AP US History with focused flashcards that help you recognize the idea, recall the key rule, and apply it in practice-style prompts.
AP US History
The Cold War From 1945 1980
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QUESTION
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Identify the year the Berlin Wall was constructed.
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ANSWER
- East Germany built it to stop mass defections to West Berlin.
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Flashcard 1: Identify the year the Berlin Wall was constructed.
Answer:
Flashcard 2: What was the significance of the Domino Theory during the Cold War?
Answer: Fear that communism would spread regionally. Justified intervention to prevent communist expansion in regions.
Flashcard 3: What was the main focus of the Helsinki Accords?
Answer: Improving relations between the Communist bloc and the West. 1975 agreement promoting human rights and European cooperation.
Flashcard 4: What event prompted the United States to enter the Vietnam War?
Answer: Gulf of Tonkin Incident. Alleged attack on U.S. ships led to Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
Flashcard 5: What event prompted the United States to enter the Vietnam War?
Answer: Gulf of Tonkin Incident. Alleged attack on U.S. ships led to Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
Flashcard 6: What was the significance of the Berlin Airlift?
Answer: U.S. and allies supplied West Berlin by air. Overcame Soviet blockade, demonstrating Western resolve to defend Berlin.
Flashcard 7: Identify the U.S. president during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Answer: John F. Kennedy. Led U.S. response to Soviet missiles in Cuba in October 1962.
Flashcard 8: What was the primary reason for the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics?
Answer: Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Protested Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan during Cold War.
Flashcard 9: Identify the U.S. foreign policy that emphasized human rights.
Answer: Carter's foreign policy. Emphasized moral principles in international relations during presidency.
Flashcard 10: What was the main objective of the Bay of Pigs invasion?
Answer: Overthrow Fidel Castro in Cuba. Failed CIA-backed operation to remove Cuban communist government.
Flashcard 11: What was the primary objective of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT)?
Answer: Limit nuclear arms between the U.S. and USSR. Part of détente to reduce nuclear weapons competition.
Flashcard 12: Identify the leader of the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Answer: Nikita Khrushchev. Soviet premier who placed missiles in Cuba to deter U.S. aggression.
Flashcard 13: What was the primary objective of the National Security Act of 1947?
Answer: Reorganize the U.S. military and intelligence. Created CIA, NSC, and unified Defense Department for Cold War.
Flashcard 14: Which U.S. president initiated the policy of détente with the Soviet Union?
Answer: Richard Nixon. Pursued relaxation of tensions through diplomacy and arms control.
Flashcard 15: Which doctrine aimed to contain communism globally?
Answer: Truman Doctrine. Pledged U.S. support to free peoples resisting communist subjugation.
Flashcard 16: Which U.S. policy aimed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons?
Answer: Non-Proliferation Treaty. Sought to limit nuclear weapons proliferation globally.
Flashcard 17: Identify the leader of the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Answer: Nikita Khrushchev. Soviet premier who placed missiles in Cuba to deter U.S. aggression.
Flashcard 18: Identify the event that marked the end of the Bretton Woods system.
Answer: U.S. abandonment of the gold standard, 1971. Nixon ended dollar-gold convertibility, reshaping global finance.
Flashcard 19: What was the significance of the Domino Theory during the Cold War?
Answer: Fear that communism would spread regionally. Justified intervention to prevent communist expansion in regions.
Flashcard 20: Which event marked the end of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War?
Answer: Fall of Saigon, 1975. Communists took control, ending decades of U.S. involvement.
Flashcard 21: Which U.S. agency was created to coordinate anti-communist activities?
Answer: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Established to gather intelligence and conduct covert operations abroad.
Flashcard 22: Identify the treaty that limited nuclear weapons testing above ground.
Answer: Partial Test Ban Treaty. 1963 treaty banned atmospheric nuclear testing by major powers.
Flashcard 23: What was the primary goal of the Marshall Plan?
Answer: To rebuild and stabilize European economies post-WWII. Prevented Western Europe from falling to communism through economic aid.
Flashcard 24: Identify the U.S. president during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Answer: John F. Kennedy. Led U.S. response to Soviet missiles in Cuba in October 1962.
Flashcard 25: What was the significance of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty?
Answer: Limited anti-ballistic missile systems. Restricted defensive systems to maintain nuclear deterrence balance.
Flashcard 26: What was the name of the first artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union?
Answer: Sputnik. 1957 launch shocked U.S. and initiated the Space Race.
Flashcard 27: Identify the main purpose of the Warsaw Pact.
Answer: Military alliance of Soviet and Eastern Bloc countries. Soviet response to NATO, binding Eastern Bloc in military alliance.
Flashcard 28: Which doctrine was announced by President Carter focusing on the Persian Gulf?
Answer: Carter Doctrine. Declared Persian Gulf vital to U.S. interests after Soviet invasion.
Flashcard 29: What was the significance of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty?
Answer: Limited anti-ballistic missile systems. Restricted defensive systems to maintain nuclear deterrence balance.
Flashcard 30: Which U.S. president signed the Camp David Accords?
Answer: Jimmy Carter. Brokered peace agreement between Egypt and Israel in 1978.
Flashcard 31: Which policy involved the U.S. giving military aid to Greece and Turkey?
Answer: Truman Doctrine. First major Cold War commitment to contain communist expansion.
Flashcard 32: What was the main goal of President Johnson's Vietnam War policy?
Answer: Prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. Applied Domino Theory to justify U.S. military involvement.
Flashcard 33: What was the name of the first artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union?
Answer: Sputnik. 1957 launch shocked U.S. and initiated the Space Race.
Flashcard 34: Identify the event that symbolized the deterioration of U.S.-Soviet relations in 1979.
Answer: Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Ended détente period and renewed Cold War tensions.
Flashcard 35: Which organization was formed to promote Western European recovery post-WWII?
Answer: OEEC (Organization for European Economic Cooperation). Coordinated Marshall Plan aid distribution among European nations.
Flashcard 36: Which U.S. president initiated the policy of détente with the Soviet Union?
Answer: Richard Nixon. Pursued relaxation of tensions through diplomacy and arms control.
Flashcard 37: What was the outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Answer: Removal of Soviet missiles from Cuba. USSR agreed to withdraw missiles in exchange for U.S. concessions.
Flashcard 38: What was the primary objective of the National Security Act of 1947?
Answer: Reorganize the U.S. military and intelligence. Created CIA, NSC, and unified Defense Department for Cold War.
Flashcard 39: What was the main focus of the Helsinki Accords?
Answer: Improving relations between the Communist bloc and the West. 1975 agreement promoting human rights and European cooperation.
Flashcard 40: What was the significance of the U-2 incident in 1960?
Answer: Increased tensions between the U.S. and USSR. Soviet downing of U.S. spy plane disrupted summit diplomacy.
Flashcard 41: Identify the main purpose of the Warsaw Pact.
Answer: Military alliance of Soviet and Eastern Bloc countries. Soviet response to NATO, binding Eastern Bloc in military alliance.
Flashcard 42: Identify the event that marked the end of the Bretton Woods system.
Answer: U.S. abandonment of the gold standard, 1971. Nixon ended dollar-gold convertibility, reshaping global finance.
Flashcard 43: What was the main goal of President Johnson's Vietnam War policy?
Answer: Prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. Applied Domino Theory to justify U.S. military involvement.
Flashcard 44: Which organization was formed to promote Western European recovery post-WWII?
Answer: OEEC (Organization for European Economic Cooperation). Coordinated Marshall Plan aid distribution among European nations.
Flashcard 45: What was the primary objective of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT)?
Answer: Limit nuclear arms between the U.S. and USSR. Part of détente to reduce nuclear weapons competition.
Flashcard 46: What was the purpose of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)?
Answer: Collective defense against aggression. Article 5 stated an attack on one member was an attack on all.
Flashcard 47: What was the main objective of the Bay of Pigs invasion?
Answer: Overthrow Fidel Castro in Cuba. Failed CIA-backed operation to remove Cuban communist government.
Flashcard 48: Which U.S. president signed the Camp David Accords?
Answer: Jimmy Carter. Brokered peace agreement between Egypt and Israel in 1978.
Flashcard 49: What was the significance of the Berlin Airlift?
Answer: U.S. and allies supplied West Berlin by air. Overcame Soviet blockade, demonstrating Western resolve to defend Berlin.
Flashcard 50: Which doctrine was announced by President Carter focusing on the Persian Gulf?
Answer: Carter Doctrine. Declared Persian Gulf vital to U.S. interests after Soviet invasion.
Flashcard 51: Which parallel divided North and South Korea after WWII?
Answer: 38th parallel. Established as the post-WWII boundary between the two Koreas.
Flashcard 52: What was the primary aim of the Peace Corps established in 1961?
Answer: Promote world peace and friendship. Kennedy program sent volunteers to assist developing nations.
Flashcard 53: Identify the treaty that limited nuclear weapons testing above ground.
Answer: Partial Test Ban Treaty. 1963 treaty banned atmospheric nuclear testing by major powers.
Flashcard 54: What was the outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Answer: Removal of Soviet missiles from Cuba. USSR agreed to withdraw missiles in exchange for U.S. concessions.
Flashcard 55: What was the significance of the U-2 incident in 1960?
Answer: Increased tensions between the U.S. and USSR. Soviet downing of U.S. spy plane disrupted summit diplomacy.
Flashcard 56: What event is considered the start of the Korean War?
Answer: North Korea's invasion of South Korea in 1950. Communist North crossed the 38th parallel to unify Korea under communism.
Flashcard 57: Which event marked the end of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War?
Answer: Fall of Saigon, 1975. Communists took control, ending decades of U.S. involvement.
Flashcard 58: What was the primary aim of the Peace Corps established in 1961?
Answer: Promote world peace and friendship. Kennedy program sent volunteers to assist developing nations.
Flashcard 59: Which parallel divided North and South Korea after WWII?
Answer: 38th parallel. Established as the post-WWII boundary between the two Koreas.
Flashcard 60: Identify the event known as the 'Prague Spring.'
Answer: 1968 liberalization in Czechoslovakia crushed by USSR. Soviet invasion ended democratic reforms and liberal movement.
Flashcard 61: What was the primary goal of the U.S. policy of containment?
Answer: Prevent the spread of communism. Central Cold War strategy to limit Soviet expansion worldwide.
Flashcard 62: Identify the event known as the 'Prague Spring.'
Answer: 1968 liberalization in Czechoslovakia crushed by USSR. Soviet invasion ended democratic reforms and liberal movement.
Flashcard 63: Which U.S. policy aimed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons?
Answer: Non-Proliferation Treaty. Sought to limit nuclear weapons proliferation globally.
Flashcard 64: What was the primary goal of the U.S. policy of containment?
Answer: Prevent the spread of communism. Central Cold War strategy to limit Soviet expansion worldwide.
Flashcard 65: Which U.S. agency was created to coordinate anti-communist activities?
Answer: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Established to gather intelligence and conduct covert operations abroad.
Flashcard 66: What was the primary reason for the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics?
Answer: Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Protested Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan during Cold War.
Flashcard 67: Identify the event that symbolized the deterioration of U.S.-Soviet relations in 1979.
Answer: Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Ended détente period and renewed Cold War tensions.
Flashcard 68: Which policy involved the U.S. giving military aid to Greece and Turkey?
Answer: Truman Doctrine. First major Cold War commitment to contain communist expansion.
Flashcard 69: Identify the U.S. foreign policy that emphasized human rights.
Answer: Carter's foreign policy. Emphasized moral principles in international relations during presidency.
Flashcard 70: What event is considered the start of the Korean War?
Answer: North Korea's invasion of South Korea in 1950. Communist North crossed the 38th parallel to unify Korea under communism.
Flashcard 71: Identify the year the Berlin Wall was constructed.
Answer:
Flashcard 72: What was the purpose of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)?
Answer: Collective defense against aggression. Article 5 stated an attack on one member was an attack on all.