AP World History Modern Flashcards: Causation The Cold War And Decolonization

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Causation The Cold War And Decolonization, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP World History Modern.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Which 1947 U.S. strategy aimed at rebuilding and stabilizing Europe?

Answer: Marshall Plan. Economic recovery program strengthened Western Europe.

Flashcard 2: Which 1979 event in the Middle East challenged U.S. influence?

Answer: Iranian Revolution. Islamic revolution overthrew U.S.-backed shah.

Flashcard 3: Which initiative did President Reagan propose to protect the U.S. from nuclear attacks?

Answer: Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). 'Star Wars' missile defense system proposal.

Flashcard 4: What was the purpose of the Iron Curtain speech by Winston Churchill?

Answer: To highlight Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe. Warned of Soviet control over Eastern Europe.

Flashcard 5: Identify the U.S. policy aimed at easing Cold War tensions in the 1970s.

Answer: Détente. Reduced tensions through diplomatic engagement.

Flashcard 6: Which term describes the decolonization process post-World War II?

Answer: Self-determination. Colonies gained right to choose their own government.

Flashcard 7: Identify the term for the policy of preventing the spread of communism.

Answer: Containment. Truman's strategy to limit communist expansion globally.

Flashcard 8: Which two nations emerged as superpowers after World War II?

Answer: United States and Soviet Union. Nuclear powers dominated post-war global politics.

Flashcard 9: What was the primary focus of the SALT I talks in 1972?

Answer: Limiting strategic arms between the U.S. and USSR. First arms control agreement between superpowers.

Flashcard 10: What was the primary purpose of the Berlin Airlift in 1948-1949?

Answer: To supply West Berlin during the Soviet blockade. Allied planes delivered supplies to break Soviet blockade.

Flashcard 11: Which 1968 event in Czechoslovakia challenged Soviet dominance?

Answer: Prague Spring. Reform movement crushed by Soviet invasion.

Flashcard 12: Which initiative did President Reagan propose to protect the U.S. from nuclear attacks?

Answer: Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). 'Star Wars' missile defense system proposal.

Flashcard 13: Which 1962 event brought the U.S. and USSR close to nuclear war?

Answer: Cuban Missile Crisis. Soviet missiles in Cuba threatened U.S. directly.

Flashcard 14: Identify the U.S. policy aimed at easing Cold War tensions in the 1970s.

Answer: Détente. Reduced tensions through diplomatic engagement.

Flashcard 15: Identify the military alliance formed by Western countries in 1949.

Answer: NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). Collective security alliance against Soviet expansion.

Flashcard 16: What was the primary ideological conflict during the Cold War?

Answer: Capitalism vs. Communism. Two opposing economic systems defined Cold War rivalry.

Flashcard 17: Which strategy did the U.S. use to counter Soviet influence in the Middle East?

Answer: Eisenhower Doctrine. Protected Middle Eastern nations from communist expansion.

Flashcard 18: What was the main goal of the Non-Aligned Movement?

Answer: To remain independent from Cold War superpowers. Third World countries avoided choosing Cold War sides.

Flashcard 19: Which 1947 U.S. policy aimed to provide economic aid to rebuild Europe?

Answer: Marshall Plan. Economic aid to prevent European communist takeover.

Flashcard 20: What was the U.S. policy of providing military aid to countries resisting communism?

Answer: Truman Doctrine. Promised aid to nations fighting communist insurgency.

Flashcard 21: What was the significance of the Bandung Conference in 1955?

Answer: It promoted Afro-Asian economic and cultural cooperation. First major gathering of newly independent nations.

Flashcard 22: Which 1947 U.S. strategy aimed at rebuilding and stabilizing Europe?

Answer: Marshall Plan. Economic recovery program strengthened Western Europe.

Flashcard 23: Which country declared independence from Portugal in 1975?

Answer: Angola. African colony gained freedom after long struggle.

Flashcard 24: What was the primary effect of the Suez Crisis of 1956?

Answer: Increased Soviet influence in the Middle East. Britain and France lost influence to superpowers.

Flashcard 25: What was the main goal of the Soviet policy of glasnost?

Answer: Increased transparency and openness. Gorbachev's reform promoted open political discussion.

Flashcard 26: Which African leader became a symbol of anti-apartheid struggle?

Answer: Nelson Mandela. ANC leader imprisoned for fighting racial segregation.

Flashcard 27: What was the primary purpose of the Berlin Airlift in 1948-1949?

Answer: To supply West Berlin during the Soviet blockade. Allied planes delivered supplies to break Soviet blockade.

Flashcard 28: What was the primary goal of the Helsinki Accords in 1975?

Answer: To improve relations between the Communist bloc and the West. Recognized borders and promoted human rights cooperation.

Flashcard 29: Which 1968 event in Czechoslovakia challenged Soviet dominance?

Answer: Prague Spring. Reform movement crushed by Soviet invasion.

Flashcard 30: What was the response of the Soviet Union to NATO?

Answer: Warsaw Pact. Soviet-led military alliance to counter NATO.

Flashcard 31: Which treaty sought to limit nuclear weapons in 1968?

Answer: Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Prevented spread of nuclear weapons to more countries.

Flashcard 32: Which event marked the beginning of the Nuclear Arms Race?

Answer: Soviet Union's atomic bomb test in 1949. Ended U.S. nuclear monopoly and began arms competition.

Flashcard 33: Which African leader became a symbol of anti-apartheid struggle?

Answer: Nelson Mandela. ANC leader imprisoned for fighting racial segregation.

Flashcard 34: What was the primary reason for the Berlin Wall's construction in 1961?

Answer: To prevent East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin. Stopped mass exodus undermining East German state.

Flashcard 35: Which 1979 event in the Middle East challenged U.S. influence?

Answer: Iranian Revolution. Islamic revolution overthrew U.S.-backed shah.

Flashcard 36: What was the outcome of the Vietnam War for the United States?

Answer: Withdrawal and unification of Vietnam under communism. Military defeat led to communist victory.

Flashcard 37: Which 1989 event symbolized the end of the Cold War?

Answer: Fall of the Berlin Wall. Physical symbol of communist control collapsed.

Flashcard 38: Which country did the Soviet Union invade in 1979, sparking international condemnation?

Answer: Afghanistan. Soviet expansion triggered international boycotts and sanctions.

Flashcard 39: Which movement sought independence from colonial powers in Africa and Asia?

Answer: Decolonization. Post-WWII process ended European colonial empires.

Flashcard 40: Identify the primary cause of the Korean War (1950-1953).

Answer: North Korea's invasion of South Korea. Communist attempt to unify Korea under Kim Il-sung.

Flashcard 41: Which Asian country gained independence from French colonial rule in 1954?

Answer: Vietnam. First Indochina War ended French colonial control.

Flashcard 42: Which conflict was the first proxy war of the Cold War?

Answer: Korean War. Superpowers fought through allied nations.

Flashcard 43: Identify the primary cause of the Korean War (1950-1953).

Answer: North Korea's invasion of South Korea. Communist attempt to unify Korea under Kim Il-sung.

Flashcard 44: What was the response of the Soviet Union to NATO?

Answer: Warsaw Pact. Soviet-led military alliance to counter NATO.

Flashcard 45: Which movement sought independence from colonial powers in Africa and Asia?

Answer: Decolonization. Post-WWII process ended European colonial empires.

Flashcard 46: Which treaty sought to limit nuclear weapons in 1968?

Answer: Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Prevented spread of nuclear weapons to more countries.

Flashcard 47: What was the purpose of the Iron Curtain speech by Winston Churchill?

Answer: To highlight Soviet expansion in Eastern Europe. Warned of Soviet control over Eastern Europe.

Flashcard 48: What was the main goal of the Non-Aligned Movement?

Answer: To remain independent from Cold War superpowers. Third World countries avoided choosing Cold War sides.

Flashcard 49: What was the primary ideological conflict during the Cold War?

Answer: Capitalism vs. Communism. Two opposing economic systems defined Cold War rivalry.

Flashcard 50: Which Asian country gained independence from French colonial rule in 1954?

Answer: Vietnam. First Indochina War ended French colonial control.

Flashcard 51: What was a key factor in the decline of European colonial empires post-WWII?

Answer: Rising nationalist movements in colonies. Post-war independence movements weakened European control.

Flashcard 52: Which 1989 event symbolized the end of the Cold War?

Answer: Fall of the Berlin Wall. Physical symbol of communist control collapsed.

Flashcard 53: Which 1962 event brought the U.S. and USSR close to nuclear war?

Answer: Cuban Missile Crisis. Soviet missiles in Cuba threatened U.S. directly.

Flashcard 54: What was the outcome of the Vietnam War for the United States?

Answer: Withdrawal and unification of Vietnam under communism. Military defeat led to communist victory.

Flashcard 55: Identify the military alliance formed by Western countries in 1949.

Answer: NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). Collective security alliance against Soviet expansion.

Flashcard 56: Which strategy did the U.S. use to counter Soviet influence in the Middle East?

Answer: Eisenhower Doctrine. Protected Middle Eastern nations from communist expansion.

Flashcard 57: What was the primary reason for the Berlin Wall's construction in 1961?

Answer: To prevent East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin. Stopped mass exodus undermining East German state.

Flashcard 58: What was the U.S. policy of providing military aid to countries resisting communism?

Answer: Truman Doctrine. Promised aid to nations fighting communist insurgency.

Flashcard 59: What was the significance of the Bandung Conference in 1955?

Answer: It promoted Afro-Asian economic and cultural cooperation. First major gathering of newly independent nations.

Flashcard 60: Which 1947 U.S. policy aimed to provide economic aid to rebuild Europe?

Answer: Marshall Plan. Economic aid to prevent European communist takeover.

Flashcard 61: Which term describes the decolonization process post-World War II?

Answer: Self-determination. Colonies gained right to choose their own government.

Flashcard 62: Which African country gained independence from British rule in 1960?

Answer: Nigeria. West African independence movement succeeded peacefully.

Flashcard 63: Which event marked the beginning of the Nuclear Arms Race?

Answer: Soviet Union's atomic bomb test in 1949. Ended U.S. nuclear monopoly and began arms competition.

Flashcard 64: What was the primary goal of the Helsinki Accords in 1975?

Answer: To improve relations between the Communist bloc and the West. Recognized borders and promoted human rights cooperation.

Flashcard 65: Which two nations emerged as superpowers after World War II?

Answer: United States and Soviet Union. Nuclear powers dominated post-war global politics.

Flashcard 66: What was a key factor in the decline of European colonial empires post-WWII?

Answer: Rising nationalist movements in colonies. Post-war independence movements weakened European control.

Flashcard 67: Identify the term for the geopolitical tension after World War II.

Answer: Cold War. Period of ideological conflict without direct warfare.

Flashcard 68: What was the primary focus of the SALT I talks in 1972?

Answer: Limiting strategic arms between the U.S. and USSR. First arms control agreement between superpowers.

Flashcard 69: What was the main goal of the Soviet policy of glasnost?

Answer: Increased transparency and openness. Gorbachev's reform promoted open political discussion.

Flashcard 70: Which conflict was the first proxy war of the Cold War?

Answer: Korean War. Superpowers fought through allied nations.

Flashcard 71: Identify the term for the policy of preventing the spread of communism.

Answer: Containment. Truman's strategy to limit communist expansion globally.

Flashcard 72: Which country declared independence from Portugal in 1975?

Answer: Angola. African colony gained freedom after long struggle.

Flashcard 73: Identify the term for the geopolitical tension after World War II.

Answer: Cold War. Period of ideological conflict without direct warfare.

Flashcard 74: What was the primary effect of the Suez Crisis of 1956?

Answer: Increased Soviet influence in the Middle East. Britain and France lost influence to superpowers.

Flashcard 75: Which African country gained independence from British rule in 1960?

Answer: Nigeria. West African independence movement succeeded peacefully.