Question 1

Was the Cuban Missile Crisis a turning point in the Cold War? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the Cuban Missile Crisis was a turning point in the Cold War. The crisis brought the United States and the Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war, and both sides realized the catastrophic consequences of such a conflict. As a result, it led to a period of detente, or a relaxation of tensions, between the two superpowers. This led to the signing of the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in 1963, which prohibited nuclear testing in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater. Additionally, it paved the way for future arms control agreements and improved communication between the US and the USSR. Overall, the Cuban Missile Crisis marked a shift in the Cold War from a period of heightened tensions to one of increased cooperation and dialogue.

Question 2

What role did Germany in general and Berlin in particular play in the evolution of the Cold War? Include in the discussion historical, ideological, and geographical factors.

Accepted Answer

Answers will vary.

Question 3

Describe and evaluate China's relations with both Russia and the U.S. during the Cold War. To what extent did the personalities of the leaders of these countries play a role in determining international politics during this era?

Accepted Answer

During the Cold War, China's relations with both Russia and the U.S. were complex and constantly evolving. Initially, China and the Soviet Union had a close relationship, as both were communist countries and shared a common ideology. However, this relationship began to deteriorate in the late 1950s due to ideological and strategic differences, leading to a split between the two countries. This split was further exacerbated by border disputes and competition for influence in the global communist movement.

On the other hand, China's relations with the U.S. were hostile during the early years of the Cold War. The U.S. supported the Nationalist government in Taiwan and opposed the communist government in mainland China. This led to a complete breakdown in diplomatic relations and even military confrontation during the Korean War. However, in the 1970s, China and the U.S. began to normalize their relations, driven by a shared interest in countering the Soviet Union and promoting stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

The personalities of the leaders of these countries played a significant role in determining international politics during the Cold War. In the case of China, Mao Zedong's revolutionary zeal and commitment to spreading communism influenced the country's foreign policy and its relations with both Russia and the U.S. Mao's decision to align with the U.S. against the Soviet Union in the 1970s was a clear example of how his personal beliefs and priorities shaped China's international relations.

Similarly, the personalities of leaders in Russia and the U.S. also had a significant impact on their countries' relations with China. The confrontational approach of Soviet leaders like Nikita Khrushchev and Leonid Brezhnev contributed to the deterioration of Sino-Soviet relations, while the more pragmatic approach of U.S. leaders like Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger paved the way for improved relations with China.

In conclusion, China's relations with Russia and the U.S. during the Cold War were influenced by a combination of ideological, strategic, and personal factors. The personalities of the leaders of these countries played a crucial role in shaping international politics during this era, as their beliefs, priorities, and approaches to diplomacy had a direct impact on the course of events.

Question 4

Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
the Marshall Plan

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The answer of Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
the Marshall...

Question 5

Was the Cold War inevitable? Why and or why not?

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Question 6

Was Afghanistan the Soviet Union's "Vietnam"? Why and/or why not?

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Question 7

In assessing the end of the Cold War, who contributed the most to the fall of the Soviet Union, Ronald Reagan or Mikhail Gorbachev, and how?

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Question 8

Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
containment

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The answer of Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
containment...

Question 9

Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
Truman Doctrine

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The answer of Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
Truman Doctrine...

Question 10

What were the factors which led to the success of the Marshall Plan? Could such massive economic aid work equally well in other places and at other times? Why or why not?

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Question 11

How significant were the Polish and Hungarian independence movements during the course of the Cold War? What does the Russian response to these movements tell us about the limits of Russian power during this period?

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Question 12

To what degree was the escalating U.S.-Soviet tension in Europe the result of excessively defensive fears in the minds of Truman and Stalin? Why? What other factors were also involved in the moves of the "superpowers" and their allies and clients?

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Question 13

Why did the Grand Alliance, and the Yalta System it spawned, come apart so quickly after the Japanese surrender? Could it have succeeded, or at least lasted longer, if Roosevelt had lived? Why or why not?

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Question 14

What were the factors which led to the Chinese communist victory over the Nationalists? Was Mao Zedong's triumph over Chiang inevitable? Why or why not?

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Question 15

Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain"

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The answer of Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
Winston Churchill's...

Question 16

Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
Nonaligned Movement

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The answer of Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
Nonaligned Movement...

Question 17

Did the fear of nuclear annihilation and the incredible cost of the United States' military buildup of the 1980s help to make the Cold War too ghastly to contemplate and, simultaneously, too expensive for either side to continue? Give evidence in support of your answer.

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Question 18

Was Churchill's phrase, "the Iron Curtain," an accurate reflection of the actual state of relations between East and West in 1946? Why and/or why not? Did Churchill's words contribute to the polarization of East and West?

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Question 19

What role did the personalities, philosophies, and ambitions of individual political leaders play in the Cold War? Give specific examples.

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Question 20

Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
Yalta Conference

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The answer of Instructions: Identify the following term(s). 
Yalta Conference...

Quiz 26: East and West in the Grip of the Cold War