## Cold War: A Night-Before Review 🚀 Hey! Let's get you prepped for the AP World History exam. We're going to break down the Cold War into easy-to-digest sections, hitting all the key points you need to know. Remember, you've got this! ### Cold War Alliances 🤝 The Cold War was a global power struggle. Two major alliances defined the conflict: * **NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)**: Formed in 1949 by Western nations (primarily Europe and North America) to counter Soviet expansion and support capitalism. * **Warsaw Pact**: Created in 1955 by the Soviet Union and its Eastern European allies as a military alliance to counter NATO and exert influence over Eastern Europe. These alliances created a clear division in the world, setting the stage for decades of tension and proxy conflicts. Think of them as the two main teams in a global standoff. ### Rising Tensions 🌡️ Direct conflict between the US and USSR was rare, but tensions were always high. Here are some key examples: #### Non-Violent Conflicts * **The Space Race 🧑‍🚀**: A competition between the US and USSR to achieve milestones in space exploration. It began with the Soviet launch of **Sputnik** and culminated with the US **Apollo 11** moon landing. This wasn't just about science; it was about showing off technological and military power. 🚀 Remember Sputnik (USSR) and Apollo 11 (USA) as key symbols of the space race. * **The Berlin Wall 🧱**: A physical and symbolic barrier. The **Berlin Blockade/Airlift** in 1948 saw the US and allies airlift supplies to West Berlin after the Soviets blocked access. Later, the **Berlin Wall** (1961-1989) divided East and West Berlin, symbolizing the Cold War division of Europe. ![](https://zupay.blob.core.windows.net/resources/files/0baca4f69800419293b4c75aa2870acd_bc0447_993.jpg?alt=media&token=c50f24a1-3fcd-49c4-806f-01a30503d56b) When discussing the Berlin Wall, remember it was both a physical barrier and a powerful symbol of the ideological divide of the Cold War. ###### The Berlin Wall; Image Courtesy of Wikimedia ### Proxy Wars 💥 Instead of direct clashes, the US and USSR often fought through **proxy wars**, supporting opposing sides in third-party countries. This allowed them to avoid direct military confrontation while still pursuing their ideological goals. Think of proxy wars as the US and USSR playing a global game of chess, using other countries as their pawns. #### Key Proxy Wars: * **Korean War (1950-1953)**: Communist North Korea (backed by China and the USSR) vs. capitalist South Korea (backed by the UN, primarily the US). The war ended in a stalemate, with a demilitarized zone still separating the two Koreas. 🇰🇷 * **Vietnam War (1955-1975)**: North Vietnam (supported by the USSR and China) vs. South Vietnam (supported by the US). The US withdrew in 1973, and Vietnam was unified under communist rule in 1975. This war was a major turning point in American public opinion and foreign policy. 🇻🇳 * **Angolan Civil War (1975-2002)**: The socialist MPLA (backed by the USSR and Cuba) vs. the anti-communist UNITA (supported by the US and apartheid South Africa). This conflict lasted for decades and was deeply intertwined with Cold War politics. 🇦🇴 * **Sandinista-Contras Conflict (1979-1990)**: The communist-leaning Sandinista government in Nicaragua (supported by the USSR) vs. the Contras (supported by the US). This conflict was another example of the US and USSR fighting indirectly through proxy forces. 🇳🇮 Don't confuse the specific details of each proxy war. Focus on the main sides involved and the broader Cold War context. ### Final Exam Focus 🎯 Alright, let's zoom in on what's most likely to show up on the exam: * **High-Value Topics**: * The formation and goals of NATO and the Warsaw Pact. * The causes and consequences of the space race. * The significance of the Berlin Wall and the Berlin Blockade/Airlift. * The key characteristics of proxy wars and their impacts on the countries involved. * The major proxy wars: Korean War, Vietnam War, Angolan Civil War, Sandinista-Contras Conflict. Focus on the political, economic, and social impacts of the Cold War, not just the military conflicts. Think about how it shaped global alliances and ideologies. * **Common Question Types**: * **Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)**: Expect questions that test your understanding of key events, alliances, and their impacts. Look for questions that require you to analyze cause-and-effect relationships. * **Short Answer Questions (SAQs)**: SAQs might ask you to explain the causes or consequences of a specific event or to compare and contrast different aspects of the Cold War. Be clear and concise in your responses. * **Free Response Questions (FRQs)**: FRQs often require you to analyze broader themes or trends, such as the role of ideology in the Cold War or the impact of proxy wars on the developing world. Be sure to support your arguments with specific evidence. For FRQs, make sure to have a clear thesis statement and to use specific historical evidence to support your claims. Don't just list facts; analyze them! * **Last-Minute Tips**: * **Time Management**: Don't spend too long on any one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back later. * **Common Pitfalls**: Avoid vague statements. Be specific and use historical evidence to back up your claims. Don't just describe events; analyze them. * **Strategies**: Read the questions carefully and underline key words. Plan your essays before you start writing. Use your time wisely and don't panic! ### Practice Questions 📝 Let's test your knowledge with a few practice questions: **Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)** 1. Which of the following best describes the primary goal of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)? (A) To promote economic cooperation among member states (B) To counter the perceived threat of Soviet expansion in Europe (C) To establish a unified European currency (D) To facilitate cultural exchange between Western nations 2. The Berlin Blockade of 1948 led to which of the following responses by the Western Allies? (A) A military invasion of East Germany (B) The construction of the Berlin Wall (C) A massive airlift of supplies to West Berlin (D) The signing of a peace treaty with the Soviet Union 3. Which of the following is an example of a proxy war during the Cold War? (A) The Cuban Missile Crisis (B) The Korean War (C) The Space Race (D) The formation of the United Nations **Short Answer Question (SAQ)** Briefly explain ONE political and ONE economic consequence of the Cold War. **Free Response Question (FRQ)** Analyze the extent to which the Cold War was a global conflict. In your response, be sure to address the following: * The role of ideological conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. * The impact of proxy wars on the developing world. * The extent to which the Cold War affected regions outside Europe. **FRQ Scoring Breakdown** * **Thesis (1 point)**: Presents a thesis that makes a historically defensible claim and responds to all parts of the question. * **Contextualization (1 point)**: Describes a broader historical context relevant to the prompt. * **Evidence (2 points)**: Provides specific examples of evidence relevant to the topic. Uses evidence to support an argument. * **Analysis (2 points)**: Explains how the evidence supports the argument. Analyzes the extent to which the Cold War was a global conflict. * **Complexity (1 point)**: Demonstrates a complex understanding of the topic, such as by explaining nuance, contradiction, or connections across time. You've got this! Take a deep breath, review these notes, and go get that 5! 💪

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Effects of the Cold War

Sophie Anderson

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