World History: Cold War Quiz

The Truman Doctrine called for "containment," which refers to the policy of preventing the spread of communism. It aimed to stop the expansion of Soviet influence and communism into other countries by providing economic and military aid to nations threatened by communist forces. This policy was a response to the growing influence of the Soviet Union after World War II and was a key component of US foreign policy during the Cold War. It sought to limit the spread of communism and maintain a balance of power between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) refers to a situation where two opposing sides possess weapons capable of causing massive destruction, leading to the complete annihilation of both parties. This concept is based on the belief that if one side were to initiate an attack, the other side would retaliate with equal or even more devastating force, resulting in mutually assured destruction. The idea behind MAD is to create a deterrent against any aggressive actions, as the consequences would be catastrophic for all parties involved.

Liberal politics and socialized health care are not reasons for the collapse of the Soviet Union. The collapse was primarily caused by weak economic policies, which led to economic stagnation and inefficiency. Additionally, the corrupt government played a significant role in the collapse, as it resulted in widespread disillusionment and loss of trust in the system. Furthermore, independence movements in Eastern Europe, such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, contributed to the disintegration of the Soviet Union by weakening its control over its satellite states.

Perestroika refers to the policy of political and economic restructuring implemented in the Soviet Union during the 1980s. It aimed to introduce democratic reforms and modernize the country's outdated systems. Therefore, perestroika is the correct answer as it aligns with the given statement about translating to mean democratic reforms for the Soviet Union.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall occurred in 1989 and was relatively peaceful. This is because the event was marked by a peaceful revolution and a mass movement of people rather than violent conflicts. The wall was brought down by the people themselves, who peacefully protested and demanded the reunification of East and West Germany. The peaceful nature of this event is significant as it symbolizes the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a new era of peace and unity in Germany.

The Truman Doctrine was a promise by the US to aid any country that fought or resisted communism. This means that the US was committed to providing support and assistance to countries that were actively engaged in combatting or opposing the spread of communism. This policy was a response to the growing influence of the Soviet Union during the Cold War and aimed to contain the spread of communism by providing military, economic, and political aid to countries facing communist threats.

Glasnost refers to the policy of openness and transparency in the Soviet system, which was in contrast to the secrecy that existed under previous leaders. It aimed to promote freedom of speech, press, and political expression, allowing for a more open dialogue and exchange of ideas within the Soviet Union. This policy was introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s as part of his broader reform efforts known as perestroika.

Mikhail Gorbachev led the Soviet Union to reforms, indicating that he played a significant role in implementing changes within the country. Boris Yeltsin, on the other hand, was the first democratically elected Russian president, suggesting that he held a prominent position in the political landscape of Russia. Both Gorbachev and Yeltsin are known for their contributions to the transformation of the Soviet Union and the establishment of a more democratic system in Russia.