AP European History Flashcards: The Cold War
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
What was a major political and geographic effect of the Cold War in Europe?
A major effect was the division of the European continent, symbolized by the 'Iron Curtain' separating the Soviet-aligned East from the West.
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What was a major political and geographic effect of the Cold War in Europe?
A major effect was the division of the European continent, symbolized by the 'Iron Curtain' separating the Soviet-aligned East from the West.
What was the 'Iron Curtain'?
The 'Iron Curtain' was a term used in the West to refer to the deep ideological and physical division of Europe between the USSR and the West following World War II.
What were 'hot wars' in the context of the Cold War?
They were limited, actual military conflicts that occurred in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean as part of the larger, indirect global struggle.
What was the fundamental cause of the Cold War?
The Cold War was caused by deep-seated tensions between the USSR and the West that emerged in the period following World War II.
List the key methods used by superpowers during the Cold War.
The Cold War involved propaganda campaigns, covert actions, limited “hot wars” in various regions, and a sustained arms race.
Where did the Cold War's limited 'hot wars' primarily take place?
The limited 'hot wars' of the Cold War era primarily occurred on a global stage in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
What was the most significant threat associated with the Cold War arms race?
The most significant threat of the arms race was the potential for a global nuclear war between the superpowers.
A country airing radio broadcasts to promote its own ideology in a rival nation is an example of which Cold War strategy?
This is an example of a propaganda campaign, which was a key element of the ideological struggle during the Cold War.
If the CIA secretly supported a political faction in Latin America to counter Soviet influence, what type of Cold War action would this be?
This would be an example of a covert action, a common method used during the Cold War to influence global events without direct military involvement.
Define the Cold War based on the provided text.
The Cold War was a global conflict following WWII, rooted in tensions between the USSR and the West, and fought through indirect means rather than direct superpower confrontation.