AP U.S. History Flashcards: America as a World Power
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 major domestic debate arose from the U.S. military strategy during the Cold War?
Americans debated the merits and dangers of maintaining a large nuclear arsenal and the growing influence of the military-industrial complex.
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What major domestic debate arose from the U.S. military strategy during the Cold War?
Americans debated the merits and dangers of maintaining a large nuclear arsenal and the growing influence of the military-industrial complex.
What was the primary U.S. foreign policy goal in Latin America during the Cold War?
The United States aimed to extend its Cold War competition to Latin America by supporting non-Communist regimes, regardless of their commitment to democracy.
Define the 'military-industrial complex' in the context of American Cold War debates.
The military-industrial complex refers to the close relationship between a nation's military and the defense industry, which sparked debate among Americans over the merits of a large nuclear arsenal.
Based on U.S. actions in Latin America, what took precedence for American policymakers: promoting democracy or containing Communism?
Containing Communism took precedence, as the United States supported non-Communist regimes even if they had varying levels of commitment to democracy.
What is meant by 'military and diplomatic responses' to international developments?
This refers to the range of actions a nation can take, from using armed forces and building arsenals to engaging in negotiations and forming alliances, to address global events.
Describe the U.S. diplomatic and military strategy toward Latin American governments during the Cold War.
The U.S. strategy involved supporting non-Communist regimes in Latin America, using both military and diplomatic means to counter the extension of Cold War competition into the region.
Why might a newly decolonized nation in Africa choose to remain 'nonaligned' during the Cold War?
A new nation might remain nonaligned to maintain its sovereignty and avoid being drawn into the ideological conflict between the two superpowers who were seeking allies.
What was the 'nonaligned' movement?
The nonaligned movement consisted of new nations, primarily in Africa and the Middle East, that chose not to formally ally with either the United States or the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
How did the U.S. and Soviet Union interact with newly independent nations after World War II?
Following postwar decolonization, both superpowers sought to win allies among the new nations in Africa and the Middle East, turning these regions into arenas for Cold War competition.
How did postwar decolonization in Africa and the Middle East become a new front in the Cold War?
As powerful nationalist movements led to the emergence of new nations, both the U.S. and the Soviet Union sought to gain them as allies, extending their ideological competition.