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The Origins of the Cold War, c1945–1949 key terms

Study The Origins of the Cold War, c1945–1949 with curriculum-aligned Key Terms resources, practice links, and exam-focused support.

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key terms

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Topic

The Origins of the Cold War, c1945–1949

AqaA LevelHistory2R The Cold War, c1945–1991

Key terms

  • Cold War

    A period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States and their respective allies, from the end of World War II until the early 1990s.

  • Iron Curtain

    A term coined by Winston Churchill to describe the division between Western powers and the areas controlled by the Soviet Union.

  • Containment

    A foreign policy strategy aimed at preventing the expansion of communism beyond its existing borders.

  • Cominform

    An organization of communist parties established in 1947 to coordinate actions and promote Soviet influence in Eastern Europe.

  • Containment

    A U.S. foreign policy strategy aimed at preventing the spread of communism beyond its existing borders.

  • Iron Curtain

    A term used to describe the division between the Soviet-controlled Eastern Europe and the Western democracies.

  • Cold War

    A period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States and their respective allies, characterized by political, military, and ideological rivalry.

  • Marshall Plan

    An American initiative launched in 1948 to provide economic aid to Western European countries to help rebuild their economies after World War II and prevent the spread of communism.