Question 1: Explain what the term 'Cold War' means and why it is called 'cold'.

Answer: The Cold War was a period of political and military rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II, characterized by tension and competition but without direct armed conflict. It is called 'cold' because the superpowers did not fight each other directly but engaged in proxy wars, espionage, and propaganda.

Question 2: Describe the main purpose of the Marshall Plan and how it aimed to influence Europe after WWII.

Answer: The Marshall Plan was a US initiative to provide economic aid to help rebuild Western European countries after WWII. Its main purpose was to prevent the spread of communism by stabilizing economies and promoting political stability, thus influencing countries to adopt Western democratic values.

Question 3: Identify two reasons why the Berlin Blockade occurred in 1948.

Answer: The Berlin Blockade was caused by tensions over the future governance of Germany and Berlin, with the Soviet Union wanting to consolidate control over East Germany. Additionally, the introduction of a new currency in West Germany and West Berlin threatened Soviet influence, prompting the blockade.

Question 4: Describe the main features of the NATO alliance formed in 1949.

Answer: NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was a military alliance between Western countries aimed at collective security. Member states agreed that an attack on one would be considered an attack on all, promoting mutual defense against potential Soviet aggression.

Question 5: Explain what the term 'proxy war' means, giving one example from the Cold War period.

Answer: A proxy war is a conflict where two superpowers support different sides in a third country's war, avoiding direct confrontation. An example is the Korean War (1950-1953), where North Korea was supported by the USSR and China, and South Korea was supported by the USA and other Western nations.

Question 6: Sketch a simple diagram that shows the division of Germany and Berlin after WWII. Label the zones of occupation (American, British, French, Soviet).

Answer: A correct sketch would show Germany divided into four zones, with Berlin located inside the Soviet zone but also divided into four sectors. The zones should be labeled accordingly: US, UK, France, and USSR, with Berlin split into sectors for each Allied power.

Question 7: List three ways in which the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 increased Cold War tensions.

Answer: The crisis increased tensions as it brought the superpowers close to nuclear war, demonstrated the dangers of missile proliferation, and led to the establishment of a direct communication link ('hotline') between Washington and Moscow to prevent future crises.

Question 8: Describe the concept of 'deterrence' during the Cold War and how it influenced superpower policies.

Answer: Deterrence was the strategy of preventing an attack by the threat of overwhelming retaliation, especially through nuclear weapons. It influenced policies like Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), where both superpowers maintained large arsenals to deter each other from starting a war.

Question 9: Explain what the Berlin Wall was and its significance during the Cold War.

Answer: The Berlin Wall was a concrete barrier built by East Germany in 1961 to prevent East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin. It symbolized the division between East and West and became a powerful symbol of Cold War ideological conflict.

Question 10: Identify one event that marked the end of the Cold War and explain its significance.

Answer: The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 marked the end of the Cold War. It symbolized the collapse of communist control in Eastern Europe, the easing of tensions between East and West, and the eventual reunification of Germany.