Diplo History – Flashcards

was one of the principal sovereign dynasties of Europe from the 1500s to 1918. Came to power in the 1500s, large overlap with the Holy Roman Empire. Later became the Austrian and then Austro-Hungarian Empire. Eventually, France, along with the Protestants, balanced against the Habsburgs leading to the 30 years war. First major European empire. Many historians view the HE as the start of modern European history... probably because it led to the Westphalian system.

(1618-1648) A series of wars fought by various nations for various reasons, including religious, dynastic, territorial, and commercial rivalries. The war was initially fought between Protestants and Catholics (The war began when the Holy Roman Empire tried to impose religious uniformity on its domains) but later came to involve most of Europe's great powers. Its destructive campaigns and battles occurred over most of Europe, and, when it ended with the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, the map of Europe had been completely changed. The armies that engaged in war throughout this period were primarily made up of mercenaries. Example of France-Habsburg rivalry

signed in 1648, it created the notion of sovereign nation-states and marked the end of the 30 years war in Europe and the 80 years war. The sovereign ruler of the state replaced religious leaders as supreme ruler.Raison D'etat Treaties of Osnabruck and Munster Westphalian sovereignty is the principle of international law that each nation state has sovereignty over its territory and domestic affairs, to the exclusion of all external powers, on the principle of non-interference in another country's domestic affairs, and that each state (no matter how large or small) is equal in international law.

Cardinal Richelieu was a French clergyman, nobleman, and statesman. He was also the chief minister to King Louis XIII of France from 1624 to 1642. His major goals were the establishment of royal absolutism in France and the end of Spanish-Habsburg hegemony in Europe. He sought to consolidate royal power and crush domestic factions. By restraining the power of the nobility, he transformed France into a strong, centralized state. His chief foreign policy objective was to check the power of the Austro-Spanish Habsburg dynasty, and to ensure French dominance in the Thirty Years' War that engulfed Europe. Raison D'etat, academy francais

An Austrian statesman, minister of foreign affairs (1809-48), and a champion of conservatism, who helped form the victorious alliance against Napoleon I and who restored Austria as a leading European power, hosting the Congress of Vienna in 1814-15. One of his first tasks was to engineer a détente with France that included the marriage of Napoleon to the Austrian archduchess Marie Louise. Soon after, he engineered Austria's entry into the War of the Sixth Coalition on the Allied side, signed the Treaty of Fontainebleau that sent Napoleon into exile, and led the Austrian delegation at the Congress of Vienna that divided post-Napoleonic Europe amongst the major powers. Metternich system. Early diplomat.

The French Revolution (1789-1799) was a period of ideological, political and social upheaval in the political history of France and Europe as a whole, during which the French polity, previously an absolute monarchy with feudal privileges for the aristocracy and Catholic clergy, underwent radical change to forms based on Enlightenment principles of republicanism, citizenship, and rights. These changes were accompanied by violent turmoil, including executions and repression during the Reign of Terror, and warfare involving every other major European power. The revolution was partially carried forward by Napoleon during the later expansion of the French Empire. Napoleon Bonaparte- French general, first consul (1799-1804), and emperor of the French (1804-1814/15), one of the most celebrated personages in the history of the West. He revolutionized military organization and training; sponsored the Napoleonic Code, the prototype of later civil-law codes; reorganized education; and established the long-lived Concordat with the papacy. Big ass empire Napoleonic code: freedom of religion, no more birthright priveleges Inspires BoP system ? congress of vienna ? concert of europe

September 1814- June 1815 The Congress was a meeting of ambassadors/foreign ministers of the major European states in order to settle the peace of the Napoleonic Wars, as well as deal with the fallout of the French Revolution and the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire. It led to significant territorial changes,especially for the German states and Poland. It solidified the notion of legitimacy for monarchic rulers and established a balance of power system called the Concert of Europe. Major concerns of the main delegates (Metternich, Talleyrand, Castlereagh and Tsar Alexander) were preserving their own projection of power. For France, Britain and Austria keeping an expanding Russia in check was a main priority. Talleyrand managed to get a lot of his goals achieved despite the fact that he was representing the "defeated" France—he really pushed the notion of legitimacy and wanted an open Congress in which all could participate.

The Holy Alliance was a product of the Congress of Vienna, put forth by Tsar Alexander, and was a coalition of Russia, Austria and Prussia. It was an attempt to preserve the "Thrones of Europe" and was thoroughly a balance of power approach to the 19th C. Stated goals were to instill Christian values throughout Europe as well as to prevent revolutionary influence (anti democracy, revolution and secularism).

The European balance of power is an international relations concept that applies historically and currently to the states of Europe.It is often known by the term European State System. Its basic tenet is that no single European power should be allowed to achieve hegemony over a substantial part of the continent and that this is best curtailed by having a small number of ever-changing alliances contend for power. Paul W. Schroeder says there were 2 great powers (UK and Russia), 3 middle powers (France, Austria, and Prussia), and 1 marginal power (Ottomans) Dual hegemony model, peace held until Britain and Russia started competing in Central Asia

The Concert of Europe was the balance of power system following the Napoleonic Wars. It was maintained by the Quadruple Alliance (1815, Britain, Austria, Russia, Prussia and eventually France in 1818). It was designed to include sporadic meetings of the big powers to discuss events on the continent and try to avoid major wars and conflicts like those of the early 19th C. Some say was a model for League of Nations. First mildly successful attempt at collective security. Ended in 1914.

The Revolutions of 1848 were a widespread uprising that took place across Europe in response to social and economic pressures brought on by the eighteenth century Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution. Conservative monarchs throughout Europe were threatened as middle and working class people attempted to establish new governments that allowed the common man a voice in government function. This thesis explores the reasons why the revolutions occurred in Germany, Italy, and France and why in each case the revolutions failed to achieve any significant change in each country.

Between 1848 and 1870 France underwent rapid economic growth as a result of the industrial revolution, and Napoleon III's government fostered this development. These years were also the period of the Crimean War and the unifications of Italy and Germany, and France played a pivotal role in these affairs. Became President of the 2nd republic, staged a coup in 1851 to become emperor of the 2nd french empire Defeated in Franco-Prussian war (which France started) in 1870 and resigned Completely mismanaged France's FP, which led to his defeat ^ and manipulation by Otto Von B.

a conflict in which Russia lost to an alliance of France, the United Kingdom, the Ottoman Empire, and Sardinia. The immediate cause involved the rights of Christian minorities in the Holy Land, which was controlled by the Ottoman Empire. The French promoted the rights of Catholics, while Russia promoted those of the Eastern Orthodox Christians. The longer-term causes involved the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the unwillingness of the United Kingdom and France to allow Russia to gain territory and power at Ottoman expense. in some sense the Crimean war was predestined and had deep-seated causes. Neither Nicholas I nor Napoleon III nor the British government could retreat in the conflict for prestige once it was launched. Nicholas needed a subservient Turkey for the sake of Russian security; Napoleon needed success for the sake of his domestic position; the British government needed an independent Turkey for the security of the Eastern Mediterranean....Mutual fear, not mutual aggression, caused the Crimean war Hurt Austria the most even though uninvolved

leader of the Prussian empire from the 1860s until 1888, when Wilhelm II took over power. Bismarck was the champion of realpolitik, a system of political leadership based on sheer power and practicality. Realpolitik was used after the revolutions after 1848 to tighten social order and to mitigate liberal and progressive demands. Bismarck was almost Machiavellian in his ability to antagonize others, engaging in wars when needed and manipulating outcomes that favored Prussian power expansion. As Minister President of Prussia 1862-88/90, Bismarck provoked wars that made Prussia dominant over Austria and France, and aligned the smaller German states behind Prussia. In 1871, Bismarck became Chancellor of Germany, working out a balance of power system in Europe that would preserve relative peace until WWI.

1870-71, conflict between France and Prussia that signaled the rise of German military power and imperialism. It was provoked by Otto von Bismarck (the Prussian chancellor) as part of his plan to create a unified German Empire. The German conquest of France and the unification of Germany upset the European balance of power, that had existed since the Congress of Vienna in 1815 and Otto von Bismarck maintained great authority in international affairs for two decades. French determination to regain Alsace-Lorraine and fear of another Franco-German war, along with British apprehension about the balance of power, became factors in the causes of World War I.

relates to the concerns of Western Germany during the 20th century in regards to Russian power-plays on the continent. Key players during the first half of the 1900s were largely concerned with establishing a European balance of power system that would prevent major wars from occurring. The aggressive and expansive nature of the Russian empire threatened to disrupt this power balance. Countries like France, and especially Britain, saw Russia's existence on the continent as their "Eastern Problem."

held in 1884 between major European powers with the intention of establishing regulations to trade and colonization in Africa, which had already begun prior to the conference. The major parties involved included Germany, Great Britain, France, Portugal, Belgium, Austria-Hungary, several other European nations. The resolution of this conference produced several results; including the end of entente between France and Germany "formalization" (in the sense that it marked the beginning) of the "Scramble for Africa", where European powers engaged in competition for colonial territory in Africa. As a result the conference is also known as the West Africa Conference or the Congo Conference (the Congo was the region most discussed in regards to partitioning colonial Africa). To this day it serves as a symbol of "exploitative imperialism" to African countries

Japan fought a very successful war against the crumbling Chinese Empire in 1894-95 and imposed a severe treaty. Japan demanded from China a heavy war indemnity, the island of Formosa, and Port Arthur and its hinterland. The European powers, while having no objection to the indemnity, did feel that Japan should not gain Port Arthur, for they had their own ambitions in that part of the world. Russia persuaded Germany and France to join her in applying diplomatic pressure on the Japanese, with the result that Japan was obliged to relinquish Port Arthur. Two years later Saint Petersburg forced the Chinese into leasing Port Arthur to Russia, together with the Liaotung Peninsula on which it stood. For Russia this meant the acquisition of an ice-free naval base in the Far East to supplement Vladivostok. For Japan it was a case of adding insult to injury. The Japanese defeated the Russians decisively in the war and occupied Port Arthur up until 1945. It was significant because it was the first time an Eastern power defeated a European power, it forced the Europeans to recognize Japan as a significant regional power.

Founder of Russian Communist Party (Bolsheviks), leader of Bolshevik Revolution (1917) & architect and first leader of the Soviet Union ? 1921, He and the Bolsheviks are really in power ? founded the organization known as Comintern (Communist International) ? "Leninism": the doctrine codified and conjoined with Marx's works by Lenin's successors to form Marxism-Leninism, which became the Communist worldview ? can be described as one of the most significant political leader of the 20th century because of the influence he has had on the international system by introducing a "communist"state ? His actions have sparked communist revolutions, scholarly discussions, and the Cold War ? Wilson's 14 Points Speech was a response to the Lenin ; Bolshevik Revolution. ? Wanted WORLD revolution. ? Followed by Stalin

ran on a platform of isolationism to avoid entering the Great War ? based his re-election campaign around the slogan,"He kept us out of war" ? U.S. neutrality was challenged in early 1917 when the German government began unrestricted submarine warfare despite repeated strong warnings ? April 1917, Wilson asked Congress to declare war ? began the United States' first draft since the American Civil War ? took personal control of negotiations with Germany, including the armistice ? 1918, issued his Fourteen Points: view of a post-war world that could avoid another terrible conflict. ? 1919, went to Paris to create the League of Nations and shape the Treaty of Versailles, with special attention on creating new nations out of defunct empires. ? The League of Nations was established but the United States never joined.

IGO formed after the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 created in Treaty of Versailles ? first permanent international organization whose purpose was to maintain the peace on the international stage ? At the height of the League's prestige, it had 58 members ? near the end of the 1930s, it was clear that the League did not have the necessary will or capabilities to prevent aggression by states. Abyssinian crisis, Japanese invasion of Manchuria. ? US was also not a part of the League of Nations which weakened its hard power capabilities and influence ? mission: maintain world peace, want to prevent wars through collective security and disarmament, settle disputes through negotiation and arbitration. ? Wilson's 14 points were influential to the League of Nations --> new system

4 phases on road to war = diplomacy of concealment --> convince powers they had nothing to fear 1933-34: remove fetters of past, protect country from consequences secret rearmament, withdrawal from LonN 1935-37: diplomacy of testing resolve Saturday surprises Period of aggression 1938 troops into Austria, 1939: nazi-soviet nonaggression pact

conflict between Chinese and Japanese troops near the Marco Polo Bridge (Chinese: Lugouqiao) outside Beiping (now Beijing), which developed into the warfare between the two countries that was the prelude to the Pacific side of World War II.

Treaty of Non-aggression between Germany and the USSR was a non-aggression pact signed between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in Moscow on 23 August 1939. It is also known as the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact or the Nazi-Soviet Pact. The pact remained in force until the German government broke it by launching an attack on the Soviet positions in eastern Poland on 22 June 1941

1813-1907. Conflict between Britain and Russia for influence/control over Central Asia. The game ended when the two countries resolved their disputes so they could focus on Germany. Goes along with the idea that the Concert of Europe was really bipolar.

There were two Boer Wars, the first (1880-1881) was small and so the term Boer War generally refers to the second one (1899-1902). First stage, the Boers undertook pre-emptive strikes into British territory. Second stage: British counterattacked with massive numbers of troops and occupied Boer territory. The British won the war but it turned out to be far more costly and far more brutal than expected. The public was upset that it took so long to defeat a bunch of farmers and that the tactics used were barbaric.

The North American theater of the Seven Years war. (1754-1763). ? doubled britains debt, led to taxation of colonies. Also prompted French to side against british in rev

The American Revolution was a political upheaval and eventual military conflict that took place from 1765-1783. During which, colonists rejected the British monarchy and aristocracy, overthrew the authority of great britain, and founded the United States of America. The American Revolution had a profound effect on the European psyche. It demonstrated that the ideas of Enlightenment were not mere utterances, and that it was possible to overthrow an oppressive government. The United States had created a new social contract in the form of its Constitution, in which they realized the ideas of Enlightenment. The natural rights of man, and the ideas of liberty, equality, and freedom of religion, were no longer unrealistic Utopian ideals. The framers of U.S Constitution rejected the Greek model of civic republicanism. They distinguished between the notion of "democracy" and their own proposed system of representative democracy. This made the bourgeoisie of Europe reconsider their own government and monarchic systems. ? Domino effect on revolutions ? France First democratic state

In 1803, The administration of Thomas Jefferson purchased land from France and Napoleon for 50 million Francs. Originally wanted to purchase the port city of New Orleans but accepted the bargain quickly. Wanted free transit from the Mississippi to the ocean The territory acquired was 880,000 square miles Napoleon abandons his quest for empire in North America. The United States now has the groundwork laid for westward expansion, manifest destiny and now has to raise a military force to control this territory Native Americans would gradually suffer greatly from this transaction due to westward expansion

Louisiana purchase, Mexican-American War 1846, Alaska, Hawaii ? US "exceptionalism": includes the beliefs that there are special qualities that the United States possesses that distinguishes it from other nations in the world. ? US superiority ? often a justification for US FP abroad (interventions) ? Individualism/individual relationship with God ? American religious liberalism is a result of our political and economic liberalism ? American religious mission had a chance to fail if god's will isn't effectively followed

It was a statement of principles initiated by the United States in 1899 and 1900 for the protection of equal privileges among countries trading with China and in support of Chinese territorial and administrative integrity. The 1899 Open Door notes provided that (1) each great power should maintain free access to a treaty port or to any other vested interest within its sphere, (2) only the Chinese government should collect taxes on trade, and (3) no great power having a sphere should be granted exemptions from paying harbour dues or railroad charges. Hay's second circular of 1900 stressed the importance of preserving China's territorial and administrative integrity.

The French attempted to construct a canal across the Isthmus of Panama starting in 1881. Conditions in the Jungle could be hellish, with yellow fever and malaria being the worst aspects. The French effort went bankrupt in 1889, 22,000 workers lost their lives in the process. In 1894, a second French company was formed primarily to keep the canal concession with Colombia alive. At this time the US was interested in a canal as well, and in 1902 the senate voted to purchase the rights to the Panama effort (as opposed to building a separate canal through Nicaragua). In 1903, the US Senate ratified a treaty with Colombia to lease the land around the canal, but the Colombian Senate refused to sign. Teddy Roosevelt was informed of a separatist movement in Panama, which had been ongoing since 1899 directly and even earlier. Roosevelt began to actively support the Panamanians and in November 1903, the US recognized the country of Panama. This was considered a prime example of Gunboat Diplomacy.

A naval arms control conference that aimed to prevent a naval arms race between the US, Britain, and Japan. The countries agreed to limit the total displacement of different classes of ships at a ratio of 5:5:3. The treaty was successful in preventing an arms race directly after WW1, but it was ended by Japan in 1936.

worldwide economic downturn that lasted from 1929-1939. October 24, 1929, the stock market crashed, which became the ultimate catalyst for the depression. The Great Depression constituted the first worldwide economic downturn. It was exacerbated by tariffs and protectionism which did not allow for recovery. The worldwide effects of the depression lead to a spread of radical politics throughout Europe. Fascists and communists opportunistically took advantage of the situation. The Great Depression proved that the modern economic system was intensely globalized and that an economic downturn in one country affects all countries.

A feeling during the Great Depression that the US should withdraw from international politics. This was created by a dislike for US involvement in WWI and the belief that merchants profited off the war. The US rejected the League of Nations which is the first sign of the growing isolationist sentiment. Though Roosevelt was more interventionist, he was held back by the isolationist tendencies of the Congress, which passed a series of Neutrality Acts when Nazi Germany was rising. Many see this as a recurring historical trend with the US based on political precedent (most significantly Washington's farewell address). After war, the US public grows war-weary and withdraw from world affairs.

FDR stood in contrast to the isolationist policies of many of his political peers and believed the US played a vital role in the world. Engaged in securing the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act which secured "most favored nation" status to all countries that trade agreements were worked out with. Also established US relations with the USSR in order to counter Japanese expansion. Established "good neighbor" policy with Latin America, which promised not to meddle in their internal affairs. Pushed for and eventually attained the Lend-Lease Act, which allowed America to support their allies. Created the "Atlantic Charter." Eventually FDRs interventionist policies would involve America in WWII after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and FDR represented the beginning of serious American involvement in the world.

An agreement signed in August 1941 made by FDR and Churchill and later ratified by the Allies. In it, America and Britain stated their vision for post-war Europe. Stated that it wanted to establish: no territorial aggrandizement; no territorial changes made against the wishes of the people, self-determination; restoration of self-government to those deprived of it; reduction of trade restrictions; global cooperation to secure better economic and social conditions for all; freedom from fear and want; freedom of the seas; and abandonment of the use of force, as well as disarmament of aggressor nations Became the foundation of international institutions after the war such as the UN and GATT.

An attack by the Japanese air force on Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii occurred on December 7, 1941. A preemptive attack on the base was judged by Japanese military experts as advantageous to damaging the US's Pacific naval capacity, which it did. FDR described it as "a date that will live in infamy." It shocked most Americans who had never seen an attack on US soil. Also resulted in the simultaneous Japanese takeover of other US Pacific territories like Guam and the Philippines. Awakened the "sleeping giant," and was the catalyst for the US to enter WWII. Though it did severely damage naval capacity, the US eventually regained naval strength to defeat the Japanese. Remains the last time that the US has been attacked directly by a foreign power (not counting terrorist attacks).

occurred in February 1945 as WWII was coming to a close. It was attended by FDR, Churchill and Stalin and concerned the fate of post-war Europe. The Soviets had the strongest bargaining position because they were very close to closing in on Berlin. They wanted a sphere of influence in Eastern Europe. The US wanted the Soviets to invade Japan and participate in the UN. Britain wanted free elections in Eastern Europe (specifically Poland). Eventually the conference settled on a divided up Europe between Britain, US and USSR (with small portions for France). It was intended that these occupations would be temporary and that free elections would come. Many see this conference as the birth of the Cold War which would come after. It established what would become the Eastern Bloc in Europe where the USSR wielded its influence.

George F Kennan published the initial paper in 1947 that advocated combatting the Soviet Union through the use of a containment policy. Kennan outlined the struggle against the Soviet Union as a struggle for the preservation of "the free institutions of the Western World" (Office of the Historian, 2016). In his paper on containment, Kennan recommended a long-term effort to contain the spread of the Soviet Union, slowly maintaining an environment where the USSR would eventually collapse on its own accord. Kennan promoted economic and diplomatic containment; however, multiple individuals created different versions of his key doctrine. Paul Nitze advocated for a strong military containment policy, which was supported by the passage of NSC 68 in 1950, which greatly increased the military's budget. Nitze's approach was ultimately supported over Kennan's original model. 1946 = Long Telegram, leads to 1947 "X" article

Named after Secretary of State George C. Marshall, this was a $13 - $15 billion dollar (grand gesture) Western European reconstruction plan initiated in 1948. Originally laid out in a Harvard speach in 1947. Lasted until 1952. Funding boosted industry in Western Europe, created new trade opportunities for the US. Solidifies the US as a global power and indicates a shift away from isolationism. The Marshall Plan was also designed as a method of bolstering Western Europe to halt the spread of the Soviet Union and Communism. In terms of containing the Soviet Union, the reconstruction of Greece and Turkey was a significant aspect of this plan (other types of assistance were also rendered). The Marshall Plan embodies the original principles of George Kennan's containment doctrine, with the focus on economically containing the USSR being one of the original principal tenants.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an organization of 28 states that promotes cooperation on a host of political and security issues. Founded in 1949 (Treaty of Brussels creating an alliance with US, Canada, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Iceland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and UK signed in 1948, actual Washington Treaty creating the organization signed on April 4, 1949), the original purpose of NATO was to promote a collective security environment amongst several western nations to combat the spread of the Soviet Union. Partially in response to the Berlin Blockade. NATO promoted the military aspect of containment advocated for by Paul Nitze and served in conjunction with the Marshall plan to fortify Europe against Soviet influence. Greece and Turkey joined NATO in 1952, and western Germany in 1955. As part of the collective security bargain, NATO introduced the idea of "massive retaliation", where, should one nation be attacked, the offender would incur the retaliation of all members (Office of the Historian, 2016). Article V of the founding treaty refers to the collective security aspect of NATO. NATO's mission has shifted in recent years in response to new types of security threats, with anti-terrorism operations becoming one area of specialty, along with cyber security. NATO serves as an overall forum for members to cooperate and discuss a variety of issues, in this sense it embodies some of the principles of liberalism, while embodying structural realism with its original purpose of containing and balancing against the USSR.

Emerged out of the Peace Treaty of San Francisco signed on September 8, 1951 by 48 countries,and the U.S-Japan Security Treaty. Marking the end of Japan as an imperial power, the San Francisco System outlines the plan for Japanese reconstruction and the division of power in Southeast Asia in the post World War II environment. As part of the treaties under the System, Japan was required to make reparations to victims of Japanese hostilities and to POWs. An international military tribunal was established to try Japanese war criminals. The U.S. was further allowed to station military forces in Japan. The San Francisco system significantly drew Japan into the "West" in the Cold War, marking a geopolitical split in the region. Important Scholar: John W. Dower.

Starting in 1945 at the end of World War II and lasting until the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, the Cold War is characterized by a series of proxy conflicts between the United States and the Soviet Union, the two great powers competing for political, ideological, and economic supremacy in the post world-war environment. The start of the Cold War marks the beginning of a bipolar era, with the US and the USSR representing the two major superpowers. During the initial period of the conflict, the US sought to bolster its Western European allies in order to contain the spread of Soviet influence. This was achieved through economic reconstruction deals such as the Marshall Plan, and military/diplomatic alliances such as NATO which established a collective security organ in the fight against the Soviet Union. Each side demonstrates the principles of realism through the balance of power, bandwagoning, and deterrence/MAD. The concept of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) emerged during this period, with the idea that a buildup of nuclear weapons would balance against the threat of the opposing side. In theory, the potential consequences of direct hostility against the opponent would be so great that neither side would engage in a traditional war, hence imposing a level of restraint on each superpower. The end of the Cold War was seen by Francis Fukuyama as "the end of history", where the United States would bring about a liberal world order and there would be no other conflict of the same magnitude as those of the Cold War or World Wars.

Lasting from 1950-1953, the Korean War emerged from the context of the Korean civil war between the North and South of the country and evolved into a conflict between the South/US and the North/China. The original intervention in Korea was a UN sanctioned mission in response to the ongoing civil war, one of only two direct military interventions to pass through the Security Council. Korea was originally split along the 38th parallel while elections were held in the Northern and Southern halves, leading to eventual reunification of the country; the USSR's blocking of election in the North and appointment of Kim Il Sung as leader prompted the US to select a leader for the South, prompting an end to reunification. An initial stalemate occurred in 1951, while conflict continued on a smaller-scale for two more years. An official UN armistice was signed on July 27, 1953 and remains to this day; the planned 1954 Geneva Conference that would have signalled the official end of the conflict was never held, thus the North and South are still technically at war. This war represents one of a series of proxy conflicts between the US and USSR during the Cold War; in Korea, the US sought to stop the spread of communism in Asia emanating from China and Russia.

A Cold War-era proxy war that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. From November 1, 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War (1946-54) and was fought between North Vietnam—supported by the Soviet Union, China and other communist allies—and the government of South Vietnam—supported by the United States, Philippines and other anti-communist allies. The Viet Cong (also known as the National Liberation Front, or NLF), a South Vietnamese communist common front aided by the North, fought a guerrilla war against anti-communist forces in the region. The People's Army of Vietnam, also known as the North Vietnamese Army (NVA), engaged in a more conventional war, at times committing large units to battle.

(a French word meaning release from tension)the easing of hostility or strained relations, especially politically. Also can refer to a period of improved relations between the United States and the Soviet Union that began tentatively in 1971 and took decisive form when President Richard M. Nixon visited the secretary-general of the Soviet Communist party, Leonid I. Brezhnev, in Moscow, May 1972.