Containment was the U.S. strategy aimed at preventing the spread of communism beyond its existing borders. This approach was central to Cold War policies and helped shape U.S. foreign relations during that era.

The term 'Iron Curtain' was famously used to characterize the ideological and physical boundary separating the Soviet bloc from Western Europe. It symbolized the profound division between communism and democracy.

NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was established to provide collective security against the Soviet threat. Its creation was a cornerstone of Western military strategy during the Cold War.

Détente refers to the easing of strained relations, particularly between the United States and the Soviet Union. This period of reduced tensions allowed for increased diplomatic negotiations and lessened the immediate risk of conflict.

The Space Race was a competition focused on achieving technological and exploratory milestones in outer space. This rivalry not only advanced science and technology but also served as a proxy for demonstrating overall national strength during the Cold War.

The Truman Doctrine set the precedent for U.S. intervention by promising support to nations threatened by communism. This policy marked a strategic shift in American foreign relations and laid the foundation for subsequent containment efforts.

The Arms Race represented the competitive escalation in the development and stockpiling of nuclear weapons. This buildup dramatically increased the risk of a devastating nuclear conflict during the Cold War.

Proxy Wars were conflicts in which the United States and the Soviet Union supported different factions, thereby engaging indirectly without a direct military confrontation. This strategy allowed both superpowers to advance their interests without igniting a full-scale global war.

Sputnik was the first artificial satellite, launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, which dramatically signaled the start of the Space Race. Its launch not only advanced space technology but also heightened competitive tensions between the superpowers.

Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) was the concept that if either superpower launched a nuclear attack, the other would retaliate with equal force, leading to total annihilation on both sides. This doctrine was a key deterrent that helped prevent direct military conflict during the Cold War.

The Marshall Plan was an initiative by the United States to provide financial aid for the reconstruction of European economies after World War II. By revitalizing these economies, the plan helped to stabilize governments and reduce the appeal of communism.

McCarthyism refers to the period of intense anti-communist suspicion in the United States when individuals were accused of communist ties with little regard for evidence. This era deeply affected American politics and society, leading to widespread fear and the suppression of dissent.

The Warsaw Pact was established in response to NATO's formation, serving as the collective defense treaty for Soviet-aligned nations. It played a significant role in formalizing the military front of the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War.

Glasnost, meaning 'openness', was a reform policy introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev to promote transparency and freedom of information in the Soviet government. This approach aimed to reduce corruption and stimulate public discourse, contributing to significant political change.

Perestroika, meaning 'restructuring,' was a series of political and economic reforms in the Soviet Union aimed at revitalizing its stagnating systems. This policy sought to decentralize the economy and introduce elements of market-like reforms.

The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 was a 13-day confrontation that brought the superpowers to the brink of nuclear conflict. It stands as one of the most critical moments of the Cold War, illustrating the extreme risks of nuclear brinkmanship.

The Reagan Doctrine was a strategic policy implemented by the United States in the 1980s that aimed to support anti-communist insurgents worldwide. By channeling aid and military support to these groups, the policy sought to diminish Soviet influence in key regions.

The SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) Treaty was an agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union designed to cap the number of nuclear weapons each side could deploy. This treaty was a significant early effort at arms control during the Cold War.

The Brezhnev Doctrine was a policy asserting the right of the Soviet Union to intervene in the affairs of Eastern Bloc countries if their communist governments were threatened. This doctrine was used to justify military interventions to maintain Soviet influence over its satellite states.

The Berlin Wall physically divided East and West Berlin and became an enduring symbol of the ideological divide between communism and democracy. Its existence highlighted the tangible barriers created by Cold War tensions in Europe.