GCSE History: The Cold War 3

Question 1

What was détente in the context of the Cold War?

Accepted Answer

A period of relaxed tensions and improved diplomatic relations between the USA and USSR in the 1970s.

Answer

Détente refers to the easing of Cold War tensions in the 1970s, marked by diplomatic engagement, arms limitation treaties (SALT I & II), and trade agreements.

Question 2

Who was the Soviet leader who introduced the policies of glasnost and perestroika in the 1980s?

Accepted Answer

Mikhail Gorbachev

Answer

Mikhail Gorbachev introduced glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) from 1985, which accelerated the collapse of the Soviet system.

Question 3

What happened to the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989?

Accepted Answer

The East German government announced citizens could cross freely, and crowds began tearing it down.

Answer

On 9 November 1989, the East German government announced that citizens could cross the border freely, and jubilant crowds began demolishing the Berlin Wall.

Question 4

What was the policy of 'containment' pursued by the USA during the Cold War?

Accepted Answer

Preventing the spread of communism to new countries rather than rolling it back.

Answer

Containment, first articulated by George Kennan, was the US strategy of preventing the further spread of communism without necessarily seeking to overthrow existing communist regimes.

Question 5

The Korean War (1950–53) was significant in the Cold War context because it was the first time what occurred?

Accepted Answer

UN forces (predominantly US) fought against communist forces backed by the USSR and China.

Answer

The Korean War was the first 'hot' proxy conflict of the Cold War, with US-led UN forces fighting North Korean and later Chinese communist forces.

GCSE - General Certificate of Secondary Education Practice Test

GCSE - General Certificate of Secondary Education Practice Test

GCSE History: The Cold War 3