History · Grades 10–12

The Cold War: key ideas · Revision sheet

Reference sheet for Grades 10 to 12: 4 key ideas, including A “cold” war, alliances and arms race and crises. The rivalry between US-led and Soviet-led blocs from the late 1940s to 1991, and Canada’s place in it.

Printable summary of the study guide The Cold War: key ideas.

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A “cold” war

From about 1947 to 1991, the United States and the Soviet Union competed for influence without fighting each other in a full-scale war.

Alliances

NATO was founded in 1949 with Canada as a founding member; the Soviet Union and several Eastern European states formed the Warsaw Pact in 1955.

Arms race and crises

Both sides built nuclear arsenals. The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 was one of the most dangerous moments.

The end

The Berlin Wall opened in 1989, and the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.

Explain without looking

Describe one way the Cold War affected Canada.
Explain the difference between a proxy war and a direct war, using the Korean War as an example.

Check yourself

Four practice questions on this topic. Try each one before you open the answer.

Which of these two events happened first? • Canadian troops fought at Vimy Ridge • The United Nations was founded
- The United Nations was founded
- Canadian troops fought at Vimy Ridge
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Canadian troops fought at Vimy Ridge Canadian troops fought at Vimy Ridge: 1917. The United Nations was founded: 1945.
Societies and historical change: which term fits this description? A path or network regularly used to exchange goods.
- Reform
- Trade route
- Industrialization
- Settlement
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Trade route Trade route: A path or network regularly used to exchange goods.
Societies and historical change: which term fits this description? A political system extending control over multiple territories or peoples.
- Specialization
- Empire
- Trade route
- Irrigation
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Empire Empire: A political system extending control over multiple territories or peoples.
Which phrase signals a distinction between evidence and interpretation?
- No context is needed.
- This certainly proves all motives.
- The records show X; this may indicate Y.
- Every person thought the same.
Show the answer
The records show X; this may indicate Y. It separates an observed record pattern from its interpretation.