AP WORLD / STUDY ROOM
← Unit 8: Cold War and Decolonization
Topic 8.2 · c. 1900–present

The Cold War

The United States and Soviet Union competed through alliances, ideology, weapons, and diplomacy without fighting a direct full-scale war against one another.

Topic 8.2 / Review

The big picture

What to know

The United States and Soviet Union competed through alliances, ideology, weapons, and diplomacy without fighting a direct full-scale war against one another.

Example 1NATO

NATO joined the United States and allies in a military alliance.

Example 2Warsaw Pact

The Warsaw Pact linked the Soviet Union with Eastern European allies.

Example 3nuclear arms race

The nuclear arms race raised the danger of catastrophic war.

Try it yourself

Check your understanding

01 / Multiple choice · 3 questions

Choose one answer for each question. Feedback appears below it.

Question 01

Which example fits this clue? This example joined the United States and allies in a military alliance.

Question 02

Which example fits this clue? The Warsaw Pact linked the Soviet Union with Eastern European allies.

Question 03

Which example fits this clue? The nuclear arms race raised the danger of catastrophic war.

02 / Write with evidence

Write a short response

How did superpowers compete without a direct war?

  1. Make a claim that answers the question.
  2. Use two examples from the review.
  3. Explain how the examples support your claim.
See a model response

The United States and Soviet Union competed through alliances, ideology, weapons, and diplomacy without fighting a direct full-scale war against one another. NATO joined the United States and allies in a military alliance. The Warsaw Pact linked the Soviet Union with Eastern European allies.

From class

Worksheets, notes & slides

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Keep studying

Resources & review

Quick study check

Before opening another resource, explain these examples from memory. Reveal each explanation to check yourself.

NATO

NATO joined the United States and allies in a military alliance.

Warsaw Pact

The Warsaw Pact linked the Soviet Union with Eastern European allies.

nuclear arms race

The nuclear arms race raised the danger of catastrophic war.

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