AP WORLD / STUDY ROOM
← Unit 8: Cold War and Decolonization
Topic 8.3 · c. 1900–present

Effects of the Cold War

Cold War rivalry shaped regional conflicts and political choices around the world. Local actors pursued their own goals within, and sometimes against, superpower pressures.

Topic 8.3 / Review

The big picture

What to know

Cold War rivalry shaped regional conflicts and political choices around the world. Local actors pursued their own goals within, and sometimes against, superpower pressures.

Example 1Korean War

The Korean War divided the peninsula within a broader Cold War rivalry.

Example 2Vietnam War

The Vietnam War involved local independence and ideological struggles as well as superpower intervention.

Example 3proxy conflicts

Proxy conflicts let superpowers back opposing sides without fighting one another directly.

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? The Korean War divided the peninsula within a broader Cold War rivalry.

Question 02

Which example fits this clue? The Vietnam War involved local independence and ideological struggles as well as superpower intervention.

Question 03

Which example fits this clue? This example let superpowers back opposing sides without fighting one another directly.

02 / Write with evidence

Write a short response

How did global rivalry affect local wars?

  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

Cold War rivalry shaped regional conflicts and political choices around the world. The Korean War divided the peninsula within a broader Cold War rivalry. The Vietnam War involved local independence and ideological struggles as well as superpower intervention.

From class

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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.

Korean War

The Korean War divided the peninsula within a broader Cold War rivalry.

Vietnam War

The Vietnam War involved local independence and ideological struggles as well as superpower intervention.

proxy conflicts

Proxy conflicts let superpowers back opposing sides without fighting one another directly.

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