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NATO
The United States, Canada and ten other countries pledged to help one another if any one of them were attacked. -
Nuclear Arms Race
Both the United States and Soviet Union developed Nuclear Weapons. Both powers wanted to be able to deter the other from launching it's weapons. -
Chinese Civil War
Chinese Communists gained much control of much of nothern China. Communist forces led by Mao Zedong, fought a civil war against Nationalists headed by Jiang Jieshi. After decades of struggle, China was finally under Communist control. -
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NATO
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Communist Cuba
Fidel Castro brings communism to a rise in Cuba. Castro restricted political freedom, making thousands flee to Florida. -
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Korean War
After Japan's defeat, American forces agreed to divide Korea temporarily. However, North Korea, ruled by the dictator Kim Il Sung, became a communist ally of the Soviet Union. In South Korea, the United States backed the dictatorial but noncommunist leader, Syngman Rhee. Both rulers wanted to control the entire country. North Korea attacked, and forced the United Nations to get involved. -
Warsaw Pact
A pact that included the Soviet Union and satellites in Eastern Europe. It was often invoked by the Soviets to keep satellites in order. -
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Soviet Union Falls
At the end of 1991, remaining Soviet republics seperated to form 12 independent nations, in addition to three Baltic States. The largest was Russia. After 69 years, the Soviet Union ceased to exist. -
Berlin Wall
To stop fighting, East Germany built a wall that sealed off West Berlin. The wall was a massive concrete barrier topped with barbed wire and patrolled by guards. -
Missle Crisis
Soviet Union sent nuclear missiles to Cuba. President Kennedy responded by imposing a blockade that further prevented Soviet shipments. For thirteen tense days, the world faced the greatest risk of a nuclear war to date. Nikita Khrushchev agrred to remove the missiles, and the war was averted. -
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Vietnam War
North and South Vietnam divided by socialism. America toook action because they thought there would be a domino effect. Amercia, along with South Korea, fought against the Viet Cong. -
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Eastern European Independence
As the Soviet Union crumbled, Eastern Europeans demanded an end to Soviet domination. Eastern Europeans sought out their own countries -
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Detente
Detente was an era of relaxation between America and the Soviet Union. America's strategy was to restrain the Soviet Union through diplomatic agreements rather then military means. The era ended in 1979 when the Soviet Union invaded Afgahnistan.
