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HIROSHIMA HIT WITH A-BOMB
On August 6th, 1945, Hiroshima, Japan is hit with an atomic bomb dropped from a US B-29 bomber. This signifies the end of World War II, but it also showed that the United States was ahead in a nuclear arms race with the USSR. This created the first tension among the superpowers. http://www.cfo.doe.gov/me70/manhattan/hiroshima.htm http://students.umf.maine.edu/~donoghtp/hiroshima4.jpg http://fugato.net/wp-content/hiroshima-mushroom-cloud.jpg -
TRUMAN DOCTRINE
On March 3rd, 1947, United States President HarryTruman gave a speech in which he proclaimed the Truman Doctrine. This doctrine outlined the United States' plan to give military aid as well as money to Turkey and Greece, in hopes that it would keep the two from falling to the Soviet Union and its communist ways. http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1780.html http://www.lycos.com/info/truman-doctrine.html -
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Containment Policy
The policy of containment, started by government official Geroge Kennan of the United States, was a policy attempting to keep communism in the boundaries it was already in. While it failed in places like Vietnam, it was successful in places like Korea. Source: Class Notes -
ISRAEL FORMED
The UN granted Jews who moved to Palestine their own territory, splitting Palestine between the Arabs and Jews. Shortly after, the Jews made their state of Israel official, causing controvesy in the Middle East. Source: Class Notes http://op-for.com/nato.bmp http://www.thirdtemple.com/images/israel-map/israel.jpg -
NATO
In April, 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, was started. It began with only Belgium, Luxemborg, the Netherlands, France, Great Britain, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Iceland, the United States, and Canada. This was a military alliance, designed to fight against communist advance. This further increased the schism between the US and the USSR. Source: Class Notes http://op-for.com/nato.bmp -
Mao Zedong Controls China
Mao Zedong, a known communist rebel, is finally able to take control of China. With his communist rule, the United States and the countries of NATO once again have another communist nation to contain. Source: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/COLDmao.htm -
KOREAN WAR BEGINS
The Korean War begins when North Koreans enter South Korea unexpectedly with the intention of unifying Korea under communism. Source: Class Notes http://media.azpm.org/master/img/bdy_img/trk_map_one_294_310.jpg -
BATTLE OF INCHON
The United States forces were pushed back to Pusan in South Korea by the North Koreans. Led by General MacArthur, the United States leads a daring attack, secretly sailing to Inchon, behind enemy lines. It turns the tide of the war, and was considered MacArthur's greatest military achievement. http://timelines.com/1950/9/15/battle-of-inchon -
GENEVA CONVENTION BEGINS
The Geneva Convention, was a conference of world superpowers, like the US and USSR, discussing how to unify Vietnam. Eventually, the unification was unsuccessful, and Vietnam was split at the 17th parallel. Source: Class Notes, http://www.answers.com/topic/geneva-conference https://wikis.nyu.edu/ek6/modernamerica/uploads/Imperialism.ColdWarContainment/Vietnam_War.jpg -
SUEZ CRISIS BEGINS
Abdel Nasser nationalizes the Suez Canal, taking it away from the British and French. The British and French both fought back, with Israel joining their side. The United States and Soviet Union fought for the Egyptians, who won the dispute. This incresed tensions in the Middle East. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/suez.htm http://heatusa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/suez-map-with-important-dates.gif -
SPUTNIK LAUNCHED BY USSR
Sputnik was the first orbital satellite launched into space. The launching of Sputnik increased the paranoia among the United States that there was a missle gap between them and the Soviet Union. This further increased the tensions between the two superpowers. http://library.thinkquest.org/10826/timeline.htm -
FIDEL CASTRO CONTROLS CUBA
Marxist rebel Fidel Castro, with the help of Che Guevara overruns the Cuban government led by Fulgencio Batista. This provided a threat to the United States, because a communist enemy was only 90 miles from the United States mainland. http://www.pragoti.org/pragoti/pics/fidel_castro_ruz590.jpg http://www.nndb.com/people/118/000023049/ -
BAY OF PIGS INVASION
After Castro, a communist, takes over Cuba, JFK initiates the Bay of Pigs invasion. JFK planned to send Cuban exiles to the island, in hopes that they could ignite a revolt against Castro. The plan fails, and all of JFK's men are captured or killed. http://library.thinkquest.org/11046/days/bay_of_pigs.html http://isshinryu.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/cuba1.jpg -
BERLIN WALL BUILT
The Berlin Wall was contructed by Soviets controlling West Germany. The wall was designed to keep any West Germans from leaving for East Germany, controlled by the US, British and France. The wall further increased the tension between the USSR and the United States, and was a building block for the Cold War. http://userpage.chemie.fu-berlin.de/BIW/wall.html http://www.tparents.org/Library/Unification/Photos/Uph-1920/Members-BerlinWall.jpg -
JFK ANNOUNCES BLOCKADE OF CUBA
After the Soviet Union installed missiles on the island of Cuba, JFK announces in a speech that he has placed a naval blockade around Cuba. JFK refers to the blockade in his speech as a "quarantine" because blockade is an action of war. Source: Class Notes http://www.retroplanet.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/JFK_Cuban_Missile_Crisis.jpg -
SIX DAY WAR BEGINS
Nasser of Egypt puts a naval blockade on Israel. Fearing attack, the Israelians strike first, destorying Egyptian air forces and fields. By the end of the war, Israel had 3 times the land it started with, and devastated Nasser's rule. http://www.zionism-israel.com/dic/6daywar.htm http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/images/maps/67linesnick.gif -
SALVADOR ALLENDE OF CHILE KILLED
Allende, a Marxist elected President in Chile in 1970, was gaining power, because of his sympathy and preference towards the urban and labor classes. The government feared his growing power, and stormed his palace, and killed Allende. The resulting government, led by Augusto Pinochet, was one of extreme brutality. http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/COLDallende.htm http://www.soberania.org/Images/salvador_allende.jpg -
MAO ZEDONG DIES
At the age of 83, Mao Zedong dies, bringing his reign to an end. he is replaced by Deng Xiouping, who ends Mao's cultural revolution. chineseposters.net/themes/mao-after.php -
AYATOLLAH KHOMEINI TAKES OVER IRAN
Khomeini took over a very westernized Iran. The reforms made, led by Shah Pahlavi, increased the per capita and literacy of Iran. However, many felt the reforms were not with Muslim ideals. Khomeini was the leading opposer to the Iranian government, and through TV, radio and print attacks, gained support to overthrow the government. http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/bios/b1khomeini.htm -
PEACE TREATY REACHED BETWEEN EGYPT AND ISRAEL
At the Camp David Accords, Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Prime Minister Begin of Israel reach a peace treaty. Israael also withdraws from the Sinai Penninsula. Source: Class Notes http://israelipalestinian.procon.org/files/IsPal Images/1978CampDavidAccords.jpg -
MANUEL NORIEGA IN CONTROL IN PANAMA
Manuel Noriega was at first helpful to the United States and provided aid to the Contra to overthrow the Sandinistas in Nicaragua. By the late 80's, the United States slandered him, and found that he was guilty of drug trafficing, sentencing him to 40 years in prison. http://www.answers.com/topic/manuel-noriega http://www.dictatorofthemonth.com/Noriega/noriega6.jpg -
IRAN CONTRA AFFAIR
Ronald Regan starts the Iran Contra affair by selling military weapons to Iran for money. He used this money to support the Contras in Nicaragua, who were fighting the communist Sandinistas controlling the country. http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1889.html http://media.realscoop.com/static/upload/image/53381311_8.jpg -
CARLOS SALINAS ELECTED PRESIDENT OF MEXICO
Salinas' election was important because he went on to be a crucial figure in the formation of NAFTA. His presidency was part of the most stable succession of rulers in Latin America. http://www.evri.com/person/carlos-salinas-0x3a123 http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Carlos_Salinas.jpg/225px-Carlos_Salinas.jpg -
BERLIN WALL DONE
The border between West Berlin and East Berlin was finally opened after being blocked off by the Berlin wall for over 28 years. After years of being opressed by Soviets in West Berlin, Berlin came together as one. http://www.remote.org/frederik/culture/berlin/ -
FREE ELECTIONS IN NICARAGUA
After long being controlled by the Sandinista communist party, Nicaragua finally gained the right to a free election. Even though the Sandinistas were still the main party in Nicaragua, they lost the elections, meaning they were no longer in control. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://latinamericanmusings.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/violeta-chamorro.jpg&imgrefurl=http://totheroots.wordpress.com/2009/02/21/a- http://latinamericanmusings.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/violeta-chamorro.jpg
