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Chiang Kai-Shek Breaks with the Communists
Before this date, Kai-Shek had been working with the Communists within the Soviet backed Guomindang to unify China and abolish European concessions. After this date, Kai-Shek broke with his communist allies and attempted to destroy them. This is significant because it started the Chinese Civil War. -
Mao's 5,000 Mile March
To escape Kai-Shek’s army, Mao led his followers on a 5,000 mile march to Northern China. At this area, the Communist forces established their base of operations and would use it to combat Kai-Shek’s army. -
Gandhi Forces the British to Accept a New Indian Constitution
The constitution is significant because it was practically a blueprint for independence. -
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World War II
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Teheran Conference Starts
At the conference, Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt both reaffirmed their commitment to defeat the Nazis. The meeting is significant because the allied leaders agreed that the Soviet Union would defeat the Germans in Eastern Europe while the Western allies would free western Europe. This effectively established the post-war shape of Europe. Eastern Europe would be under Soviet control while Western Europe would ally with the western allies. -
Yalta Conference Starts
At the Yalta Conference, Stalin agreed to declare war on Japan and the Allies agreed to divide Germany into occupation zones. The meeting is significant because the Western allies agreed that Eastern Europe would be friendly towards Russia, but free elections would be held. -
Stalin Revives Forced Labor Camps
Following the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, many SOviets hoped that the Russian people would be rewarded with greater freedom and democracy. This did not occur and Stalin quickly reestablished forced labor camps and violent campaigns against the Russian people (which had been toned down during the war). -
Potsdam Conference Starts
At the Potsdam Conference, Harry Truman (who replaced Roosevelt upon his death) demanded free elections in Eastern Europe. Stalin outright refused because he wanted to use Eastern Europe as a buffer zone for Russia against foreign invasion. There was no way short of another war that the US could force Stalin to hold free elections. -
The Iron Curtain
Churchill declared that an iron curtain had followed across Europe in response to the deep ideological divide between Russia and the Western powers. This is significant because it would quickly result in a Cold War. -
Truman Doctrine
In a speech to Congress, Stalin vowed to contain communism to areas in which it already existed and promised to aid all free people fighting against communist forces. This is significant because it would determine American foreign policy for Truman’s presidency and much of the Cold War. -
Partition of India
British socialists in the leading Labour Party allowed India to become independent, partially because running India had become a financial burden. To avoid conflict between India Hindu and Islamic population, two independent sates were created. The first was Hindu India and the second was Islamic Pakistan. -
Organization of European Economic Cooperation
This is significant because it demonstrates the close cooperation amongst European states that the Marshall plan caused. -
Christian Democrats Win a Majority in the Italian Parliament
Alcide De Gasperi, the leader, was an anti-fascist dedicated to the principles of democracy. This is significant because it shows the power of the Christian Democrats. -
Erhard Abolishes Price Controls in Germany
This is significant because it demonstrates that Germany was returning to free market capitalism after years of a Nazi run centralized economy. -
Josip Broz Tito Stands Up to Stalin
Tito, who led a resistance movement against the Nazis in Yugoslavia, stood up to Stalin. He got away with it, mainly because there were no Soviet soldiers in Yugoslavia. This is significant because it resulted in Stalin purging former resistance leaders to prevent possible dissent. -
Formation of Israel
The United Nations voted to divide Israel into two states- one Arab and one Jewish. The Jews accepted this plan but the Arabs did not. The Arabs responded by attacking Israel, which succeeded in driving off the invaders and conquering more territory. Tensions caused by the creation of Israel continue to the modern day. -
NATO Formed
In response to the Soviet takeover of Czechoslovakia in 148 and the Berlin blockade, the United States and many Western European nations signed the North Atlantic Treaty to collectively defend themselves from Soviet attacks. Stalin responded by forming the Warsaw Pact, which further divided Europe. -
The Second Sex
The book, written by Simone de Beauvoir, argued that women were essentially free but were trapped by limiting conditions. In order to be free, women needed to take courageous action and be self-assertive. This is significant because it represents the growth of the feminist movement. -
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The Korean War
The Russian backed communist North Korean army invaded South Korea in 1950. An American led United Nations force under the command of General Douglass MacArthur drove back the North Koreans (who had almost conquered all of Korea). China then intervened on the side of North Korea and most of the war centered on the pre-1950 border of the Koreas. MacArthur was fired for insisting on a nuclear attack against China and a fragile truce was eventually signed in 1953. -
Coal and Steel Community
The community, planned by Jean Monnet and Robert Schuman of France, established a single steel and coal market without tariffs or quotas. It consisted of France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. It is significant because it helped lead to European unity. -
Brown v. Board of Education
This American Supreme Court Case is significant because it resullted in the precedent that seperate educational facilities are inherently unequal. This resulted in the desegregation of American schools. -
Nikitia Khrushchev Takes Control of the Soviet Union
Following Stalin’s death in 1953, Khrushchev gained control over the Soviet Union. He launched an all-out attack on Stalin at the Twentieth Party Congress in 1956, where he detailed the crimes of Stalin in a “secret” speech that was read throughout the Soviet Union. Khrushchev responded with de-Stalinization and allowing greater personal freedom. -
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Vietnam War
The war saw combat between the government of North Vietnam and their Vietcong allies and South Vietnam (which received great support from the United States and the West in general). -
Start of the Algerian War
Algerian nationalists, encouraged by Nasser’s success in Egypt, rebelled against their French rulers. Atrocities were common on both sides, but Charles De Gaulle eventually accepted Algerian independence in 1962. This is significant because it resulted in national determination in Algeria for over a century. -
Doctor Zhivago
The book, written by Boris Pasternak, tells the story of a Russian intellectual who rejects the violence of the Russian Revolution. The book is significant because it was a powerful challenge to communism. In addition, the author was denounced but not shot. -
Nasser Nationalizes the Suez Canal
Nasser, who had overthrown the pro-western king in 1948, nationalized the Suez Canal, which was the last symbol of Western power in the Middle East. France, Great Britain and Israel responded by invading Egypt, but they were forced to withdraw by the Soviets and the US. Anti-Western nationalsim had triumphed in the Middle East. -
Hungarian Revolution
The people of Budapest established a liberal Communist reformer in 1956 and forced Soviet soldiers to leave the country. The Soviet Union invaded when Hungary announced it would have free elections. The Hungarians fought back in a bitter struggle because they hoped America would aid their efforts. The American aid never came and the uprising was crushed. This is significant because afterwards, Eastern European nations strived for gradual change. -
Treaty of Rome
The Treaty of Rome created the European Economic Community, or Common Market. It reduced tariffs amongst member nations to create an international market as large as the United States. It also allowed the free movement of labor and capital across international borders. This is significant because it encouraged companies and regions to specialize in their best products. -
Charles De Gaulle Becomes President of France
De Gaulle is significant because of the actions taken during his rule. He withdrew French forces from the American-controlled NATO, developed France’s own nuclear weapons and vetoed majority rule within the Common Market (which ensured Europe would remain a union of sovereign states). -
French Neocolonialism
Gaulle offered the leaders of French black Africa the choice between independence or joining a French commonwealth. All but one state choose to join the commonwealth. THis is significant because it allowed the French to use Africa as a market for their goods and resulted in France increasing its economic and cultural ties with its former colonies. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
During the crisis, Soviet missiles were found installed in Cuba by the US. President Kennedy responded by ordering a naval blockade of Cuba. After the diplomatic crisis, Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles from Cuba if Kennedy agreed not to disturb Castro’s regime in Cuba. The event is significant because it made Khrushchev appear weak and set the stage for his removal from power. -
Civil Rights Act
The act is significant because in prevented discrimination in public services and on the job within the United States. -
Palace Revolution in the Soviet Union
Communist leaders, fearful that they would be arrested for their support of Stalin, rebelled against Khrushchev and replaced him with Leonid Brezhnev. Brezhnev would end de-Stalinization and end cultural freedom within Russia. -
Lyndon Johnson Elected President
During the presidential campaign 0f 1964, Johnson promised that America would not become involved in the Vietnam War. Johnson quickly abandoned his promise and launched a limited war against North Vietnam that saw the deployment of hundreds of thousands of troops. He did not invade North Vietnam nor did he implement a naval blockade to avoid starting a war with the Soviet Bloc, so American efforts would ultimately be unsuccessful. -
Protests Against Vietnam
Students (who did not want to fight) allied with socialists and intellectuals to oppose the Vietnam War. This demonstrates that American ivolvement in the war quickly became unpopular. -
The National Organization for Women
The organization was founded by Betty Friedan. It is significant because it became a major proponent of the feminist movement. -
Tet Offensive
During the offensive, the Vietcong launched a major attack against many South Vietnamese cities. The attack was repelled by American and South Vietnamese forces. The Vietcong suffered heavy causalities and were essentially removed as a fighting force following the event. Despite the tactical American/ South Vietnamese victory, the attack made many Americans believe the US was losing the war. American leaders lost heart, resulting in the eventual withdrawal of American forces. -
Invasion of Czechoslovakia
Alexander Dubcek, the nation’s leader, promoted a more humane form of communism that included personal freedom and democracy. Despite the fact that Dubcek promised loyalty to the Warsaw Pact, Communists still feared that a democratic Czechoslovakia would ally with the West. This resulted in the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia and the creation of the Brezhnev Doctrine, which gave the Soviet Union the right to intervene in any nation where socialism was threatened. -
Student Uprising in France
French students were alarmed that they were not being taught the skills needed to survive in the \real word and demanded greater control over their curriculum. This resulted in widespread rioting in Paris in 1968 when students and later union members rioted. These riots were put down by Charles De Gaulle’s government. -
Richard Nixon is Elected President
Nixon promised to gradually withdraw American forces from Vietnam and over 500,000 Americans left Vietnam over the course of four years. Nixon also attempted to improve America’s diplomacy through a tactic called détente. For example, he visited China in 1972 to improve American-Chinese relations. -
Willy Brant Elected Chancellor
Brant is significant because he adopted the policy of détente. He negotiated treaties with the Soviet Union, accepted state boundaries in Eastern Europe and even visited Poland in 1970 to apologize for German atrocities within the region. -
Woodstock
The concert lasted for three days in New York and attracted over 450,000 people. It represents a high point for youth culture because of its anti-war and free love overtones. -
First Man on the Moon
On this date, Neil Armstrong became the first man to step on the surface of the moon. This is significant because it demonstrates the success of Kennedy’s Apollo Program and effectively established the US as the victors in the Space Race. It also shows the impact Big Science had on American policy. -
Watergate Break-In
Burglars were sent to the Watergate Complex to steal documents from Democratic headquarters. However, the burglars were caught. Nixon and his assistants tried to cover up his involvement, but the media exposed the administration’s web of lies and law breaking. This is significant because it caused Nixon to resign in 1974 and resulted in the President losing power. -
American Withdrawal from the Vietnam War
In 1973, Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger agreed to withdraw all American forces from Vietnam. Following this, fighting declined in South Vietnam, where it appeared that South Vietnamese military forces would be able to led the war effort. -
OPEC Oil Embargo
The embargo was launched to protest America’s support of Israel during the Arab-Israeli War of 1973. The embargo is significant because it resulted in extremely high gas prices and a general shortage of oil. This encouraged environmentalism among many Americans. The embargo also damaged the American economy as production came to a standstill. -
Fall of Saigon
On this date, North Vietnamese military forces completed their invasion of SOuth Vietnam and captured the capitol. This effectively ended the Vietnam War. The US did not respond because Congress would not allow an American intervention. -
Helsinki Conference
At the conference, all European nations (except Albania) agreed to recognize all existing state boundaries and declared that hey could not be changed through force. They also accepted various provision promising the protection of human rights. -
Soviet Invasion of Afganistan
On this date, the Soviets invaded Afganistan to support an increasingly unpopular Marxist regime. THe invasion is significant because it increased Cold War tensions. -
Jimmy Carter Elected President
Carter urged economic sanctions against the Soviet Union for human rights abuses. However, only the British followed Carter's initiative. This demonstrates that the Western alliance was losing the ability to act decisively against the Soviet Bloc. -
Election of Ronald Reagan
Reagan increased defense spending against the Soviet Union (who he refered to as the "Evil Empire"). He worked with Margaret Thatcher of Great Britain and Helmut Kohl of Germany. This demonstrates that the Western Allies were still able to act decisively. Reagan also attempted to cut unemployment benefits and welfare, which resulted in liberal opposition to his policies. -
Francois Mitternand is Elected President of France
Mitternand, a socialist, increased spending in order to spend France out of an economic recession. His efforts failed and his government was forced to implement austerity measures.