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Russian Communist Revolution
These revolutions in Russia destroyed the monarchy and in its place put provisional government. The second revolution placed Bolsheviks, whom was a communist leader, in power. This created the first communist country. -
Treaty of Versailles
The treaty brought World War I to an end and gave Germany harsh treatment. The treaty demanded the following: reparations from them, they had to demilitarize, give back land to neighboring countries, and admit the war was their fault. This put Germany into depression and weak. -
League of Nations
The League of Nations was created after World War I and ensured no other war would break out. Many people look to the League to add stability to the world after the devastation of the war. It failed due to the fact the US was not involved in it, no military was to interefere with world affairs, and they could not make quick decisions. -
Nuclear Deterrent
The Soviets nor the Americans wanted to use their weapons because they knew their opponents were ready for battle with nuclear weapons. This would cause a nuclear war and there would be mutual destruction. -
MAD
A military stragety where both sides have nuclear weapons ready anf if one fires a whole nuclear war will occur. Both sides are ready and with one wrong move both sides may be destroyed. The US and Soviets were at this point during the Cold War but it never occured. -
Yalta Conference
The Yalta Conference was a meeting with Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin where they decided Europe should be divided in Germany. This divided Germany into East and West Germany and as tensions increases between the Soviet Union and the US the Berlin Wall was created. Also created the "Iron Curtain" idea. -
United Nations
United Nations was found in 1945 after World War II by 51 countries to maintain world peace. The General Assembly and Security Council were created with this. The UN was used in decision making during the Cold War and treaty's were passed within the system. -
Nuremberg Trials
Trials were held to bring Nazi war criminals to justice; They were a series of 13 trials over a four year period. The defendents were called on charges of crimes against humanity and crimes against peace. Most of the defendents were found guilty and sentanced to jail time or death penalty. -
General Assembly
One part of the United Nations that discusses issues and makes recommendations but does not have the power to enforce them. During the Cold War the General Assembly had a representative from each country involved and they would meet to discuss issues with nuclear weapons and make recommendations that may become future plans or treaties. -
Iron Curtian Speech
Winston Churchill gave a speech in Westminster about the "iron curtain that has decended upon Europe. This was because of the tensions between Western and Eastern Europe and their views on communism. He also warned of "communist fifth columns" and how they could deal with the Soviets. -
Baruch Plan
The US presented the idea of the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission to the United Nations. This would allow the UN international control of atomic weapons. However the Soviets declined this proposal. -
Truman Doctrine
This stated The US would help Turkey and Greece both economically and with their military to prevent the fall to Communism. This made the Soviet Union very upset and they saw it as an effort to take over these countries. -
Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan provided economic aid by the US to any European country (including communist countries) in attempt to rebuild the economy of Europe. The idea madethe Soviet Union believe the US was trying to make another non-communist move and did not allow itself or any of it's satellite countries to accept. This plan also deepned the division between East and West Europe. -
Berlin Airlift
Russians created a blockade cutting off all ways for supplies to get into West Berlin. The US then airlifted needed supplies such as food by plane into the city. The goal was to get all Allies out of the city. -
NATO created
North Atlantic Treaty Organization was founded in response to the threat posed by the Soviet Union. NATO had three main purposes deterring Soviet expansionism, stop revival of nationalist militarism in Europe, and encouraging European political integration. -
Chinese Communist Revolution
Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong declared the creation of peoples republic in China. This caused a cival war between chinese communists and the nationalist party which broke out into World War Two. Mao declared the Peoples Republic of China ehich ended this civil war. -
Joseph McCarthy Speech
During a speech given by Senator Joesph McCarthy, he stated that the had a list of 200 members of the Department of State that were alleged communists. The speech sparked a nationwide hysteria about communism known as the Red Scare. People later discovered this was not true. -
Korean War
The war between North and South Korea to stop the spread of communism where North Korea was backed by the USSR and South Korea was backed by the US. This caused increased tensions between the communist and non-communists of the Cold War and heated up the Cold War as well. -
Warsaw Pact
A deal signed between the Soviet Union and it's satellite countries to support Communism. This also created a "buffer zone" between Western Europe and the Soviet Union. Also this gave the Soviet Union places to store weapons and machinery. -
Sputnik launched
Soviets launched an unmanned satellite into space. This scared the United States because this was the first satellite to be launched and the Soviets were way ahead of the US.This is when the Space Race really started getting more profound. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
Cuban refugees were sent by the US to overthrow Fidel Castro. They failed miserably because they were outnumbered by Castro's forces. The refugees surrendered after less than 24 hours of fighting. -
Building of Berlin Wall begins
The communist government of Eastern Germany started building the wall to stop people from fleeing to West Germany. It was a physical barrier Germans could not pass through from East to West Germany. People say the wall was created overnight. -
Fidel Castro Proclaims Communist Cuba
Fidel Castro came to power by overthrowing the former dictator. At first the US welcomed his rise to power not knowing he would eventually turn to communism as his form of government. This was not a good thing because Cuba is so close the state of Florida. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
Soviets sneak missiles into Cuba and point them at US. JFK tried to make a naval blockade around Cuba to make it known they're prepared for war. But the US agreed to Krushchev's offer to remove the missiles if Cuba is not invaded and the US removes missiles from Turkey. -
Berlin Wall
When the wall was created the Eastern and Western Berliners were not allowed to pass to the other side. For the first time in more than two years West Berliners were allowed to visit East Berlin. Later, the Four Powers Agreement made it easier for Berliners to visit. -
U.S. Sends Troops to Vietnam
The US sends troops to Vietnam to back up South Vietnam in their fight against communism. This heated things up between the US and the Soviet Union. The war lasted 11 years and South Vietnam eventually fell to communism. -
Non-Proliferation Agreement
9 countries shared the knowledge of nuclear weapons. This also included disarmanent and the right to use nuclear technology peacefully. -
Apollo 11
The plan of Apollo 11 was to land two men on the lunar surface and return them safely to Earth. This was a success for America and they were the first men on the moon. This also put the US far ahead of the Soviets in the Space Race. -
Kent State shooting
The protesting of students turned around when the National Guards suddenly began firing at the students. In 13 seconds, 67 bullets were fired. Four students were killed and nine were wounded. -
SALT I
Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty was created to stop submarine missile launches and ballistic missiles. The agreement also got rid of antiballistic missile defences. This was one of the first efforts to stop Us and Soviet's production of nuclear weapons. -
Fall of Saigon
The capital of South Vietnam fell to North Vietnam in 1975. This marked the end of Vietnam War and US troops were withdrawn from Vietnam. This also marked the spread of communism to South Vietnam. -
Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II often spoke against nuclear weapons and tried stopping countries from using them. Communists tried to assassinate but he survived the attempt. He was an important source of information and social movement for the whole world and helped bring the Cold War to an end. -
Margaret Thatcher
The British Prime Minister after Winston Churchill. She was not born into wealth and was said to be the best leader since Churchill. Margaret was in office when the Cold War ended and helped to put an end to it. -
SALT II
This agreement was an update of the SALT I treaty. This put more limitations on nuclear weapons. The US and Soviet Union discussed the weapons that should and should not be allowed and limited the number of nuclear weapons each country could have. -
Soviets invade Afghanistan
Soviets invade Afghanistan to ensure that there would not be a revolution. However, Reagan began training the Afghans to defend themselves. Soviets lose and it contributed to the end of the Cold Warby placing the Soviets in financial trouble. -
Deng Xiaoping
After Mao Zedong's death he the country to its market economy, Xiaoping led the people of China to scoial modernization. He was a Chinese communist leader that left many communist doctrines and incorporated elements of the free enterprise system for the economy. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
The wall stood until the head of East Germany Communist Party announced people could pass freely between East and West Germany. People began to hammer and chisel down the wall to show their new freedom. -
Lech Walesa
Lech was a polititian in Poland and elcted president in 1990. He began the oppression of the Soviets in Poland and put a stop to the communist rule. He started the first free trade unions in Poland which also led to the anti-communist movement. -
START I
The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was created to limit nuclear weapons and delivery systems. The treaty also sent inspectors from each country to ensure the other side was following the treaty's guidelines. The countires must also destory their excess delivery systems. -
START II
The treaty would decrease amount nuclear weapons from each country (US and Soviet Union). Limited the amount of warheads that were allowed becuase they associated wawrheads to heavy bombers. Most points from START I were agreed with and just added to.
