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Period: to
Cold War 1945-1991
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Yalta Conference or the "Big 3" Conference
This was the point that many say that started the Cold War due to the stance of Harry Truman after taking place as president following the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. President Truman was quoted as saying how he was going to be more "tough" on the Russians. This meeting was to discuss how Germany was to be separated into sectors or "zones of occupation". -
Germany and Italy Defeated
Allied forces (USA, USSR, Great Britain, and France) defeat Germany and Italy. -
Stalin Speech
Stalin delivers a hostile speech which ultimately states that "Communism and Capitalism were incompatible. -
Truman Doctrine Implimented
President Truman announces the implementation of the Truman doctrine. This doctrine states how the United States will remain committed to contain the expansion of communism. Truman even went as far as to cite the "domino effect as a possibility". This aid to Greece and Turkey signified their (U.S.) commitment to containing communism in the Mediterranean. -
Marshall Plan inplimented
The Marshall plan was to give a boost to rebuild Western Europe and this was a step to stop Stalin from gaining a "communistic" control in a large portion of Europe. By the time the program finishes, the Untied States ends up giving roughly $12.4 Billion in aid. -
Berlin Blockade and the U.S. Berlin Airlift Response
Stalin orders a blockade of Berlin in an attempt to starve the French, American, and British forces in the city. The United State devised a plan in response to air drop food supplies into the city for the troops and citizens, thereby circumventing the blockade and foiling the plan. -
Korean War Begins
Russian announces its support for North Korea and helps with military hardware/ weapons for conflict. United States supports South Korea in an effort to try and contain and/or eliminate communism. -
Eisenhowers Gives Speech about the "Domino Effect"
Eisenhower gives the famous "Domino Theory" speech in an effort In an attempt to rally "congressional and public support for increased U.S. aid to the French" within Indochina (Vietnam). -
U.S. to aid Iran, Pakistan, and Afgahnistan
The Eisenhower Doctrine commits the U.S. to help these countries from having communism to spread into their country. -
Sputnik Launched into orbit
Russia beat the United States into space by sending a steel satellite. Sending the United States space program into a frenzy to try and get the first man into space. The U.S. was also worried about what the capabilities of the satellite. -
Nikita Khrushchev Missle Challenge
The leader of USSR claims "the Soviet Union has missile superiority over the United States and challenges America to a missile “shooting match” to prove his assertion". This also fueled fears the United States was falling behind in missile production. -
Iraq Coup Better Known as the 14 July Coup
The coup was to overthrow the current Egyptian leader, the coup leaders revolted as they thought 3 of the coup participators were working with the British. The men revolted by killing the men and several Americans in the country. After the coup, the group gained support and backing from Russia, which lasted for many years. -
United States U2 Plane Shot Down In Russia
Russia announces that it has shot down a U.S. U2 spy plane over Russian airspace. At "...a major summit between the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain, and France in Paris. Issues to be discussed included the status of Berlin and nuclear arms control. As the meeting opened, Khrushchev launched into a tirade against the United States and Eisenhower and then stormed out of the summit." -
Cuba Aligns Itself with USSR
Cuba openly aligns itself with the USSR in a step where Russia forgives Fidel Castro's $32 Billion debt in exchange for putting missiles on the Cuban Island. Photo: Fidel Castro: A life in pictures. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2016, from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-12160798 -
Bay of Pigs -
The United States send in forces to aide rebels to try and start a coo to overthrow Fidel Castro. This attempt was a failure on the U.S. part and it created more waves between the USSR and the U.S. as Cuba was aligned with communism and the USSR. -
Russian Missile Installations in Cuba
This was an escalation point that hit its highest peak in the Cold War as both nations were on the brink of Nuclear War. The Soviet Union was building up missile sites in response to the United States building sites in Turkey. -
Kennedy Issues Cuba Quarentine (Blockade)
Kennedy issues warning to Russia about bringing any more missiles to Cuba and the U.S. would sink any ship that enters into the quarantine zone. Tension on both sides extremely high. Both leaders eventually agree to remove missiles from Cuba and Turkey. -
SALT Agreements (U.S. and Soviet Union)
"Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev and U.S. President Richard Nixon, meeting in Moscow, sign the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) agreements. At the time, these agreements were the most far-reaching attempts to control nuclear weapons ever."
Quote: SALT agreements signed. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2016, from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/salt-agreements-signed -
Gorbechov and Reagan Remove Missles From Europe
Both leaders agree to remove intermediate nuclear missiles from Europe. This was one of the first steps in the deescalation of the Cold War.
