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The Iron Curtain
Throughout the Cold War the "Iron Curtain" was used to discus the division of Europe from East to West. This division highlighted efforts by the Soviet Union to keep itself and its satellite states (Poland, East Germany, Bulgaria, and others) separate from the west and non-soviet areas. The Eastern side of the Iron Curtain were countries dominated by communism, reinforcing the strength of the division throughout Europe – the feuding and opposite views were iron-thick. -
The Truman Doctrine
The “Truman Doctrine” of March 1947 reflected the combativeness of President Harry Truman. He wanted toe United States to intervene on a global scale to prevent Communism from spreading. Only through containment of Communism in Eastern Europe would the United States be “safe" from the spread of Communism. The United States first aided Turkey and Greece through this doctrine. -
The Berlin Blockade/Airlift
The Berlin Blockade/AirliftAt the start of the Cold War, West Berlin was allowed access to certain roads to be able to receive food from allies, but Joseph Stalin suddenly closed off those highway roads in hopes of getting the United States and England to appease. This went on for over 300 days, but President Truman did not want to back down against the Soviets, and decided to airdrop food into West Berlin through parashoots and packages. President vowed to keep on doing this until however long it was necessary. -
Election of 1953
President Eisenhower became president of the United States in 1953 and brought a “New Look” with him. His goals were to maintain the vitality of the U.S. economy while still building sufficient strength for the Cold War. He also relied on nuclear weapons to deter Communist aggression and keep Communism out of the U.S. He also strengthened allies and won the friendship of nonaligned governments. -
Austrian State Treaty
• This independence treaty re-established Austria as a sovereign state. It was by the allied occupying powers, namely France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Soviet Union as well as the Austrian government. Nazi and fascist organizations were prohibited after this treaty was instated. Most importantly, Austria announced that it would declare itself permanently neutral. -
Space Race
The Soviets shocked the Western world in 1957 by putting two satellites into orbit. Although the satellites did not carry anything at the time of their initial launch, Americans realized that these rockets could potentially carry missiles. Soviets took the lead in technology and tipped the power balance in their favor after this event during the Cold War.Slide 10: Space Race -
American U-2 spy plane shot down
An American U-2 spy plane was shot down while spying on the Soviet Union. The incident put a hold on a very important meeting between President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev that was scheduled for later that month. Although the CIA ensured the President that the plane was equipped to self-destruct, the Soviets somehow managed to produce a very intact wreckage of the U-2. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The United States discovered secret nuclear missile sites being built by the Soviet Union on the island of Cuba. President John F. Kennedy decided to place a naval blockade surrounding Cuba to prevent the Soviets from acquiring more military supplies. He demanded the removal of the missiles already there and the destruction of the sites. A crisis was averted when both leaders of the United States and Cuba recognized the implications that a nuclear war would have for both of them, and the Soviets -
MLK’s “I Have A Dream Speech” 1963
Martin Luther King Jr. was a symbolic leader of African Americans and peaceful protest. He directed a peaceful march in Washing, D.C where he delivered this speech about his dreams for freedom and equality for all people of the United States. His address, “I Have A Dream,” was delivered in front of 250,000 people in 1963. -
Lindon B Johnson’s Great Society
Lindon B Johnson’s Great Society included a war on poverty and a mission to eliminate racial injustice. His programs included Medicare, Medicaide, and food stamps. His legislation did away with a wide spread of disenfranchisement for African Americans regards to voting. Slide 23: Features of Great Society -
Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee on the balcony of a hotel. He was a major reform voice of the time period who advocated for the civil rights movement through non-violent change. His assassination made Americans wonder whether or not the government system in place could work to develop positive change. Slide 27: Shocks to Political Systems in 1968 -
Assassination of Senator Robert Kennedy
Senator Robert Kennedy was assassintated in California while campaigning. After Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, Senator Robert Kennedy from New York stepped up to represent minority groups. He promised these groups that he could carry on the change that Martin Luther King Jr. had envisioned. His death was another loss of a Kennedy brother gone too soon. Slide 27: Shocks to Politicsl System in 1968 -
Election of 1968
Richard Nixon, a Republican, won the presidential election of 1968. He was up against George Wallace, an Independent, and Hubert Humphrey, a Democrat. This election realigned politics from a Democratic angle to a Republican one. Slide 28: Election of 1968
