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Marshall Plan
Who: The idea was proposed by George Marshall, and signed by President Truman.
What: A plan of providing economic assistance in the aftermath of the war.
When: The Marshall Plan occurred on April 3, 1948.
Where: The Marshall Plan took place in Europe.
Why: Give-and-take situation: Helping to rebuild Western Europe's economy, while reducing Communist influence. -
Berlin Airlift
Who: U.S started the Berlin Airlift
What: The Berlin Airlift was a strategy that the Americans used, in order to transport food and other necessities into West Berlin.
When: The Berlin Airlift occurred on June 26, 1948 and this lasted until May 12, 1949.
Where: The Berlin Airlift occurred in Berlin
Why: The Soviets built a wall around West Berlin, in order to force the residents into surrendering. -
Period: to
McCarthy's Career in the Senate (Ultimately leading up to his censure)
Who: Joseph McCarthy was known as a tyrant throughout his term.
What: "Abuse of a Senate committee" was used to describe McCarthy.
When: This occurred in the year of 1950 Censure- December 2, 1954
Where: Censure took place in Wisconsin
Why: In the year of 1950, he claimed that 205 communists had infiltrated the State Department. Also accused 57 State Dpt Executives of being Communists. Was also the cause of the Red Scare. Source: https://www.biography.com/political-figure/joseph-mccarthy -
Creation of NATO
Who: U.S., Canada and several Western European nations
What: Military alliance between 29 North American and European countries.
When: NATO was founded on April 4, 1949.
Where: NATO's location is in Brussels, Belgium.
Why: The North Atlantic Treaty Association (NATO) was established to provide "collective security" against the Soviet Union. -
First successful Soviet Nuclear weapon test
Who: The USSR was behind this weapon test.
What: This was the first successful nuclear weapon test of the Soviets.
When: The FSSNWT (First Successful Soviet Nuclear Weapon Test) occurred on August 29, 1949.
Where: This test occurred at Semipalatinsk in Kazakhstan.
Why: The USSR wanted a weapon that could fight back against the Americans (they were afraid about what how many bombs the Americans held, and they were angry about the American's decision to keep the secret of the atom bomb from them.) -
Period: to
Korean War
Who: North Korea attacked South Korea, starting the war.
What: A war between North and South Korea.
When: June 25, 1950.
Where: South America
Why: Korea was divided after World War II and they wanted to recapture their territory. They wanted to force South Korea to obey them. Source: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/korean-war-begins -
Julius x Ethel Rosenberg trial
Who: Julius x Ethel Rosenberg were husband and wife, accused of "Conspiracy to Commit Espionage".
What: They were accused of Espionage and placed on trial after being arrested.
When: Arrested on July of 1950, executed on June 19, 1953
Where: Sing Sing Prison in Ossining, New York.
Why: They were accused of giving out the secrets of the atomic bomb to the USSR. Source: http://www.rfc.org/caseoverview
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/rosenbergs-executed -
First Hydrogen Bombs detonated (US x USSR)
Who: The U.S. and the USSR were involved in these tests
What: They wanted to strengthen their nuclear arsenal.
When: US: 11/1/1952 USSR: 11/22/1955
Where: U.S. - Eniwetok atoll in the Pacific USSR- Semipalatinsk
Why: A Nuclear Arms Race between the U.S. and the Soviets. They wanted to determine who could dominate the other. Source: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/united-states-tests-first-hydrogen-bomb
http://www.atomicarchive.com/History/coldwar/page07.shtml -
Period: to
Presidency of Dwight D Eisenhower
led the massive invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe and this event occurred on D-Day. Served two terms in the White House. Managed Cold-War tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union (this tension was a nuclear arms race). Strengthened Social Security, created an Interstate Highway System and worked behind the scenes to remove Joseph McCarthy from power. Source: https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/dwight-d-eisenhower -
Hungarian Uprising
Who: The person responsible for this uprising was Nikita Khrushchev and Imre Nagy (against the Soviets)
What: A revolution to be free from Soviet rule.
When: 1956
Where: Hungary
Why: They wanted to be free from Communist rule. Source: https://www.britannica.com/event/Hungarian-Revolution-1956 -
The Little Rock Nine
TLRN were a group of 9 black students. They attended an all-white central high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. On the first day of school, the governor deployed the national guard to hinder the black students' entry into the high school. Almost a month later, federal troops were sent to escort the black children into the school. They were the first African Americans to attend central high school.
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/central-high-school-integration -
The Launch of Sputnik 1
Who: The Soviets were responsible for this launch.
What: The first artificial satellite.
When: 10/4/1957 (October 4, 1957)
Where: Gagarian's start was the location.
Why: They wanted another race (space race). Basically, this was all to see who can progress the furthest and who can be the strongest. Source: https://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/ -
Period: to
Nikita Khrushchev as the Premier of the Soviet Union
Led the soviets during the Cold War, as premier from 1958, to 1964. Had peaceful coexistence with the west. Initiated a process called "de-stalinization". Crushed the Hungarian Uprising and approved construction of the Berlin Wall. His stance was unknown, because he was once a part of the United Nations. Was forced to resign after the high-ranking officials determined that he was unfit to lead. Source: https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/nikita-sergeyevich-khrushchev -
Castro takes over in Cuba
Castro became the leader of the Soviets after he lead a revolution. He had a very antagonistic relationship with the United States. In 1960, Castro began nationalizing all U.S. owned businesses, including oil refineries, factories and casinos. This action made the U.S. end diplomatic relations with Cuba and impose a trade embargo. The Cubans were dependent on the Soviets, so they gained a new ally, and this event made their relations worse.
https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/fidel-castro -
U2 spy plane shot down
Who: Francis Gary Powers (U.S. american pilot) was shot down while doing a reconnaissance mission in the Soviet Union's airspace.
What: U-2 spy plane was shot down
When: 5/1/1960 (May 1, 1960)
Where: Near Aramil, Sverdlovsk Oblast
Why: Spying far into enemy territory. Even though they assured eisenhower that the Soviet's didn't have advanced anti-aircraft weapons, their spy plane was shot down. Source: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/american-u-2-spy-plane-shot-down -
John F. Kennedy elected to Presidency
Kennedy was forced to confront mounting tensions in Cuba, Vietnam and many other areas. Called for Americans to work together, so that they can eliminate communism around the world. Approved 1,400 CIA-trained Cuban exiles to attack Cuba. Announced a naval blockade in order to halt their nuclear progress. He eventually escalated U.S. involvement in Vietnam. He had made the most progress to end the war. U.S is the victor of this event.
https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/john-f-kennedy -
First Man in Space
"The triumph of the Soviet space program in putting the first man into space was a great blow to the United States." In all of this, everything was a competition. Apparently, the U.S was planning on accomplishing these feats, but the Soviets were a couple of months early. This was the beginning of the "space race". Now that they have made relations in terms of weaponry, they are trying to outsmart the other. Soviets won this event.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-man-in-space -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
CIA convinced Kennedy that the U.S. involvement would remain secret, so he approved for the CIA trained exiles to invade Cuba. Their first priority was to remove Castro's air force. However, the Cubans were aware of this already. They started their invasion on this day, but it immediately failed. Their operation was broadcasted to all of Cuba, and the invaders were pushed into a corner. The U.S lost, and this made relations worse. https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/bay-of-pigs-invasion -
Cuban Missile Crisis
Leaders engaged in a 13-day political (and military) standoff because the Soviets built missiles on Cuba, aimed directly at the U.S. In response, Kennedy ordered a naval blockade. U.S was worried that they would lose their edge. Soviets were worried about the missiles aimed at them from Turkey, so they wanted to level the playing field. Deconstruction occurred. No one won, but this improved relations between the U.S and USSR.
https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/cuban-missile-crisis -
1963 March on Washington
Massive protest march in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Violent attacks led them to protest. This location was where Mr. King's "I have a dream" speech was spoken. This march was necessary for their jobs and their freedom. Thanks to this march, the civil rights act of 1964 occurred quickly. If this march didn't occur, they probably would have never received their rights. Thanks to their protestation, influence led to change.
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/march-on-washington -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act ended segregation in public and banned employment discrimination. This act was first proposed by John F. Kennedy, and was signed by his successor, Lyndon B. Johnson. Kennedy decided to enforce this act because of all the brutality that occurred. The oppression of our fellow Americans had to stop. Thanks to this act, the voting rights act followed. March on Washington: Led to this act. This act: Led to the voting rights act.
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-act -
First American troops arrive in South Vietnam
U.S Marine Corps Hawk air defense missile battalion was deployed to Da Nang. This unit was deployed to defend the U.S airbase. U.S let go of their isolationism, and entered the war. Threats were sent by the Soviets, claiming that they will intervene if the U.S continued to send troops on South Vietnam's behalf. This war lasted for a long time, so no one won this event. This hurt the U.S and USSR relations.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-sends-first-combat-troops-to-south-vietnam -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
The goal of this act was to overcome the legal barriers at the state and local level, which prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote. Even though the 15th amendment prohibited for states to deny a male citizen the right to vote, they still exercised it. Nightsticks, tear gas and whips were used by troopers to hurt the protesters. This was what occurred prior to the voting rights act.
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/voting-rights-act
