-
Potsdam Conference
Ended August 2, 1945. This conference occured to discuss what to do about Germany at the end of WWII. Germany was divided into East and West. -
Creation of the Truman Doctrine
Truman announced that the United States would be giving aid to countries under threat of becoming communist. This doctrine partially influenced the Korean War. -
North Atlantic Treaty Organization created
NATO Alliance was established to fight against a potential invasion of Europe by Russia or other potential threats. -
Soviet Union tests their first atomic bomb
Until this point, only the United States had working atomic bombs. This advancement made the Soviet Union more of a threat. -
Warsaw Pact
A treaty between Czechkoslovakia, East Germany, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Hungary, and the Soviet Union. Also called the 'Treaty of Friendship.' -
Soviets Launch Satellite
The Soviets launched Sputnik I, starting the Space Race. -
Bay of Pigs
The CIA failed in training Cubans to overthrow the Cuban government. This failure was seen as a major embarrassment to the United States. -
Berlin Wall is built
The wall was built to stop citizens of East Germany from escaping to West Germany -
Cuban Missile Crisis
United States placed missiles in Turkey. The Soviet Union countered by starting to put missiles in Cuba. The US Navy blockaded ships transferring missiles. -
US sends troops to Vietnam
Proxy war betwen US and Soviet Union. Beginning of Vietnam war. -
South Vietnam turns communist
US efforts to keep Vietnam from falling communist seem wasted -
Diplomacy between US and China
China was communist at the time, and the Reagan Administration established diplomatic ties with them regardless. -
Mikhail Gorbachev becomes president in Soviet Union
Glasnost (public policy of discussing economics and politics openly) established.
Program of economic and political change enacted -
Berlin Wall taken down
After prompting from Reagan, the Berlin wall is destroyed, unifying Berlin. -
Collapse of the Soviet Union
Due to economic failure and civil unrest, the communist government was taken from power. End of the Cold War.
