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The United Nations are Formed
International organization dedicated to maintaining peace, security, and increasing the quality of living standards. -
Truman Doctrine
Principle that the US should help other nations that are fighting against communism through aid. To the USSR this was seen as a declaration of war. -
Hollywood 10
Ten members from the film industry refused to answer whether they were ever a part of the Communist Party by the House Un-American Activities Committee. This happened during the second Red Scare so the ten were held in contempt of court and were jailed. -
Marshall Plan
The US sent $12 billion in aid to help Western Europe recover from the devastations of WWII and also to reduce the chance of communist revolutions breaking out. -
Formation of NATO
Founded by the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, and more shortly after the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty (AKA the Washington Treaty). NATO’s purpose when formed was to guard Europe’s freedom and promote cooperation. -
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Korean War
Began when North Korea (who was supported by the Soviet Union and China) invaded South Korea (who was supported by the United States and the UN) The war was one of the most destructive modern conflicts with over 3 million war fatalities and until 2018 no peace treaty was signed to formally end the war. -
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Space Race/Sputnik
First caused by the launch and successful orbit of the USSR’s Sputnik, a race between the two nations to reach the moon first. In 1969 Neil Armstrong became the first man on the Moon, and although the US government’s interest in space faded after the Moon landing, in 1975 three American astronauts docked ships with a Soviet spacecraft, and the two captains’ handshake became the symbol for improving Soviet and American relations. -
Bay of Pigs
An attempted attack during Kennedy’s time in office to push Castro, a communist leader that overthrew America’s backed Batista, out of power. The attack was a failure, and the tension between the nations grew further inflamed by the Cuban Missile Crisis. -
Berlin Wall Goes Up
Made to separate and block off entry points that can allow transportation from the East to West Germany. The wall was constantly monitored by soldiers to prevent civilians from passing through. This separated many people from their jobs and families. -
US Enters the Vietnam War
To support South Vietnam, President Johnson of the US launched a three-year campaign of bombing areas of North Vietnam and also sent US Marines to land on the beaches of Da Nang in South Vietnam to support. -
The USSR's Invasion of Afghanistan
The USSR sent thousands of troops to Afghanistan and assumed complete military and political control. -
Berlin Wall Comes Down
After mass protests of up to half a million from East Berlin, the East German leaders loosened the borders as an attempt to calm the protests. In 1990 Germany reunified.