The Cold War

The Yalta Conference

Feb 4, 1945

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On February 4th-11th, 1945, the Big Three came together and agreed to demand Germany's unconditional surrender and began plans for a post-war world. Realizing that a victory over Japan might need a longer fight, the U.S. & Great Britain saw a strategic advantage to Soviet participation in the Pacific. Though kept a secret at the time, the Yalta Conference became controversial.

Berlin Declaration

Jun 5, 1945

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The supreme commanders signed the Berlin Declaration, proclaiming the unconditional surrender of Germany and the assumption of supreme authority by the four victorious powers.
Tensions between the Western powers & the Soviet Union created a situation in which decisions were taken separately by the military governments in their own areas.

Potsdam Conference

Jul 17, 1945

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This conference was the last meetings of World War Two held by the Big Three. The leaders disussed various agreements on the German economy, punishment for war criminals, land boundaries and reparations. As a result, the Big Three were in conflict and suspicious of each other.

North Vietnam

Sep 13, 1945

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After Vietnam declares independence, British forces arrive in Saigon. There are deadly rampages and massacres that occur. The result is, Viet Minh is expelled from Saigon.

Iron Curtain Speech

Mar 5, 1946

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Churchill's speech was considered the official announcements of the Cold War. Churchill drew attention to the conflicts happining in southern and easter Europe. As a result, the Cold War began.

Containment Policy

Mar 1, 1947

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The policy was created by the United States to lessen the spread of Communism. The Soviet Union thought nothing of it but the United States saw it as a threat. It successfully jump-started rapid European economic growth, and stopped the spread of communism in many countries in Western Europe.

Marshall Plan

Jun 5, 1947

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Europe was in desperate need of aid. In January 1947, President Truman made George Marshall Secretary of State. The Marshall Plan was intended to rebuild the economies and spirits of western Europe. There was a huge breakthrough in Europe and the Marshall Plan was a success.

Berlin Blockade

Mar 20, 1948

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Ten days after the Soviets withdrew from the Allied Control Council, guards on the East German border began slowing the entry of Western troop trains bound for Berlin. This happened because of the failing relationship between the Soviet Union and the West. After many days of fighting, East and West Germany were established as separate republics later on.

Berlin Airlift

Jun 15, 1948

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The point of the Berlin Airlift was to supply the city from above. Life during the blockde was difficult but the Airlift was able to deliver supplies. After a while, the Soviets lifted the blockades.

NATO

May 31, 1949

Korean War- American Involvement

Jun 25, 1950

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After the Soviet Union invaded Korea, the United States immediately sent troops into Korea as well. The U.S. feared that the Soviets would seize the whole area.