Cold War - A "war" that had no heated confrontation between the Soviets and the US.
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Formation of the Eastern Bloc
The Eastern Bloc was formed by the Soviet Union to publish a network of social groups. The Soviets backed up communist governments such as Poland, Czechoslovakia, and East Germany. This led to the communist control by the Soviet Union's political and economic power. -
Postwar occupation and division of Germany
After World War II, the Allied powers occupied Germany, with the Soviet Union controlling the eastern zone and the Western powers dividing the western zones. The Potsdam Agreement in 1945 led to the division of Berlin, the capital city, with the Western powers. This became a great controversy between Germany and led to the harsh conditions between the USSR and West Germany. -
Greek Civil War
The Greek Civil War was a conflict that lasted from 1946 to 1949. It was between the Democratic Army of Greece against the National Republican Greek League and the government of Greece. The Democratic Army of Greece received support from the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc countries. While the rivals received support from the United States and Britain. This led to great controversy between the Soviets and the US creating a more tense environment. -
Enactment of Marshall Plan
The plan provided economic assistance to Europe, to promote stability and prevent the spread of communism. It was proposed by US Secretary of State George Marshall. The plan cost a total of $12.4 billion over four years. -
Berlin Blockade and Airlift
The Berlin Blockade was a Soviet effort to cut off Western Allied land access to the city of Berlin. In response, the United States, Britain, and France organized an operation that delivered food, fuel, and supplies to Berlin. The airlift was a success, marking a major victory for the Western Allies. -
Chinese Communist Revolution
The Communist Party of China led by Mao Zedong overthrew the Nationalist government of Chiang Kai-shek. The revolution resulted in the establishment of a communist government in China. This struck terror in the US as they feared communism spreading throughout the world. -
Korean War
The Korean War was a war that lasted from 1950 to 1953, started by North Korea's invasion of South Korea. the United Nations-backed South Korea against the communist North Korea, backed by China and the Soviet Union. The war resulted in a stalemate, but the unsettling between the Soviets and the US remained. -
Cuban Revolution
The Cuban Revolution was a socialist revolution led by Fidel Castro. The war started by widespread upset among the Cuban population, including farmers, workers, and politicians, who sought to end Batista's corruption. After the war, Castro's government established a socialist state with close ties to the Soviet Union. -
Hungarian Uprising
The Hungarian Uprising was a nationwide revolt against the government of Hungary. The uprising started when a group of Hungarian students gathered in Budapest's Parliament Square to protest the government's decision to impose communism. Unfortunately, this led to the rebels fighting against the Soviet Army and the Hungarian government, which they lost. -
Vietnam War
The war was a conflict between the communists of North Vietnam, supported by China and the Soviet Union, and the government of South Vietnam, supported by the United States. The war resulted in the deaths of millions of Vietnamese civilians and soldiers, as well as thousands of American troops. Ultimately, the war led to the defeat of the United States and the collapse of South Vietnam. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
A group of Cuban rebels landed at the Bay of Pigs in an attempt to overthrow the communist government of Fidel Castro. The rebel forces were overpowered by the Cuban army, resulting in the deaths of over 100 rebel soldiers. The invasion was a major embarrassment for the United States which led to the Cuban missile crisis. -
Building the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was constructed by the government of the German Democratic Republic. The wall separated East and West Berlin effectively. The wall was built in response to a large number of immigrants between the two opposing countries. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union. It was started by the discovery of Soviet nuclear missile sites being built in Cuba. Ultimately, the Soviet Union agreed to dismantle the missile sites and remove its missiles from Cuba, after being constantly threatened by the US. -
Prague Spring
The Prague Spring was a period of liberalization in Czechoslovakia. It aimed to decentralize the economy and increase political freedom. They were met with resistance from the Soviet Union, which saw them as a threat to their control over Eastern Europe. The Soviets then invaded Czechoslovakia and established a communist government in the country. -
Soviet War in Afghanistan
The Soviet War in Afghanistan was a nine-year conflict between the Soviet Union and the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. The war was tarnished by brutal fighting, guerrilla warfare, and widespread civilian casualties. The Soviet Union ultimately withdrew its forces in 1989, leaving behind a devastated Afghan country. -
Solidarity Movement in Poland
The Solidarity Movement in Poland was a labor movement that emerged in the 1980s. The movement sought to improve working conditions and protect workers' rights. It ultimately became a powerful force for democratic change and opposition to the communist government. This paved the way for the democratic development of Poland. -
Tiananmen Square Massacre
The Tiananmen Square Massacre was a deadly killing on pro-democracy protests that took place in Beijing. The protests were led by students who wanted for better political freedom. In response, the Chinese government deployed military troops and tanks to the square, resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians. -
Fall of Berlin Wall
The Fall of the Berlin Wall occurred on November 9, 1989, when the government of East Germany announced that it would allow East Germans to travel to the West. Many citizens gathered at the wall, and border guards began to open the gates. This was the marking of the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a new Europe. -
Fall of Soviet Union
The Fall of the Soviet Union was a gradual process that began in the late 1980s. The rise of Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms, aimed to help the economy and revive the political system, but ultimately led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 1991, the Soviet Union was dissolved, and its 15 constituent republics became independent nations. This would officially mark the end of the Cold War between the US and the Soviets. -
9/11 Attacks
On September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were carried out in the United States. Four commercial planes were hijacked by terrorists affiliated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda. Two planes crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, one crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and one crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. The attacks were the deadliest terrorist attacks in history and had an impact on global politics and international relations.