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The Red Scare
The Red Scare was a period of intense fear in the United States during the late 1940s to early 1950s. It was driven by concerns about communism, leading to suspicion and paranoia about communist infiltration in American society. This fear resulted in investigations, blacklists, and the targeting of suspected communists, impacting various aspects of public life. 1919-1920 -
Truman Doctrine
Truman Doctrine was a plan by U.S. President Harry S. Truman in 1947 to stop the spread of communism. The U.S. would help countries threatened by communism with money and military support. This showed a change in U.S. foreign policy, becoming more involved in global affairs during the Cold War.
April, 1945 - January 20, 1953 -
Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan, also known as the European Recovery Program, was a U.S. initiative after World War II to help European countries rebuild. Proposed by Secretary of State George Marshall in 1947, it provided significant financial aid (over $12 billion) to 16 countries for economic recovery. The plan was successful in fostering growth, preventing communism, and strengthening ties between the United States and Western Europe.- December 1951 -
Berlin Blockade/Airlift
The Berlin Blockade occurred in 1948 when the Soviets blocked ground routes to West Berlin. In response, the U.S. and the U.K. organized the Berlin Airlift to supply essentials to West Berlin from 1948 to 1949, preventing a crisis. The blockade ended in 1949, impacting the division between East and West Germany during the Cold War. End: 05/12/1949 -
Space Race
The Space Race was a competition between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War to explore space. Both nations aimed to achieve milestones like launching satellites, sending humans to space, and landing on the Moon. It led to significant advancements in technology and science, with the US ultimately landing the first humans on the Moon in 1969. Aug 2, 1955 – Jul 17, 1975 -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
The Bay of Pigs Invasion occurred in 1961 when the US tried to overthrow Fidel Castro's government in Cuba. Cuban exiles, supported by the US, landed in Cuba but failed to overthrow Castro's regime. It was a significant failure for the US foreign policy.
Apr 17, 1961 – Apr 20, 1961 -
The U-2 Incident
The U-2 Incident occurred in 1960 when a US spy plane, the U-2, was shot down over the Soviet Union. The American pilot, Francis Gary Powers, was captured, leading to increased tension between the US and the USSR. The incident exposed US espionage activities and heightened Cold War tensions.
May 1, 1960 -
The Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis happened in 1962 when the US and the Soviet Union were on the edge of a nuclear war. The Soviets placed missiles in Cuba, which threatened the US. After tense negotiations, they agreed to remove the missiles, avoiding a direct confrontation.
October 16, 1962 – October 29, 1962 -
Non-Proliferation Treaty
The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is an agreement where countries promise not to develop nuclear weapons, and those with nuclear weapons agree not to share them. Its aim is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and encourage peaceful use of nuclear energy. 1 July 1968 and entered into force on 5 March 1970. -
Perestroika and Glasnost
Perestroika means restructuring and involved economic and political changes, Glasnost means openness and aimed to make Soviet society more transparent and allow more freedom of speech. They were policies introduced by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s to modernize the Soviet Union. -
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was a barrier separating East and West Berlin during the Cold War. It divided the city from 1961 until 1989, symbolizing the divide between communist East Germany and democratic West Germany. Its fall in 1989 marked the reunification of Germany and the end of the Cold War. stared : November 9, 1989
Ending:August 13, 1961