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Berlin Blockade
This blockade was the Soviet Union trying to limit the U.S., France, and Great Britain from going into the capital: Berlin. It cut off the Western Allies land and river transit between West Berlin and West Germany. Which, the Western Allies sent a huge airlift for Berlin's aid. They airlifted these resources to try to not use military force against the USSR.
---I believe this event is the 2nd most important. -
Korean War
The North Korean army crossed the 38th parallel. The U.S. tried to create some sort of armistice to prevent a wider war with Russia and China. 5 million soldiers and civilians lost their lives. Some people refer to this war as "The Forgotten War" due to the lack of attention it received compared to other wars.
---I believe this event is the 3rd most important. -
Vietnam War
Two U.S. destroyers (in Golf of Tonkin, Vietnam) radioed that North Vietnamese forces fired torpedo boats. Anti-communist fervor and the torpedo incident caused the U.S. to enter this war. But, the strength of North-Vietnam communism made the war "unwinnable" for South Vietnam. Which is what overall led to the North's victory.
---I believe this event is the 6th most important. -
Suez Canal Crisis
The Egyptian Government gained control of the Suez Canal which was originally a British and French owned company. Britain, France, and Israel tried to regain control of this canal. It was an overall win for Egypt, but Israel at least won freedom to use the canal. Britain and France did not gain anything, and overall lost.
---I believe this event is the 7th most important. -
U-2 Incident
A U.S. U-2 spy plane was shot down by Soviet Air Defense forces. It caused great embarrassment to the U.S. Their goal was to conceal its surveillance efforts from the USSR. Their plan backfired once being caught, which led to the plane being shot down. -
Space Race
A competition was to see which country has superior space flight capability. The U.S. won and more than a billion people watched Neil Armstrong's landing where he placed the American flag on the moon. The space race started due to the Soviets launching Sputnik 1.
---I believe this is the 11th most important event. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The U.S. discovered the Soviet Union was building up arms in Cuba. Many people were scared of a nuclear war, but Khrushchev offered to remove the Cuban missiles, if the U.S. promised not to invade Cuba. Kennedy then agreed to move the U.S. missiles from Turkey.
---I believe this event is the most important. -
Yom Kippur War
Israel was expanding territory which led to tensions with the Arab States. Arabs (Egyptian/Syrian Forces) had a surprise attack on Israel. This attack was held on the day of Yom Kippur, which is the Jewish holy day of atonement. It is marked as the greatest military victory that Israel has ever had.
---I believe this event is the 5th most important. -
Soviet War in Afghanistan
Leonid Brezhnev launched an invasion on Afghanistan to support the pro-Soviet government. 15,000 Soviet casualties happened with a minimum of 500,000 Afghan civilians killed. Mikhail Gorbachev then signed a peace accord with Afghanistan. It was an Afghan victory since of the Soviet forces withdrawal.
---I believe this event is the 4th most important. -
Soviets Downing Korean Air Lines Flight 007
Soviet air-to-air missiles shot down Korean Airlines Flight 007, killing all 269 on board. The airliner drifted from its original planned route into Soviet prohibited airspace. Soviet authorities claimed that the plane was on an intelligence-gathering mission for the United States, but there was no evidence to prove so.
---I believe this event is the 9th most important. -
"Able Archer" Military Exercise
This was a military exercise that led to heightened nuclear tensions between NATO and the Warsaw pact. This exercise simulated a hypothetical Soviet Union attack. -
"Able Archer" Military Exercise
A military exercise that led to heightened nuclear tensions between NATO and the Warsaw Pact. This exercise simulated a hypothetical Soviet Union attack. This exercise almost led to a nuclear war due to the Soviet Union feeling threatened.
---I believe this event is the 8th most important