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American Nuclear bombs
The allies agree in Potsdam to the fundamental conditions of the occupation of Germany. American nuclear bombs destroy Hiroshima and Nagasaki. -
West Berlin
From June 1948 to May 1949, US and British planes airlift 1.5 million tons of supplies to the residents of West Berlin. -
Blockade of Berlin
There was a blockade of Berlin. -
China
Communist Mao Zedong takes control of China and establishes the People's Republic of China. -
Korean War
The Korean War; after North Korea attacks South Korea, UN troops led by the United States invade the country. China and the Soviet Union back North Korea. The cease-fire leaves the two countries with the pre-war status quo. ( 1950-1953 ) -
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Pact was formed in 1955, and West Germany was admitted into NATO that same year. -
USSR Tanks
June 29, 1956 USSR sent tanks into Poznan, Poland, to suppress demonstrations by workers. -
Invasion of Hungary
Invasion of Hungary 1956- Warsaw Pact troops invaded to quell pro-democracy movements in governments. Totalitarian tactic to suppress opposition. -
Cuba
The Soviets began secretly installing missiles in Cuba that could be used to launch nuclear attacks on U.S cities. -
Grenada
U.S troops invades and overthrows regime in Grenada. -
Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader of the Soviet Union initiating a campaign of openness called "glasnost" and restructuring called "perestroika". -
Nuclear Missiles
October, 1987 President Reagan and Gorbachev agree to remove all medium and short-range nuclear missiles. -
Berlin Wall
November 1989, Berlin Wall is demolished an East Germany allows unrestricted migration to West Germany. -
Communist Governments
December 1989, communist governments fall in Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and Rumania. -
Lithuania
Lithuanian becomes independent.