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Iron Curtain
In 1946, Winston Churchill gave his "iron curtain" speech. It descibed the division of Europe between free, and communist countries. -
berlin airlift
Berlin Airlift begins; Goes for 327 days.
In 277,000 flights, they brought in 2.3 million tons of suplies- everything from food, fuel, and medicine to Christmas presents that crews bought with their own money.
Berlin survived the airlft , and it also boosted American prestige around the world.
By May 1949, the Soviet Union realized they had lost, and lifted the blockade. -
NATO
On April 4, 1949, the U.S. decided to join the NATO. (North Atlantic Treaty Organization. ) The 12 members of NATO pledged military support to another in case any member was attacked. -
38th parallel
As world War II ended, Japanese troops north of the 38th parallel
( 38degrees North latitude) surrendered to the Soviets. Japanese troops south of the parallel surrendered to the Americans. -
China Becomes Communist.
China becomes Communist under Mao Zedong. Zedong gained strength throughout the country. In the areas they controlled, Communists worked to gain the support of peasants. They encouraged peasents to learn to read, cook, etc. More, and more recruits flocked into the Communists' Red Army. By 1945, most of northern China was under communist control. -
Korean War
North Korean forces swept across the 38th parallel in a surprise attack on South Korea. The conflict that followed became known as the Korean War. -
Macarther Versus Truman
MacArther was not satsified with the recapture of South Korea, so he continued waging full-scale war against China. Certain that his veiws were correct, MacArther went over the presidents head. He spoke and wrote to newspapers , magazine, and Republican leaders. . He was informed that he has no authority to make such desicions. Despite these warnings, Macarther continued to criticize president Truman. Truman then fired MacArther
