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United Nations Formed
Established after World War II, the United Nations aimed to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts. It replaced the ineffective League of Nations and provided a forum for dialogue between nations. -
Truman Doctrine
President Truman's Policy to provide economic and military aid to countries threatened by communism. It aimed to contain Soviet influence and support countries resisting communist expansion -
Hollywood 10
Ten members of the Hollywood film industry who were blacklisted and jailed for refusing to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) about their alleged communist ties. It fueled the Red Scare and McCarthyism in the United States. -
Marshall Plan
Named after Secretary of State George Marshall, this plan provided economic aid to help rebuild Western European countries devastated by World War II. It aimed to prevent the spread of communism by promoting economic stability and recovery. -
NATO Formed
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed as a military alliance between Western European countries and the United States to counter Soviet aggression. It pledged mutual defense against any external attack. -
Korean War
Conflict between North Korea (supported by China and the Soviet Union) and South Korea (supported by the United Nations, primarily the United States). It ended in a stalemate with the border remaining at the 38th parallel. -
Space Race/ Sputnik
The Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, into orbit, initiating the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union. It led to increased investment in space exploration and technological advancements. -
Bay of Pigs
Failed CIA-sponsored invasion of Cuba by Cuban exiles, aiming to overthrow Fidel Castro's communist government. It was a major embarrassment for the United States and increased tensions between the two countries. -
Berlin Wall Goes Up
The Soviet Union constructed the Berlin Wall to separate East and West Berlin, symbolizing the division between communist and capitalist ideologies. It was a physical manifestation of the Iron Curtain and remained a symbol of the Cold War until its fall. -
U.S officially enters Vietnam War
On August 7, 1964, the U.S. Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in response to reported attacks on American naval vessels by North Vietnamese forces in the Gulf of Tonkin. This resolution authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to use military force in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war, effectively marking the official entry of the United States into the Vietnam War. -
Soviets Invade Afghanistan
Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan to support the communist government against insurgent groups. It led to a prolonged and costly conflict, with significant consequences for both Afghanistan and the Soviet Union. -
Berlin Wall Comes Down
On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall, which had divided East and West Berlin since 1961, was opened after the East German government announced that citizens could freely cross the border. This event marked the symbolic end of the Cold War division between East and West, and it paved the way for the reunification of Germany.