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HUAC Cracks Down on Communism
The House Un-American Activities Committee was created in 1938, but is most well known for their obsessive hearings of Communism in the U.S. after and around 1947 (during the Cold War). The committee's large presence and numerous investigations are often compared to the Salem Witch Trials, as for the pressurized, panicked nature of their existence during the Second Red Scare. -
Truman Doctrine
On this date, President Harry S. Truman pledged to provide economic and military aid to democratic nations that were threatened by the spread of communism. Countries such as Greece and Turkey were aided through the doctrine. -
Hollywood Ten Cited for Contempt of Congress
The Hollywood Ten were a group of writers and directors in the film industry who were called upon by the HUAC in October of 1947. Rather than complying with the committee's demands, the ten denounced the HUAC's actions. After refusing to cooperate, all were cited for contempt of congress in November, and in April of 1948 each was found guilty and sentenced to one year in prison in addition to paying a $1,000 fine. Becoming blacklisted from the film industry was a result of their moves as well. -
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The Berlin Blockade
After plans surfaced of an independent democratic nation being formed out of West Germany as well as West Berlin, which was inside Soviet control, the Soviets cut off all routes into the city. The refusal of Western leaders to give up on their plans led to the Berlin airlifts - an effort to supply West Berlin by air, which was a success. After nearly a year of the situation, the Soviets called off the blockade. -
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Era of McCarthyism
McCarthyism is a term coined for the period of time in which Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy reigned supreme in the Second Red Scare. He led the McCarthy hearings, which was 36 days of televised hearings in 1954, and aided in numerous others. His influence declined when many started to question his credibility (due to his sensationalist tactics) as to how many of the people he accused were actually Communists. -
North Korea Invades South Korea
In June of 1950, Soviet-backed Democratic People's Republic of Korea invaded American-backed Republic of Korea, effectively starting the Korean War. Today, the formerly united country remains separated. -
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The Space Race
As tensions grew between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, a competition of wit and technology between the two nations emerged. Advancements made in this race include the first artificial satellite and man-made object placed in earth's orbit (USSR), first animal to be launched into space (USA), first animal to go into orbit (USSR), first lunar space craft (USSR), first photograph of earth from orbit (USA), first animals & plants to return unscathed (USSR). -
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Bay of Pigs Invasion
After the overthrow of the Cuban government by Fidel Castro and his supporters, an attempt was made by the U.S. government to seize his newfound power. This attempt, known as the Bay of Pigs Invasion, was initially believed to create an uprising against Castro. Instead, the force of American-trained Cuban exiles were largely outnumbered and quickly defeated. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13 day stand-off between the United States and The Soviet Union due to the discovery of Soviet missile presence in Cuba. Since Cuba is in such close proximity to the US, tensions were high and decisions had to be thought through. After much negotiation, the USSR removed the missiles from Cuba in exchange for the US removing missiles from Turkey. -
Opening of the Berlin Wall
After over two decades of the separation and division of the city of Berlin and its people, East Germany opened the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. The wall was a token of modern conflict that raged between two world powers, and for that, it was quickly overcome by the people impacted by the wall. A day after it was opened, hundreds demolished sections of the wall. Small parts of the Berlin wall remain today, a reminder of the lengths that
