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Yalta Conference
February 8: The Yalta Conference occurs, deciding the post-war status of Germany. The Allies of World War II (the USA, the USSR, Great Britain and France) divide Germany into four occupation zones. The Allied nations agree that free elections are to be held in all countries occupied by Nazi Germany. In addition, the new United Nations are to replace the failed League of Nations. -
Marshall Plan signed
Truman signs the Marshall Plan into effect. By the end of the programs, the United States has given $12.4 billion in economic assistance to European countries. Truman wanted to try to fix the economy in Europe -
Blockade
Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin orders the blockade of all land routes from West Germany to Berlin, in an attempt to starve out the French, British, and American forces from the city. In response, the three Western powers launch the Berlin Airlift to supply the citizens of Berlin by air. -
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is founded by Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States, in order to resist Communist expansion. NATO fought against communism. The Warsaw pact will be created to go against NATO. -
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Pact is founded in Eastern Europe and includes East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Albania, Bulgaria, and the Soviet Union. It acts as the Communist military counterpart to NATO. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
Bay of Pigs Invasion: A CIA-backed invasion of Cuba by counter-revolutionaries ends in failure. CIA angents were killed or captured and tortured by the Cubans. Lasted from April 17-19. -
Cuba Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis: The Soviets have secretly been installing military bases, including nuclear weapons, on Cuba, 90 miles from the US mainland. Kennedy orders a "quarantine" (a naval blockade) of the island that intensifies the crisis and brings the US and the USSR to the brink of nuclear war. In the end, both sides reach a compromise. The Soviets back down and agree to withdraw their nuclear missiles from Cuba, in exchange for a secret agreement by Kennedy pledging to withdrawl from Cuba. -
SALT 1
Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I) agreement signals the beginning of détente between the U.S. and USSR. They talked about the limitation of weapons. They both have nuclear weapons and are trying to stop the production of more. -
Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty is signed in Washington, D.C. by U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Gorbachev agrees to START I treaty. -
Dissolution of Soviet Union
December 26: The Council of Republics of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR recognizes the dissolution of the Soviet Union and decides to dissolve itself. This ends the rule of the Soviet Union.