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The Yalta Conference
The Yalta conference was a meeting between FDR, Churchill, & Stalin that took place in the USSR. They discussed Europe's postwar reorganization and the division of Germany's land among WWII's victors. The Yalta conference relates to the GASPIRE theme of geographic because the main topic of discussion was solely about the distribution of Germany’s land and who would receive it. This conference led to the rising tensions between those who possessed Germany's land and leading to the Cold War. -
Truman Doctrine
Greece and Turkey were in danger of falling to the communist forces of the USSR, and the United States could not let that happen. President Truman requested $400 million in aid from congress to help both countries fight back against the USSR, and it was approved. The economic aspect is shown here because money was the driving force behind the doctrine, and the money was transferred between international economies. The US showed their economic strengths; setting the stage for the rest of the war. -
Marshall Plan
The US Secretary of State George Marshall channeled over nearly $13 billion in aid to Europe from 1948 to 1952. Most European countries were eager to receive this aid, but the USSR declined; wanting as little American influence on their economy as possible. The GASPIRE theme of economic is displayed here; as the US offered aid in economic reconstruction to the European nations. When the USSR declined US aid, tensions began to build between the two nations and nationalistic pride nearly erupted. -
Berlin Airlift
The USSR set up a blockade around Berlin to cut off the western-occupiers from all food and supplies, hoping to drive them out.They were unsuccessful, as the US and Britain carried over 2.3 million tons of cargo over the span of 200,00 flights to their allies. The GASPIRE theme of geographic is present because the USSR tried to rid their land of those western occupants by setting boundaries, yet the allied powers broke them. By this point, the Cold War was bringing out the worst in the enemies. -
Formation of Comecon
Comecon was formed in a response to the Mashall Plan by the Soviets in 1949. They joined forces with other eastern European communist nations so that they wouldn't need to accept aid from the US. This would coincide with the political GASPIRE theme because many different governments joined together in agreement with one another on politically based terms. The formation of Comecon cemented the opposition against Western Europeans and the US, and sides began to form. -
NATO Alliance Forms
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was a military alliance formed between the US, Canada, Britain, France, & 8 others in the West. They all pledged to support each other in the face of attack and provide aid when necessary. The formation of NATO relates to the theme of political because it represents many different governments coming together under one policy. The formation of the NATO showed that there was a strong opposing force to the USSR, providing the basis for the Cold War. -
The Korean War
In 1950, North Koreans crossed the border of South Korea in hopes of uniting Korea as a communist country.Communist China&USSR gave aid to the N. Koreans while the U.N. gave aid to the S. Koreans.The fighting ended with North & South Korea in the same exact position they had started in, yet the war lasted until 1953 & communism didn't spread. This relates to the theme of Cultural because 2 diff.cultures conflicted within 1 country. The Korean War proved that the Cold War had a worldly influence. -
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw pact was formed by the Soviets in response to the NATO. The USSR forced smaller neighboring nations, or "satellites" to join, and any attempt to leave was seen as disloyal and would be followed by extreme consequences. This ties in to the GASPIRE theme of intellectual because the Soviets strategy was methodically thought out and used to effectively combat their enemy alliance. With the formation of the Warsaw pact, the war was in full effect as countries were split within themselves. -
Space Race Begins
The US& the USSR competed heavily in two areas of technological dominance; arms and space. The USSR was the first to send a man to space (Yuri Gagarin), but, not to be undone, the US put the first man on the moon (Neil Armstrong). The space race relates to the GASPIRE theme of intellectual because it was driven by each countries' desire to become a technologically and intellectually superior nation.The US&USSR competed in virtually everything that guaranteed superiority, elevating their rivalry. -
Fidel Castro Takes Over Cuba
Fidel Castro overthrows a corrupt government led by Fulgencio Batista and installs a totalitarian communist regime.He has the support of the Soviet Union and takes control over all major industries.This event relates to the theme of religion because although communism isn't a religion, it shows how ideas and beliefs can spread among countries.This event also led to the development of the Cold War by proving the dangerous communist sphere of influence to the world. -
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was established to keep westerners and easterners divided .People were prohibited to cross from either side and families were torn apart.The German Democratic Republic wanted to separate themselves from those with communist values and prohibit assimilation.This event relates to religious themes because a certain group of people with certain beliefs were singled out and separated.The Berlin Wall remains a symbol of the Cold War because it dangerously divided Germany within itself. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Soviet Union sent missiles into Cuba to prepare for an attack against the United States,resulting in a US naval blockade of the island of Cuba. JFK issued them an ultimatum and threatened war, causing Krushchev to remove the missiles from Cuba. This event reflects social themes because it shows how countries' actions are affected by their interactions with each other and the power of words.This event is very important to the Cold War because total nuclear war was very narrowly avoided. -
Détente and SALT policy
Meaning "easing of tensions", the Détente occurred when Nixon and Brezhnev shared a brief period of improved relations and tentative peace.They agreed on a strategic arms limitation policy and the arms race slowed for a couple of years before starting up again.Social themes are displayed here because the SALT policy symbolizes the ability of the opposing countries to agree on certain laws, and this is important to the Cold War because animosity and agreement had never been seen prior to this. -
Soviet-Afghan War
Soviets sent thousands of troops to invade the democratic republic of Afghanistan to instill their communist beliefs.The US came to the aid of the Afghans to fight against the USSR. 2 million civilians were killed and millions of refugees fled the country.This event is connected to psychological themes because the people had to try deal with the immense amount of death and destruction around them.This event also shows the worldly influence of the Cold War and how quickly beliefs can be spread. -
End of Soviet Union
Communism collapsed in the USSR and the Soviet Union was divided into 15 independent states.Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as the USSR president the day before, and handed all of his responsibilities over to Boris Yeltsin.This event displays cultural themes because it shows what can happen within a country when a certain set of beliefs are dissolved. The end of the Soviet Union also signified the end of the Cold War itself and the inevitable fall of communism. -
Russia's involvement in the US election
There was a very serious effort put forth by Vladimir Putin to be involved in the recent US election, and his actions have been questioned as a motive for war. Russia's actions didn't undermine the legitimacy of Trump's win but their actions remain suspicious. The US has publicly accused Russia as being the perpetrators of several hacks and leaks, and Russia denied them all. Former Vice President Dick Cheney has said that "[Putin] is doing everything possible to undermine the NATO" (Watkins).
