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Yalta Conference
The three big powers of the world, USA, Britain, and the USSR, and France was there too. They all came together and decided to govern Germany equally, making one half of Germany democratic, and the other communist. Berlin was divided similarly, accept the disadvantage that the democratic parts of Berlin was surrounded by communist areas. This event relates to the geographic aspect of GASPIRE because German land was distributed equally among those who won the war. -
Truman Doctrine
This document was created by the United States and called for $400 million to aid Greece and Turkey and help stop the spread of communism in that area. This event relates to the political aspect of GASPIRE because the democratic nations are trying to put a stop to a political movement that they believe will corrupt all governments. This event impacted the Cold War by making a first stand against communism in any other area than where it already exists. -
Berlin Airlift
The USSR began a blockade stopping any supplies from USA, Britain, or France to get to Berlin. So, to counter this, the big powers started flying in supplies to the Berlin citizens. After 200,000 flights, the Soviet Union lifted the blockade. This relates to the psychological aspect of GASPIRE+ because the idea the Soviets had was if they could starve the people of USA, GB, and France, which would break the people's spirit. This only angered the European powers. -
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Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan, made by U.S. Secretary of State, George Marshall, was a plan to help Europe rebuild from the ravages of World War 2. The United States gave nearly $13 billion to help. This event relates to the political part of GASPIRE because by giving money to Europe, USA shows how well democracy works and it produces lots of cash. This gave Europe a head start and only angered the USSR. The USSR declined money from the USA, which may be a cause of friction between the 2 counties later. -
Comecon
The Soviet response to the USA Marshall Plan. This was basically the Marshall Plan but directed to communist countries. This event was also a social aspect of GASPIRE as USSR aided any communist area, which is a social act. This angered the USA because any support to communist areas is a step back in the mind of the United States. This also would cause disagreement between the USA and USSR on a later date. -
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Korean War
North Koreans crossed the 38th parallel in 1950 hoping to unite Korea as a communist nation. USA steps in and says, "no you can't do that, stop trying to spread communism" and then they go to war. China and USSR aid North Korea. War ends and the 38th parallel remains the border, communism did not spread. The event relates to cultural because North Korea wanted the nation to be united under one government and culture. USA got mad that people wanted to spread communism, and tensions only rose. -
The Cuban Revolution
Fidel Castro overthrows corrupt government and plans to make Cuba a communist nation. USA doesn't like this idea and trains over 1000 Cuban people to try and overthrow communist party. This was called "Bay of Pigs invasion," it failed. This relates to geographic because USA didn't want a communist nation so close to them. If there was communism in Cuba, then it wouldn't be that hard to hit USA with some nice nuclear bombs, because of this USA is still mad and now even more mad at Russia. -
Russia First Man in Space
The US and USSR are competitive in every way, including who gets to space faster, which happened to be Russia. Yuri Gagarin was the 1st man in space and when he came back down he was recognized as a national hero. This relates to the cultural aspect of GASPIRE+ because the race was based on cultural pride, whichever nation beat the other was deemed better than that other nation. This just made friction between USA and USSR even more present for the Cold War. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
Soviet Union puts big nuclear missiles on Cuba, which is 30 miles off the coast of Florida. USA blockaded the island of Cuba and demanded that nukes are removed, then they are and nuclear war is avoided. This event relates to social because U.S. president, John F. Kennedy, had his first major crisis and dealt with it very well. But, Russian removal of nukes also meant that USA removed nukes from Turkey so now at least nukes are further away and war is at a standstill. -
USA Space Race
In retaliation to the USSR sending a man to space, the beginning of the 1960's led to John F Kennedy promising the American people that the USA would have a man on the moon by the end of the decade, which they did. This relates to intellectual aspect of GASPIRE because along with competition, USSR and USA got a big jump in STEM programs. Landing a man on the moon got the USSR upset and they wanted to win against the US on their "home turf." -
1972 Olympics
Russia beat USA at their own game, basketball. Russia won 51 to 50 and USA was crushed by this loss. This event relates to the artistic aspect of GASPIRE+ because basketball in some definition is a form of expression and therefore art. The USA is really mad so later, they win against the USSR in hockey, which is Russia's own game. This also crushes the spirits of the Russian people. -
Détente
Richard Nixon and Leonid Brezhnev take time to stop the Cold War arms race and sit down and talk about strategic arms limitations. They both recognizes the economy is dropping, which relates to the economic aspect of GASPIRE. Nixon and Brezhnev want to better their economy and they think that an arms race is not gonna make that happen. This is a turning point in the war because this is the first time both nations get to take a deep breath and step back from the chaos of war. -
Glasnost
This is when the Soviet Union started allowing people to criticize the government without being thrown in jail! Great Stuff! It was a relaxation of censorship and was a movement to attempt to solve problems in the soviet union. This could relate to the religious aspect of GASPIRE because this event reminds me of when the English church started allowing people to openly criticize the church, also without being thrown in jail. This gave the people of Russia some freedom which was nice.
