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The Marshall Plan
Europe's economic problems were also increasing. To prevent Europeans to turn to communism, the U.S. formed a program of economic aid. This was called the Marshall Plan, named after George Marshall who provided $13 billion dollars to Europe. By this, Eutope was able to recover quickly. -
The Truman Doctrine
Greece and Turkey were being threatened by Soviet-backed Communists. President Truman, in order to stop the spread of Communism, created the Truman Doctrine. This provided economic and military aid. The U.S. congress approved of this and sent hundreds of millions of dollard to both Greece and Turkey. -
Berlin Airlift
The Soviet Union opposed the idea of establishing a democratic government in West Berlin. So, they blocked off all land, rail, and water routes into West Berlin. The Western leaders did not give in, instead, they organized the Berlin Airlift. Forcing the Soviet Union to call off the blockade. -
Korean War
North Korea's plan was to unite the country under a communist government. South Korea was partners in a way with the U.S., who did not support a communist regime. The UN later helped South Korea and kicked North Korea out of their way. However, the Chinese forces helped the North Koreans. In 1953, after three years of war, the Korean War was over. Bothe North and South remained seperate countries. -
Vietnam War
At the time of the Cold War, Vietnam was divided into halves, North and South. The North supported Communism and the South was anti-Communist. The American officials supported the South. So when a revolution began, the U.S. sent military aid to fight the rebels. The North partnered with the rebels. This war went on up to the mid-1970s. -
The Sputnik
The Sputnik was an advancement for the Soviet Union. It was history's first satellite. It made Americans worry due to that the Soviet Union's technology was ahead now. In 1958, the U.S. government established NASA -
Berlin Crisis
In 1961, around 1000 people from East Germany were walking to West Berlin to go to their jobs. To stop this, a barrier was created. The Berlin Wall stopped anyone trying to cross to the other side. Whoever dared to cross could be easily shot by the East German Soldiers. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
A spy-plane noticed Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba. This caused great tension between the 3 countries. But after the U.S. confronting the Soviet Union for several days, the Soviet leaders removed the missiles, and the U.S. did not attack Cuba and also removed their missiles from Turkey. -
Glasnost and Perestroika
By 1980s, the Soviet Union's central planning proved inefficient. Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in 1985 and was ready to reform the Soviet Union. He offered the concepts of glasnost and perestroika. Unlike before, Gorbachev accepted the arms control agreements with the U.S. He also introduced free-market mechanisms. Overall, he changed the Soviet Union and their old ways. -
Berlin Wall down
In 1989, thousands of East Germans crossed the open border in Hungary so they can go to the West. The crowd of people was too big and hard to stop. So, the East German government opened the gates of the Berlin Wall. This was a special moment for the people of Berlin that they began to tear the wall down. East and West Germany were finally united.
