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The End of WWII
After WWII ended the Allies had to decide what to do with Germany. This caused strain mainly between the United States and the Soviet Union. -
Agreements Between the Allies
The allies first agreed to divide Germany up into four zones of occupation. They also divided Berlin, the Capital of Germany, into four zones, even though it was in the Soviet Unions zone. -
Potsdam Conference
Soviet Dictator Joseph Stalin wanted Eastern Europe as a buffer zone of friendly governments to prevent an attack on the Soviet Union. American and British leaders believed planned to make pro-Soviet Communist governments throughout Eastern Europe. -
Warnings of Another War
President Truman warned his secretary of state, "Another war is in the making." Stalin publicly stated the war between the East and West was bound to happen. Former British leader Winston Churchill gave a speech in the United States using the image of an iron curtain to explain the division of Europe as a result of the Soviets actions. -
Truman Doctrine/ Marshall Plan
The Truman Doctrine was a pledge President Truman made to provide economic and military aid to oppose the spread of Communism. Truman believed if the conditions in Europe got worse people would turn to communism. The Marshall plan provided $13 billion for the rebuilding of Europe. -
Crisis in Berlin
Western leaders planned to have a democratic government in West Berlin. To resist this idea Soviets blocked off all land, rail, and water routes into West Berlin. Western leaders organized the Berlin Airlift and this was a success, the blockade was called off. -
NATO
A military alliance including the United states, Canada, and most Western European countries was formed. This alliance was called the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or Nato. Made to counter Soviet power in Europe. -
Beginning of the Nuclear Arm Race
The West was shaken up when the Soviets successfully tested an atomic bomb. This started a race to create for powerful weapons. -
Arms Control
The United States and Soviet Union agreed on the Test Ban Treaty. This outlawed nuclear testing in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater. -
The End of the Soviet Union
The republics within the Soviet union seemed independence. More and more republics declared independence and soon the Soviet union had fallen.
