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Russian Revolution (1917)
The revolution carried out by the Bolsheviks overthrew the Russian autocracy. They formed the red guard which later became known as the red army. This gave rise to the soviet union and communism. -
Iron Curtain
The boundary between soviet controlled eastern Europe and western Europe. The Soviet Union took control of these states to spread communism but mostly to protect their border that have been invaded many times before. This lasted until the fall of communism in 1992. -
Potsdam conference
At this conference the US, UK, and USSR discussed how they would administer Germany. They also discussed post war peace, effects, and postwar order. -
Atomic Bomb - Hiroshima/Nagasaki
The US was facing a country that was willing to fight to the death and kill them selves rather than being killed. Trying to invade this country would have caused mass casualties on both sides. So instead the US bombed 2 cities with nuclear bombs causing Japan to surrender. -
Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine offered any democratic country political, economic, and military support when under threat from other forces,"USSR." This was mostly made to stop the spread of communism, and changed US foreign policy. -
Marshal Plan
United States giving aid to post world war 2 nations. The main reason we were doing this was to prevent the influence of communism. -
Berlin Blockade and Airlift
This event happened when the Soviets blocked off Berlin from road access basically starting the cold war. In response the US and other countries flew in supplies. The soviets couldn't shoot down the planes because it would start a massive war. -
NATO
Other wise called the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. 29 countries come together to keep world peace. The countries are from north america and west Europe. -
Soviet Bomb Test
The first test was in what is now Kazakhstan. The explosion measured 22 kilotons. The soviet test was a plutonium implosion device similar to fat man. -
Eisenhowers Massive Retaliation Policy
In case of nuclear attack on the US, the US will counter attack with much greater force. The aim is to make public so any possible aggressors will have fear put in their minds. -
Hollywood 10
The 1950 American film was produced by John Barry. Ten of the actors made speeches denouncing McCarthyism and basically supported communism. These 10 were blacklisted and cited for contempt of congress after not answering questions about their involvement with the communist party. -
Korean War
North Korea was communist and supported by the Soviet Union. The south was supported by the US. The US only came into this was to stop communism. -
Khrushchev Takes over
He heald a number of government positions before Stalin died. When Stalin died Khrushchev was overlooked but eventually took advantage of the new secretary. He was named secretary in 1953. -
Army-MacArthur Hearings
Investigated accusations between US senator MacArthur and the US army. The media coverage of this greatly contributed to MacArthur's decline in popularity. -
Warsaw Pact
Otherwise known as the treaty of friendship, cooperation, and mutual assistance. Was basically a response to NATO that the soviet satellites made. -
The Vietnam War
Northern Vietnam was supported by USSR and China, while the south was supported by the US, Australia and other anti communist allies. The north after 19 years wins the war and unites Vietnam under a communist government. -
Hungarian Revolution
The uprising and rebellion of the Hungarian people against the soviet imposed government. Thousands formed militias and fought against soviet troops. -
U2 Incident
A US spy plane was sent of the Soviet union on a reconnaissance mission. When it was shot down, the US tried to claim it was a weather survey. They later had to admit the truth. The pilot of the plane was held hostage and later released. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
An invasion by a CIA funded group on the Island nation of Cuba. The intent was to overthrow Fidel Castro's increasingly communist government but the invasion failed and was defeated. -
Berlin Wall
The Berlin wall divided Berlin. In the east the Soviets were in power. To the west the allies were in control. The wall was 11 feet tall. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The US had nuclear weapons stationed in Italy so they could be in range for a nuclear attack on the Soviets. In response, the soviets put nuclear missiles on Cuba. After a long argument both countries withdrew their missiles. -
Detente under Nixon
From around 1967 until 1979 the US somewhat had peace with the soviets. Treaties were signed and trade increase. But when the soviets invaded Afghanistan, tensions cooled again. -
The Reagan Doctrine
This was the strategy implemented by Reagan to overwhelm the Soviet influence of communism. The US built up tons of arms and funded anti communist forces. The soviets had to respond and this basically caused them to go bankrupt. -
Reagan Berlin Wall Speech
Reagan basically gave an ultimatum. If the soviets wanted peace, the would come open the gates of the Berlin wall and tear it down. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
The fall of the Berlin wall pretty much ended the cold war once and for all. The fall of the wall also let people out of the places they were trapped under communist governments.
