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Chinese Civil War
Civil war in China fought between Kuomintang (KMT) forces (the lead government of the Republic of China), and forces loyal to the Communist Party of China (CPC). The war began with Chiang Kai-Shek's Northern Expedition, and ended when major active battles ceased in 1950. -
Launching of Sputnik
Launched successfully by the Soviet Union, Sputnik was the world's first artificial satellite. It was about the size of a beach ball, weighed only 183.9 pounds, and took about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth. -
Berlin Blockade
One of the first major issues of the Cold War created during the migration of Germany after WWII. The Soviet Union blocked the Western Allies' railways, roads, and canals to access the parts of Berlin under ally control. -
Berlin Airlift
Created as a solution to the Berlin Blockade. Western Allies organised it to get supplies to people in West Berlin (where the blockade was holding them back from). -
Formation of NATO
Short for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a government/ military alliance based on the North Atlantic Treaty. It was formed in Washington, D.C. and compromised the Atlantic Pact with Greece, Turkey, and the Federal Republic of Germany, for collective defense against aggression. -
National Security Council Report NSC-68
58 page secret report issued by the United States National Security Council during Harry S. Truman's presidency. It was one of the most important statements in American policy throughout the Cold War. -
Korean War
Also known as the Korean Conflict, was a war fought between the United Nations, supported by the United States, and North Korea. The war began when North Korea invaded South Korea. -
President Truman fires General MacArthur
Douglas MacArthur was a general in the army and was fired after he made public statements contradicting the administration policies. He was commander of UN forces fighting in the Korean War, and his relief was so popular that it remains a controversial topic in civil-military relations. -
Formation of the Warsaw Pact
A defense treaty between eight communist states in Central and Eastern Europe during the Cold War. Formally known as the Treaty of Friendship, Co-operation, and Mutual Assistance. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
Confrontation between the United States and Soviet Union over the existence of missile sites in Cuba. It was one of the “hottest” periods of the cold war.