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The United Nations was founded
Replacing the ineffective League of Nations, the United Nations was created. In 1945, 50 nations met in San Francisco to discuss the organization. The charter was signed by all 50 nations but the United Nations became official on October 24, 1945 when the charter was ratified -
The Cold War Begins
After defeating Germany and Italy in WW2, two superpowers, the U.S. and the Soviet Union, faced each other in the Cold War. Soviet Union, a nation led by a brutal dictator, took over many free nations in order to spread their influence. The U.S, a capitalistic country decided to go to war in order to stop communism. The dispute between the two superpowers quickly evolved and it is not known who began it. This conflict became significant, leading to other wars such as the Vietnam and Korean war. -
The Berlin Airlift
To closely contain Germany after WW2, the allies decided to organize Germany into four sectors controlled but Russia, England, France and the U.S. Berlin, located in a section occupied by the Soviets, was also split into four sections. In attempt to gain Berlin, the soviets closed all roads, highways and canals that provided west Berlin with food and other necessary supplies. In response, the U.S. set up the Berlin Airlift which carried cargo into the city. -
The Berlin Airlift Continued
This action became very important in protecting the city from falling under Soviet influence. -
The Berlin Blockade
After the division of Germany and its capital after WW2, the Soviet Union set up the blockade in efforts to limit the ability for the other four nations to travel into their sector and the Soviets wanted to gain Berlin all for themselves. This action later led to the Berlin Airlift organized by the United States. -
NATO founded
In response to threats made by the Soviet Union the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was founded. The alliance was formed in effort "to serve three purposes: deterring Soviet expansionism, forbidding the revival of nationalist militarism in Europe through a strong North American presence on the continent, and encouraging European political integration." Along with the United States, 11 other nations formed NATO and later on west Germany and Spain joined the alliance. -
The Formation of East and West Germany
After the separation of Germany, The western zones and the Soviets had problems with their reparation agreements made after the split of Germany. The three superpowers wanted to create their zones into one area and revive the economy of Germany. The Soviets, on the other hand, feared this would grant the western zones more power. In June 1948, a new currency was introduced to west Germany, in response the Soviets set up the Berlin wall to separate communist Germany from democratic Germany. -
The Formation of West and East Germany Continued
Many citizens tried to flee to the west because it granted freedom and it was more economically stable.This forever separated the nation and restricted German citizens from gaining freedom. -
The Rosenberg Trial
Julius Rosenberg and his wife Ethel were executed under the conspiracy that they were spies and had given the secret of the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union. The legal charge was "Conspiracy to Commit Espionage.” The couple continued to prove their innocence until the day of their death on June 19, 1953. -
President Truman Fires General MacArthur
During the early Korean war, General MacArthur organized intelligent and brilliant tactics to protect South Korea from the communist North Korea. General MacArthur proposed the idea of completely defeating North Korean forces by pushing across the 38th parallel. President Truman agreed with slight hesitation that the People's Republic of China would see this as a threat and attack American Troops. President Truman's doubt became a reality. -
President Truman Fires General MacArthur Continued
Conflict quickly rose between the Chinese and American troops when the Chinese militia crossed borders into North Korea and attacked the American Army. In response, General MacArthur asked president Truman to grant his idea to bomb communist China, this time president Truman wasn't reluctant to refuse the request. A public conflict quickly rose between the two men and on April 1951 president Truman fired MacArthur. This was important because it prohibited expansion of war in Asia. -
Stalin's Death
At 73 years of age the communist dictator of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin died. Stalin suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died late at night. Stalin had led Soviets through World War 2 but his death allowed the next leader to take part in the Cold War. -
Khrushchev Becomes Soviet Premier
Soon after Joseph Stalin's death a new ruler rose and that became Nikita Khrushchev. After Stalin's death, Khrushchev fought for his chance to become the Communist leader against Georgy Malenkov. Khrushchev won the power struggle and Malenkov became his soviet premier. After gaining power, Khrushchev condemned Stalin's totalitarian policies and released political prisoners and even negotiated many solutions. Khrushchev's rise in power became important because he pursued Soviet and U.S. peace. -
The Warsaw Pact Formed
In response to the creation of NATO, the Warsaw Pact was formed, consisting of the Soviet Union and its eastern "satellite" countries. The Pact's goal was to organize defense among its member in order to prevent enemy attacks. The Soviets found the alliance as a method for them to practice even more control over their communists countries in Eastern Europe. The Warsaw Pact became important because it provided stability between the conflicting forces. -
Rebellion in Hungary
The death of Stalin weakened Moscow's power and authority and gave many European countries to revolt against Communism, one of these countries being Hungary. Many citizens issued their sixteen points which included the removal of Soviet control, personal freedoms and more food. Poland had already been granted these right by rebelling which led Hungary to believe they could do the same. However, Hungary was not as lucky, many tanks entered the city of Budapest to put an end to the revolt. -
Sputnik Launch
The Soviet Union completely changed history when they successfully launched the world's first artificial satellite. The successful launch ushered a new political, technological, military and scientific discoveries. "While the Sputnik launch was a single event, it marked the start of the space age and the U.S.-U.S.S.R space race." -
The Creation of NASA
In hopes of expanding exploration beyond Earth and even "mental boundaries of humanity", NASA was created. Amidst the Cold War, America had its own plans for satellites, however, it was actually the Russian actions and events that spurred America into creating the American national space agency. On April 2, President Eisenhower sent a draft to congress establishing NASA. After congressional hearings, Congress passed the legislation and on July 1958 Eisenhower sighed NASA into law. -
The Creation of NASA continued
NASA has now become one of the most well known scientific and technological administrations in America. NASA has allowed us to explore space by traveling to the moon, studying cosmos and flying space shuttles and has forever allowed us progress and advancements in many areas. -
U-2 Incident
On a nine hour flight from Pakistan to a landing zone in Norway, carrying out a top-secret mission, getting shot down in the midst; Francis Gary Powers was captured by the enemy. While flying over Soviet territory in order to capture some photographs of military installations, a soviet missile exploded near Powers' plane causing him to drop a few feet, seconds later a second missile directly hit the aircraft sending the machine to plummet towards the ground. -
The U-2 Incident coninued
Powers was able to parachute out of the plane but unfortunately was captured by Soviet troops. President Eisenhower was quick to deny by stating it was only a weather plane, but once a photograph of the captured pilot was sent to the U.S. problems between the two superpowers arose once again. This incident became important because it wrecked not only a plane but any hopes of relations bettering while Eisenhower was in presidency. -
Kennedy was Elected
John F Kennedy became the youngest man to ever be elected as president. Kennedy was up against Republican Vice President, Richard Nixon, they were the first candidates to do televised debates. Kennedy was seen very calm and charming during the debates while Nixon seemed nervous. Even though Nixon argued that Kennedy was to young and experienced, Kennedy invalidated his points by proving his knowledge of the world affairs, this led Kennedy to win presidency. -
The Bay of Pigs
Cuba is under a new leader, a communist, one who drove his guerilla into Havana and overthrew General Fulgencio Batista, the nation’s president chosen by America. After two years of trying to push this new leader, Fidel Castro, out of power, the CIA decided to train and arm Cuban exiles to fight against the communist nation. The first mission was to destroy Castro's air force, but this failed when Castro removed the air crafts from their original station in order to prevent the American plan. -
The Bay of Pigs Continued
The Cuban exiles invaded the isolated territory known as the Bay of pigs, but the mission was immediately a complete failure when the ships were damaged and sunk due to some unexpected coral reefs. Castro's army arrived shortly after and forced the exiles to surrender, many of whom were killed or captured. This event later became significant in sparking the Cuban Missile Crisis and allowed the Soviets to gain another communist nation. -
The Berlin Wall
In order to keep the west zones from entering their eastern zone, the Soviets set up the Berlin Wall. This also prohibited eastern inhabitants to move west. The Wall stood until November 9, 1989 when eastern Germany declared their citizens could cross the border whenever they pleased -
The Cuban Missile Crisis
90 miles off the coast of Florida, laid the country of Cuba containing many Soviet missiles. President Kennedy was quick to take action, deciding to quarantine the island and block any Soviet ships from entering. Tensions grew between the two super powers, but letters were exchanged between the two leaders. Khrushchev offered to remove the missiles from Cuba in two conditions; one being the U.S. would not invade Cuba -
The Cuban Missile Crisis Continued
and two being that America had to remove their missiles located in Turkey, Kennedy agreed. In quick response to the enemy's actions, John F. Kennedy succeed in pushing the Soviet Union to remove the missiles from Cuban and prevented another World War from breaking out. -
The Assassination of President Kennedy
While on his movement west, John F Kennedy was preparing for his next presidential campaigns. President Kennedy knew tensions would rise in the State of Texas since the trip was supposed to bring democrats together. While riding in a convertible car through Dallas bullets struck the President in the neck and head. President Kennedy was rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital and was pronounced dead around one pm.
