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Yalta Conference
The Cold War Begins, last time the leaders of Britan, American and The Soviet Union meet. Sometimes it is referred to as the Crimea Conference although it was codenamed the Argonaut Conference. It was held from February 4th to February 11, 1945. Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin were the three at the conference. It was held in order to discuss the re-establishment of the nations of war-torn Europe. -
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Yalta Conference - Cold War Begins
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US Drops an Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima
The US bombed the city of Hiroshima in the morning of August 6, 1945. It was dropped so Japan would be forced to surrender. Japan did not surrender immediately, so the US dropped another atomic bomb on Nagasaki. Then, Japan surrendered. -
Russia Enters War Against Japan
The Soviet-Japanese War began on August 9, 1945. It began with the invasion of the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo. The defeat of the Japanese Kwantung army ultimately helped push the Japanese to surrender at the end of WWII. -
Japanese Surrender -> End of WWII
The surrender of the Empire of Japan on September 2, 1945, brought the hostilities of World War II to a close. By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy was incapable of conducting operations and an Allied invasion of Japan was imminent. -
Winston Churchill Delievers "Iron Curtain" Speech
Prime Minister of England, Churchill, delivered what was previously known as the Sinews of Peace - now known more commonly as the Iron Curtain speech, The Iron Curtain that he was referring to was the seperated halfs of EU; communist east EU versus free west EU. By his words, "From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent." -
Pres. Truman Declares Active Role in Greek Civil War
President Truman announced his decision to support the Greek monarchy win the Civil War in Greece through the Truman Doctrine. -
Marshall Plan is Announced
The Marshall Plan, or officially the European Recovery Program, in which the US provided economic support to European countries that were affected by WWII. The plan was put into action in June of 1947, it was in operation for four years. The goal was for the US to rebuild Europe,remove the trade barriers, and make Europe prosperous once more. -
Communists Take Over Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia was not formally a part of the USSR, but American officials were concerned with the Soviet communist influence in the nation. It was a coup d'état, known as in communist historiography as "Victorios February". This was when the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, with Soviet backing, assumed undisputed control over the government of Czechoslovakia. The dictatorship reigned for four decades. -
Berlin Blockade Begins
During the multinational occupation of post WWII Germany, the Soviet Union blocked the Western Allies' railway, road, and canal access to the sectors of Berlin under Allied control. It acted as a seige of the areas not under the control of the USSR. In order to support those living in French, British, and American Berlin territory, supplies were brought daily by air - this was known as the Berlin Airlift. -
NATO ratified
The North Atlantic Treaty was signed in Washington, D.C., on 4 April 1949 and was ratified by the United States that August. It was formed as an intergovernment military alliance. -
Berlin Blockade Ends
The Berlin Airlift humiliated the Soviets, and the "Easter Parade" was the last straw. Then, the Soviets lifted the blockade and ended the seige. -
US learns Soviet has Atomic Bomb Weaponry
The Us learned that the Soviets had successfully exploded an Atomic bomb. It was discovered by American pilot flying overhead whom detected radiological debris. -
China becomes Communist
After the conclusion of WWII, the civil war resumed between the Kuomintang and the Communists. Despite initial gains by the KMT, they were eventually defeated and forced to flee to off-shore islands, most notably Taiwan. In the war, the US supported the Kuomintang and the USSR supported the CPC, but both with limited degrees. With the Kuomintang's defeat, Mao Zedong established the People's Republic of China in Beijing on October 1, 1949. -
Korean War Begins
It was a war between the Republic of Korea (South Korea), supported by the United Nations, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), which was at one time supported by the People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union. The war came as a result of the political division of Korea by an agreement by Allies at the conclusion of the Pacific War and at the end of World War II. -
Rosenberg Executions
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were United States citizens convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage during a time of war, and executed. Their charges were related to the passing of information about the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union. -
Korean War Ends
The Korean war lasted three years, and ended in stalemate with no clear victorious side. Both sides were appeased through the Korea Armistice. -
The Komitet Gosudarstvennoi Bezopanosti was Established
Technically called the Committee for State Security; it was like a Soviet CIA. It collapsed in 1991 -
Geneva Conference
Aconference which took place in Geneva, Switzerland, whose purpose was to attempt to find a way to unify Vietnam and discuss the possibility of restoring peace in Indochina. The countries that took part were the Soviet Union, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and the People’s Republic of China. -
CIA helps overthrow unfriendly regimes in Iran and Guatemala
CIA helps overthrow unfriendly regimes in Iran and Guatemala. -
Vietnam split at 17th parallel
Because of the Geneva Conference, it was decided to split Vietnam into two zones, a northern zone to be governed by the Việt Minh, and a southern zone to be governed by the State of Vietnam, then headed by former emperor Bảo Đại. -
Warsaw Pact formed
Warsaw Pact was formed. The Warsaw Pact was the alliance of the East European socialist states is the nominal counterweight to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It had two parts, the Political Consultative Committee handled political matters, and the Combined Command of Pact Armed Forces that controlled the assigned multinational forces. -
Rebellion put down in Communist Hungary. Egypt took control of Suez Canal; U.S. refused to help take it back
Rebellion put down in Communist Hungary. Egypt took control of Suez Canal; U.S. refused to help take it back -
Sputnik launched into orbit
Sputnik launched into orbit. It was the first artificial Earth satellite, and it was under Soviet control and it was by Soviet make. -
Khrushchev demands withdrawal of troops from Berlin
Khrushchev demands withdrawal of troops from Berlin, in hopes of making a peace treaty with the Western Allies. -
Cuba taken over by Fidel Castro
Cuba was taken by force, by dictator Fidel Castro. -
Khrushchev visits United States; denied access to Disneyland
Khrushchev visits United States; denied access to Disneyland -
Soviet Union reveals that U.S. spy plane was shot down over Soviet territory
Soviet Union reveals that U.S. spy plane was shot down over Soviet territory. -
John F. Kennedy elected President
John F. Kennedy elected President in 1960. -
Bay of Pigs invasion
1400 Cuban exiles launched what became a botched invasion at the Bay of Pigs on the south coast of Cuba. It was the unsuccessful military invasion of Cuba. In Hispanic America, it is referred to as the Bahia De Cochinos. -
Kennedy requests 25% spending increase for military
Kennedy requests 25% spending increase for military in preparation on the threat in West Berlin. The proposal was to increase the military defense budget by $3.25 billion dollars and to employ 200 thousand more troops. Although it was a very controversial topic, it received an approval rating of 85% with the viewers. -
Berlin Border Closed
Berlin border closed, it was also a part of the effort to stop the emmigration people looking for refuge and to seperate the two areas of Berlin. -
Construction of Berlin Wall begins
The construction of the Berlin Wall begins. It was an effort to stop any refugees to go to West Berlin. It was also built to divide East and West Berlin. -
U.S. involvement in Vietnam increased
U.S. involvement in Vietnam increased. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
It was a 13-day confrontation between the Soviet Union and Cuba on one side, and the United States on the other. After the failed US attempt to overthrow the Cuban regime, Khrushchev proposed the idea of placing Soviet nuclear missiles on Cuba to deter any future invasion attempt. -
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty ratified
Is a treaty prohibiting all test detonations of nuclear weapons except underground. It was developed both to slow the arms race. The US, UK, and USSR all signed the treaty. -
Pres. Kennedy is Assassinated
President Kennedy assassinated in Dallas, Texas by an extremist. -
Gulf of Tonkin incident
Gulf of Tonkin incident happened. -
U.S. Marines sent to Dominican Republic to fight Communism
U.S. Marines sent to Dominican Republic to fight Communism. -
Announcement of dispatching of 150,000 U.S. troops to Vietnam
Announcement of dispatching of 150,000 U.S. troops to Vietnam. -
North Korea captured U.S.S. Pueblo
North Korea captured U.S.S. Pueblo; Crew is tortured and released over the bridge of no return -
Soviet troops crush Czechoslovakian revolt
Soviet troops crush the revolt in Czechoslovakia. -
Apollo 11 lands on the moon
Apollo 11 lands on the moon, specifically at the Sea of Tranquility. Two Americans, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the surface of the Moon. -
President Nixon extends Vietnam War to Cambodia
President Nixon extends Vietnam War to Cambodia. -
SALT I signed
The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) were two rounds of bilateral talks and corresponding international treaties involving the United States and the Soviet Union over the issue of armament control. -
Cease fire in Vietnam between North Vietnam and United States
Cease fire in Vietnam between North Vietnam and United States -
United States helps overthrow Chile government
United States helps overthrow Chile government -
Egypt and Syria attack Israel; Egypt requests Soviet aid
Egypt and Syria attack Israel; Egypt requests Soviet aid -
President Nixon resigns
President Nixon resigns -
North Vietnam defeats South Vietnam
North Vietnam defeats South Vietnam -
SALT II signed
SALT II signed (about same issues as SALT I) -
Shah of Iran overthrown; Iranian Hostage Crisis
Shah of Iran overthrown; Iranian Hostage Crisis - Argo, movie about the Hostge Crisis. -
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President Reagan proposes Strategic Defense Initiative
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U.S. troops overthrow regime in Grenada
US Troops overthrow a regime in Grenada -
Mikhail Gorbachev ascends to power in Soviet Union
Mikhail Gorbachev ascends to power in Soviet Union -
Iran-Contra Affair (arms sold to Iran, profits used to support contras in Nicaragua)
Iran-Contra Affair (arms sold to Iran, profits used to support contras in Nicaragua) -
Gorbachev ends economic aid to Soviet satellites
Gorbachev ends economic aid to Soviet satellites -
Reagan and Gorbachev resolve to remove all intermediate nuclear missiles
Reagan and Gorbachev resolve to remove all intermediate nuclear missiles from Europe -
Iran-Contra Affair revealed to public
Scandal Is revealed to public -
Reagan and Gorbachev agree to remove all medium and short-range nuclear missiles
Reagan and Gorbachev agree to remove all medium and short-range nuclear missiles by signing treaty -
Soviet troops withdraw from Afghanistan
last troops leave Afghanistan, the Mujahideen win. -
China puts down protests for democracy; Poland becomes independent
China puts down protests for democracy; Poland becomes independent. -
Hungary becomes independent
Hungary becomes independent and becomes a democratic country. -
The Fall of Communism and the End to the USSR
Communist governments fall in Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and Rumania; Soviet empire ends. This was known as the fall of communism, or the revolutions of 1989. -
Berlin Wall falls
The wall seperating East Berlin and West Berlin is torn down. The city is reunited after -
Lithuania becomes independent
Lithuania gains it's independence. -
Boris Yeltsin elected to presidency of Russia
Boris Yeltsin is elected President of Russia. -
Germany reunited
Germany officially reunites after The East German goverment starts to collapse -
Warsaw Pact ends
Warsaw pact breaks up after 36 years of existance due to anti-communist movement in Eastern Europe -
End of Soviet Union
Soviet Union is officialy broken up. Mikhail Gorbachev hands over the Nuclear Launch codes to Boris Yetlsin, The Russian President
