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The Russian Revolution 1917
It was a defining movement contributing to the Cold war. Being the first ever successful communist revolution within a potential world power. It both secured America's feelings towards communism, and reinforced the high tensions between Russia and the Western powers. -
The Potsdam Conference
It was a conference determining the future of Europe. They were discussing how they were gong to win the war with Japan, how they would control Germany, and how they were going to reach a long lasting peace. However it brought up new tensions, mostly between the Communist/Capitalist argument, that will contribute to the Cold War. -
The Atomic Bomb
In order to end the war with Japan the U.S. dropped two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, completely decimating over half of the country. This both showed the world that america is packing heat, and that we're not afraid to use it. The long term effects however, led a complete reconstruction of the definition of modern warfare. -
Iron Curtain
Winston Churchill gave this iconic speech at Westminster College as the green lecturer, His speech, "The Sinews of Peace," later became nationally known as the iron curtain speech. Nicknamed after the most memorable line, "From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic an "iron curtain" has descended across the continent." This speech spoke to the masses, unifying the world in the push against communism. -
Molotov Plan
It was the soviet's way of taking over smaller, economically broken countries. By providing financial aid in support of corrupt leaders, the soviets gained power. -
The Hollywood 10
In the beginning of the Cold war there was mass hysteria around the idea of communism. Congress made the decision to start a organisation against communism, for Americanisms. They called several famous Actors and actresses in front of this committee on national television, and found 10 guilty of communism, and held them in contempt of court. This was the first time we condemned people, and ruined their lives in fear of an ideology. -
The Truman Doctrine
President Truman proposed a plan to congress to send help and assistance to the poor countries fighting communism. He believed that the only way communism is a readily accepted is when you are so destitute that sharing a small amount among a lot of people sounds better than starving. So we as Americans had to personally send that money out, to show the world that we are not dominating by force, like the communists, but supporting the freedoms of smaller countries. Giving them equal opportunity. -
Marshall Plan
George C. Marshall was the architect for the plan to combat communism through loans. After Truman proposed it, Marshall refined the idea, making it both practical financially, and a productive way to combat communism without warfare. -
Berlin Blocade
After Stalin saw West Germany recovering as a country and even adopting their own currency, he was furious, So he blocked off all of Berlin. Stopping all resources form entering the city, even electricity. As a intimidation tactic, and an act of war on America. -
Berlin Airlift
During the blockade Berlin was completely Isolated, cut off from all supplies. America Combated this act of war by ferrying food, medical supplies, tools, coal. America brought over 2 million tons of supplies to Berlin. Bringing a plane in every three minutes, for fifteen months until the blockade was lifted. -
NATO
The "North Atlantic Treaty Organisation" was formed to unite the anti-communist countries to support smaller poor countries and each other against the communist forces. It originally included the US, Canada, England, Greenland, Iceland, Sweden, and other countries, eventually including West Germany. -
Alger Hiss
Alger Hiss was accused of perjury and consorting with Communists, sending them top secret information that him and a consort had hidden in a pumpkin. This was the first real, legitimate investigation of a soviet spy. It was the beginning of the communist witch hunt -
Korean War
In the effort to slow down the spread of communism we deployed our military in Korea. Going into combat for the first time in the cold war. -
Rosenberg Trial
Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were tried, and convicted for supplying Nuclear secrets to the Soviets. They were subsequently sentenced to death by electric chair. They spread fear across the country, people were suddenly both terrified of an oncoming WW3, and a new fear of Communism ruining their lives. -
Geneva Conference
It was a conference in Geneva Switzerland between the U.S., Soviet Union, France, Viet Minh, China, and others, deciding what the future of Vietnam should look like. It was a failure, because no agreement could be reached. They didn't want communist control in Korea. -
McCarthy Hearings
McCarthy, after gaining fame by openly accusing notable people of communism, was put down after making a list of, "proved Communists," within the higher military. He was debunked and lost all public credibility or respect. This marked the beginning of the end of the publicized witch hunt for communists. -
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
While the Geneva Conference was working on an agreement for the future of Indochina, the Viet Minh overran Dien Bien Phu overturning all French power in Indochina. This was the end of colonial powers in Indochina, it raised questions on how the small, newly independent countries are going to govern themselves. -
Soviet Bomb Test
It was the first successful soviet bomb test. Experts were baffled that they had done it years ahead of what they had estimated. This led to many new investigations and mass paranoia in the US after they found out it was due to soviet spies in American institutions. -
Warsaw Pact
In response to West Germany's integration into NATO, the Soviet union created a, "alliance," so that if any member were to be attacked the member states would come to their aid. -
Hungarian Revolution
The Hungarian citizens were revolting against their communistic government leading to a bloody battle in Budapest. The Hungarians won, bringing a popular candidate into office, until he was assassinated by the communists, who soon took over again. It brought attention to the brutality, and injustices of the communist regime. -
U2 Incident
An american reconnaissance plane was shot down over a restricted area in the Soviet Union. It caused the Soviet Union to recede from a summit conference that was being held in Paris at the time, causing extreme tension between the Soviets and the U.S. -
Bay of Pigs
The U.S. trained a group of Cuban exiles as guerrilla fighters to invade at the bay of pigs and fight off the communist control in Cuba. They failed miserably and were massacred by the Cubans. It was an embarrassment to the U.S.and led, in part, to the Cuban missile crisis. -
The Berlin Wall
After the U.S. liberated and recognized West Germany as a country, the Soviet Union built the wall to separate the Soviet controlled Berlin. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The United States discovered Soviet missiles in Cuba and other countries targeting U.S. soil. It brought the United states and the Soviet Union to the brink of war until a deal was struck to disarm missile bases on both sides. -
Assassination of Diem
The Leader of South Vietnam, Ngo Dinh Diem, was assassinated shortly after the South Vietnamese invaded the North. The people in Vietnam celebrated. -
JFK assassination
John F. Kennedy was assassinated, it was the first time that a president had been assassinated since Lincoln. It was a national tragedy, and opened the door for LBJ to take over. Inheriting a country of war and riots unexpectedly. -
Tonkin Gulf Resolution
President Johnson appealed to congress, asking for the ability to take any means necessary to promote the safety of the U.S. and Southeast Asia. Congress approved this, "blank check," agreement, giving president Johnson free reign. It was a huge mistake, giving him more power than necessary, and allowing him to freely send our troops and resources without declaring war. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
Operation rolling thunder was a U.S. military tactic in Vietnam, where they openly bombed major cities nonstop for weeks. It was a point of major media coverage that fueled anti war propaganda, and became a turning point in the people's support of the Vietnam war. -
Assassination of RFK
Robert F. Kennedy was shot shortly after his brother after winning the primaries in the 1968 elections. It made -
Invasion of Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia had a revolution and were trying to develop a democratic government. The Soviet Union felt like this was a threat, so they invaded. Taking it back under soviet control. -
Riots of Democratic convention
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Election of Nixon
Nixon won the election, inheriting the country in the midst of the Vietnam War, Cold War, and the growing civil rights movements. He was the president to see the end of the Vietnam war. and he is going to have a big impact on the growing tensions in the cold war. -
Kent State
During and anti-war protest that students were holding at Kent state some of the students started rioting, throwing rocks, and being destructive. So police forces came in and shot and killed 4 of the peaceful protesters. The press got several intense, and wildly recognized photos of the event. making major waves in the anti-war movement, getting national recognition. -
Nixon visits China
Nixon went to China attempting to reestablish diplomatic relations with the communist country. It was the first time America recognized China as a legitimate county. -
Ceasefire in Vietnam
President Nixon signed the ceasefire in an attempt to promote, "Peace with Honor." There was nothing honorable about the cease fire, we gained nothing, and North Vietnam shortly invaded and took over South Vietnam. -
Fall of Saigon
After the ceasefire, Vietnamese guerrilla warriors ambushed and forced the U.S. embassy to evacuate Saigon. Making the last U.S. influence on Vietnam nonexistent. -
Reagan elected
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SDI announced
The Strategic Defense Initiative was a space based plan, to install laser equipped satellites into the atmosphere above America. Even though it was unrealistic the Soviet Union saw it as an immediate threat, because even though they used half of their economy to source and produce weaponry, they couldn't keep up with the U.S. -
Geneva Conference with Gorbachev
Reagan went to Geneva Sweden to try to make a peace plan with Gorbachev. While no agreement could be made, for the first time, a personal connection was founded. The two world powers became, "friends." -
‘Tear down this wall’ speech
Even though it was highly advised against, Reagan went to West Berlin to give a forever remembered speech. He criticized Gorbachev, and told him to tear down the wall, and free the severed nation. This inspired many countries under Soviet control to fight back. -
Fall of Berlin Wall
After months of riots, and protesting East German officials caved, and tore down the Berlin Wall. Within a year the country reunified it's self. Marking the end of the Cold War, and the fall of the communist empire.
