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Germany Surrenders
In World War II, the Soviet Union and United States were allies. When Germany surrendered on May 7, their relationship as allies ended as they suddenly had many things to negotiate. Info:http://www.ushistory.org/us/51c.asp
Picture: http://academicearth.org/electives/how-the-end-of-world-war-ii-made-us-fat/ -
Potsdam Conference
The Potsdam Conference was the instance of the U.S., Soviet Union, and Britain deciding how they would divide Germany's boundaries. Major disagreement resulted from these meetings as none of them could agree on how to handle the division. Info: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1937-1945/potsdam-conf
Picture: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-dpl/hd-state/potsdam.htm -
Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine stopped communist progress in Turkey and Greece by implementing U.S. democracy in the two countries. This was to be observed and followed for 40 years, and prevented Soviet Reign in these countries. Info and Picture: http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=81 -
The Marshall Plan
This plan was enacted by the Secretary of State at the time, George Marshall. Marshall believed that if we did not provide aide to the struggling European countries that there would be political chaos and low food production. He was later awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. Info and Picture: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/marshall_plan/ -
The Berlin Blockade
During June of 1948, the United States was putting a new currency into place in Berlin. They were rallying for Berlin to become economically stable again and were in the process of reforming it. However, the Soviets were angry that the west was starting to have more control over Berlin, so they blockaded it. They wouldn't let anyone in or out! Info: http://www.coldwar.org/articles/40s/berlin_blockade.asp
Picture:http://holidaypictures.net/yom-kippur/august-the-toynbee-convector-2014 -
NATO was formed
NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was formed to prevent Soviet reign spreading throughout Europe. This played a large part in the ending of the Berlin Blockade. Info and Picture:http://www.nato.int/history/ -
Berlin Airlifts End
Throughout the Berlin Blockade, the United States sent supplies to the enclosed city of Berlin for over a year. This finally ended, along with the blockade, on this day. Info and Picture: http://www.trumanlibrary.org/teacher/berlin.htm -
China Falls to Communism
China entered into a civil war immediately following WWII in the battle of Communism. China was officially declared communist on this day, which was seen as a small victory for the Soviet Union. Info and Picture: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/chinese-rev -
Colonial French fall to Viertnam
The French had issues controlling the IndoChina territories given to them in the wake of WWII. The U.S. tried to help them succeed, but they ended up failing anyway to uprisings for communism in Vietnam. Info and Picture: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/chinese-rev -
SEATO was formed
United States, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand and Pakistan all banned together to create the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization in order to stop communism from spreading through Southeast Asia. Info and picture: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1953-1960/seato -
Cuba is dependent on the Soviet Union
By 1959, Cuba had run out the only pro-American leader they had, Fulgenico Babtista. This meant that Fidel Castro was in charge and in no time at all Cuba depended on the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union now had a stronghold near the U.S. Info: http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-History/The-Cold-War.aspx
Picture: http://www.unifrance.org/annuaires/personne/372528/fidel-castro -
The Bay of Pigs
JFK had an unsuccessful operation given to him by the Eisenhower administration that planned to overthrow Cuba with its own Cuban exciles. The plan was immensly unsuccessful and led to the deaths of 1,400 Cuban excile fighters. Info: http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-History/The-Cold-War.aspx?p=2
Picture:http://wlcentral.org/node/1662 -
The Czechoslovakia Uprising
During sometime in 12968, the Czechs had a brief liberal uprising against their communist rulers. This led to communist leaders taking control again and occupying the country. After the brief and suppressed uprising, the economy of the Czechs did not heal until the 80's. Info: http://www.coldwar.org/articles/60s/CzechoslovakiaUprising.asp
Picture: data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAkGBxQTEhUUExQWFRUXGRoZGBgYGRoaGBsaGBgaGh0aGBwcHCggHBwlGxocITEhJSkrLi4uHB8zODMsNygtLiwBCgoKBQ -
South Vietnam falls to Communist forces.
Despite all United States efforts to keep Vietnam from falling to communist forces, South Vietnam still ended up being victim to the spreading. Info: http://faculty.washington.edu/qtaylor/a_us_history/cold_war_timeline.htm
Picture: http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1880.html -
Mikhail Gorbachev takes over the Soviet Union
This new leader of the USSR was unexpectedly open to western ideals and trade. The difference Gorbachev made was huge, and his leaderhip effectively ended further events from happening in the Cold War. Info: http://www.ushistory.org/us/59e.asp
Picture: http://www.apbspeakers.com/speaker/mikhail-gorbachev
