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Yalta Conference
The allied leaders (Franklin Roosevelt, Josef Stalin, Winston Churchill) meet at the Yalta Conference to make postwar arrangements Their agreements were contradictory contradictory but each country acknowledged on another. (From: http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-cold-war/timeline.html) -
United Nations Founded
The U.N. is established of 51 countries-- this is significant because it provided a grounding place for countires to reconvene and discuss the world's condition. (From: http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-cold-war/timeline.html) -
First Atomic Bomb
Americans have successfully tested the first atomic bomb in New Mexico-- this is significant because it provided a leading edge in the world weaponry. (from: http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-cold-war/timeline.html) -
Hiroshima
The Americans drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. The devastation shocks the world and begins the nuclear age. (From" http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-cold-war/timeline.html) -
World War II Ends
Germany surrended their fight in World War II after the Allied forces took large numbers of Axis prisoners. This left German forces weak and depleted, their horrors exposed for the entire world to see. (From: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history/pictures/end-of-world-war-ii/crowds-celebrating-germanys-surrender) -
Iron Curtain
Winston Churchill gives his "Iron Curtain" speech: This is important because it's almost a call-to-action for people to wake up to the threat of Communism. (From: http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-cold-war/timeline.html) -
Communists take Poland
Soviet law was put into effect for Poland; Polish parties and organizations were disabled and the country was totally taken over, as well as its relgious institutions. ( From: http://www.communistcrimes.org/en/Database/Poland/Poland-Communist-Era) -
Truman Doctrine
Harry S. Truman pledges American aid to any nation that may be threatened by Communism-- this was important because it officially founded the worldwide containment of Communism as being of the highest defense priority.
(From: http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-cold-war/timeline.html) -
NATO Created
tTe North Atlantic Treaty Organization established itself as an anti-Soviet military alliance. This was important because it provided an organiation through which to make anti-Communist decisions. (From: http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-cold-war/timeline.html) -
Stalin Dies
Stalin dies and therefore is control over the Soviet Union diminishes-- the Soviet stronghold his left weak. From: http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-cold-war/timeline.html -
Soviets launch first man‑made satellite.
When Russia launched the first articificial satellite ever from Earth, America felt very competitive and defeated. (From: http://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/) -
Eisenhower meets Khrushchev
The first Summit Meeting between President Dwight Eisenhower and Premier Nikita Khrushchev occured in Washington, D.C. Khrushchev described the meeting: "I got the impression that he sincerely wanted to liquidate the ‘Cold War’ and to improve relations between our two great countries.” The tension seemed to be easing. From: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/khrushchev-and-eisenhower-offer-views-on-summit-meeting -
Soviets Shot Down American Spy Plane
The Soviets shot down an American spy plane over Russia, ruining any peace plans created at the Summit. (From: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/khrushchev-and-eisenhower-offer-views-on-summit-meeting) -
Soviet and Cuban forces help install Communist government in Angola
This even is important because Russia displayed its furthering of Communism very close to American soil.
(From: http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/cuba-and-struggle-democracy-south-africa) -
Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader of the Soviet Union
Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader of the Soviet Union, the , soonafter declares glasnost and perestroika. This system had begun to take power away from Communists.
(From: http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/perestroika-and-glasnost)
