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Period: to
January 1, 1947 - December 31, 1966
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Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine was a policy announced by President Truman in 1947, which aimed to contain the spread of communism. Truman argued that the United States had a responsibility to support nations fighting against communism, as it was a threat to democratic values and world peace. -
Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan was a U.S. program that provided economic assistance to Western European countries after World War II. The plan was named after Secretary of State George Marshall, who proposed the idea in 1947. The plan was designed to help rebuild Europe and prevent the spread of communism. -
Establishment of the CIA
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was created to gather intelligence and conduct convert operations to protect U.S. national security interests. The agency gathered intelligence on the Soviet Union and its allies, and supported anti-communist governments and groups around the world. -
Treaty of Brussels
The Treaty of Brussels was signed in 1948 by Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. It established the Western European Union (WEU), a military alliance aimed at defending against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. -
Soviet Union Expelled Yugoslavia from the Cominform
The Soviet Union expelled Yugoslavia from the Cominform, which was a Soviet-led organization that coordinated the activities of communist parties in Europe. Yugoslavia had pursued an independent communist path, which was seen as a threat to Soviet influence in the region. The expulsion led to a split between the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, and Yugoslavia aligned itself with the non-aligned movement during the Cold War. -
Berlin Blockade
The Berlin Blockade was a Soviet attempt to block the Western Allies' access to West Berlin in 1948. The Soviet Union blocked all land and water routes into West Berlin, which was located deep inside the Soviet-controlled part of Germany. The Western Allies responded by airlifting supplies into West Berlin, which lasted for 11 months until the Soviet Union lifted the blockade. -
The Establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany
The establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany was created out of the three Western Allied zones of occupation in Germany, and was a democratic federal state that was allied with the United States and other Western countries during the Cold War. The establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany marked the beginning of a new era in German history, and was a key role in the rebuilding of Europe after the devastation of World War II. -
The Soviet Union's First Successful Atomic Bomb Test
The Soviet Union had been working on developing an atomic bomb since the end of World War II and the successful test marked a major milestone in the country's nuclear program. The test was conducted in a remote area of Kazakhstan, and the explosion was equivalent to 22 kilotons of TNT. The successful test made the Soviet Union the second nuclear power in the world, after the United States. -
The Establishment of the German Democratic Republic
The establishment of the German Democratic Republic was created out of the Soviet zone of occupation in Germany, and was a socialist state that was allied with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The establishment of the German Democratic Republic marked the beginning of a new era in German history, and was a key role in the rebuilding of Europe after the devastation of World War II. -
Soviet Union and China Signed a Mutual Defense Treaty
The Soviet Union and China signed a mutual defense treaty to pledge military support to each other in the event of an attack by a third country. This strengthened their alliance and increased tensions with the United States and its allies. -
Korean War Began
North Korean troops invaded South Korea, which prompted the United States and other United Nations forces to intervene and fight on behalf of South Korea. -
Harry Truman Orders U.S. Troops to Korea
Harry Truman ordered U.S. troops to Korea to defend South Korea from the invasion by North Korea, which began the Korean War. Truman's decision was part of the United States' containment policy to prevent the spread of communism. -
General Douglas MacArthur Advocates the Use of Atom Bombs in Korean War
General Douglas MacArthur, the commander of United Nations forces in the Korean War, advocated for the use of atomic bombs against North Korea and China to end the conflict. His proposal was met with opposition from President Truman and other U.S. officials, who feared that the use of nuclear weapons would escalate the war and provoke a wider conflict with the Soviet Union. -
The U.S. and its Allies Officially Signed the ANZUS Treaty
The United States and its allies, Australia and New Zealand, signed the ANZUS Treaty to establish a military alliance for mutual defense in the Pacific Region. The treaty aimed to protect the signatories against potential communist aggression and promote regional stability and security. -
The U.S. Congress Passed the Mutual Security Act
The U.S. Congress passed the Mutual Security Act to provide military and economic aid to U.S. allies around the world as part of the United States' containment strategy during the Cold War. The act aimed to strengthen the security of the U.S. and its allies against potential communist aggression. -
Winston Churchill Announces that Britain has an Atom Bomb
Winston Churchill announced that Britain had developed an atomic bomb. This announcement made Britain the third country in the world to possess nuclear weapons. The development of the atomic bomb was a significant milestone in Britain's history. -
Matyas Rakosi become prime minister of Hungary
Matyas Rakosi became prime minister of Hungary, following the Soviet Union's takeover of the country after World War II. Rakosi was a communist politician who had previously led the Hungarian Communist Party and played a key role in establishing a Soviet-style government in Hungary. -
United States Tested Its First Hydrogen Bomb
The United States tested its first hydrogen bomb, named "Ivy Mike," on the Pacific island of Elugelab. The hydrogen bomb was a thermonuclear weapon that used fusion to release a massive amount if energy, much more powerful than the atomic bombs used in World War II. -
Joseph Stalin Died
Joseph Stalin was the leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death on March 5, 1953. Stalin is widely regarded as one of the most ruthless and oppressive dictators in history. -
Korean War Ended with the Signing of an Armistice
The Korean War was a conflict that lasted from 1950 to 1953 between North Korea and South Korea. The war began when North Korea invaded South Korea and it quickly escalated into a full-scale conflict involving large numbers of troops and heavy weapons. After three years of fighting, the two sides signed an armistice in 1953, which ended the fighting and established a demilitarized zone between the two Koreas. -
Lavrenti Beria Executed in the Soviet Union
Lavrenti Beria was a high-ranking Soviet official who served as the head of the Soviet secret police. In 1953, after the death of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, Beria was arrested and charged with a number of crimes, including treason and plotting to overthrow the government. -
United States Tests a hydrogen bomb in the Marshall Islands
The United States tested a hydrogen bomb, also known as a thermonuclear bomb, in the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. The bomb, which was code-named "Castle Bravo," was the most powerful nuclear device ever detonated by the United States, with an explosive yield of 15 megatons. -
Formation of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization
The United States and its allies formed the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization to provide mutual defense against potential communist aggression in Southeast Asia. This was part of the United States' containment strategy during the Cold War. -
The U.S. Senate Voted to Censure Senator Joseph McCarthy for his Anti-Communist Witch Hunts
In 1954, the U.S. Senate Voted to censure Senator Joseph McCarthy for his anti-communist witch hunts. The Senate censure was a formal rebuke of McCarthy's tactics and behavior, and it marked the beginning of the end of his political career. -
West Germany Joined NATO
In 1955, West Germany joined NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This was a significant event in the Cold War because it marked a shift in the balance of power in Europe. West Germany had been established as a separate country after World War II, and its inclusion in NATO was seen as a way to counter the Soviet Union's influence in Eastern Europe. -
The Soviet Union Formed the Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Pact was a military alliance formed by the Soviet Union in 1955. It was created as a response to the formation of NATO by the United States and its allies. The Warsaw Pact was made up of several Eastern European countries that were aligned with the Soviet Union. -
The Vietman War Began
The Vietnam War began in 1955, when the United States began sending military advisors to South Vietnam to help fight against the communist North Vietnamese. The conflict escalated over the years, with the U.S. eventually sending hundreds of thousands of troops to fight in Vietnam. The war lasted until 1975, when North Vietnam captured Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam. -
U.S. Supreme Court Ruled that Segregation on Buses was Unconstitutional
In 1956, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that segregation on buses was unconstitutional. This decision came as a result of a case called Browder v. Gayle, which had been brought by a group of African American women who had been arrested for refusing to give up their seats on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. The Supreme Court ruled that the segregation on buses violated the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees equal protection under the law. -
The First Nuclear Power Plant in England was Opened
The first nuclear power plant in England was opened on October 17, 1956. The plant was located in Calder Hall, in the county of Cumbria, and was the first commercial nuclear power station in the world. It was designed to produce electricity using nuclear reactors, which generate heat by splitting atoms of uranium. -
The Soviet Union Crushed a Popular Uprising in Hungary
The Soviet Union crushed a popular uprising in Hungary in 1956. The rebellion was sparked by protests against the Soviet-backed government and was ultimately put down by Soviet troops. -
The Eisenhower Doctrine was Announced
The Eisenhower Doctrine was announced by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1957. It stated that the U.S. would provide military and economic assistance to countries in the Middle East that were threatened by communism or aggression from other countries. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was Passed
The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was passed by the U.S. Congress to protect the voting rights of African Americans. It was the first federal civil rights legislation passed by the U.S. government since Reconstruction. -
The Soviet Union Launched Sputnik 1
Sputnik 1 was the first artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957. It marked the beginning of the space race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union and raised concerns in the U.S. about Soviet missile technology. -
The U.S. Launched its First Satellite, Explorer 1
In response to the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik, the U.S. launched its first satellite, Explorer 1, on January 31, 1958. The satellite was designed to study the Earth's radiation belts and discovered the Van Allen radiation belts, which are now named after the scientist who led the project. -
The Lebanon Crisis Began
The Lebanon Crisis of 1958 was a political and military crisis in Lebanon that lasted from July to October 1958. The crisis began with a coup attempt by Lebanese army officers and resulted in the intervention of U.S. troops to support the Lebanese government. -
Eisenhower Administration Passed the National Defense Education Act
The Eisenhower administration passed the National Defense Education Act in 1958 to improve science and foreign language education in the U.S. The Act provided funding for college students and teachers and helped established new science and foreign language programs in schools. -
The Soviet Union Launched Luna 1
In 1959, the Soviet Union launched Luna 1, the first spacecraft to reach the Moon's vicinity. Luna 1 was intended to impact the Moon, but instead, it missed and became the first human-made object to enter orbit around the sun. -
Fidel Castro Became the Prime Minister of Cuba after the Cuban Revolution
Fidel Castro became the Prime Minister of Cuba after leading a successful revolution against the previous government. He established a socialist government and implemented policies that greatly impacted Cuban society and its relationships with other countries. -
The Antarctic Treaty was Signed by 12 Countries
The Antarctic Treaty, signed by 12 countries in 1959, preserves the continent of Antarctica for scientific research and peaceful purposes. The treaty prohibits military activity, nuclear explosions, and the disposal of nuclear waste, among other things. -
The U.S. and Japan Signed a Mutual Security Treaty
In 1960, the United States and Japan signed a mutual security treaty, which allowed the United States to maintain military bases in Japan. The treaty was aimed at deterring aggression from the Soviet Union and other potential adversaries in the region. -
The Soviet Union Shot an American U-2 Spy Plane Over Soviet Airspace
In 1960, the Soviet Union shot down an American U-2 spy plane over the Soviet airspace, killing the pilot and causing tensions between the two countries to escalate. The incident led to the cancellation of a planned summit between the United States and the Soviet Union and increased mistrust between the two superpowers. -
The Soviet Union Downed an American RB-47 Reconnaissance Plane
In 1960, the Soviet Union shot down an American RB-47 reconnaissance plane over international waters, killing one of the crew members. The incident further increased tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. -
President John F. Kennedy was Inaugurated
In 1961, John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States. In his inaugural address, he called on Americans to work towards peace and freedom around the world, while also pledging to confront the challenges posed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. -
The U.S. Launched the Bay of Pigs Invasion
In 1961, the United States launched the Bay of Pigs invasion, an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the socialist government of Fidel Castro in Cuba. The invasion was a major setback for the United States, and it further increased tensions between the United States and Cuba during the Cold War. -
The Construction of the Berlin Wall Began
In 1961, the construction of the Berlin Wall began, as East Germany sought to prevent citizens from fleeing to the West. The wall became a symbol of the Cold War and the division between Western democracies and Soviet-style communism. -
John F. Kennedy Orders an End to all Trade with Cuba
In 1962, President JFK ordered an end to all trade between the United States and Cuba, as part of a broader effort to isolate the communist government of Fidel Castro. The embargo has remained in place for decades, and it has been a major point of contention between the United States and Cuba. -
Soviet Union Agrees to Send Arms to Cuba
In 1962, the Soviet Union agreed to send arms to Cuba to help support the socialist government of Fidel Castro. This move further increased tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. -
The Cuban Missile Crisis Occurred
In 1962, The Cuban Missile Crisis began as the United States discovered that the Soviet Union was installing nuclear missiles in Cuba. The crisis brought the world to the brink of the nuclear war, but it was ultimately resolved when the Soviet Union agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for a U.S. pledge not to invade Cuba and the removal of the U.S. missiles from Turkey. -
The Soviet Union Launches the First Woman into Space
In 1963, the Soviet Union launched the first woman into space, cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova. This was a significant achievement for the Soviet space program and a milestone for women in space exploration. -
The U.S. and Soviet Union Signed the Limited Test Ban Treaty
In 1963, the United States and the Soviet Union signed the Limited Test Ban Treaty, which prohibited nuclear testing in the atmosphere, underwater, and in space. This was an important step toward reducing the risk of nuclear war and protecting the environment from the harmful effects of nuclear testing. -
John F. Kennedy is Assassinated in Dallas, Texas.
In 1963, President JFK was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, while riding in an open car during a parade. The assassination shocked the nation and the world, and it remains one of the most widely discussed and debated events in modern history. -
The U.S. Aircraft Bomb North Vietnam for the first time.
In 1964, the United States bombed North Vietnam for the first time, in response to an alleged attack on a U.S. Navy ship in the Gulf of Tonkin. This marked the beginning of U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War and escalated the conflict significantly. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was Signed into Law
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark piece of legislation signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The act prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public accommodations, employment, and education. The law was a major victory for the civil rights movement and helped to pave the way for greater equality and social justice in the United States. -
China Explodes its first Atomic Bomb.
In 1964, China exploded its first atomic bomb, becoming the fifth country to possess nuclear weapons. This development raised concerns about the spread of nuclear weapons and the potential for nuclear war. -
The U.S. and Canada Signed the Auto Pact
In 1965, the United States and Canada signed the Auto Pact, which eliminated tariffs on cars and automotive parts traded between the two countries. The agreement helped to spur the growth of the North American auto industry and facilitated the integration of the Canadian and American economies. -
The Soviet Union Launched the First Successful Spacewalk
In 1965, the Soviet Union launched the first successful space walk, when cosmonaut Alexei Leonov exited the Voskhod 2 spacecraft for 12 minutes and 9 seconds. The spacewalk was a major achievement in the history of space exploration and paved the way for future extravehicular activities. -
The U.S. Supreme Court Ruled in Griswold v. Connecticut
In 1965, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Griswold v. Connecticut that the Constitution protected a right to privacy, including the right to use birth control. The case concerned a Connecticut law that criminalized the use of contraceptives, even by married couples, and the Court's decision was a landmark in the development of privacy rights in the United States. -
France Withdraws its Troops from NATO
In 1966, French President Charles de Gaulle announced that France would withdraw its troops from NATO's integrated military command. De Gaulle was concerned about the dominance of the United States within NATO and sought to assert France's independence in foreign policy. -
The Chinese Cultural Revolution Began
The Chinese Cultural Revolution began in 1966 when Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong called for a purge of "bourgeois" elements from Chinese society and the promotion of revolutionary ideals. The movement led to widespread violence and political persecution in China and had a profound impact on the country's politics and culture. -
U.S. Government Admit to using Chemical Weapons in North Vietnam
In 1966, the United States government admitted to using chemical weapons in North Vietnam. The chemicals, including napalm and Agent Orange, were used to defoliate the jungle and destroy crops, but had serious health and environmental consequences for the Vietnamese people.