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Russian Persecution of Religion
From 1938 on, the USSR persecuted multiple religious groups, mainly those in the Russian Orthodox Church. People were shot, schools closed down, and priests sent into labor camps, all to keep people focused on Communist ideology. This relates to the Religious GASPIRE+ theme because it was religion that was persecuted by the Russian government. This led to further persecution during the Cold War to support Communist ideology and convert other countries to their side. -
Yalta Conference Had
The Yalta Conference was a Meeting between the "Big Three" (FDR, Churchill, and Stalin) that discussed the conjoined governing of Germany. Although it seemed fair, Stalin actually had the most control because they had complete control over Berlin, the capital. This event is connected to the Geographic GASPIRE theme because much of the fighting was over the limited land Germany had. The Yalta conference was the root cause of the Cold War, as it gave Stalin the land he needed to confirm communism. -
Truman Doctrine Established
President Truman requests that $400 million of aid go to Greece in the form of supplies and soldiers to help fight their war against Communist ideology. Truman's ideology was to contain communism and keep it to where it already was, preventing its spread. This connects to the Economic GASPIRE theme because of Truman's sending $400 million U.S. dollars to Greece and Turkey. This continued the economic warfare of the Cold War in Greece and Turkey. -
Berlin Airlift Set Underway
The Soviets blockaded Berlin in '48 and caused many West Berlin citizens to begin to run out of supplies. This forced European powers to airlift supplies over the border to West Berlin to keep the citizens alive. This connects to the Cultural GASPIRE theme because of what West Europe was willing to do to preserve their citizens. This increased the opposition the East had for the West because of the disobeying the people of Berlin did towards the USSR's mandate and blockade. -
Marshall Plan Established
Plan given by George Marshall to help reconstruct post-WWII Europe. Europe was demolished after WWII. Almost every country took the Marshall plan and used the money effectively to rebuild their country and help them grow as nations once again. This connects to the Economic GASPIRE+ theme because of how much Marsh all spent on his plan. This allowed West Europe to fight the spread of Communism and continue to keep the fight between Capitalism and Communism going. -
Comecon Created
This was the Soviet equivalent of the Marshall Plan. It was built to counter George Marshall's plan to assist the Capitalist European nations and helped to rebuild and assist the Communist European powers. This connects to the Psychological GASPIRE+ theme because it was built to compete with George Marshall, which demonstrates humans' competitiveness. Comecon did for the East what NATO did for the West, it allowed them to fight on the battlefield when the time came for it. -
North Atlantic Treaty Organization, A.K.A. NATO Created
The USA formed this Alliance to keep protection mutual between all powers part of the Organization. Those part of the organization were Canada, USA, Britain, France, and 8 others in the West. This connects to the Political GASPIRE+ theme because it was a political agreement between multiple countries. This organization handled most of the actual fighting in the Cold War, as little of it as there was, and allowed the West to continue with the Cold War on the battlefield. -
Art Form Changes
Since the '30s, art form had begun to focus more on government and supporting it. From now on, artists began to focus more on lending their artistic talent to peace. More modern pieces were competitive and many still fought for one side, but most focused on peace. This relates to the Artistic GASPIRE+ because this was such a massive change in the way art was used. The dedication of peace in art was one of the reasons why the Cold War did not persist for longer than it did. -
North Koreans Cross the 38th Parallel
This was violating of a treaty made after WWII where Russia was given an occupation zone in North Korea. North Korea wanted to join with South Korea to conjoin into one Communist Korea. Western powers didn't want this, so they supplied S. Korea with NATO forces. This connects to the Psychological GASPIRE+ theme because of the emotional response Western powers had to N. Korea. This invasion was the first time the East and West fought on a battlefield, which further sparked the Cold War's fighting -
Korean War Ends
NATO forces pushed N. Korean forces all the way to the Chinese border. However, they did not take any spoils from this war. Rather, they made a "white peace" and restored N. and S. Korea to their pre-Korean War borders. This relates to the Geographic GASPIRE+ theme because it didn't change either sides boundaries, even though it could have. The ending of this war after the West destroyed the East was the start of the West becoming more popular, as they were seen as more capable. -
Warsaw Pact Established
The Soviet equivalent of NATO. Built to combine most Eastern European militaries, led by Soviet Union, to combat those involved in NATO. Any attempt to leave was seen as disloyal and that country would be promptly punished because of their disloyalty. This connects to the Social GASPIRE theme because it was many groups within Eastern Europe that were dominated by the USSR during this time. This was very important as it was the base for the opposition towards the West from the East. -
Fidel Castro Overthrows Fulgencio Batista
Batista was a corrupt leader who had lived in politics for far too long. Once Castro took over, he established a totalitarian regime with support of the USSR, which wasn't allowed by Western powers. This connects to the Political GASPIRE+ theme because it was a political change that took place in Cuba. Communism being right outside America's front door meant that more was dedicated to fighting in the Cold War and a continuation of the Cold War was needed to stop the firing of missiles from Cuba. -
Space Race: First Man in Space
Gagarin's valiant steps into space were the spark that sent the superpowers into the Space Race. This was the first fight off-battlefield the West and East had, this one being the most technical because of it being about technology. This connects to the Intellectual GASPIRE+ theme because it was the technological race for better technology that was the Space Race. This was the height of civilian involvement in the World War, which meant the Cold War had more popularity and had more support.
