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Yalta Conference
The big three (United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union) met to discuss reorganization of post-War Germany and Europe. They planned the re-establishment of nations. -
The Dropping of The Bombs
As the War neared the end the U.S had one final plan to force Japan’s surrender. On August 6th “Little Boy” was dropped on Hiroshima killing 80,000 people. Japan, refusing to surrender, was hit by the the “Fat Man” on August 9 killing thousands more. Japan finally surrendered ending the War. -
Stalin Hostile Speech
After the War Stalin declared that capitalism and communism were incompatible. -
Truman Doctrine
Truman stated that the U.S would provide political, militarily, and economic support to all democratic nations in retaliation to the Soviet Union supporting the communist war effort. -
Rio-Pact
An agreement binding republics in the Western Hemisphere to provide a defense system from communism. -
Czechoslovakia Communist Takeover
After Soviet influence the United States loaned Czechoslovakia a large some of money angering the people. The people believed the loan would plunge them further into communism. Soon Czechoslovakia was split into Slovakia and the Czech Republic. -
Brussels Pact
After the War many military powers were weakened. The Pact was put in place to restore economic, social, and military power in western Europe, excluding the United States. -
Russia’s Creation of an Atomic Program
During the U.S’s testing of the nuclear bombs a Russian spy reported it to the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union then developed a atomic program causing the U.S to start fearing a future bombing. -
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was created to place armies in central and Eastern Europe to counterweight soviet armies. It included Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States. -
Korean War
Communist North Korea invaded South Korea, the first move in the Cold War. The United States joined on the South’s side and China on the North’s causing the Korean War. -
Vietnam Splits
Vietnam split into two sections, North and South Vietnam. The spread of communism reached Vietnam causing the country to split on different views. The United States backed the South to support the democracy, while the North was for communism. -
Sputnik
The Soviet Union launched the worlds first satellite into space. This satellite was used for radio signals and strong enough to be picked up by radio operators. -
U-2 Incident
The Soviet Union shot down an American U-2 plane and took the pilot hostage. They stated the U.S had be spying on the USSR for years. This incident raised tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. -
Construction of the Berlin Wall
The German Democratic Republic built a wall between East and West Berlin. The wall was built with bricks and barbed wire. The purpose was to keep facists in the West out of socialism in the East. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The U.S and Soviet Union had a disagreement for thirteen days about Soviet missiles in Cuba just ninety miles away from the nearest U.S shore. The U.S stated that they would use military force if needed. -
Gulf of Tonkin
President Lyndon Johnson signed a resolution that stated “take all necessary measures to repeal any armed attack against the forces of the United States...” Soon after two U.S navel ships were blown up at the coast of Vietnam, this lead to the U.S’s full involvement of the Vietnam War. -
Non-Proliferation Treaty
The Non-Proliferation Treaty kept countries who did not have a nuclear program from making one and countries who did have one were forced to discontinue the creation of atomic bombs. The countries involved in a nuclear program were the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom. -
Nixon elected President
One of the closest elections took place in U.S history. Nixon won by less than 500,000 votes again Humphrey. Nixon’s campaign quote was “bring us together again.” -
Vietnam War
The cause of war was started by the communist north Vietnam and South Vietnam allied with the U.S. More then three million died in war. Communism took over after the U.S’s withdraw from the war. -
Moon Landing
In July of 1996 U.S’s Apollo 11 was sent to the moon putting the first man on the moon. This was a space race between the U.S and the Soviet Union. As a result new technology was developed for war. -
Soviet Afghanistan War
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December of 1979. Afghanistan had support of all the Islamic people and the United States. The U.S launched missiles resulting in a big loss for the Soviet Union. -
Grenada Invasion
Grenada posed a threat to the U.S, Reagan fearful, sent in American troops. Cuba, allied with Grenada, started opposing American troops in Grenada. Reagan sent in more troops causing a feud, resulting in a U.S victory against communism. -
Iran-Contra Affair
The United States had a secret arms deal with Lebanon because many troops were held hostage. They traded missiles and other weaponry taking the money and supporting conflict in Nicaragua. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
Relations with Western Berlin increased, leading to the fall of the wall. After the verbal fall of the wall both east and west celebrated together. They took the wall apart piece by piece and Berlin was reunited. -
Hungary becomes Independent
Hungary becomes free of communism in forty years. Hungary became a democratic republic. Hundreds of thousands were lead in a march on October 23rd, 1989.
