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End of WWII
With the Japanese surrender, World War II finally ends, and the Cold War tentatively begins. WIth Germany out of the global picture, the United States and the USSR now turn their respective attentions towards the power struggle for influence between communism and captialism. -
Period: to
Cold War
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Founding of Communist Albania
The People's Republic of Albania was founded by the People's Assembly in 1946, abolishing the previous Albanian monarchy and officially making The People's Republic of Albania the first true East European Communist Government outside of the USSR. This was just one of many initial steps taken to expand Soviet and communist influence directly after the events of World War II. -
Sputnik Launched
On October 4th, 1957, the Soviet Union launched the very first artificial Earth sattelite into low orbit, sparking unrest and rumors of destruction and warfare in the United States. -
End of Cuban Revolution
At the beginning of the new year of 1959, communist forces are victorious in the Cuban Revolution, instilling a communism-based government. Fidel Castro would become its leader a month later. Cuba's conversion to communism would allow the Soviets a place to more closely keep track of the United States from the Western Hemisphere. The ending of the Cuban Revolution would eventually lead to direct conflicts between Cuba and the United States. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
The Bay of Pigs invasion was an invasion undertaken by the US-backed CIA to take over the communist island nation of Cuba in 1961. The attempted invasion failed and sparked great tensions between the Americans and the Soviets. The United States embargoed Cuba and there would be much conflict between the two nearby nations. Months after this, the Berlin Wall would be built. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
On this date in 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis began. This conflict lasted 13 days and was between the United States and the Soviet Union over missiles located in Cuba. There was extreme tension between the two nations, and because of this, the Moscow-Washington hotline was created to allow more communication between the two nations. The tensions of the Cold War died down for the following few years after the ending of this conflict. -
China: First Atom Bomb Test
On this date in 1964, communist-controlled China performed its first nuclear weapons test, exploding an atomic bomb which would add to the intensity - and potential deadliness- of the Cold War. -
US intervention in Chle
In 1973, the US intervened in the attempted control of Chile during the Chilean War for Independence. Communist/marxist influences from the Soviet Union and Cuba were influencing sections of the Chilean government, and so the United States -through the use of the CIA - instigated and coup of the Chilean government of the time, instituting a new government free of communist influences. -
Commnism in Vietnam
Communist forces are victorious in South Vietnam after taking over the city of Saigon. -
Communist forces in Angola
Communist forces in the African country of Angola win out during the beginning years of the Angolan civil war, increasing the Soviet and communist sphere of influence. -
1988 Summer Olympics
For the first time since 1976, both the United States and the Soviet Union participate in the Summer Olympics. This could be looked at as foreshadowing of the eventual ending to the Cold War in 1991. -
End of Soviet-Afghan War
After nearly a decade of fighting, Soviet troops finally withdraw from Afghanistan. This war was a major part of the Cold War, pitting the Soviets and Soviet-led Afghans on one side versus insurgent Afghan forces backed and supported by multiple nations, including the United States. This struggle was yet another example of the USSR attempting to expand its sphere of influence, while the United States covertly attempts to thwart their expansion. -
Fall of Berlin Wall
On November 9th, 1989, the Berlin Wall was finally torn down, ending the long-standing division of the city of Berlin. -
Poland beings leaving Soviet Union
Poland, after years of unwanted Soviet control, amends its constitution to end all socialist institutions. This was the first step in their ousting of communist/soviet/marxist influencs and establishing a free, independent Polish state. -
Gorbachev resigns
On Christmas of 1991, Soviet President Gorbachev resigns, and before the start of the new year, all Soviet operations and institutions are halted and are officially put to a final end.
