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Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine was when President Truman stated that the United States would provide political, military and economic assistance to all democratic nations under threat from authoritarian forces ("Milestones: 1945–1952"). This was an important milestone in the Cold War because Truman was saying that the U.S. will help other countries in need. The Truman Doctrine, 1947. (n.d.). Retrieved May 26, 2016, from https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/truman-doctrine -
Berlin Blockade
The Berlin Blockade started when the Allied powers united their occupation zones of Germany. The Soviet occupation forces began a blockade of rail, road, and water communication between Berlin and the West (The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica, 2015).This showed that the Soviet Union wasn't going to give up. The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (2015, May 29). Berlin blockade and airlift. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.britannica.com/event/Berlin-blockade-and-airlift -
Berlin Airlift
The Berlin Airlift was when the U.S. and Britain began to supply Berlin with food and other vital supplies by air (The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica, 2015). This showed how the U.S. was a key member of the Allies. The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (2015, May 29). Berlin blockade and airlift. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.britannica.com/event/Berlin-blockade-and-airlift -
Communist Takeover of China
The communist takeover of China was when the mainland China fell to Communism. This led the U.S. to suspend diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China ("The Chinese Revolution"). The Chinese Revolution of 1949. (n.d.). Retrieved May 26, 2016, from https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/chinese-rev -
Brown vs. Board of Education
After African American students had to travel long distances from home to go to school after being refused admission into schools closer to home, parents filed a suit with the Board of Education. The court put into evidence that African American children were adversely affected by segregation (United States. National Park Service). United States. National Park Service. (n.d.). Brown v. Board of Education. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from https://www.nps.gov/brvb/learn/historyculture/kansas.htm -
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks, an African American, refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. She was arrested for disobeying the law. Her refusal was the beginning of the 381- day boycott of the Montgomery bus system ("Rosa Parks Was Arrested for Civil Disobedience"). Rosa Parks Was Arrested for Civil Disobedience, December 1, 1955 - Jump Back in Time | America's Library - Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/modern/jb_modern_parks_1.html -
Integration in Central High School
Nine black students enrolled at a formerly all-white high school. President Eisenhower sent federal troops to escort the nine students into the school to be protected from protestors (History.com Staff, 2010).
History.com Staff. (2010). Integration of Central High School. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/central-high-school-integration -
Sputnik 1
The Soviet Union successfully launched an orbit into space. This launch brought in new political, military, technological, and scientific development (2007). Sputnik. (2007, October 10). Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/ -
JFK Becomes President
John F. Kennedy was elected president in one of the closest elections in history. "He declared that the United States would have the will and the strength to resist communism around the world" ("Campaign of 1960"). Campaign of 1960. (n.d.). Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-History/Campaign-of-1960.aspx -
Bay of Pigs
The CIA launched a secret strike on Cuba. The strike didn't stay secret long because as they came to shore, a radio station broadcasted the operation to listeners across Cuba, Thus the CIA surrendered after less than a day of fighting. (History.com Staff, 2009). This marked the beginning of an ongoing feud of the U.S. with Cuba. History.com Staff. (2009). Bay of Pigs Invasion. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/bay-of-pigs-invasion -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The U.S. and Soviet Union have a 13-day political and military standoff over the nuclear missiles being installed by the Soviets in Cuba. Ready to use military force, JFK decided to enact a naval blockade around Cuba. This caused the world to think we were on the break of a nuclear war (History.com Staff, 2010). History.com Staff. (2010). Cuban Missile Crisis. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/cuban-missile-crisis -
Birmingham Demonstrations
Martin Luther King Jr. and colleagues begin a protest to undermine the city of Birmingham's system of segregation. These nonviolent protests resulted in the arrest of Martin Luther King Jr ("Birmingham Demonstrations"). Birmingham Demonstrations. (n.d.). Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://crdl.usg.edu/events/birmingham_demonstrations/?Welcome -
Assassination of JFK
On a campaign trip through Texas, President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed in his car on his way to speak at a luncheon. A shot to the head by Lee Harvey Oswald killed the president ("Death of the President"). November 22, 1963: Death of the President. (n.d.). Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-History/November-22-1963-Death-of-the-President.aspx?p=2 -
Watergate Scandal
Burglars were arrested inside the office of the Democratic National Committee in Washington D.C. The burglars were connected to President Nixon's reelection campaign. They had been trying to wiretap phones and steal secret documents. President Nixon finally resigned after his role in the Watergate Scandal was seen (History.com Staff, 2009). History.com Staff. (2009). Watergate Scandal. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.history.com/topics/watergate -
End of the Cold War
Mikhail S. Gorbachev was elected the general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. He made profound changes in economic practice, internal affairs, and international relations. In five years communist governments were swept away in Eastern Europe marking the end of the Cold War (History.com Staff, 2010). History.com Staff. (2010). Perestroika and Glasnost. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/perestroika-and-glasnost
