The Cold War: 50s

McCarthyism Begins

1950

McCarthyism in the United States was created after Senator Joseph McCarthy it was a vociferous campaign against alleged communists in the US government and other institutions carried out under Senator Joseph McCarthy. The reason McCarthyism began was because it was an effort to expose supposed communist infiltration.

Rosenberg Spy Case

1950

Ethel and Julius Rosenberg a couple accused of selling nuclear secrets to the Russians. The only evidence was the confession og the Greenglass. The case began in New York in 1951, the reason was because the Soviets exploded their first atomic bomb which effectively started the Cold War. In September 1949 based on information, including that from Greenglass, they obtained from spies.

The Korean War

Jun 25, 1950

Ended: July 27, 1950
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950 when thousands of soldiers from the North Korea crossed the 38th parallel, the boundary between the North and South. This invasion was the first military action of the Cold War. The North was under communist control and supported its ideology while South Korea was democratically influenced. The US took the fight as a direct fight against communism in its entirety.

Jacobo Arbenz

1951

Guatemala elects Arbenz. Arbenz created agrarian reform which directly combated the United Fruits Company and their profits which further led the ongoing suspicion from US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles suspicion that communist influence was corrupting the Guatemalan government due to Arbenz's political party and presidency.

Jacobo Arbenz continued

1951

However, although Arbenz did have communist support in certain aspects he was strongly democratic and did not seek retaliation against the communist party within Guatemala because he did not see an imminent threat. The US still sought to seek precaution without any substantial evidence (proven in later years) and aided in the coupe which led to Fidel Castro's coming of power.

"The Model of The Cold War"

1953

John Foster Dulles was the Secretary of State serving under President Eisenhower. He is referred to by many historians as "The Model Of the Cold War" for his strong stance against communism and outspoken speeches condemning communism. His rhetoric strongly influenced and intensified the tension between the two opposing parties.

Khrushchev Comes To Power in the Soviet Union

1953

In Russia 1953, Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev had his first step in his rise of power within the Soviet Union in September. He was named secretary of the communist party and premier in 1958. His reason for rising in power was to improve Soviet living standards and allow greater freedom in cultural and intellectual life.

U.S. Overthrows Iranian Government

1953

In 1953 the CIA-assisted Coup and the Iranian Military, with support and financial assistance of the United States government, overthrew the government of premier Mohammed Mossadeq and reinstated the Shah of Iran. The reason they had done this was because British Intelligence sources and the CIA concluded that Mossadeq had communist leanings and would move Iran into the Soviet orbit if allowed to stay in power.

Hungarians Overthrow Communist government

1956

Hungarians started the Hungarian Revolution, it began as a protest against Communist rule in Budapest. Soviet tanks entered Budapest on October 23, 1956 and withdrew on October28th. A new government was formed quickly to introduce freedom of speech and and freedom of religion. Hungary fell to Russia on November 10th, 1956. The reason for the Hungarian Revolution was so that it could put an end to communist rule.

The Space Race

Oct 4, 1957

October 4, 1957, the former Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik I the world's first artificial satellite. This increased tension between the ideological war between The East and West and the battle to outdo one another politically, technologically, and economically. The Space Race was a major example of this with the US and Soviet Union competing for years over which side would prove superiority in intellect and technology.

Fidel Castro

1959

Castro comes to power in Cuba.Castro established the first communist state in the Western Hemisphere after leading an coupe of the military dictatorship of Batista in 1959.