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Kennan's Article
George Kennan writes his article in the journal "Foreign Affairs", first suggesting the idea of containment of Soviet communism. Kennan's article helped spur on the idea of containment for the Truman Doctrine. This event connects to the GASPIRE+ theme of artistic because George Kennan used his artistic writing talent to spread his ideas. This furthered the events of the cold war because it first suggested the idea of containing Soviet communism. -
Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine is created and provides economic support to countries in order to contain communism. This allowed nations to have enough money to avoid turning to communism. As the U.S. is providing economic aid to other nations, it is an example of the GASPIRE+ lens of economic. This furthered the Cold War because it showed that a war could be indirectly fought by supporting other nations, and using them as pawns. -
Berlin Blockade and Airlift
The Berlin Blockade and airlift tried to geographically cut of parts of Berlin. This was meant to not let anyone in or out of the Soviet Union's portion of Berlin. The blockade and airlift failed however, as supplies were still flown in. This relates to the GASPIRE+ theme of geographic because the blockade geographically isolated Berlin. This event contribute to the Cold War because it cost the USSR lots of money and resources. -
Comecon
Comecon is a response to the Marshall plan. This was meant to provide economic support to countries in order to stop those countries from taking aid from the U.S. This is an example of the economic GASPIRE+ lens because it shows economic support. This furthered the Cold War because it showed that Russia would also turn to economic support in order to spread their ideas. -
Creation of NATO
NATO stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and was a treaty between USA, Canada, Britain, France, and 8 others in the West. Pledged to protect and support each other if they were ever attacked. This shows the GASPIRE lens of political because it is a political treaty being made. This was important to the cold war because it was the first new treaty during the cold war. -
Creation of the Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Pact was the Soviet's answer to NATO. It included 7 eastern European satellites and only stayed together because leaving would be considered disloyal. This represents the GASPIRE+ theme of political because the treaty was a political agreement. This was important to the Cold War because more alliances have been created, which shows one of the MAIN causes of the first two World Wars. -
First Man in Space
The first man in space was Yuri Gagarin. He was a USSR austronaut, so the USSR won the original space race. This event fits into the GASPIRE+ theme of intellectual because the space race was largely a race of innovation. This is important to the cold war because it was a victory for the USSR, but a large innovation for humanity in general. -
First man on the moon
The first man on the moon was Neil Armstrong, a U.S. astronaut. Though the U.S. did not put the first man in space, they put the first man on the moon. This is an example of the GASPIRE+ theme of intellectual because it shows further innovation in technology. This event is important to the Cold War because it shows that the U.S. will not be beaten by the USSR in the field of technology. -
Victory in the Olympics
The USSR beat the U.S. in basketball after the U.S. had not lost a game since 1936. Despite this, the U.S. beat the USSR hockey team a couple years later. This event relates to the GASPIRE+ theme of cultural because the Olympics is a cultural gathering of different nations. This event is important to the Cold War because it showed surprising victories for both sides of the war. -
Creation of SALT
SALT stands for Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, and happened between the U.S. and the USSR. These talks limited the destruction for all involved countries, and lessened the effects of MAD. This event relates to the GAPSIRE+ theme of social because these were social meetings between two countries. This was a very important event during the Cold War because it reduced the risk of MAD. -
End of Vietnam War
The end of the Vietnam war brought many people to the United States. This brought many new religious ideas to the United States. This event represents the GASPIRE+ theme of religious because it brought many religious ideas to the United States. This was important to the Cold War because it was the end of one of the "hot" conflicts of the Cold War. -
U.S. Support Mujahideen Rebels
The U.S. supported the Mujahideen rebels in their fight against the USSR. This caused psychological pressure against the USSR. This shows the GASPIRE+ theme of psychological because the USSR was psychologically pressured by the actions of the U.S. This was important to the Cold War because it showed an indirect conflict between the U.S. and the USSR. -
The Berlin Wall Falls
The fall of the Berlin wall was a victory for both parts of Berlin. People gathered together for the event and some literally danced on the remains of the wall. This allowed people to freely cross between the different parts of Berlin. This event relates to the GASPIRE+ theme of social because many people gathered in the same place to work towards the same goal. This was an important event in the Cold War because it showed the end of the division of Berlin, and is remembered by many people. -
Russian Satellite Tracking Facility
On April 7th of this year, a new Russian satellite tracking facility. This facility is located within 1,000 miles from the U.S. and harken back to the Cold War in the way that it can survey the U.S. This could be Russia's attempt to watch the U.S., and could show a return to Cold War policies. -
Interview
I chose to Interview my Dad because he was alive during the later years of the Cold War and was able to provide some insight to the war for me. He is 50 years old.
