-
The Manhattan Project's First Atomic Bomb
The Manhattan Project launched the world's first atomic bomb, and no one was prepared. A flash lit up the sky, a cloud so large it blew out windows of civilians' homes up to 100 miles away, and a half-mile wide crater was left. This event impacted the Cold War Intellectually, because it brought new technological advancements into the world through the advancing of atomic bombs. It changed the path of the War because the creation of atomic bombs increased the casualties (The Manhattan Project). -
The Creation of the Marshall Plan
A program created to provide aid to Western Europe following WWII. It provided over $15 billion to help finance rebuilding efforts. A goal of this program was to halt the spread of communism on the European Continent. This presents the Economic aspect because the U.S. helped European countries rebuild their economies from the war's destruction. But, this program sparked the Cold War between the U.S. and USSR, which had established its satellite republics as communist nations (Marshall Plan). -
The Creation of Comecon
Created by Stalin in response to the Marshall Plan. It was meant to facilitate and coordinate the economic development of the Eastern European countries belonging to the Soviet Union. But, the price of goods were set by individual governments, making it hard for the member states to trade with one another on the basis of relative prices. This impacted the war Economically because it changed what goods countries had access to during the war, meaning some countries had better advantages (Comecon). -
Joseph McCarthy Claims There are Communists in U.S. Government
At Lincoln’s Birthday address to the Women’s Republican Club of Wheeling, McCarthy claimed there were communists in the State Department. He falsely told the audience he had a list of 205 men in the Government who were apart of the Communist Party. He rearranged the truth to fit his purposes. This impacted the Cold War Psychologically, because it caused mistrust and fear in the U.S. during the war. This shows how pinned against each other the U.S. and USSR were during the war (Glass). -
Dictator Antonio Salazar Wins Uncontested Election in Portugal
Before elected, Salazar was in charge of Finance Ministry, having complete control over the government's income and expenditures. When elected, he drafted a constitution that changed Portugal's political system along authoritarian lines. While in power, he kept Portugal neutral during the Cold War and joined NATO in 1949. This shows the Political aspect because as a ruler, he kept Portugal politically neutral. This neutrality also made the Cold War more peaceful (António De Oliveria Salazar). -
The Berlin Wall is Built
The Communist government of the German Democratic Republic began to build a barbed wire and concrete wall between East and West Berlin. This was to keep Western fascists from entering East Germany and undermining the socialist state. It was nearly impossible to get to either side through the wall. This impacted the war Geographically because it prohibited movement from one territory to another. This caused conflict during the war because it created tension between two countries (Berlin Wall). -
Limited Test Ban Treaty is Signed
Great Britain, U.S., and USSR banned nuclear weapons testing in the atmosphere, space, and underwater. They did this because the testing of atomic devices raised a concern of the effects of radioactive fallout. They had a common goal of ending radioactive contamination on man's environment. This presents Psychological through all countries agreeing nuclear weapons were too dangerous to use. This impacted the war by lessening casualties through banning certain aspects of war (Test Ban Treaty). -
The Invasion During Yom Kippur
On the Jews' holiest day, Egypt and Syria carried out a planned surprise military attack on Israel. This 19 day war ended officially when a cease-fire agreement, brokered by the USA and the Soviet Union and proposed by the UN Security Council, entered into force. This presents Religious because Egypt and Syria purposefully attacked on the holiest day to bring even more suffering to Israel. It furthered the war because it brought unnecessary conflict between countries (Yom Kippur). -
Carter Defeats Ford in U.S. Presidential Election
Jimmy Carter became president when he beat Ford in the election. His image of a Washington outsider appealed to Americans discouraged by the Vietnam War. His lack of Washington connections harmed him as a president because congress ignored his pleas for tax reforms. This shows the Cultural aspect because Americans only voted for him because our culture liked the image he put out. This impacted the Cold War because other countries saw the U.S. as weaker with a less sufficient president (Network). -
The Assassination of Anwar Sadat
The Sadat was attacked by Muslim extremists while attending a victory parade held in Cairo. He was protected by 4 layers of security and 8 bodyguards, but was shot when he was distracted by the Egyptian Air Force flying above the parade. This assassination shows Religious aspects because he was killed by an extreme religious group members who despised him. By being murdered, the Cold War's tension grew because there was more mistrust among the countries on who was a traitor (The Assassination). -
Solidarity is Legalized in Poland
After a wave of unrest was spread in Poland, the government agreed to legalize Solidarity and allow it to participate in free elections. In the following free election, candidates endorsed by Solidarity won 99 of 100 seats in the newly formed Senate. This had a Social impact, because it showed how the Polish people desired Solidarity for so long and banded together to get it. This shows the Cold War because it shows how reforms and change were so common and frequent during the war (Solidarity). -
Tiananmen Square Massacre Takes Place
Chinese troops stormed through Tiananmen Square and fired into a crowd of protesters who were there for a greater democracy. Turmoil ensued as thousands of students ran away while others fought back. Thousands were killed and arrested. This shows Artistic because the Square was the capital of Beijing and known for peaceful protests before the massacre. This impacted the war because other countries were shocked by the Chinese government's actions and sorrowful for the victims (Tiananmen). -
Collapse of the Berlin Wall
As the Cold War began to slow down in Eastern Europe, the Spokesman for East Berlin's Communist Party announced a change in their city's relations with the West. That day, citizens were free to cross the border. East and West Berliners flocked the wall to celebrate their reunification, and tore it down. This shows Geographical because the people are no longer physically separated from each other. This brought happiness during the war because there was unification once again (Berlin Wall). -
Warsaw Pact Ends
The primary purpose of the Warsaw pact was to reinforce Communist dominance in Europe. But, the pact members began to leave it for Communism was slowly failing. When the pact ended, it was a sign that the Soviet Union was losing control over its former allies. This presents the Political aspect because Russia's political stance wasn't benefiting them and their government began to fall apart. This shows the Cold War because allies during the war began to go their own ways (Warsaw Pact Ends). -
Syrian's Atomic Attack
In the afternoon, four rockets were fired from Syrian territory and hit the northern Galilee and the Golan Heights in Israel. This was a premeditated terrorist attack on Israel territory with no provocation from the Israeli side. This event demonstrates Syrian's willingness to support terrorist attacks in Israel. This is important because Syria wouldn't have nuclear weapons if it weren't for the war. The war provided Syria with nuclear weapons, coming with more conflict (Iran behind Rocket). -
Interview with Troy Anderson
Troy Anderson is a 49 year old lawyer who grew up in a town called Wilbur, whom I chose because of him growing up in the time of war. Growing up, he always feared nuclear missiles would be launched at his home, war with Russia, and communism spreading. Having the War in the news served as a reminder to him that Russia could launch missiles to America. Despite his fears, Troy looks up to Ronald Reagan because he believes Reagan's aggressive stance with communism and Russia is what ended the war.
