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The Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution was a communist revolution in Russia in 1917 as a result of WW1. This set up the ideological differences between democratic capitalist America in communist Russia. -
Atomic Bomb
The atomic bomb changes the way wars are fought. The new era of weaponry adds even more tension between the Soviet Union and the United States, for the Soviets knew the U.S. could drop a bomb at any moment. -
The Potsdam Conference
The Potsdam Conference further established the positions to which the powers of the world would take in the Cold War. Churchill and Truman are in support of a free democracy, while Stalin is determined to take over Europe with communism. -
Iron Curtain
The Iron Curtain was a ideological barrier drawn between Europe, dividing it into Western Europe with political freedom, and Eastern Europe under Soviet communist rule. The Iron Curtain represented communism and its danger to spread. -
Molotov Plan
The Molotov Plan was established by the Soviet Union in attempts to fund the rebuild the countries in Eastern Europe that had been overtaken by the Soviet Union's views. The Molotov was important because it was symbolic of the Soviet Union's rejection of aid from the Marshall Plan. -
Hollywood 10
The Hollywood ten, consisted of actors and other members of Hollywood who were questioned in front of a crowd regarding communism. When the actors and directors refused to answer questions, they were blacklisted out of Hollywood. This event changes Hollywood and the U.S, for many anti-communist films were released. -
Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine was an effort made by the United States government to financially aid countries in Europe in order to prevent the spread of communism. This was significant because it showed the Soviet Union how far the United States is willing to go to avoid communistic views in abroad countries. -
The Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan was a massive economic assistance for Europe, established by the United States in attempt to prevent the spread of communism. By providing aid for countries in Europe, the would not have to choose between starvation and communism. This event was significant because the United States feared the spread of communism in Europe and they were willing to spend billions of dollars to intercept this. -
Berlin Arilift
After the Berlin Blockade had been established, the city was eventually saved by the United States, who brought supplies replenish the citizens through the Berlin Airlift. The Berlin Airlift was significant because it showed the United States resilience and dedication toward preventing the spread of communism, and saving innocent people from death. -
Berlin Blockade
The Berlin Blockade was established by the Stalin in order to starve and kill the city of Berlin and prevent them from practicing a capitalist economy. The Berlin Blockade was one of the first acts of war in the cold war, and illustrated Stalin's willingness to kill an entire city in order to weaken others. -
Alger Hiss Case
Alger Hiss was a former state department employee who was accused of spying for the Soviet Union. His case struck fear into the entire United States that communists were all around them. Citizens felt as if they couldn't trust anyone. -
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty organization was formed by countries such as the United States, the UK, France, Portugal, Sweden, etc. The treaty ensured that if one of the participating countries were to be attacked by communists, than the United States would be quick the defend. NATO, was joined by many countries around Russia that refused to fall into communism, and instead trusted in the United States. -
Soviet Bomb Test
In 1949, the Soviet Union successfully tested a nuclear weapon, years before the United States believed they were able to, due to spies in the United States during WW2. This event inflicted great fear onto the United States, for it changed the Soviets capability to defeat the United States. -
Rosenburg Trial
The Rosenburg trial was held when the Rosenburgs (husband and wife) were arrested in connection with the plot to pass U.S. bomb secrets to the Soviet Union. The Rosenburgs were convicted and sentenced to die in the electric chair. This event was significant because it continued the fear in the United States against communists and caused protests to erupt. -
Korean War
The Korean war was fought between North Korea, who had communist beliefs, and the non-communist South Korea. The Korean War was significant because because it led the United States to maintain large military forces for the first time for the purpose of fighting against communism. -
Army-McCarthy Hearings
Joseph McCarthy was a senator who claimed to have a list of 205 communists working within the state department, his influence, had many citizens of the United States accusing everyone around them of communism. Army-McCarthy hearings were held and revealed McCarthy to be a fraud. McCarthyism effected the United States by forcing everyone into a state of paranoia. -
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
The battle of DIen BIen Phu was significant to the cold war because after the French were defeated, and humiliated, there were repercussions. The battle lead to an important agreement at the Geneva conference. -
The Geneva Conference
The Geneva conference was held to resolve multiple problems in Asia, including the war between the French and the Vietnamese nationalists in Indochina. The conference marked a turning point in the United State's involvement in Vietnam, for within a year, the U.S helped establish an anti-communist government in South Vietnam. -
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Pact was a treaty of assistance signed between the Soviet Union, Poland, and states in central Europe. The treaty was organized in order to counteract NATO, it was significant because it showed communist dominance in central Europe. -
Hungarian Revolution
The Hungarian Revolution occurred when thousands of Hungarian citizens led a revolt against the Soviet-controlled communist government. This event was significant because it led Hungary to withdraw from the Warsaw pact. -
U2 Incident
The U2 Incident was a confrontation between the United States in the Soviet Union that began with the Soviets shooting down an American U-2 plane and capturing its pilot. This event forced president Eisenhower to admit secrets to the Soviet Union involving the CIA flying missions over the USSR. Due to this happening, a meeting between Dwight Eisenhower and Nikita Khrushchev was derailed. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
After Fidel Castro has seized power in Cuba, the United States attempted an attack on the south coast of Cuba, the Bay of Pigs. The United State's plan to overthrow Fidel Castro failed miserably. This event is significant because even though the United States was unsuccessful, resilience in the fight against communism was shown. -
Berlin Wall
The Berlin wall was built with barbed wire and concrete in order to separate eat and west Germany and prevent western "fascists" from entering east Germany. The creation of this wall is significant because it represented the lack of freedom under communist rule during the cold war. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a tense political military standoff over the installation of nuclear weapons in Cuba, owned by the Soviet Union. Many citizens feared the United States was going to be under a nuclear attack, until Nikita Khrushchev offered to remove the missiles in Cuba if the United States made the promise to not invade. This event was significant because it was the closest the cold war came to nuclear war. -
Assassination of Diem
Diem was captured alongside his brother following the overthrow of his government .The assassination of Diem, was celebrated by many in South Vietnam, and led to political chaos in Vietnam. -
Assassination of JFK
John F. Kennedy was fatally shot when riding in a convertable through Dallas Texas with his family. His assassination was significant because it left the United States in a place unsure of what to do without their president. When the vice president took over, things were not the same and no one could know what JFK would have done in some treacherous scenerios. -
The Tonkin Gulf Resolution
The Tonkin Gulf resolution, was signed by congress in attempt the authorize president Johnson to take whatever measures he deemed necessary in regards to promote peace and security in southeast Asia. The passing of this resolution was a turning point in the cold war and is often referred to as "the blank check", for it gave president Johnson too much freedom and access. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
Operation Rolling Thunder was the title of an American bombing during the Vietnam war that continued for three years. The intention of the bombing was to put pressure, militarily, on the communist leaders of North Vietnam, and reduce their willingness to wage war on South Vietnam. This bombing was significant because it marked the first official U.S. attack on North Vietnamese territory and grew American involvement in the war. -
Tet Offensive
The Vietnamese lunar new year holiday, Tet had been a time, in previous years, where a truce was drawn between North and South Vietnam. In 1968, this truce was disregarded by the Vietcong, for they launched a series of attacks in South Vietnam in attempt to get the United States military to back off. Tet offensive was significant because it drew unfavorable media attention to the U.S war effort, the attacks also marked the beginning of the United State's withdraw from Vietnam. -
Assassination of MLK
Martin Luther King Jr.'s murder took place in Tennessee, where he was fatally shot, after leading the civil rights movement for many years. His death was significant due to his overall involvement in the civil rights movement, losing their leader would set them back. -
Assassination of RFK
Robert F Kennedy was a member of the senate, who has announced in 1968 his presidential candidacy. He had declared that the the United States ought to "stand for hope instead of despair". 81 days after his announcement, Robert Kennedy was assassinated in front of the American public. His murder diminished American's confidence in the "foundations of their society" and hope was lost for a potentially successful president. -
Invasion of Czechoslovakia
In august of 1968, nearly 200,000 Soviets marched in Czechoslovakia in order to end the slight liberation of communism that began to show in the country. This event was significant because it represented the Soviet Unions power to withhold acts if peace in communist countries. -
Riots of Democratic Convention
During the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, thousands of protesters of the Vietnam war where battling police in the streets. This event was significant because because it swayed people's opinions in regards to the Vietnam war, and Americans were no longer on the same page. -
Election of Richard Nixon
When Richard Nixon ran for president for the second time in 1968, he was successful and overtook the vote from the democratic nominee, Hubert Humphrey. Nixon's election was important because he won on the promise that he was going to restore law, and be the new leader of the Vietnam war. -
Kent State Shooting
When a crowd of people gathered at Kent State University to protest the Vietnam war, 4 people were shot down and killed by the Ohio National Guard. This event was significant because it was a turning point in regards to the nation divided by the war in Southeast Asia. -
Nixon Visits China
President Nixon made the decision to visit China in attempt to develop a closer diplomatic relationship with China in order to work together to defeat the Soviets. This visit is significant because it was the first step in redeveloping a relationship with the government of China, and normalized relations with a communist republic. -
Ceasefire in Vietnam
President Richard Nixon, ordered a "ceasefire" of the aerial bombing in Vietnam. A ceasefire is defined as a temporary end to conflict and fighting. This event was significant because it was an attempt to end fighting, but both sides ignored the signing. -
Fall of Saigon
Saigon fell is 1975 when what was left of the south Vietnamese army was not capable of holding up against the north. The fall of Saigon was significant because it marked the end of the Vietnam war -
Ronald Reagan is elected
Ronald Reagan was elected in 1980, making him the 40th president of the United States. As he gained popularity, he served a second term in the white house. His election was significant to the cold war because he did many things that played a large part in bringing the conflict to an end, such as an agreement made with the Soviet Union, reducing their nuclear arms. -
SDI announced
The Strategic Defense Mechanism, SDI, was first announced in 1983, while Ronald Reagan was president. The purpose of this mechanism, was for the United States to have the ability to shoot down and destroy incoming missiles from space, before they got a chance to reach the U.S. This announcement is significant because although it never came about, it greatly influenced the decision making of the Soviet Union at the time being. -
Geneva Conference with Gorbachev
The Geneva conference in 1985, was held in order for president Ronald Reagan and the leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev to meet up. Although no major agreements were made, this event is significant because it developed the two leaders relationship, and lead to more important conferences in the future. -
"Tear down this wall" speech
Ronald Reagan visited Berlin for just a few hours, in order to give a speech to a crowd of nearly 10,000 people. The goal of his speech was to directly address Mikhail Gorbachev in regards to him opening up the barrier that had divided East and West Berlin since 1961. This speech is significant because Ronald Reagan's suggestion for Gorbachev to "tear down this wall" may have lead to the removal of the wall, which symbolized the lack of freedom under communist rule. -
The fall of the Berlin wall
In late 1989, the leader of east Berlin's communist society made an announcement that the citizens were allowed to cross the borders between east and west Berlin. The fall of the Berlin wall was a turning point in the struggle against communism in eastern Berlin. The fall also lead to the fall of communism in countries such as Czechoslovakia.
