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Yalta Conference
The Big Three, including Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt, came to major agreements to re-establish the nations conquered and destroyed by Germany. Marks beginning of the Cold War. -
First atomic bomb dropped
The US drops atomic bomb (‘Little Boy’) on Hiroshima, killing 80,000 people -
V E Day
Germany surrenders to the Russian army indicating a victory in Europe -
Potsdam Conference
Conference where the Big Three agreed to partition Germany into four zones of occupation -
Second Atomic Bomb Dropped
The United States drops (‘Fat Man’) atomic bomb on Nagasaki, killing 70,000 people -
V J Day
The Japanese surrender indicating the end of World War II -
Truman Doctrine
This document written by President Harry Truman, essentially declared that the United States would provide military and economic support in order to protect other nations from communism. -
Marshall Plan
This plan helped Europeans stay hopeful by providing them with the support of the United States. -
Berlin Blockade
Russia, cut all road and rail links that we’re accessible to the French, Americans and the Britains, those living in western Berlin had no access to food supplies, leading them to face starvation. Later the US and the UK provided airplanes with food, known as Berlin Airlift. -
Creation of NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty organization or NATO for sure was an alliance between the nations, including Belgium, Denmark, France, Britain, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Canada, and the United States. It insured military support to another member if they were attacked. This was the first time that the United States officially became involved with military security with other nations during peacetime. -
Korean War Begins
North Korea invaded South Korea with 70,000 troops, this was essentially the first battle of the Cold War. -
Death of Stalin
Joseph Stalin was the communist leader of the Soviet Union also known as Russia, who died at the age of 74 leaving Nikita Khrushchev in charge -
Vietnam War initiates
The United States strongly believed that if one Asian country were to fall to communism the rest of the world would as well. Since communist North Vietnam and anti-communist South Vietnam were at war, the United States’ beliefs pulled them into this war. -
Suez Crisis
British and French troops invaded Egypt to regain control of the Suez Canal. The Suez Canal had been nationalize by the Egyptian leader Nasser. It was a highly criticized attack and the British and French for forced to withdraw. -
Space Race
The Soviet union launch Sputnik, it was the first satellite that was launched into space and orbited the earth. Causing the United States to frantically set up a project and begin investing into their space program and NASA was born. The US was able to launch their own satellite into space called Explore. The Soviets made faster progress, and were able to send the first man to orbit space. -
U-2 Spy Plane Incident
An American U-2 spy plane was shot down by the Soviet Union. Americans use these spy planes to take photographs of the Soviets, when the Soviets found out tension grew even higher in the relationship between Russia in the United States failed to improve, instead it worsened -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
Cuban rebels landed on the southern coast of Cuba known as the Bay of Pigs in attempt to overthrow the government. This invasion was planned out by the United States, CIA in order to push Fidel Castro out of power and destroy communist influence in Cuba. However, the United States was not successful. -
Initiation of Cuban Missile Crisis
Standoff between the Soviet Union and the United States over the Soviet installation of nuclear weapons on Cuba. This was a major threat to the United States because there was a bomb only 90 miles away from American shores. -
JFK Assassination
President John F. Kennedy was murdered while visiting Dallas. American Marine, Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested, but there has always been doubts about him being the only killer, some believe there may have been communist or CIA complicity. -
Non-Proliferation Treaty
This treaty was essentially made to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapon technology, and to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Countries including France, China, the United States, Russia, and the United Kingdom took part in this treaty. -
Cambodia Killing Fields
The Khmer Rouge invaded Cambodia. Anyone who supported the former government, intellectuals, and professors were murdered. -
Iranian Hostage Crisis
A group of Iranian students and militants stormed the American Embassy and took 53 American hostages to show their support for the Iranian revolution. -
Olympic Boycott
Many countries including the USA boycotted the summer Olympics taking place in Moscow, Russia. This was a protest due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Many countries including Great Britain participated under the Olympic flag as opposed to their national flag. -
Chernobyl Disaster
An explosion at Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Ukraine remains the worst nuclear disaster in history, with 4,000 deaths. -
The Fall of The Berlin Wall
The 12 foot Berlin wall was built between East and West Berlin, with the Soviets controlling East Berlin many people tried escaping the communism, 171 people died. Eventually, the borders between the cities opened which indicated the end of the division between the East and West Berlin . Also indicated the fall of the Soviets, ending their regime.
