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The US has the atomic bomb
The US held a global technological monopoly until 1949. -
Yalta Conference
It was agreed Germany would be divided into four zones. German leaders would go to trial. German territories in Central Europe would be restored as independent countries. Poland was to lose territory in the East but gain in the West. The USSR agreed to join the UN and participate in the war in Japan. -
Potsdam Conference
Met in Germany. Expanded and clarified the policies discussed in Yalta. Stalin portrayed the Soviets as strong people. They occupied the Baltic countries. Bulgaria, Romania, Yugoslavia and Hungary were firmly in communist hands. Only Czechoslovakia resisted communism and established a multi-party state. -
Establishment of the United Nations
It was decided that in matters of security the the most powerful countries should have the veto. The US and USSR became superpowers due to the power vacuum after the II WW. The UN did not have an independent military force, but the authorisation of force with the collaboration of the main powers. -
Truman Doctrine
It stated that the US would provide economic and military assistance to Greece and Turkey to prevent the spread of communism. -
Marshall Plan
Provide assistance to European countries to help them rebuild after the devastation of the II WW. The Soviets refused and pressured other Eastern European countries to the same. In February 1948, the communists removed all other political groups from power, essentially executing a coup. -
Berlin Blockade
The Soviets were exerting control over East Germany. Meanwhile, British, Americans and French were cooperating to combine West Germany. When they announced that were establishing a new currency, Stalin attempted to push them out of Berlin by refusing to allow railroad transportation. Stalin prevented the supply of food and fuel from West Germans. The Allied forced began an airlift to help the East Germans. Through negotiation, the Berlin blockade ended on 12 May 1949 -
The USSR creates the atomic bomb
Now, the USSR and the US were equals. -
Formation of the NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Military alliance of 12 North American and European countries that was based on the principles of collective security. The Soviets argued that it was an aggressive alliance directed against the USSR and Eastern Europe and that it violated the principles of the UN. -
Creation of FRG & GDR
Federal Republic of Germany created in September by the Allied forces. German Democratic Republic created in October by the Soviets. -
Victory of the Chinese Communist Party
Mao Zedong defeated the pro-US Nationalists and forced them to leave mainland China. Th US and Western powers refused to recognise the People's Republic of China and denied it a place in the UN. The Soviets reacted by boycotting the UN, an action that ultimately led to the sole authorisation of force by the UN during the Cold War.