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Potsdam Conference
The Potsdam Conference in 1945 was a meeting between the U.S., Soviet Union, and Britain to discuss how to handle Germany and Europe after World War II. Both agreed to split Germany into zones and talked about Japan's surrender. The conversations also showed rising tensions that led to the Cold War. The Potsdam Conference was historically significant because it helped make the post-war world and brought to light, tensions that would lead to the Cold War -
Creation of the United Nations
The United Nations was created in order to keep the peace and encourage global cooperation after WWII. It brought countries together from all around the world to cooperate on important issues. The UN aimed to replace the League of Nations, striving to stop conflicts and to address global problems. The creation of the United Nations was historically significant because it established a global cooperation in order to prevent war and to handle global issues. -
Berlin Airlift
The Berlin Airlift was a response to the Soviet Union preventing access to the West Berlin in 1948. In order for them to make sure the city stayed supplied, the U.S. and Britain flew in food, fuel, and other necessary items for almost a year. They were able to successfully sustain West Berlin until the Soviets stopped the prevention in 1949. The Berlin Airlift was historically significant because it reflected the West’s commitment to defending democracy and resisting Soviet expansion. -
NATO Created
NATO was created in 1949, it served to be a military alliance with the U.S., Canada, and other European countries to protect themselves from possible threats, mostly from the Soviet Union. The members agreed that an attack on one would be seen as attacking all. NATO attempted to provide collective security during the Cold War, and after. NATO’s creation was historically significant because it brought together nations in a military alliance, strengthening their defense against the Soviet Union. -
China becomes Communist
In 1949, China became a communist country after the Communist Party, which was led by Mao Zedong. They won a civil war against the Nationalists. The nationalists went to Taiwan and then China was led under a communist government. The change had a strong impact during the Cold War. China becoming communist was historically significant because it altered the balance of power in the world and made the cold war more intense. -
Korean War
The Korean War was a conflict between North Korea, that was supported by China and the Soviet Union, and South Korea who was supported by the U.S. and other UN countries. It started when Korea invaded the south to expand communism. The war ended with a tie, and Korea stayed divided at the same border. The Korean War was historically significant because it increased Cold War tensions and left Korea divided, which impacts global politics. -
Suez Crisis
The Suez Crisis in 1956 began when Egypt took over the Suez Canal, which angered Britain, France, and Israel. The countries took over Egypt to gain control, but international pressure, forced them to take a step back. The crisis showed the decline of British and French Power. The Suez Crisis was historically significant because it showed the decline of European power and the inclines of the U.S. and Soviet Union’s influence in major world events. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
The Bay of Pigs Invasion was a failed trial by the U.S. in 1961 to take away Cuba’s leader, Fidel Castro. A group of people called Cuban exiles that were trained by the U.S., attempted to invade the Bay of Pigs but they were defeated. The defeat left the U.S. embarrassed and made Castro’s place in Cuba stronger. The Bay of Pigs Invasion was historically significant because it caused the U.S. to be embarrassed and made Fidel Castro’s rule stronger. -
Construction of Berlin Wall Begins
In 1961, East Germany started to build the Berlin Wall in order to prevent people from leaving to go to West Berlin. The wall essentially divided the city and symbolized the Cold War. The wall stayed up for 30 years until it was taken down in 1989. The start of the Berlin Wall is historically significant because it ended up being a strong symbol of the Cold War, this showed the divide between communism and democracy. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a tense standoff between the U.S. and the Soviet Union after the Soviet Union planned to put missiles in Cuba, it was 90 miles from the U.S. coast. Both sides of the standoff felt a sense of fear of a nuclear war for 13 days as they negotiated. The Cuban Missile Crisis ended when the Soviets took away the missiles, and the U.S. agreed to not invade Cuba. The Cuban Missile Crisis was historically significant because it essentially caused nuclear war.