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Period: to
Cold War Era
Political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition existing after World War II (1939–1945) between the Communist World and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States and its allies. -
Yalta Conference
The Allies divide Germany into four occupation zones. The Allied nations agree that free elections are to be held in all countries occupied by Nazi Germany. United Nations are to replace the failed League of Nations. Yalta -
Roosevelt's Death
FDR was pronounced dead after a stroke while on vacation in Georgia. Roosevelt's Death Shocks the Nation -
Japan is Defeated
The Japanese surrender unconditionally to the US on board the USS Missouri to representative General Douglas MacArthur. Japans Signs the Treaty to End WWII -
The Establishment of the U.N.
A resolution is passed which withdrew foreign soldiers from Korea, free elections in each of the two administrations, and the creation of a UN commission dedicated to the unifing the peninsula. UN Flag -
Truman Doctrine
The policy of containment takes effect and coincides with the Soviet Union and the expansion of communism. This doctrine was first promulgated by President Harry Truman. Truman Signs the Truman Doctrine -
Marshall Plan takes effect
Because of Truman enacting the Plan, the United States has given $12.4 Billion in economic assistance to Europe. Marshall Diplomacy -
Non-biased Elections are held in Korea
The first elections in Korea took place on May 10, 1948, in the area south of the 38th parallel. Korea -
Berlin Airlift
US and British cargo planes flew round the clock sorties to supply the city. Eventually 213,000 sorties carrying 1.7 million tons of supplies would be flown to Berlin. West Germany -
Mao Zedong takes control of China
Chairman Mao led the People's Republic of China from its establishment in 1949 until his death in 1976. Mao -
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NATO was designed to provide strong military forces to balance the threat from the Soviet Union. The United States and Canada were expected to maintain forces in Europe as their commitment to western security. Currently based in Brussels, Belgium. NATO Members -
Democracy in Liberated Germany
Federal Republic of Germany was formed by combining the French, British, and American occupation zones. The Western Allied powers formally withdrew any power over their former occupation zones. German People -
USSR Experiment with Nuclear Weapons
The former Soviet Union tests its first atomic bomb. The test, known as "Joe 1", is successful. The former Soviet Union becomes the world's second nuclear power. Mushroom Cloud -
McCarthyism Pandemonium
Hysteria progresses with government pressures on the people to be on alert for espionage and communistic threats to the Free World. McCarthyism is the politically motivated practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence. Joe McCarthy -
38th Parallel Remains the Divide between the Korean Peninsula
the 38th Parallel is the line of demarcation and almost immediately military operations slowed to an abrupt halt. Korean Border -
Rosenberg's Execution
Rosenburg Couple</a>Julius Rosenberg and Ethel Greenglass Rosenberg were communists executed in 1953 for conspiracy to commit espionage. <a href='http://images.publicradio.org/content/2008/10/03/20081003_rosenbergs_2.jpg' > -
Nuclear-Powered Submarine Vessel
The United States launches the world's first nuclear submarine, USS Nautilus. The nuclear submarine would become the ultimate nuclear deterrent. Submarine -
Sputnik 1 is Launched into Orbit
The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 into low earth orbit, the first artificial satellite the world had ever seen. It had a 96-minute orbital period, and transmitted radio signals back to Earth. Sputnik 1 -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
An attempt by a CIA-trained force of Cuban exiles to invade southern Cuba with support from US government armed forces, to overthrow the Cuban government of Fidel Castro. Bay of Pigs -
President Richard Nixon Visits China
U.S. President Richard Nixon's 1972 visit to the People's Republic of China was an important step in formally normalizing relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China. Nixon & Mao -
The Berlin Wall Crumbles
Hungary opened the iron curtain to Austria.Months before East German tourists used their chance to escape to Austria from Hungary and in September 1989 more than 13 000 East German escaped via Hungary within three days. Germany is Liberated from Communism
