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Churchill Delivers Iron Curtain Speech
This speech is essentially the declaration of war. Naturally, this speech could not exist if it were not for the vibration of the air particles surrounding Churchill. "Winston Churchill." Iron Curtain Speech. The History Place.
27 May 2009
http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/ironcurtain.htm. -
Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine assured that the U.S. would remain committed to keeping the strength and unity of the democratic nations because it was in the best interest of the U.S. government & the Truman Administration. This would set the stage for the conflict between communism & democracy. "The Truman Doctrine, 1947." U.S. Department of State.
U.S.Department of State. 27 May 2009
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/cwr/82210.htm. -
NATO is Established
NATO NATO, a military alliance established in 1949, organized an agreement of mutual defense. It became extremely important towards the end of the Cold War when the Soviet Union applied to join NATO to preserve the peace in Europe. Ultimately, their application was denied because the current countries felt that the Soviet's Plan was to only weaken the alliance. -
Soviet Union Tests First Atomic Bomb
To the Americans, the test was known as Joe 1. After its successful launch, the Soviet Union becomes the worlds second country to have nuclear weapons, and proved that the US would not win this "Cold War" without a fight. It also raised the suspense of a potentially nuclear war.
Details "Joe 1." Joe 1. The Soviet Nuclear Weapons Program. 27
May 2009
http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Russia/Sovwpnprog.html. -
Start of Korean War
Communist North Korea invades South Korea. Tensions rise between the US and Russia as communism seeks to gain a foothold in what the US feels should be free country. This is the first real example of enforcement of the containment policy -
Rosenberg's are Convicted of Espionage
Learn more about the trial & execution. Julius & Ethel Rosenberg are tried and convicted for passing atomic secrets to the Soviet's. They were executed by electric chair, sending courses of electricity through their bodies. "Government Views of The Rosenberg Spy Case." Government Views of the Rosenberg Trial. CCNY. 27 May 2009 http://www.ccny.cuny.edu/library/Divisions/Government/rosenbergs.html.Edit -
United Kingdom Develops Atomic Bomb
The United Kingdom becomes the third known country to have nuclear weapons. The increase in weaponry world-wide leads to increased tensions and a greater focus on scientific development. The Soviets now have no allies capable of fighting with "new age" weaponry and becomes more alert towards acts of aggression. -
U.S. Detonates Hydrogen Bomb
<a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=8cd0a6018cdb6c63e38962&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=image" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/cover_thumbnail?p=8cd0a6018cdb6c63e38962&view=2" border="0" alt="View this montage created at One True Media" title="View this montage created at One True Media"><br/>11/1/1952</a> -
Korean War Ends
The defeat of the United States in the Korean War leads to highly increased tensions between the US and Russia due to the success of communism after the United States' policy of "not one more inch" "WikiAnswers - What were the effects of the Korean War." WikiAnswers - The Korean War. 1 Jan. 2009. Answers Corporation. 28 May 2009 http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_were_the_effects_of_the_Korean_War. -
SEATO Founded
South East Asian Treaty Organization was founded by the countries Australia, France, New Zealand, Pakiston, Thailand, Phillipines, the United Kingdom & the United States. This project was created to ensure alliances between the involved countries. This would assure that democracy remained more powerful than communism and would, in theory, prevent a communist attack. -
Baghdad Pact
Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey & United Kingdon sign the Baghdad Pact to combat Communist growth in the Middle East. In combination with the formation of SEATO, this would help prevent the growth of Communism by forming alliances that were intended to prevent Communist attacks on or takeovers of these countries. -
Warsaw Pact Signed
Eastern Europes response to NATO. Several Eastern European countries joined forces with communist Russia. This helped to create alliances, empower Russia, and prevent the expand of capitalism toward Russian borders. -
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command of the United States issues a 24/7 nuclear allert which is on going until its removal in 1991. This alert creates a greater fear of communism in the United States and serves to raise tensions between the US and Russia. -
Sputnik Sattelite Launched
The Space Race begins when Russia sends the satellite Sputnik into space. This increases tensions between the US and Russia and it shows weakness in the US as Russia achieves another victory. It also raises fear in the minds of the American people as they do not understand what capabilities the Russians have.
In Depth Long Term Effects of Sputnik. 1 Jan. 2003. University Honors at the Uninversity of Maryland. 28 May 2009 <http:/ -
Vietcong
The Vietcong form in South Vietnam. This communist group seeking to dismantle the republican government in Southern Korea, served to raise tensions and would eventually become te primary enemy of American forces during the Vietnam War -
U-2 Incident
Starting in 1995, the US began launching U-2 Spy playnes over Russia. In May of 1960, one such plane was shot down in Russia. This allowed Russia to determine that it was definitely a US plane and tht it had been spying on Russia from its own airspace. This raised tensions as each realized the other's aviation capablilities. "U-2 Spy plane Incident - Gary Powers." American History From About. About.com. 29 May 2009 http://americanhistory.about.com/od/coldwar/a/gary_powers.htm. -
Bay of Pigs
Kennedy initiates a plan to overthrow Castro's new government in Cuba. The CIA invaded Cuba and attempted to gain local support of a US invasion of Cuba without the appearance of US involvement. The attempt failed though as evidence was provided by Cuba that the US had planned the invasion. This not only increased tensions, but provided an enemy of the US just outside its own borders. "Bay of Pigs Invasion" Travel and History. N-W Travel Magazine. 29 May 2009 http://www.u-s-history.com/page -
Apollo Program Begins
JFK announces his administration's intention to put a man on the moon.
In Depth -
Soviets Build Berlin Wall
The Soviets build the Berlin Wall, which seperates communist East Berlin from capitalist West Berlin. The US begins the Berlin Air-lift to anger the Russians and show that the US and capitalism will not be defeated easily. -
Tsar Bomba
Soviets detonate the most powerful nuclear weapon to date, as a test. -
Cuban Missle Crisis
U.S. & U.S.S.R. almost begin nulear war. <a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=8cdac87fdc3f120a81993e&skin_id=601&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=image" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/cover_thumbnail?p=8cdac87fdc3f120a81993e&view=2" border="0" alt="View this montage created at One True Media" title="View this montage created at One True Media"><br/>Cuban Missile Crisis</a> -
U.S./U.S.S.R. Hotline
The two countries establish a hotline making direct communication available. -
Partial Test Ban Treaty Signed
U.S.S.R. , U.S. & U.K. prohibit nuclear testing with the exception of underground. -
Gulf of Tonkin
U.S. becomes involved in the Vietnam War. -
China Tests Nuclear Bomb
This makes China the worlds 4th nuclear power, finally gives the Soviets a nuclear ally, and generally emphsises Einstein's observation: "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." -
First Moon Landing
Neil Armstrong lands on the moon on Apollo 11.
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Vietnamization Begins
U.S. begins withdraw from Vietnam. -
Reagan Proposes "Star Wars"
Reagan proposes Strategic Defence Initiative to protect against nuclear bombing. The idea was to create some kind of sheild or guided missle device to prevent nuclear bombs reaching US soil. -
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty
Signed in D.C. the treaty limits the production of IRBM's. -
Berlin Wall Torn Down
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Malta Summit
Begininng of the end of the Cold War -
Germany Reunified
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Cold War "Officially" Ends
George H. W. Bush delivers a speech that the Cold War has ended. Gorbachev resigns and the hammer & sickle is lowered from over the Kremlin for the last time.