-
The Eisenhower Doctrine
The doctrine that ensured US support for any country fighting against communism. Eisenhower felt this was the best way to contain communism, something many felt would destroy liberty. Source: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1953-1960/eisenhower-doctrine -
The launch of Sputnik and its impact on American society
The launch of the satellite caused a great deal of anxiety in America, as many thought this meant that Russia was preparing to send nuclear warheads into orbit. This caused a scramble for more advanced space technology, and as a result there was an increased emphasis on science and technology in schools. Source: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/space/sputnik-impact-on-america.html -
The U-2 Incident
A U-2 American Spy plane was shot down flying through air space belonging to the Soviet Union, it increased the already high tensions between the US and USSR. It also cancelled a possible peace talk scheduled about the situation in Berlin.
Source:
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1953-1960/u2-incident -
The creation of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was a Soviet constructed wall created to stop the flow of Germans from the communist East Berlin to the Capitalist West Berlin, which was controlled and protected by France, Britain, and the US.
Source:
http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/reagan-tear-down.htm -
The Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a period of intense stress between the USSR and the US. Soviet Nuclear warheads were discovered in communist Cuba, just off of the coast of the US. The threat of nuclear war was imminent it seemed. It was peacefully resolved only a few days later, but is still the closest the world has ever been to nuclear war. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1961-1968/cuban-missile-crisis -
The Bay of Pigs invasion
The Bay of Pigs Invasion was an underhanded attempt to overthrow the communist leader in Cuba, backed by the CIA. There was a great deal of controversy about whether or not it was morally just to overthrow a popularly elected leader. Source:
http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/bay-of-pigs-invasion
