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The Russian "Communist" revolution, where personal property and businesses were confiscated and compliance was reinforced brutally.
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A metaphorical barrier put in place to stop the spread of Communism in Europe.
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A tense conference between the allies post-war, deciding the fate on various things such as Japan, Germany, and war spoils.
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The two bombs under the cover name of the "Manhattan Project." Used to end the war and save American lives, killing over 190,000 Japanese.
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A plan from the Soviet Union in response to the Marshall Plan. Provided aid to countries under Soviet rule.
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10 members of Hollywood film industry refused to answer questions concerning Communist relations, claiming protection under the First Amendment. Many were forced into exile or put in jail.
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An American foreign policy stating that the USA's priority was stopping the spread of Communism.
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A plan from the US to provide aid to European countries to fight the spread of Communism.
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One of the first international crises to the US from the Soviets. The Soviet Union blocked the Allies' railroads and canals to the opposite side of the Berlin wall. (24 June 1948–12 May 1949)
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US assistance to the blockaded East Berlin, supplying food, fuel, medicine, and aid. Planes landed an average of every 3 minutes. (24 June 1948–12 May 1949)
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The Soviet test detonation of an atomic weapon, years ahead of predictions.
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An American couple accused of being Soviet spies, and were put to death. Believed to be as a result of McCarthyist hysteria or anti-Semitism (July 1950 - June 19, 1953).
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The trial of a US government official, who was accused of being a Communist.
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A war between North and South Korea, when North Korea invaded South Korea, causing a series of battles along the border. (Jun 25, 1950 – Jul 27, 1953)
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Hearings investigating the conflicting accusations of McCarthy and the US Army that exposed McCarthy's tyranny (April - June, 1954).
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The first confrontation of the First Indochina War. Ho Chi Minh's Viet forces defeated the French. March 13, 1954 – May 7, 1954.
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A diplomatic meeting between many countries to resolve many problems pertaining to Asia, mostly about Vietnam. Apr 26, 1954 – Jul 21, 1954.
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A pact between the Soviet Union and its' neighboring "allies" (countries under control), putting the Soviet Union in official control.
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Revolt against Soviet-imposed politic, first serious threat to Soviet dominance. Oct 23, 1956 – Nov 10, 1956
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A US spy plane was shot down in Soviet air space, sparking a diplomatic crisis. The CIA was forced to admit their involvement in spying.
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A failed full-scale invasion of Cuba, the US was badly outnumbered and surrendered after less than 24 hours. Apr 17, 1961 – Apr 19, 1961.
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A wall erected by the Soviet Union between East and West Berlin, Germany. Half was controlled by Communism and lived in poverty, while the other half prospered under Capitalism. August 13, 1961 - November 9, 1989.
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A military standoff between the US and the Soviet Union after the US discovered the Soviet Union was storing missiles in Cuba, close to Florida. The US agreed not to invade Cuba in exchange for the removal of the missiles. Oct 16, 1962 – Oct 28, 1962.
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President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother were captured and killed by soldiers. Led to political chaos, but made many celebrate in South Vietnam.
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JFK, the sitting president, was assassinated in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas shortly after noon.
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"Blank check," gave President Johnson unrestricted military power he viewed necessary to win the war.
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The code name for an American bombing campaign during the Vietnam War. Done to put military pressure on North Vietnam and reduce ability to wage war against the U.S.-supported government. Mar 2, 1965 – Nov 1, 1968.
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US series of Vietnamese attacks on more than 100 cities in South Vietnam. Marked a turning point in the war. Jan 30, 1968 – Sep 23, 1968.
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Assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. His death led to anger among black Americans, as well as a period of national mourning that led to the passing of various civil rights acts.
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Robert F. Kennedy was mortally wounded and died shortly after in Los Angeles. He had just won the California primaries in the 1968 election.
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The invasion of Czechoslovakia was a joint invasion of Czechoslovakia by five Warsaw Pact nations. Aug 20, 1968 – Sep 20, 1968.
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In Chicago, thousands of Vietnam War protesters rioted against police in the streets, while the Democratic Party fell apart on a disagreement over their stance on Vietnam. Aug 26, 1968 – Aug 29, 1968.
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Presidential election, in which the winner was Richard Nixon won. He promised new leadership to the Vietnam War
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The shooting of unarmed college students rioting against the war in Vietnam by members of the Ohio National Guard at Kent State University
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An important strategic and diplomatic meeting between Nixon and China that marker the resumption of peaceful relations between the United States and China.
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Nixon ordered a ceasefire of bombings and fighting in North Vietnam, ending the Vietnam war. However, he offered continued aid financially and medically, as well as reentry if ceasefire was violated.
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The capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, by the People's Army of Vietnam and the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam.
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Strategic Defense Initiative, or the "Star Wars" plan. The United States told the world that they had a grid of lasers in space ready to destroy nuclear weapons. This gave them an advantage over the Soviets.
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A diplomatic conference between the Soviet Union and the US that surprisingly developed a friendship between Nixon and Gorbachev, strongly improving relations between the nations and very much contributing to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War.
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A speech given by Ronald Reagan (ill-advisedly) directed at the Soviet Union, urging them to destroy the Berlin Wall. Though incredibly risky towards the fresh, fragile relations, it intimidated Gorbachev into destroying the wall, much to the distaste of many Soviets.
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The destruction of the long-standing dividing wall between East and West Germany. The wall symbolized lack of freedom under Communism, and its' destruction angered many Soviets.
