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Russian Revolution
The Russian "Communist" revolution, where personal property and businesses were confiscated and compliance was reinforced brutally. -
Iron Curtain
A metaphorical barrier put in place to stop the spread of Communism in Europe. -
Potsdam Conference
A tense conference between the allies post-war, deciding the fate on various things such as Japan, Germany, and war spoils. -
Atomic Bomb: Hiroshima/Nagasaki
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. -
Molotov Plan
A plan from the Soviet Union in response to the Marshall Plan. Provided aid to countries under Soviet rule. -
Hollywood 10
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. -
Truman Doctrine
An American foreign policy stating that the USA's priority was stopping the spread of Communism. -
Marshall Plan
A plan from the US to provide aid to European countries to fight the spread of Communism. -
Berlin Blockade
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) -
Berlin Airlift
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) -
Soviet Bomb Test
The Soviet test detonation of an atomic weapon, years ahead of predictions. -
Rosenberg Trial
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). -
Alger Hiss Case
The trial of a US government official, who was accused of being a Communist. -
Korean War
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) -
Army McCarthy Hearing
Hearings investigating the conflicting accusations of McCarthy and the US Army that exposed McCarthy's tyranny (April - June, 1954). -
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
The first confrontation of the First Indochina War. Ho Chi Minh's Viet forces defeated the French. March 13, 1954 – May 7, 1954. -
Geneva Convention
A diplomatic meeting between many countries to resolve many problems pertaining to Asia, mostly about Vietnam. Apr 26, 1954 – Jul 21, 1954. -
Warsaw Pact
A pact between the Soviet Union and its' neighboring "allies" (countries under control), putting the Soviet Union in official control. -
Hungarian Revolution
Revolt against Soviet-imposed politic, first serious threat to Soviet dominance. Oct 23, 1956 – Nov 10, 1956 -
U2 Incident
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. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
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. -
Berlin Wall
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. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
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. -
Assassination of Diem
President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother were captured and killed by soldiers. Led to political chaos, but made many celebrate in South Vietnam. -
Assassination of JFK
JFK, the sitting president, was assassinated in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas shortly after noon. -
Tonkin Gulf Resolution
"Blank check," gave President Johnson unrestricted military power he viewed necessary to win the war. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
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. -
TET Offensive
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. -
Assassination of MLK
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. -
Assassination of RFK
Robert F. Kennedy was mortally wounded and died shortly after in Los Angeles. He had just won the California primaries in the 1968 election. -
Invasion of Czechoslovakia
The invasion of Czechoslovakia was a joint invasion of Czechoslovakia by five Warsaw Pact nations. Aug 20, 1968 – Sep 20, 1968. -
Riots of Democratic Convention
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. -
Election of Nixon
Presidential election, in which the winner was Richard Nixon won. He promised new leadership to the Vietnam War -
Kent State
The shooting of unarmed college students rioting against the war in Vietnam by members of the Ohio National Guard at Kent State University -
Nixon visits China
An important strategic and diplomatic meeting between Nixon and China that marker the resumption of peaceful relations between the United States and China. -
Ceasefire In Vietnam
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. -
Fall of Saigon
The capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, by the People's Army of Vietnam and the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam. -
SDI Announced
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. -
Geneva Conference with Gorbachev
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. -
‘Tear Down This Wall’ Speech
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. -
Fall of Berlin Wall
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.
