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Period: to
Cold War 1947-1966
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Truman Doctrine
President Truman announced the Truman Doctrine, pledging U.S. support to countries resisting communism, starting with aid to Greece and Turkey. This marked the beginning of America's Cold War policy of containment, aiming to stop the spread of Soviet influence worldwide. -
Marshall Plan
The U.S. started the Marshall Plan to help rebuild European countries after World War II. The plan gave money, food, and supplies to help them recover and stay strong against communism. It also helped improve the U.S. economy by creating trade with Europe -
Rio Pact
The U.S. and many countries in North and South America signed the Rio Pact. It said that if one country in the Americas was attacked, the others would help defend it. This showed unity against threats like communism during the Cold War. -
Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia
The Communist Party took control of Czechoslovakia with support from the Soviet Union. They forced out non-communist leaders and made the country a one-party communist state. This event increased fear in the West and helped lead to the formation of NATO. -
Truman's Loyalty Program
President Truman started the Loyalty Program to check if government workers were loyal to the United States. It was meant to stop communist influence in the U.S. government. Many people were investigated, and some lost their jobs even without clear proof. -
Berlin Blockade
The Soviet Union blocked all roads and railways into West Berlin to try to force the Allies out. In response, the U.S. and its allies flew in food, fuel, and supplies in what became known as the Berlin Airlift. The blockade ended in 1949, and it showed the deep division between the East and West during the Cold War. -
NATO ratified
The United States and 11 other countries officially approved the NATO agreement. NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was a military alliance that promised to protect each other if attacked. It was created to stop the spread of communism and keep peace in Europe during the Cold War. -
Berlin Blockade ends
The Berlin Blockade ended on May 12, 1949, when the Soviet Union lifted the blockade on West Berlin. The U.S. and its allies had successfully supplied the city by air for almost a year. The end of the blockade was seen as a victory for the West and made the divide between East and West even clearer.