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President Truman pledged to support countries resisting communism, especially Greece and Turkey. This marked the start of America’s containment policy. -
Secretary of State George Marshall introduced a plan to provide economic aid to rebuild European countries. It aimed to prevent the spread of communism by stabilizing economies. -
The Soviet Union created the Communist Information Bureau to coordinate communist parties across Europe. This showed Stalin’s intent to tighten control over Eastern Bloc nations. -
Communists seized control of the Czechoslovak government, ending democratic rule. This shocked the West and increased tensions. -
President Truman signed the Economic Recovery Act, officially launching the Marshall Plan. It was a massive effort to rebuild Western Europe and prevent communist influence. -
The USSR blocked all ground routes to West Berlin, hoping to force the Allies out. This led to the Western Allies organizing the Berlin Airlift. -
Twelve nations, including the U.S., Canada, and Western European countries, formed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for collective defense against the Soviet threat. It formalized the division between East and West. -
Western Allies officially created West Germany from their occupation zones, establishing a democratic state. This increased Cold War tensions as the USSR soon created East Germany in response. -
The USSR successfully tested its first atomic bomb in Kazakhstan, ending U.S. nuclear monopoly. This started the nuclear arms race between the superpowers. -
North Korean troops invaded South Korea, starting the Korean War. The U.S. and UN forces intervened to support South Korea, while China later backed the North. -
The UN Security Council condemned North Korea's invasion and called for members to assist South Korea. This marked a major international military response to communist aggression. -
President Truman relieved General Douglas MacArthur of command for publicly disagreeing with U.S. policy on the Korean War. This reinforced civilian control over the military. -
Negotiations to end the Korean War began in Kaesong. Talks would continue for two years without a final peace treaty. -
The U.S. passed a law to provide military and economic aid to allies resisting communism. This expanded America’s global Cold War commitments. -
Britain successfully tested its first atomic bomb in Australia, becoming the third nuclear power. This strengthened Western alliances. -
The U.S. detonated its first hydrogen bomb on Enewetak Atoll in the Pacific. This marked a huge leap in nuclear weapon power. -
The U.S. formed the National Security Agency (NSA) to handle codebreaking and surveillance. It became a key player in Cold War intelligence. -
Soviet leader Joseph Stalin died, leading to a power struggle and a slight easing in Cold War tensions. His death opened the door to some reforms. -
An armistice ended active fighting in Korea, though the war was never officially ended. The peninsula remained divided at the 38th parallel. -
President Eisenhower addressed the UN to promote peaceful nuclear energy. It aimed to reduce fear of nuclear war and improve U.S. image. -
Vietnamese forces attacked the French stronghold at Dien Bien Phu, leading to a major defeat for the French and the end of their colonial rule. -
The CIA backed a coup to remove President Jacobo Arbenz in Guatemala, fearing communist influence. This increased U.S. involvement in Latin America. -
The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization was created to stop the spread of communism in Asia. It was modeled after NATO. -
The Soviet Union and its Eastern European allies formed a military alliance in response to NATO. It formalized the division of Europe. -
The U.S., USSR, UK, and France agreed to withdraw from Austria, which declared neutrality. It was a rare Cold War diplomatic success. -
Leaders from the U.S., UK, USSR, and France met to ease tensions. Although no major agreements were reached, it opened communication channels. -
Nikita Khrushchev denounced Stalin’s crimes in a secret speech, shocking the communist world. It began a process of de-Stalinization. -
Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal, leading Britain, France, and Israel to invade. The U.S. and USSR opposed the invasion, showing Cold War rivalries had limits. -
Soviet tanks entered Budapest to stop a popular anti-communist uprising. Thousands died, showing the USSR would use force to hold Eastern Europe. -
President Eisenhower announced U.S. support for Middle Eastern countries resisting communism. This expanded U.S. Cold War policy to the Middle East. -
The Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite. This shocked the U.S. and began the space race. -
The U.S. and USSR began talks about halting nuclear weapons testing. Though no deal was reached, it signaled growing concern over nuclear arms. -
Mao Zedong began a massive campaign to modernize China's economy. It strained relations with the USSR and ended in disaster. -
The U.S. established NASA to compete with Soviet space advancements. It marked a major investment in science and technology. -
Khrushchev demanded that the West leave Berlin within six months. This increased Cold War tensions and led to further Berlin crises. -
Fidel Castro overthrew the U.S.-backed dictator Batista. Cuba soon aligned with the USSR, alarming the U.S. -
Khrushchev toured the U.S., aiming to ease tensions. It was the first visit by a Soviet leader to America. -
The U.S. began installing intercontinental ballistic missiles, increasing its nuclear capabilities. This marked an escalation in the arms race. -
The USSR shot down a U.S. spy plane, capturing pilot Gary Powers. This embarrassed the U.S. and worsened tensions. -
The U-2 incident caused Khrushchev to storm out of a planned summit with Eisenhower. Hopes for diplomacy fell apart. -
The Congo became independent from Belgium, sparking a crisis involving U.S. and Soviet influence. It became another Cold War battleground. -
Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space. The USSR claimed a major victory in the space race. -
U.S.-backed Cuban exiles attempted to overthrow Castro but failed. It was a major embarrassment for the U.S. -
East Germany built the Berlin Wall to stop defections to the West. It became a powerful symbol of the Cold War. -
The U.S. significantly increased its military advisors in South Vietnam. This marked a deeper commitment to the conflict. -
The discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba led to a tense standoff. It nearly caused nuclear war but ended with a peaceful agreement. -
China and India clashed over disputed borders. This further distanced China from both the USSR and the West. -
The U.S., UK, and USSR signed a treaty banning above-ground nuclear tests. It was a small but significant step toward arms control. -
A direct phone line was set up between Washington and Moscow to prevent misunderstandings. It was a response to the Cuban Missile Crisis. -
President Kennedy was killed in Dallas, Texas. His death shocked the world and brought Lyndon Johnson into power during a tense time. -
Alleged attacks on U.S. ships led Congress to give Johnson broad war powers. This escalated U.S. involvement in Vietnam. -
Soviet leaders ousted Khrushchev and replaced him with Brezhnev. It ended an era of relative liberalization. -
China successfully detonated its first nuclear bomb. This made it the fifth nuclear power and changed Cold War dynamics. -
A massive bombing campaign began against North Vietnam. It aimed to weaken the enemy but caused major destruction. -
First official combat troops arrived in South Vietnam. The war became a full-scale U.S. military effort. -
After a failed coup, the Indonesian army led a brutal crackdown on communists. Up to a million were killed. -
Mao launched the Cultural Revolution to reassert communist ideology. It caused chaos and weakened China’s global image. -
France under de Gaulle pulled out of NATO's military structure. It was a major shakeup in the Western alliance. -
American bombers targeted key North Vietnamese cities. The war escalated, drawing more global criticism.