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Period: to
Cold war 1947-1966
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Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine, announced in 1947, was a U.S. policy aimed at containing the spread of communism by providing political, military, and economic assistance to countries threatened by Soviet influence, particularly Greece and Turkey. It marked the beginning of the Cold War and established the framework for American foreign policy focused on containment. -
Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan, announced in June 1947, was a U.S. initiative to provide economic aid to help rebuild European countries after World War II. It aimed to prevent the spread of communism by promoting political stability and economic recovery through extensive financial support. -
Rio Pact
The Rio Pact, also known as the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, is a mutual defense agreement among countries in the Americas. It states that an attack against one member is considered an attack against all. -
Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia
In February 1948, the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, backed by the Soviet Union, seized power through a political coup rather than a military takeover. Facing mass resignations from non-Communist ministers and mounting pressure, marking the beginning of four decades of one-party rule. -
Truman's Loyalty Program created to Cold War spies
In March 1948, President Truman's Loyalty Program was established to investigate and remove any federal employees suspected of having Communist ties, aiming to prevent espionage during the Cold War. The program led to extensive background checks and loyalty oaths, fueling fears of subversion and contributing to the broader Red Scare in America. -
Berlin Blockade begins lasting 11 months
The Berlin Blockade, a critical event in the early Cold War, began on June 24, 1948, and lasted for 11 months, concluding on May 12, 1949. The Soviet Union blockaded all road, rail, and water routes into West Berlin, effectively isolating it from the rest of Western Germany. This action was a direct response to the introduction of a new currency in the Western-controlled zones of Germany. -
NATO ratified
The United States ratified the North Atlantic Treaty, establishing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), on July 21, 1949, by a vote of 82 to 13. President Truman and Secretary of State Dean Acheson signed the Instrument of Accession on July 25, 1949, officially making the United States a founding member. -
Berlin Blockade ends
The Berlin Blockade, a critical Cold War event, ended on May 12, 1949, when the Soviet Union lifted its blockade of West Berlin. This 11-month blockade, initiated in June 1948, had cut off land and river access to the western sectors of Berlin, which were under Allied control. The Western Allies responded with the Berlin Airlift, a massive operation to supply West Berlin by air. -
Russia tested its first atomic bomb
The Soviet Union tested its first atomic bomb on August 29, 1949, at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan. The test, code-named "First Lightning" by the Soviets and "Joe-1" by the Americans, was a plutonium-based implosion-type bomb similar in design to the US "Fat Man bomb. This test marked the beginning of the nuclear arms race during the Cold War -
Truman approved H-bomb development
President Harry Truman approved the development of the hydrogen bomb in 1950. He made this decision after the Soviet Union successfully tested its first atomic bomb in 1949. Truman's approval came in response to this development and a desire to maintain a weapons advantage over the Soviets. -
Joe McCarthy begins Communist witch hunt and loyalty tests
Senator Joe McCarthy launched a fervent campaign accusing government officials and others of Communist ties without solid evidence, sparking widespread fear and suspicion. This led to loyalty tests and blacklists, damaging careers and civil liberties during what became known as the Red Scare. -
Korean War Begins
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North Korea, supported by the Soviet Union, invaded South Korea. North Korean forces, equipped with Soviet weapons, initially achieved significant gains, pushing South Korean forces and their US allies back. -
Federal Civil Defense Administration established
The Federal Civil Defense Administration (FCDA) was organized by President Harry S. Truman on December 1, 1950, through Executive Order 10186, and became an official government agency via the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950 on 12 January 1951.