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Chinese Communist Revolution
Revolutionaries in southern China successfully led a revolt. The monarchy in China ended and a republic took its place. The Chinese Communist Revolution is also known as the Chinese People's War of Liberation. -
Greek Civil War
The conflict was between the communist-dominated left-wing resistance organization EAM-ELAS and allied anti-communist resistance forces. Later, it became a Civil War between the Greek state and the communists. The Greek Kingdom won. -
Postwar Occupation and Division of Germany
Germany was left in turmoil by the end of WWII. German citizens suffered from the loss of their homes and many were starving. The country was divided into four parts - Great Britain occupied the northwest, France in the southwest, the United States in the south, and the Soviet Union in the east. -
Enactment of the Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan, designed by George Marshall and signed by President Truman, provided economic assistance to countries in need. The goal of this Economy Recovery Act was to help European countries return back to normal while also influencing democracy instead of communism. The United States helped a total of seventeen European economies get back on their feet. -
Berlin Blockade and Airlift
After WWII, German people were not able to recover on their own due to the loss of buildings and shortages of food. The Allies decided to help by shipping food and other supplies to Germany. Joseph Stalin blocked off Allied railroads and water transit to Western Berlin to prevent the supplies from reaching the people who desperately needed it. In response, the Allies used airplanes to deliver supplies to Western Berlin. -
Korean War
The Korean war was fought between North and South Korea. The war began when North Korea invaded the south because of arguments about the border. The US joined forces with the south to help combat the Northern troops to fight off communism. -
Overthrow of the Mossadegh Government in Iran
Democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad was overthrown. This happened to strengthen the monarchical rule of the Shah. The overthrow was organized by U.S. and British governments. -
Cuban Revolution
The Cuban Revolution was a rebellion against the dictatorship of Cuba. Many men and women armed themselves and joined in the revolution. The revolution was led by Fidel Castro, who later became the leader of Cuba. -
Overthrow of Guatemalan Government
The CIA overthrew democratically elected president of Guatemala. The United States did this to protect the profits of the U.S. Fruit Company. They also did this to prevent the spread of communism. -
Formation of the Eastern Bloc
The Eastern Bloc was put together by the Soviet Union at the beginning of WWII. The Eastern Bloc was a group of communist countries that existed during the Cold War. The Soviets obtained these states and annexed them to the rest of the Eastern Bloc by invading each country. -
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was fought between Northern communist Vietnam against Southern Vietnam and the United States. About three million people (most being Vietnamese civilians) were killed in this war. Americans wanted to stop fighting, therefore the United States withdrew in 1973. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
This invasion was a failed attack on Cuba launched by the U.S. Its purpose was to oppose Fidel Castro's Cuban Revolution. Cuba won the battle, also winning the revolution. -
Building the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall separated Eastern and Western Berlin. The wall was made up of barbed wire, weapons, and the tall concrete wall. People trying to cross the wall were killed. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
stored missiles in Cuba without telling the United States. When the United States discovered this, JFK called the Soviets out. After realizing a nuclear battle could destroy the world, both sides agreed to stop. -
Prague Spring
The Soviet Union was not willing to even let any member of the Warsaw Pact leave. The invasion of Czechoslovakia was to crack down on reformist trends in Prague. The Soviet Union made efforts to create "socialism with a human face." -
Soviet War in Afghanistan
The Soviet Union supported the Afghan communist government in its conflict with anti-communist Muslim guerrillas. The Soviets sent 30,000 troops into Afghanistan. The Soviet Union eventually withdrew their troops. -
Tiananmen Square Massacre
Protestors filled the Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. The protestors were quieted by China's Communist rulers. Troops killed and arrested thousands of people. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
The ending of the Cold War was signified by the fall of the wall. This signified anti-communism and inspired many countries to reform. People could finally cross freely to either side without being harmed. -
Fall of the Soviet Union
The Soviet Union collapsed due to a number of reasons. They had a weak economy and Gorbachev wanted to hold elections with a multi-party system. After its fall, the Soviet Union was divided up into 15 countries. -
9/11 Attacks
Terrorist group al-Qaeda launched a series of attacks on this date. Two suicide planes flew into the twin tours, one plane flew into the Pentagon, and one other crashed into an empty field. These attacks killed many Americans. The attacks caused America to upgrade their airport security greatly.