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Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin met to discuss post-WWII Europe. They agreed on dividing Germany into zones, but tensions emerged over Soviet influence in Eastern Europe.
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The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, prompting Japan's surrender. The use of nuclear weapons heightened global fears and showed the start of U.S. military dominance. -
Winston Churchill warned that an "iron curtain" had descended across Europe, dividing East and West. This speech publicly acknowledged growing hostilities between the Soviet Union and the West. -
President Truman pledged U.S. support to countries threatened by communism, starting with Greece and Turkey. This marked the beginning of the U.S. policy of containment. -
The U.S. offered massive economic aid to rebuild Europe to prevent the spread of communism. The Soviet Union rejected the plan and pressured Eastern Bloc countries to do the same.
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The USSR blocked Allied access to West Berlin in an attempt to force them out. In response, the U.S. and its allies airlifted supplies into the city for almost a year, showcasing Western resolve.
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The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed as a military alliance among Western nations. It was a direct response to perceived Soviet threats and marked formal military opposition to communism. -
The USSR successfully tested its first atomic bomb, ending the U.S. monopoly on nuclear weapons. This escalated the arms race and deepened mutual distrust. -
Mao Zedong’s Communist forces defeated the Nationalists, leading to the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The West viewed this as a major expansion of communism in Asia. -
North Korea, backed by the USSR and China, invaded South Korea. The U.S. and UN intervened to stop the spread of communism, resulting in a bloody stalemate.
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Joseph Stalin's death created a power vacuum and ushered in a new era under Nikita Khrushchev. His leadership initially brought hopes of reduced tensions, known as the "thaw." -
After three years of fighting, an armistice was signed at the 38th parallel, restoring the pre-war division. The war cemented Cold War lines in Asia and heightened U.S. military presence. -
In response to NATO, the Soviet Union created its own military alliance with Eastern Bloc nations. It solidified the division of Europe into opposing armed camps.
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Hungarians revolted against Soviet control, demanding democratic reforms and withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact. The Soviet military crushed the rebellion, sending a clear message about Soviet dominance.
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The USSR launched the first satellite, sparking the Space Race. This event shocked the U.S. and led to massive investments in science and education. -
A U.S. spy plane was shot down over Soviet airspace, and its pilot was captured. The incident embarrassed the U.S. and derailed a planned summit between Eisenhower and Khrushchev. -
East Germany, with Soviet support, built a wall to stop citizens from fleeing to West Berlin. It became a powerful symbol of Cold War division.
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The USSR placed nuclear missiles in Cuba, leading to a 13-day standoff with the U.S. The crisis nearly brought the world to nuclear war but ended with a secret deal to remove missiles from Cuba and Turkey.
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The U.S., USSR, and UK agreed to ban nuclear tests in the atmosphere, space, and underwater. It was a small but significant step toward reducing nuclear tensions. -
The U.S. increased its military involvement in Vietnam to prevent a communist takeover. The war became a costly and controversial conflict, eventually leading to U.S. withdrawal and communist victory.
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Czechoslovakia attempted liberal reforms under Alexander Dubček, aiming for "socialism with a human face." The USSR invaded to crush the movement, reaffirming tight Soviet control in Eastern Europe.
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A temporary easing of Cold War tensions led to treaties like SALT I and increased diplomatic exchanges. Despite cooperation, mutual suspicion and competition continued.
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The USSR invaded Afghanistan to support a communist government, sparking a brutal war. The U.S. responded with sanctions, a boycott of the 1980 Olympics, and aid to Afghan resistance fighters.
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President Reagan took a hardline stance against the USSR, labeling it an "evil empire." He ramped up military spending and proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative, escalating Cold War tensions. -
Amid growing protests and political reforms, East Germany opened the Berlin Wall. The event symbolized the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the nearing end of the Cold War.