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Stalin
He was part of the Russian Revolution and was able to become leader after Lenin's death. He is known for being harsh and controling of his people. He is significant because he fueled communism in the Soviet Union and was a harsh dictator. -
United Nations
It is an alliance among nations to stop war. It was used to prevent war and stop those from violating treaties. It is significant becasue now there is an agreement that is backed by a military -
Iron Curtain
This was a symbol of the division between Communism and the Western European nations. They Berlin Wall was part of the symbolism. This is significant because it shows how the Soviets were trying to cover up the success of the Western nations. -
Truman Doctrine
A polity introduced by President Truman that pertained to international affairs. It was Truman asking Congress to aid Turkey and Greece. It is important becasue it showed the US's stance on the cold war and appeared to be the start of the cold war -
European Economic Cooperation
It was where countries across Europe began to cooperate. They decreased tarrifs from country to country. This is significant becasue it leads to the European Union, and it complemented the Marshall Plan. -
The Marshal Plan
It was a plan initiated by the US to support European governments recovering from the war. It was also used in hope of making alliances with nations. It is significant because it was part of a campaign to contain communism by strengthening other countries -
Berlin Airlift
The Belin Airlift was a response to the Berlin Blockade. The Allies transported supplies for people in West Berlin flying over. This is significant because it shows how harmful communism could be, and the determination of the US. -
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
It was the forming of an alliance between western nations against the Soviets. It's members are defended by each other from attacks from other groups. It shows how the US was willing to try to contain communism by any means -
Peoples Republic of China
It is what we know as China, and was taken under control of comunism in 1949. Mao Zedong became the leader, and China had mixed relations with US and Soviets. It is sigificant becasue China eventually joined the side of the US against the Soviets. -
Korean War
I was the war between North and South Korea. The North was backed by the Soviets, and the South was backed by the US. It is significant because it is a war between Communism and Democracy -
Ho Chi Minh
He was a communist supported dictator that took over North Vietnam. He later conquered South Vietnam when the US left. He is significant becasue it shows how the US was combating Communism -
Explosion of the First Hydrogen Bomb
This showed the extent and damage of the new hydrogen bomb. It is used by fusing hydrogen atoms. It is significant becasue it shows how powerful of a weapon that the US and USSR had. -
Khrushchev
He was the first leader after Stalin. He focused on de-Stalinization and trying to rely on missles, but was overthrown in 1964. He is significant becasue he was in charge at the time or the Cuban Missile Crisis -
KGB
It was the primary police agency for the Soviets. It was used to control uprisings and take care of unwanted competition. It is significant becasue it shows how the Soviets were willing to invade their own people's privacy to keep order. -
Geneva Accords
It was a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland that discussed how to solve problems with Vietnam and Indochina. They agreed to put in foreign troops to help keep peace. It is significant because it divided Vietnam and eventually lead to the war -
Warsaw Pact
This was an alliance between Soviets and other communist nations. It was equivalent to NATO for the weastern powers. It is significant becasue it was what built the the "Iron Curtain". -
Vietnam
It was the location for the Vietnam War. This war was between the North backed by communism and the South backed by democracies. It is significant because it was another example of how the US and Soviets fought indirectly. -
Suez Canal/Nasser
It was the location that was wanted by many becasue of the control. Egypt's President Nasser accepted funding from the Soviets. It is important becasue it was a win for the Soviets and allowed for them to control the canal. -
Sputnik
Sputnik was the launch of a Russian space probe that orbited the globe. It installed fear in the US about the Russians developing missils to hit the US. It is significant becasue it spurred the US to expand its space program. -
Berlin Wall Is Erected
The Berlin Wall was an attempt by the Soviet Union to contain their people, and the Soviets were trying to separate themsevles from democracy. This is historically significant becasue this shows how far the Soviets were willing to go to protect themselves from deomcracy. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
This was the threat of nuclear missiles being transported to Cuba. This caused the US to respond with a naval blockade. This is significant becasue this was the closest that the world came to nuclear war -
Brezhnev
He was the leader after Khrushchev in the Soviet Union and ruled for 18 years. He also practiced re-Stalinization He is significant becasue he begins to reinstate Stalin's plans. -
Tet Offensive
it was a battle between the Viet Cong and the South Vietnamese with US and allies. The North Vietnamese were never able to capture the cities, but it was a bloody battle. It is important because it was when the US became divided in opinion on whether to be in Vietnam -
Helsinki Accords
This was an attempt for the western nations to improve relations with the communist east. It was not a treaty so it was not binding. It is significant because it shows how the western nations are trying to improve relations with the Eastern Europe. -
Iranian Hostage Crisis
This was when supporters of the Iranian Revolution captured the American Embassy in Tehran. It was the event that spured the US to support Iraq when war headed that way. -
Russian Invasion of Afghanistan
This was a nine year war between the Soviets and Afghan forces. It is part of the cold war and occured becasue of SOviets wanting a warm water port and to assist the spread of communism. This is significant becasue it shows another example of how the US and other countries tried to combat the spread of communism -
Moscow Olympics
This was the first olympics in Eastern Europe, and the US with 65 countries led a boycott. This was significant because it shows how the US and other countries wanted nothing to do with the Soviets. -
Lech Walesa and the Solidarity Movement in Poland
Lech Walesa formed the Independent Self-governming Trade Union "Solidarity" as a trade union. It was the first union in an area of the Warsaw Pact that was non-communist It is significant because it represents the break in the strickness of communist ways. -
Los Angeles Olympics
Los Angeles won the bid because the other country pulled out becasue of Iranian political changes. It is significant becasue the Easter supported countries like Cuba and East Germany boycotted it. -
Chernobyl
This was the nuclear power plant that exploded releaing radioactive particles to the atmosphere. It is thought of as the worst nuclear explosion. This is historically significant becasue it showed how hazardous nuclear power could be. -
Perestroika and Glasnost
It was a meeting of he central committee and Gorbachev. Gorbachev said that those things were the most important goals to improving the economics and politics of the Soviets. It was what caused change in the Soviet's politics and is thought to have led to the downfall -
Tiananmen Square
It was the location of many different historical events with the most famous being the student demonstrations in Beijing. The government attacked the unarmed protesting students killing many. This shows the secrecy of the Chinese government in managing the publication of this event. -
Berlin Wall Is Torn Down
This was the event that represented the end of the Cold War and allowed for civilians to be able to cross with special permission. This is historically significant becasue it represents the reunification of Germany and the ending of the Cold War -
Gorbachev
He tried to attempt reform and had conferences with President Ronald Reagan. He was also the one who took down the Berlin Wall. He is significant for bringing the end of the Soviet Union. -
Yeltsin
He was the first president of Russia. He was part of the economic collapse that affected Russia. He is significant becasue of the corruption that affected Russia and other former satellite nations. -
End of USSR
This was the end of the Soviet Union, and twelve countries were formed. The name also changed back to Russia. It was historically significant becasue it symbolized the end of the war against communism. -
Putin
He was an officer in the KGB and won the election after Yeltsin resigned. He is the current president of Russia. He has been thought of as the reason that Russia's economy recovered from the crisis of 1990s.
