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Chinese Revolutioin
The Chinese Revolution began on October 1, 1949. Mao Zedong was the leader that declared the creation of PRC (People's Republic of China). This was the second Chinese civil war; the Soviet provided aid to the communist and the USA assisted the Nationalists with millions of dollars worth of military equipment and supplies. The Nationalist and Communist ended with the capture of the Hainan Island in May 1950. -
Korean War
The Korean war began with 75,000 soldiers from North Korea. North Korea's invasion into South Korea was the first military action of the Cold War. In July, American troops entered the war on South Korea's behalf. According to American officials concern, this war was against the forces of international communism. The Americans feared it would widen into a war with Russia and China and maybe even a World War III, but by July 1953, the Korean War ended. -
Hungarian Uprising
During the period of 1945, Hungary was controlled by Moscow. When Stalin died in 1953, the Hungarians hoped they would be free from the Russians control. In February 1956, a new Russian leader, Kruschev, came to power. On October 23, 1956, the people of Hungary issued their Sixteen Points which included, more food, personal freedom, removal of Russian control, etc. -
Czechoslovakia Uprising
Czechoslovakia began to stress heavy consumer goods and industries. Troops of Russia, Bulgaria, Hungary, East Germany, and Poland occupied Czechoslovakia in August 20, 1968. -
Sputnik Launch (the space race)
On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik. It was the first satellite to orbit around Earth. It marked the start of the space age and the USSR and US space race. With this event, the public feared that if the Soviet has the ability to launch satellites, then it would alter the capability to launch missiles that could carry nuclear weapons. The launch of Sputnik also lead to the creation of NASA. -
U2 Spy Plane (Francis Gary Powers)
In May 1960, the USSR shot down an American U-2 spy plane. This is where they captured the pilot, Francis Gray Powers. He confronted that the US CIA had been flying spy missions over the USSR for several years. After Francis served for less than two years of his supposed 10 years of prison, he was released in the exchange for a captured Soviet agent. The U-2 spy incident led to great tensions between the US and USSR during the Cold War. -
Berlin Wall
On August 13, 1961, East Germany began to build a concrete and barbed wire wall between East and West Berlin. The purpose was to keep the Western "fascists" away from going into East Germany. The Berlin Wall stood until November 1989, when the head of the East Germany Communist Party announced that the people of East Germany could pass through the border whenever they pleased. -
Cuban Missle Crisis
Leaders of the US and USSR engaged in a 13-day political and military standoff on October 14, 1962. President Kennedy notified Americans about the missiles and planed to enact a naval blockade around Cuba. The US agreed to Soviet's leader, Khruschev's offer to remove the missiles from Cuba in exchange for the US to promise not to invade. -
Soviet War in Afghanistan
In Christmas 1979. Russia in the capital of Afghanistan. On December 27, Amin was shot by Russians and was replaced with Babrak Kamal; he realized that he needed the Russians help to keep himself in power. The Mujahdeen controlled 75% of Afghanistan who fought the world's second most powerful military power.
