-
The Yalta conference takes place and the Allies of World War II } divide Germany into four occupation zones. The Allied nations agree that free elections are to be held in all countries occupied by Nazi Germany.The new United Nations are to replace the failed League of Nations.
-
-
Chinese Civil War resumed between Communist and Nationalist forces.
-
The Greek Civil War reignites between communists and the conservative Greek government.
-
The American and British zones of control in Germany are united to form the Bizone also known as Bizonia.
-
President Harry Truman announces the Truman Doctrine starting with the giving of aid to Greece and Turkey in order to prevent them from falling into the Soviet sphere
-
The Communist Party takes control in Czechoslovakia
-
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is founded by Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States, in order to resist Communist expansion.
-
The Soviet Union tests its first atomic bomb. The test, known to Americans as Joe 1, succeeds, as the Soviet Union becomes the world's second nuclear power.
-
January 4: Chinese soldiers capture Seoul.
-
Japan signs the Treaty of San Francisco and the Treaty of Taipei, formally ending its period of occupation and isolation, and becoming a sovereign state.
