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Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution took place on March 8, 1917 all the way till November 7, 1917. These two revolutions, the February Revolution and the October Revolution, went through Russian and they led to the formation of the Soviet Union -
Potsdam Conference
This conference lasted from July 17 to August 2, 1945 and was attended by the "Big Three", Joseph Stalin, Harry Truman and Winston Churchill. This was the last meeting attended by the "Big Three" in WWII. They discussed many things such as punishment for war criminals, land boundaries and they also issued a declaration demanding unconditional surrender from Japan. This meeting was meant to establish peace. -
Atomic Bomb (Hiroshima / Nagasaki)
On August 6, 1945, an American B-29 pilot had dropped the first atomic bomb over Japans' city of Hiroshima. This destroyed 90% of the city and had immediately killed over 80,000 people. Many more died later on due to radiation exposure. Three days later another American B-29 pilot had dropped a second atomic bomb over Nagasaki. This one killed over 40,000. -
Iron Curtain
The Iron Curtain symbolically represented the boundary between Eastern and Western Europe. Western Europe was politically free while the Eastern portion was under Soviet rule. On the Soviet side were the countries that made up the Warsaw Pact who were forced into Communism. The Iron Curtain did not end entirely until the end of the Cold War, in 1991. -
Hollywood 10
The Hollywood 10 were 10 members from the Hollywood Film Industry who were known for refusing to answer Congress when asked about Communism. They later, all received jail sentences and were banned from working with the Film Industry. -
Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine was known as the official declaration or start of the Cold War. It was where Truman asked the U.S. to help assist Greece and Turkey to regulate or stop the spread of Communism. His request was approved two months later. -
Molotov Plan
The Molotov Plan was where Soviet Prime Minister V.M. Molotov made a speech against the Marshall Plan. He discussed his counter agreements against Americans' offers. He made clear that he would know exactly how much money was being used to help aid each nation. -
Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan was a U.S. organized program to provide aid to the Western part of Europe. They were given about $15 billion to go towards economic redevelopment. They also wanted to put an end to, or stop Communism from spreading. -
Berlin Blockade
The Berlin blockade was where the Soviet Union cut off all access to East Germany from France, Great Britain and the United States. The Soviets stole everything from the people that they could like their transportation, food and more. They stripped Eastern Germany clean leaving the people with close to nothing. -
Berlin Airlift
The Berlin Blockade started in response to the Berlin Blockade and started on June 24, 1948 and lasted 15 months. It was where the U.S. and their allies decided to bring supplies to Western Germany. These B-19 planes delivered about 8,000 tons of supplies per day. They provided over 2.3 million tons of supplies in all. -
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
The main purpose for the establishment of NATO was to prevent another blockade from happening, like the Berlin Blockade. -
Soviet Bomb Test
On August 8, 1949 the Soviets dropped their first atomic bomb at a test site in Kazakhstan. This caused fear to rise because the bomb was build a few years earlier then expected. We later found out that American scientists had helped the Soviets with the bomb and they were later imprisoned for passing nuclear secrets. -
Alger Hiss Case
The Alger Hiss Case was meant to try and root out Communism from the state department or from office. This made many people fear that there were people who were Communism and just not telling the truth. He was tried before the HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee). -
Korean War
The Korean War lasted for three years starting in 1950. It was where North Korea crossed over the 38th parallel boundary. It was against the forces of international Communism. Many feared that it would turn into a war with Russia and China; possibly turning into World War III. -
Rosenburg Trial
Ethel and Julius Rosenburg were accused of selling nuclear bomb secrets to Russia. Their trial lasted about a month and they were finally sentenced to death on April 6, 1951. -
Army - McCarthy Hearings
Wisconsins' Senator Joseph McCarthy was charged by the army for using improper influences towards a former staff member. This was one of the first trials to be publicly broadcasted on television.His support and popularity soon was over. -
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
This battle was one of the first to start the Indochina War. -
Geneva Conference
The purpose for the Geneva Conference was to discuss and resolve problems in Asia. This was a turning point for the United States' involvement with Vietnam. The United States, Soviet Union, France, China and Great Britain were all at this meeting. -
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Pact was made up by the Soviet Union, Albania, Poland, Romania, Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria. They all signed a treaty to establish this, putting the Soviets' in command of the armed forces. This lasted until 1991. -
Hungarian Revolution
This event lasted from October 23, 1956 till November 10, 1956. This was a nationwide revolt against Communism and was the first real threat to Soviet control. This started as a student protest and soon gained attention from many more from Budapest and the Parliament. -
U2 Incident
On May 1, 1960, the USSR shot down an American Spy plane that had been flying in Soviets' airspace. After this, Eisenhower was forced to admit that they had been flying in Soviet territory for many years. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
The Bay of Pigs Invasion was a plan to take out Fidel Castros' air forces. This plan ended up failing because Castro had already knew about the invasion and had already relocated his air forces. -
Berlin Wall
Before the wall was built, people from either side of Germany were able to travel to each side somewhat freely. After the wall was build, it was impossible to cross the border unless you went through checkpoints. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
When we found out that nuclear armed Cuba was only 90 miles away from the Florida, American border, we felt that this was a threat. On October 22, 1962 the President notified the American public of the missiles and informed them that they would use military forces if needed. -
Assassination of Diem
After the overthrow of his Government Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother were both captured of killed. His death was a celebration for many in South Vietnam but it also caused political chaos. The United States quickly became more involved with Vietnam. -
Assassination of JFK
On the morning of November 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy while driving through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas.This was shortly before he was going to run for re-election. JFK passed later on after the shooting at a nearby hospital. Governor Connally was also seriously wounded but was expected to recover. -
Tonkin Gulf Resolution
The Tonkin Gulf Resolution was so that President Lyndon Johnson to do whatever necessary to keep forces away from the United States and prevent anything from going further that had to do with Vietnam. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
Operation Rolling Thunder was were American bombed Vietnam from 1965 to 1968. It was meant to threaten Vietnams' Communist Leader in hopes of reducing their military equipment. -
Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive was planned, North Vietnamese attacks on more than 100 cities in South Vietnam. On the morning of January 30, 1968 there were 16 attacks made on Central South Vietnam. -
Assassination of MLK
Martin Luther King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. This caused rage to rise for many African Americans and caused rioting in over 100 cities around the country. In response to this event, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Fair Housing Act on April 11. Martin Luther King was only 39 years old when he died. -
Assassination of RFK
Shortly after Robert Kennedy won California Presidential Primary, he was shot several times. The shooter was a young Palestinian by the name of Sirhan Sirhan. Robert died a day later in the hospital. -
Invasion of Czechoslovakia
On August 20, 1968 about 200,000 Warsaw Pact troops with 5,000 tanks invaded Czechoslovakia in hopes of destroying the Communist country. The citizens of Czechoslovakia tried to fight back in non-violent ways but they were no match to the Soviets. -
Riots of Democratic Convention
The Democratic Convention took place in Chicago, Illinois and was a 3 day event. Thousands of protesters came to riot against the Vietnam War. -
Election of Nixon
President Richard Nixon won the 1960 election against Hubert Humphrey. After losing to Kennedy 2 years before, many thought this was the end of his political career. He saved himself by running for President from the Republican Party. -
Kent State
On May 4, 1970, 4 Kent State students were killed and 9 more were injured. This was caused by rioting against the Vietnam War and when the Ohio National Guard opened fire. -
Nixon Visits China
President Richard Nixon visited Communist China in hopes of guiding them towards normal relations. This visit was the start of the process to establishing a diplomatic relation. -
Ceasefire in Vietnam
When the ceasefire started, South Vietnam Army was well prepared with United States aided weapons. South Vietnam forces took over many Communist occupied villages while the Communists tried to take over additional territory. -
Fall of Saigon
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Election of Reagan
Ronald Reagan ran for two terms (1981 - 1989) but was also Governor for California from 1967 to 1975. Reagan was known as 'The Great Communicator'. While President he cut taxes, increased defense spending and negotiated nuclear arms with the Soviets. -
SDI Announced
The SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative) was a plan to develop anti-ballistic missiles to prevent missile attacks from other countries. During the Cold War, this was Americas' response to any possible nuclear attacks. -
Geneva Conference with Gorbachev
President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev met in Geneva and discussed ideas for the future and even came together on a personal level. They also talked about the Soviets' nuclear arms and how they were going to manage it. -
'Tear Down This Wall' Speech
President Ronald Reagans' speech to Soviet Leader Gorbachev was one of his most memorable ones during the Cold War. He talked about how it would bring peace to both East and West Germany. -
Fall of Berlin Wall
About 4 years after President Reagan 'challenged' Soviet Leader Gorbachev to take down the wall, he finally did. Many Germans celebrated together. Over 2 millions Germans flooded through the checkpoints.
