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George Marshall plans
Secretary of State George Marshall outlines plans for a comprehensive program of economic assistance for the war-ravaged countries of Western Europe. It would become known throughout the world as the Marshall Plan. -
Communist Take Over
The Communist Party takes control in Czechoslovakia, after President Edvard Beneš accepts the resignation of all non-communist ministers. -
The Red Scare
The Red Scare reaches its peak, with the naming of numerous American celebrities as members of the Communist Party. -
United Nations Attempt
United Nations forces engage North Korean forces for the first time, in Osan. They fail to halt the North Korean advance, and fall southwards, towards what would become the Pusan Perimeter. -
Douglas MacArthur Fired
US President Harry S. Truman fires Douglas MacArthur from command of US forces in Korea. -
Treaty of San Francisco
The Treaty of San Francisco, signed by Japan on September 8, 1951, comes into effect, and Japan signs the Treaty of Taipei, formally ending its period of occupation and isolation, and becoming a sovereign state. -
Nikita Khruschev
Nikita Khrushchev becomes leader of the Soviet Communist Party. His main rival, Lavrentiy Beria, is executed in December. -
Taiwan Strait Crisis
The Taiwan Strait Crisis begins with the Chinese Communist shelling of Taiwanese islands. The US backs Taiwan, and the crisis resolves itself as both sides decline to take action. -
Austria Neutralized
Austria is neutralized and allied occupation ends. -
Hungarian Revolution
Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Hungarians revolt against the Soviet dominated government. They are crushed by the Soviet military, which reinstates a Communist government. -
Eisenhower Doctrine
The Eisenhower doctrine commits the US to defending Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan from Communist influence. -
The 14th July Revoution
A coup in Iraq, the 14 July Revolution, removes the pro-British monarch. Iraq begins to receive support from the Soviets. Iraq will maintain close ties with the Soviets throughout the Cold War. -
Cuban Revolution
Cuban Revolution. Fidel Castro becomes the leader of Cuba although refrains from declaring the country Communist. Cuban-inspired guerrilla movements spring up across Latin America. -
Communist in Malaya Defeated
Communist insurgents in Malaya are defeated -
Insurency Against Portugese
Angolan nationalists, including communists, begin an insurgency against Portuguese rule.