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UN formed
An international organization formed after WWII in order to maintain international peace and security. This group helped nations achieve cooperation in regard to economic, social, and humanitarian problems. -
"Hollywood Ten"
10 motion picture producers, directors, and screenwriters who refused to answer questions regarding their possible communist affiliations. After spending some time in prison, they were all blacklisted by Hollywood studios. -
Truman Doctrine presented
A proposal that the US should send aid to countries threatened by Soviet/Communist forces. President Truman suggested this to help Greece and Turkey, but the Communists took it as a blatant declaration of war, marking the beginning of the Cold War. -
Marshall Plan established
A program meant to provide assistance to restore the economic infrastructure of Europe. This plan expanded European agricultural and industrial production, restored currencies and finances, and stimulated international trade. -
NATO formed
Stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Meant to provide collective security against the Soviet Union, and was the first peacetime military alliance. -
Korean War begins
This 3-year long war was fought between North Korea and South Korea over border disputes. The fight began when North Korea invaded South Korea in an attempt to spread communist ideals. The US joined the war 2 days after its start, to defend South Korea and stop the spread of communism. -
Space Race begins
This 20-year-long competition between the US and the Soviet Union to get into space/land on the moon. Russia produced and launched the first satellite to orbit the Earth, but the US was the first country to put a man on the moon. No physical fighting occurred, but tensions were high. -
Sputnik launch
As described under 'Space Race,' the Sputnik satellite was the first satellite to successfully orbit the Earth. -
Bay of Pigs invasion
A failed military landing operation on the SW coast of Cuba by Cuban exiles. The US funded their mission as they wanted Fidel Castro's communist government to be overthrown. This attempted attack affected relations between the US and other nations. -
Berlin Wall goes up
A giant wall was erected to isolate Soviet-occupied East Berlin from the rest of Germany. There were actually two walls, with a 160-yard gap in between to stop potential escapees. Over 100 people died trying to cross from East Berlin to the West. -
US enters Vietnam War
The US entered the Vietnam War to prevent the spread of communism. They were worried that if North Vietnam took over the South, they wouldn't just stop there. The US foresaw a mass takeover of communism, so they defended South Vietnam. -
Soviets invade Afghanistan
The Soviet Union sent thousands of troops into Afghanistan and assumed complete military control of most of the country. Around 1 million civilians were killed and the country was left in ruins. -
Berlin Wall comes down
Political reforms within the Soviet bloc escalated pressure from the people of Eastern Europe to take down the Berlin Wall. The day before the wall was torn down, East German officials opened the wall for travel between sides.