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United Nations Formed
The United Nations or UN was formed right after WWII to maintain international peace and security and to prevent another global conflict. It was formed to replace the League of Nations which had failed at preventing WWII. -
Truman Doctrine
US President Harry S. Truman announced a policy designed to contain Soviet expansionism and to support the efforts of countries threatened by communism. It provided military and economic assistance to countries threatened or already under Soviet control. -
Marshall Plan
An American initiative used to aid economic recovery after WWII. It provided billions of dollars in aid to countries devastated by war, promoting economic stability and preventing the spread of communism. -
NATO Formed
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed as a military alliance between the US, Canada, and several European countries after WWII. It was created to provide a collective defense against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. -
¨Hollywood Ten¨
The Hollywood Ten were a group of ten members of the film industry that refused to testify to an anti-communist committee hearing and were blacklisted by the film industry during the Red Scare. -
Korean War
A Korean conflict fought to stop the spread of communism between North Korea and South Korea, which was a democracy. -
Space Race/Sputnik
A competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to explore space. It began when the Soviet Union launched the first satellite, Sputnik, into orbit. -
U.S. Officially Enters Vietnam War
President Eisenhower deploys US military advisors to aid South Vietnam. Over time the US became more involved by deploying troops for combat against communist North Vietnam. -
Bay of Pigs
The Bay of Pigs was a failed US military invasion of Cuba launched to remove Fidel Castro from power. -
Berlin Wall Goes Up
The Berlin Wall went up in 1961 to separate West Berlin and East Berlin which was occupied by Soviets. -
Soviets Invade Afghanistan
The Soviet Union sent thousands of troops into Afghanistan in an attempt to support the Afghan communist government against the anti-communist Muslim guerrillas. -
Berlin Wall Comes Down
The Berlin Wall which separated East and West Berlin was torn down by Germans on the night of November 9th allowing for easier border crossing.