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Berlin Blockade
It was one of the first major international crisis of the cold war. The Soviet Union blocked the western allies. They blocked railways, roads and canal access to the sectors of Berlin under Western control. -
Berlin Airlift
East and West Germany was divided into two parts with a wall. The airlift was meant to help get supplies to the people in Berlin from the United States. -
Formation of NATO
NATO was created to keep peace between nations. It was established to promote democratic values and encourages consultation and cooperation on defense and security issues to build trust and, in the long run, prevent conflict. -
National Security council support NSC-68
A 58-page top secret policy paper by the United States National Security Council presented to President Harry S. Truman. This document launched the Cold War. -
Chinese Civil War (between Jiang Jieshi and Mao Zedong)
Chinese communists were expelled from the party and led a successful unification of China. Despite a professed focus on reform, Chiang’s government concentrated on battling Communism within China as well as confronting Japanese aggression. -
Korean War
North Korea invaded South Korea which launched the war. It was against the communist north and democratic south. -
President Truman fires General MacArthur
U.S. President Harry S. Truman relieved General of the Army Douglas MacArthur of his commands after MacArthur made public statements which contradicted the administration's policies. -
Formation of the Warsaw Pact
The treaty called on the member states to come to the defense of any member attacked by an outside force. -
Launching of Sputnik
The Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik I. The world's first artificial satellite was about the size of a beach ball. This started the space race. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The installation of nuclear-armed Soviet missiles on Cuba, just 90 miles from U.S. shores. This made tensions very strong between the United States and the Soviet Union.
