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Bolsheviks to Power
Two revolutions ended the rule of Tsar Nicholas II and brought the communist Bolsheviks to power. -
Americans led Campaign
American officials led a campaign—through propaganda and police and legal action—against socialist and communist influences. -
The United States Superpower
The United States had a growing economy and a powerful military almost unmatched in the world. -
Soviet Spying On U.S.
The Soviets had been spying on the United States’ nuclear program since 1941. -
Allied Victory
An Allied victory in Europe was in sight, though war still raged in the Pacific. -
Nuclear Age Began
the United States dropped atomic bombs on two Japanese cities, compelling Japan to surrender. World War II was over, but the nuclear age had begun. -
Potsdam Conference
Following Germany’s surrender, the three nations’ leaders met again at Potsdam in Germany. -
Failure of Yalta and Potsdam Conferences
From 1947 to 1955, the failure of the Yalta and the Potsdam agreements became apparent. -
British Government Stopped Supporting Greek
The British government had been providing economic and military support to the Greek government. However, later it was announced that it could no longer afford to do so. This meant that the Greek government would not have support against the Greek Communist Party. -
Truman Makes Truman Doctrine
In a speech given on March 12, 1947, Truman announced a new policy that became known as the Truman Doctrine. -
United States Proposed the Marshall Plan
the United States’ commitment to containment influenced Secretary of State George C. Marshall to propose what became known as the Marshall Plan. -
The Three Powers Merge
Great Britain, France, and the United States merged their occupation zones. -
Soviet Ended Berlin Blockade
The Berlin Airlift continued until May 1949, when the Soviet Union ended the blockade. -
Soviet Tests Their First Nuclear Bomb
The Soviet Union successfully tested its first nuclear bomb. The world had not one, but two superpowers—and neither wanted to share that status with the other. -
The Allies Playing Nice
The western Allies rejected a Soviet plan to reunite Germany under one government without armaments, or weapons. Instead, they signed an agreement with West Germany that permitted the nation to rearm. -
NATO
The result was the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) among the United States, Canada, and 10 European nations. Three more joined by 1955. -
Solidified Soviet Influences
The Soviet Union responded in kind. With seven Eastern Bloc, or Eastern European, nations, it formed the Warsaw Pact.