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NATO and Warsaw Pact
Tensions from the Cold War develop and grow quickly. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is created. This is an organization where the US, Canada, and ten other countries promise to help each other if attacked. In response, the Soviets created the Warsaw Pact. It divided Europe into eastern and western blocs. -
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Chinese Civil War
Communists gained control of Northern China after the end of World War II. Mao Zedong led communist forces to fight a civil war against nationalists, who are led by Jiang Jieshi. Mao Zedong's forces won the civil war and nationalists fled to Taiwan. The communists won the war because Mao had support from a huge population, nationalists lost popularity, and communists captured rail lines and surrounding nationalist-held cities. -
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Nuclear Arms Race and Detente
The Soviets did not like that the US was the only nuclear power. They began to develop nuclear weapons. They engaged in a race to outdo each other's weapons. They began Strategic Arms Limitation Talks to limit the nuclear weapons possessed. They both signed. The detente, or relaxation of tensions, was introduced. They decided to figure out agreements instead of using military right away. -
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Korean Conflict
World War II divided Korea into a northern half and a southern half, divided at the 38th parallel. The Korean War began when the North Korean Communist army crossed the 38th Parallel and invaded South Korea. As Kim Il-sung's North Korean army overran South Korea, the United States came to South Korea's aid. General Douglas MacArthur commanded the US forces. -
Berlin Wall
As a result of Berlin being a focus of Cold War tension, it is split in two by a wall. East Germany built a wall sealing off West Berlin. It was made out of concrete and included barbed wire, and patrolling guards. Anyone who tried to flee, was killed -
Communist Cuba and Missile Crisis
In the 1950s, Fidel Castro led Cuba to be a communist country. They were left with little to no political freedom. The United States tried to shut down communism in Cuba by invading. The invaders were captured. The Soviets sent nuclear weapons to Cuba to defend themselves. The US responded by creating a naval blockade and demanding the Soviets to remove the weapons. For a few days, there would be a risk of a nuclear war. The Soviets gave in eventually and agreed to remove the weapons.
