-
The allied leaders (Franklin Roosevelt, Josef Stalin, Winston Churchill) meet at the Yalta Conference to make postwar arrangements Their agreements were contradictory contradictory but each country acknowledged on another. (From: http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-cold-war/timeline.html)
-
The U.N. is established of 51 countries-- this is significant because it provided a grounding place for countires to reconvene and discuss the world's condition. (From: http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-cold-war/timeline.html)
-
Americans have successfully tested the first atomic bomb in New Mexico-- this is significant because it provided a leading edge in the world weaponry. (from: http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-cold-war/timeline.html)
-
The Americans drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. The devastation shocks the world and begins the nuclear age. (From" http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-cold-war/timeline.html)
-
Germany surrended their fight in World War II after the Allied forces took large numbers of Axis prisoners. This left German forces weak and depleted, their horrors exposed for the entire world to see. (From: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/world-war-ii-history/pictures/end-of-world-war-ii/crowds-celebrating-germanys-surrender)
-
Winston Churchill gives his "Iron Curtain" speech: This is important because it's almost a call-to-action for people to wake up to the threat of Communism. (From: http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-cold-war/timeline.html)
-
Soviet law was put into effect for Poland; Polish parties and organizations were disabled and the country was totally taken over, as well as its relgious institutions. ( From: http://www.communistcrimes.org/en/Database/Poland/Poland-Communist-Era)
-
Harry S. Truman pledges American aid to any nation that may be threatened by Communism-- this was important because it officially founded the worldwide containment of Communism as being of the highest defense priority.
(From: http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-cold-war/timeline.html) -
tTe North Atlantic Treaty Organization established itself as an anti-Soviet military alliance. This was important because it provided an organiation through which to make anti-Communist decisions. (From: http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-cold-war/timeline.html)
-
Stalin dies and therefore is control over the Soviet Union diminishes-- the Soviet stronghold his left weak. From: http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-cold-war/timeline.html
-
When Russia launched the first articificial satellite ever from Earth, America felt very competitive and defeated. (From: http://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/)
-
The first Summit Meeting between President Dwight Eisenhower and Premier Nikita Khrushchev occured in Washington, D.C. Khrushchev described the meeting: "I got the impression that he sincerely wanted to liquidate the ‘Cold War’ and to improve relations between our two great countries.” The tension seemed to be easing. From: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/khrushchev-and-eisenhower-offer-views-on-summit-meeting
-
The Soviets shot down an American spy plane over Russia, ruining any peace plans created at the Summit. (From: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/khrushchev-and-eisenhower-offer-views-on-summit-meeting)
-
This even is important because Russia displayed its furthering of Communism very close to American soil.
(From: http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/cuba-and-struggle-democracy-south-africa) -
Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader of the Soviet Union, the , soonafter declares glasnost and perestroika. This system had begun to take power away from Communists.
(From: http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/perestroika-and-glasnost)
