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Period: to
Cold War Timespan
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Yalta Conference
Winston Churchill, Joeseph Stalin, and Franklin Roosevelt meet to discuss the plans post-WWII. Their most important decision: the demand of Germany's total surrender "Yalta Conference." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2016. -
Potsdam Conference
WInston Churchill, Joeseph Stalin, and Harry Truman meet after Germany' surrender. They discuss how to deal with Germany: their economy, reparations, war criminals, and boundaries. "Potsdam Conference." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2016. -
Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima
The U.S. drops the first atomic bomb used in battle on Hiroshima, Japan, destroying 90% of the city. 3 days later, a second bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, Japan "Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2016. -
Truman Doctrine
The official declaration of the Cold War. President Truman defines the Soviet Union as the hub of the world's communism, and demands that it is stopped before communist aggression invades other countries. "Truman Doctrine Is Announced." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2016. -
Berlin Airlift
After WWII Germany was split in four and occupied by four different countries (U.S., Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union). The Soviet Union wanted to have Germany all to itself, so they blocked off Berlin's access to all other parts of the country, in the hopes of driving out the U.S., Great Britain, and France. Instead of retreating, those countries helped Berlin by airlifting foods and supplies to them "Berlin Airlift." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2016. -
NATO Established
The North Atlantic Treaty organization links 12 countries together as allies against Soviet aggression "NATO Established." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2016. -
Warsaw Pact
After the formation of NATO, Germany is allowed to remilitarize. The Soviet Union sees this as a threat, and responds by allying itself with East Germany and other European countries. This pact declares that the countries will protect each other against outside threats, and puts the Soviet Union in charge of the armed forces "The Warsaw Pact Is Formed." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2016. -
Vietnam War
After the rise of Ho Chi Minh, and his communist party, tensions between the U.S. and Vietnam were on the rise. It especially irriated the United States because of their current Cold War involvement over communism with the Soviet Union. The Vietnam War lasted for the next 20 years "Vietnam War History." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2016. -
Soviet Union Launches Sputnik
The launch of Sputnik, the first man made satellite in orbit, scared Americans into believing that the Soviet Union was advancing technologically past the United States. There was also a fear that the Soviet Union was ahead in the arms race "Soviet Union Launches Sputnik I." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2016. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
After Fidel Castro overthrew the Cuban president in 1959, hundreds of Cubans fled the country to escape his communist wrath. They were then trained by the U.S., and invaded Cuba again in 1961, to try and overthrow Castro from power. "Bay of Pigs Invasion." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2016. -
Berlin Wall Built
Communist East Germany builds a wall to physically separate itself from the non-communist occupied areas of the country. This was to stop people from escaping East Berlin. The wall remained intact, and kept it's residents inside without leave, for almost the next 30 years. "East Germany Begins Construction of the Berlin Wall." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2016. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
When the Soviet Union stores its missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles off the shore of the U.S., American panic ensues. In response to Americans' fear that the U.S. was about to be involved in a nuclear warm, President Kennedy agrees not to invade Cuba if the Soviet Union will remove their missiles. "Cuban Missile Crisis." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2016. -
Berlin Wall Destroyed
"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" was the line from President Regean's speech that started the movement to tearing own the Berlin Wall. It stood for almost 30 years, until the head of the East German Communist declared that residents of East and West Germany could now freely travel between the border. It was torn down not only by the military, but by civilians who, for years, were confined by the wall. "Berlin Wall." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2016. -
Gorbachev Elected President of Soviet Union
After being elected president of the Soviet Union, Gorbachev declared perestroika and glasnost for the Soviet Union. This was a plan to reconstruct the country and their government. Within a few years all communist governments in Europe had been abolished and the Cold War ended. "Perestroika and Glasnost." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2016. -
Fall of the Soviet Union
The eleven Soviet republics met and declared that they would no longer be part of the Soviet Union. This was mainly due to everything Gorbachev implemented, that these countries didn't agree with, during his time as president. The USSR officially disbanded, became Russia once again, and elected Boris Yeltsin as president. "Fall of the Soviet Union." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2016.
