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The Yalta Conference
Office of the Historian - The Yalta Conference
This conference was held as a meeting for the heads of government for the US, UK, and Soviet Union, to discuss Europe's post-war reorganization. They made many agreements, some disagreements, that still lead to controversy to this day. -
The "Iron Curtain"
Encyclopedia Britannica - The Iron Curtain
The term, Iron Curtain, is a metaphorical term that was adapted resulting in the boundary The Soviet Union made with its central and European allies. They made this boundary to keep from open contact with the West and other noncomunist areas. They wanted this boundary to guard them from military and political disagreements. -
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The Cold War
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The Marshall Plan
Cold War Museum - The Marshall PlanAfter World War II, the nations involved faced econimic crisis and famine, making it hard to successfully live their lives in good health and well-being. At Harvard University, Secretary of State George C. Marshall called for assistance from America in order to help replenish and restore the Econimic framework of Europe. This led to prevention of famine and political chaos, and a very deserving George C. Marshall won a Nobel Peace Prize. -
Berlin Airlift
History.com - Berlin Airlift
The Berlin Airlift was created in result of the Berlin Blockade. In late June of 1948, the Soviet Union created a blockade that prevented Western Allies from accessing Berlin. This resulted in some frustrated people, causing them to come up with the Berlin Airlift. In order to carry supplies to the people in West Berlin, the Western allies flew supplies to the part of Berlin that was blockaded. -
Formation of NATO
Cold War Museum - Formation of NATO
The Soviet Union took advantages of satellite countries and started taking control over them politically. This resulted in an even larger growth in armed forces, leaving other neighboring countries pretty threatened by their forces. This feel of a threat led to the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, so the Soviet Union wouldn't expand control over them. -
Soviet Union's Atomic Bomb
History.com - Soviets Explode Atomic Bomb
On this date, the Soviet Union had their first success with an atomic bomb. They proved to the United States that they, too, could produce an atomic bomb. The Soviets were the second to produce an atomic bomb. -
Beginning of the Korean War
History.com - The Korean War
At this time, North Korea decided to invade South Korea. The North American troops decided to try to help intervene this war by joining South Korea to stop the spread of Communism. -
The Execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg
Execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were a married couple, and were convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage, resulting in a dramatic finale of the most controversial espionage case of the Cold War. The two were put to death in the eletric chair. -
End of the Korean War
History.com - Ending of the Korean War
Finally, after blood sweat and tears from multiple different countries to try and dissipate the disagreement, the People's Republic of China, North Korea, and South Korea agreed to an armstice, ending the Korean War. -
Rise of Nikita Khrushchev
Nikita Khrushchev
After Joseph Stalin's death, there was a fight to determine who would take over the Soviet Union. Nikita Khrushchev, a communist, was elected leader of the Soviet Union on September 7th, 1953. -
Formation of the Warsaw Pact
History.com - Formation of the Warsaw Pact
The Soviet Union and seven of its European satellites decided on an agreement that any of them would fight to defend each of the countries from an outside intruder. This led to putting the Soviets in command of the armed forces of the member states. -
Sputnik
Launch of Sputnik
The Soviet Union launched the first artificial sattelite, named Sputnik. The launch of this satellite was a shock to experts, expecting the first satellite to be launched by the United States. When the US saw that they had done this, they felt threatened by the Soviet Union, and felt as if they had fallen behind on technological improvements. -
Creation of the Berlin Wall
Creation of the Berlin Wall
The build of the Berlin Wall acted as a barrier to divide Berlin into two parts, East from West. It still acts as a very powerful symbol of the Cold War to this day. It was a concrete wall built with barbed wire fencing. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest that the United States and the Soviet Union ever came to a nuclear conflict. The United States made the terrible discovery of locating 90 missiles on the coast of Cuba, aimed towards the United States. John Kennedy finally negotiated with Khrushchev to remove the missiles from Cuba. This conflict lasted 13 days. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
Fall of the Berlin Wall
There was an announcement made by a German government official that people had permission to cross the borders of the Berlin Wall. People were in shock after hearing this, and were extremely hesitant to test to see if what they heard was true. They were allowed to cross when they approached the border, resulting in the fall of the Berlin Wall. -
Fall of the Soviet Union
Fall of the Soviet Union
The Fall of the Soviet Union started with the soviet republics breaking off from control of the Soviet Union. They decided to form a Commonwealth of Independent States. The world watched in amazement as the Soviet Union disinigrated into 15 separate countries. This ended the Cold War, and left the United States a need for rejoice and celebration as its enemy collapsed.
