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On October 24th, 1945, the UN was created to prevent future conflicts like WW2, as well as promote cooperation between governments and dedication to try and solve global issues. The UN focuses on peacekeeping and delivering humanitarian aid. -
In November 1947, ten prominent filmmakers testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee and refused to answer questions regarding their political affiliations and possible communist ties. They were then found in contempt of Congress and were fined and sentenced to prison time. As a result of all of this, they were also blacklisted from Hollywood. -
On March 12th, 1947, A foreign policy initiative made by President Harry Truman pledged that the U.S. would be devoted to stopping the spread of communism. This included giving aid to other anti-communist governments and direct intervention. -
On April 3rd, 1948, A U.S. program was announced that provided economic help to rebuild Western Europe. The cost of this plan was 15 billion dollars, which in turn strengthened the relationships between the US and Europe, as well as established the U.S as a major political and economic power. -
On April 4th, 1949, NATO was formed. After WW2, the core principle was collective defense. If one union was attacked, the others would help defend, making every country included in this pact an ally. -
From June 25th, 1950- July 27th, 1953, A conflict between North and South Korea, where North Korea intended to capture South Korea and implement communist rule, supposedly unifying the country. The United States fought alongside the South Koreans in attempts to stop the spread of communism. The war ended with the countries being officially divided at the 38th parallel.
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From October 4th, 1957-July 20th, 1969. The launching of Sputnik was the first artificial Earth satellite to be put into orbit. The success of this satellite led to the start of what was known as the Space Race. This competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union to dominate space exploration ended when the U.S. had the first successful moon landing.
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On April 17th, 1961, a U.S.-backed failed invasion of Cuba with the intention to overthrow Fidel Castro's government, the unsuccessful invasion resulted in 100 deaths and 1,100 exiles captured. -
On August 13th, 1961, the Berlin Wall was constructed to create a physical barrier between East and West Berlin, preventing East Germans from fleeing to the West. Those who tried to cross this barrier faced persecution and sometimes death. -
On March 8th, 1965, the first combat troops arrived in South Vietnam to help defend the Da Nang Air base. This signified a great political shift because the U.S. was moving from providing aid and training to fighting directly alongside the South Vietnamese. -
From December 4th, 1979- 1989, the intervention was intended to strengthen Afghanistan's pro-communist government, which was struggling due to the opposition of the mujahideen. The U.S. supported the mujahideen through this war in an attempt to stop the spread of communism once again. The Soviet Union eventually withdrew its forces, marking the end of communism in Afghanistan.
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On November 9th, 1989, due to the increase in protests and civil unrest, the Eastern German government finally granted citizens the right to cross to the West without facing death or persecution. While the actual dismantling of the wall was not immediate, the division that it symbolized was no more.