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Period: to
Cold War Events
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V-E Day
On May 2 after Hitler had committed suicide, Berlin surrendered. Germany surrendered May 7. With Germany finally in Allied hand, the war in Europe was over. This day became V-E Day- Victory in Europe Day. -
Potsdam Conference
After the war, Eastern Europe was extremely unstable. It was essential for it to be ruled by the Allies- who would rebuild it. Western nations and Soviets had different intentions with rule, which left them very unsettled. It was feared that Stalin would promote both Communism and Soviet rule; what the Western nations were trying to avoid. -
V-J Day
On this day, Japanese Emperor Hirohito surrendered to America. After the Americans had dropped two atomic bombs on Japan, they realized they had been defeated. This day, V-J Day ended all of WWII. -
Berlin Airlift
Because of the economic assisstance the U.S. was giving West Berlin, the Soviets blocked off all transportation. The U.S. was providing for these people because they wanted to prevent the spread of Communism by creating and independent deomcratic German nation. Aircraft got involved because they were determined to provide for the people in need- the Berlin airlift. The success of this caused to Soviets to call off the blockade in 1949. -
Korean War
The United States and Soviet Union had alreaded divided Korea. The Soviets instantly made the north Communists while the south was not. The North Koreans attacked the south in attempt to unite the two as a Communist government. Eventually, the North Koreans were pushed out of the south. North Korea still remains a Communist state and South Korea is an ally of the west. -
The Hydrogen Bomb
After hearing about the Soviet's testing with atomic bombs, the Western nations knew they had to develop powerful weapons. The U.S. created the hydrogen bomb. Unlike the atomic bomb, the hydrogen bomb fused atoms to create explosions while the atomic bomb split atoms. Within a year of creating this bomb, the Soviets tested their own hydrogen bomb. -
Sputnik
The Soviets launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik. This devasted the U.S. The U.S. was under the impression that their technology was far more advanced than the Soviet's. This made the U.S. create NASA. -
The Berlin Wall
Many Germans were fleeing from East Berlin to West Berlin. The west was a free, democratic nation and the east was a brutal, communist system. To prevent this, a large wall was built on the border. This wall was heavily secured. Anyone wanting to cross would be risking their lives. -
Glasnost and Perestroika
(no direct dates) In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev proposed glasnost and perestroika. These would allow the Soviets' problems to be openly discussed, and to restrcuture their government. He reduced central planning of the Soviet's economy and reduced spending on weaponry. This made the union go through major reforms. -
The Destruction of the Berlin Wall
An influx of East Germans goiing into Hungary gave the government no choice but to open the gates of the Berlin Wall. People began tearing it down to symbolize the oppression the Soviets put them through. In less than a year, East and West Germany was considered one nation.
