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Yalta Conference
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin in the making of important decisions regarding the future progress of the war and post war. This conference set the division of Germany, arranged for former-governments to be re-established, and Stalin agreed to permit free elections in Eastern Europe and enter the Asian war against Japan for which he was promised the return of lands to Japan from the Russo-Japan War. -
Potsdam Conference
Meeting between Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill, and Harry Truman in order to negotiate terms for the end of WWII. Established a Council of Foreign Ministers and a Central Allied Control Council in order to administer Germany and its economy, punishment for criminals, land boundaries, and reparations, as well as a demand for unconditional surrender from Japan.
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Iron Curtain Speech
Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech expressed the want for a “special relationship” between the United States and the United Kingdom. In addition, Churchill spoke of an “iron curtain” that fell between Western capitalist democracies and and Eastern communist dictatorships. Churchill believed that Communism could be destroyed and democracy would prevail. -
Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine sought to contain the spread of Communism by providing financial support to democratic countries. The Truman Doctrine changed the focus of U.S. foreign policy from practicing isolationism to intervening in foreign affairs. -
Marshall Plan
Secretary of State, George C. Marshall created the Marshall Plan, which was a program to rebuild Western Europe and its economies, due to the devastation of World War II. The U.S. was influenced to involve itself in these duties because it feared the expansion of Communism across Europe, following the war. The Marshall Plan also institutionalized and legitimized the concept of U.S. foreign aid programs, which have become an integral part of U.S. foreign policy. -
OAS is Formed
The Organization of American States was an inter-continental organization that formed to strengthen the peace and security of the continent and promote democracy, especially after the war with the surge of communism across Europe. This organization promoted the ideas of “keeping the world safe for democracy.” -
Berlin Airlift
The Soviet Union blockaded rail, road, and water access to West Berlin; the United States and United Kingdom airlifted supplies to West Berlin. From the Berlin Airlift emerged the discussion of the boundaries and hot to dispute them. -
NATO Formed
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was an alliance between the U.S., Canada, and several Western European nations to provide European nations security against the Soviet Union. The NATO was the first military alliance the U.S. entered outside of the Western Hemisphere. As a result of World War II, many European nations were vulnerable and struggled to maintain stable economies. The U.S. wanted to aid these struggling nations to prevent the further spread communism across the continent. Th -
Chinese Civil War
Announcement of a civil war between Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Nationalist Party or Kuomintang (KMT), after WWII. This civil war restarted after the war against Japan was over. War was fought over on how they would rule China. -
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Treaty Organization was a political and military alliance between the Soviet Union and several Eastern Europe countries, which served as a counterbalance to the NATO. The Soviet Union feared that the effects of the NATO and a rearmed West Germany. The Warsaw Pact hoped it could contain West Germany and negotiate NATO was an equal partner. Similar to the NATO, this alliance was made between several European nations to provide one another security, in case of war.
