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The US Formally Recognizes the USSR
Though the U.S. recognized the U.S.S.R. late, this diplomatic deal began relations on a solid note. U.S. Department of State -
Winston Churchill Delivers his "Iron Curtain" Speech
"From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended over the continent." – Winston Churchill, March 5, 1946 Image Courtesy of Gale World History in Context -
East German Uprising Begins
"The provocative plan of the reactionary and fascist-like elements has been wrecked . . . It may be considered that a special organization based in West Berlin has directed the strikes in East Berlin. Analyzing the situation, I have also come to the conclusion that the provocation was prepared in advance, organized, and directed from Western sectors of Berlin." – Andrei Grechko, Commander in Chief of Soviet Forces in East Germany, Jun. 17, 1953 Image Courtesy of The New York Times -
Nikita Khrushchev Delivers his "Secret Speech"
"Instead of proving his political correctness and mobilizing the masses, he often chose the path of repression and physical annihilation, not only against actual enemies, but also against individuals who had not committed any crimes against the party and the Soviet Government." – Nikita Khrushchev, Feb. 25. 1956 Image Courtesy of Britannica Image Quest -
Hungarian Revolution Begins
"In such an event, defeating the counterrevolutionary forces, even if they had not shown all their fascist nature, would have brought us very great political complications. " – Nikita Khrushchev, Nov. 4, 1956 Image Courtesy of Gale World History in Context -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
"I have previously stated, and I repeat now, that the United States intends no military intervention in Cuba." – John F. Kennedy, April 18, 1961 Image courtesy of Britannica Image Quest -
Berlin Wall Construction Begins
"We achieved . . . The protection of the GDR against the organization of a civil war and military provocations from West Berlin. The cessation of the economic and cultural undermining of the capital of the GDR by the West Berlin swamp." – Walter Ulbricht, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, Sep. 15, 1961 Image Courtesy of Britannica Image Quest -
Warsaw Pact Troops Bust Prague Spring
"The press, radio, and television, which are effectively in the hands of right-wing forces, have influenced popular opinion to such an extent that elements hostile to the Party have begun to take part in the political life of our country, without any opposition from the public. These elements are fomenting a wave of nationalism and chauvinism, and are provoking an anti-Communist and anti-Soviet psychosis." – Vasil Bilak, Aug., 1968 Image Courtesy of Britannica Image Quest -
Brezhnev Presents his "Brezhnev Doctrine"
"Defending their own socialist gains, the U.S.S.R. and the other socialist states had to act decisively and they did act against the antisocialist forces in Czechoslovakia." – Leonid Brezhnev, Nov. 13, 1968 -
ABM Treaty is Signed after SALT I Talks
The ABM Treaty showed the the U.S. and U.S.S.R. were capable of settling foreign policy disputes. Gale World History in Context
