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Stalin
Served as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Gave the Soviet Union a command economy and increased production of the country. Dealt with anyone that planned to overthrow him or was against him. Led the Soviets Union during the period where tension increased with the Western Allies and became the Cold War. -
United Nations
The largest international organization in history. Replaced the League of Nations. Promotes cooperation towards world peace. Replaced the League of Nations as an organization which actually holds power and can back there decisions. -
Iron Curtain
The iron curtain symbolized how the Soviet Union was blocking itself off from the west. The iron curtain showed the differences and tension between the west and the Soviet Union. -
Truman Doctrine
Said the U.S. would help Turkey and Greece so they do not fall to communism. In 1952 Greece and Turkey joined NATO. Helped stop the spread of communism in Europe. -
The Marshall Plan
Program initiated by the U.S. to provide Europe with aid. Helped stop countries from turning to communism and joining with the Soviet Union. -
Berlin Airlift
Stalin attempted to remove the Western Allies from Berlin. The Western powers bagan a constant air lift to provide West Berlin with food. It shows the Western powers and the Soviet Union. -
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Also known as NATO, the organization is a collective defence group. NATO stepped into action during the Korean War and helped South Korea. NATO was also meant as a countermeasure to a Soviet attack. NATO was one of the two major aliances during the Cold War and represented the Western allies. -
Peoples Republic of China
Established after Mao Zedong leading the communist beat the Nationalists and forced them to retreat to Taiwan. Although communist, China did not ally with the Soviet Union. Since China turned communist it seemed like the Soviet Union had gained an edge against the U.S. but this proved wrong as China did not ally with the Soviet Union. -
Korean War
Whene World War II ended Korea was split up between the U.S. and the Soviets, North Korea became communist and South Korea became backed by the U.S. since it was not communist. North Korea attacked South Korea in an attempt to reunify Korea. The U.S. then put together a United Nations force and fought of North Korea. The Korean War showed how America would stop other countries from becoming Communist. -
Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh was a revolutionary leader for communism in Vietnam. Founded the Viet Cong. Established the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Played a key role in supporting communism in Vietnam -
Putin
Served in the KGB. Served as the president of Russia. Helped bring political stability to Russia along with economic achievments. -
Explosion of the first hydrogen bomb
The first thermonuclear bomb. Produced the same energy as 10,000,000 tons of TNT. Replaced the Fission bombs. -
Khrushchev
Was the First secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. He led the Soviet Union during a portion the Cold War. Helped with the de-Stalinization of the Soviet Union. -
KGB (Committe for State Security)
Acted as the intelligence, secret police, and security of the Soviet Union. The KGB watched the public and helped put down any revolutions against the Soviet Union and supported communist governments. -
Warsaw Pact
Mutual Defense treaty that allied communist nations during the Cold War. The Warsaw Pact was one of the two major alliances during the Cold War and rivaled NATO. -
Suez Canal/ Nasser
The U.S. and Britain offered to fund the building of a dam for Egypt but withdrew it when Egypt became friendly with the Soviet Union. When the Egyptian leader Nasser announced to nationalize the Suez Canal Israeli, Britain, and France invaded to remove Nasser. The three withdrew due to the U.S. and the Soviet Union asking them too. It was an instance where the U.S. did not side with its allies but with the communists. -
Sputnik
First satellite that was launched into space by the Soviets. Started the Space Age adn the Space Race. Major hit to the U.S. that the Soviets had beat them to space. -
Berlin Wall is erected
The Berlin Wall was erected to seperate East Berlin from West Berlin. It was heavily guarded with watch towers and other defenses. Showed the difference between the Capitalists side and the Communist side. -
European Economic Cooperation
Organization to boost economic progress. The countries that participated were mainly democracies. Helped administer the Marshall Plan. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis involved the Soviet Union sending nuclear missiles to Cuba which resulted in America forming a naval blockade of Cuba. Eventually the Soviets agreed to take back the missiles and avoid war. This showed the high tensions between the US and the Soviets and how both countries were prepared for nuclear war. -
Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh wanted to reunite Vietnam and rule with communism. America intervened to prevent the domino theory. Showed Americas attempts to stop communism from spreading and gaining the edge in the Cold War. -
Brezhnev
Brezhnev was Khrushchev's successor and ruled until he died in 1982. Brezhnev silenced anyone that opposed him or communism. Brezhnez helped communism gain power in The Soviet Union by silencing his enemies. -
Tet Offensive
The attack came after an agreement to not fight during the celebration of the Tet Lunar New Year. It was launched in surprise by North Vietnam. The attack was eventually repelled by the U.S. and South Vietnam. Major offensive by the Communist that took the U.S. and South Vietnam by surprise. -
Helsinki Accords
Attempt at improving relations between Communist states and the West. Step towards reducing tensions during the Cold War. -
Iranian hostage crisis
Fifty two Americans had been captured and held hostage by Iran. US military attempted a rescue mission that ended in failure. Hostages were released in 1980. Undermined the US in Iran. -
Russian Invasion of Afghanistan
Soviet forces fought the Mujahideen who were recieving support from the United States. Seen as the Soviet Unions Vietnam War. Caused the Geneva Accords of 1988. -
Moscow Olympics
The Moscow Olympics were held in the Soviet Union and was the first time they were held in Europe. The Soviet War in Afghanistan resulted in sixty five countries including the U.S. to boycott the event. This event shows how the U.S. and its allies were in opposition to the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. -
Lech Walesa and the Solidarity Movement in Poland
Solidarity was a labor union formed in Poland. The union wanted change in economics and politics. The government outlawed the group and leaders such as Lech Walesa was arrested. The group protested against Communism and was a major group in Poland with many members. -
Los Angeles Olympics
The Soviet Union boycotted the Los Angeles Olympics because the U.S. boycotted the olympics held in Moscow in 1980. Even with the boycott a new record for the amount of participating nations was broken. The los Angeles Olympics showed the high tensions between the opposite sides. -
Chernobyl
Chernobyl is a city in the Soviet Union that suffered a major nuclear accident. Considered the worst accident with a nuclear power plant in history. Reports say 31 people died and the after effects such as deformities and cancer are still happening. The accident showed how dangerous nuclear power was and if it was even safe enough to use. -
Perestroika and Glasnost
Presented by Gorbachev, glasnost was to end censorship and allow people to talk about problems that were present in the country. Perestroika was to change the economy and goverment for the better. Perestroika and glasnost were both attempts at changing how the Soviet Union worked and operated. -
Geneva Accords
The Geneva Accords ended with Soviet troops being pulled out of Afghanistan. Ended the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Got the Soviets out of Afghanistan and prevented it from becoming a Communist nation. -
Tiananmen Square
Location of democratic protest that appeared in April of 1989. Civilians were massacered in the square when martial law was put in affect. Showed that China was experiencing political problems. -
The Berlin Wall is torn down
The citizens of East Berlin protested the wall yelling "We want out!". The citizens eventually tore down the wall. Signifies the reunification of East and West Berlin -
Gorbachev
Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Union in 1990. Attempted many reforms which messed up the economy and put down a coup by Soviet hard liners. Was the first and last president of the Soviet Union. -
Yeltsin
1st president of Russia. Initiated major economic changes in Russia. Played a major role in changing the Russian economy. -
End of the USSR
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was dissolved in 1991. This formed the USSR into independent republics. This marked the end of the Cold War.
