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Potsdam Conference
Churchill, Stalin and Truman met to discuss the dividing up of Germany's land, after Germany surrendered from the war. They demilitarized Germany. After this meeting however, they never met again to discuss post war cooperation. (https://history.state.gov/milestones/1937-1945/potsdam-conf) -
Berlin Airlift
Soviet forces blocked off rail, water and road access to Allied -controlled areas of Germany. The United States airlifted supplies to the Eastern area of Germany that was blocked off. They delivered goods such as chocolate, food and more. This airlift solidified the crisis occurring between the soviet union and how tensions were beginning to rise. (https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/berlin-airlift) -
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
This organization was created to monitor soviet expansion and providing protection against a military regaining power in Eastern countries. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is still in effect today to protect against terrorism and trying to provide peace for everyone. (http://www.nato.int/history/nato-history.html) -
First Lightning
First Lightning was an atomic bomb produced by the Soviet Union. They created fake civilization to practice the bomb on. This was a threat to America, especially considering the rising tensions between the two nations. Truman ordered the creation of an hydrogen bomb as did the soviets thus creating the threat of a nuclear war. Both superpowers were in possession of nuclear bombs for the first time in history. (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/soviets-explode-atomic-bomb) -
The Forgotten War
The 38th parallel was a boundary that split Korea into North and South. America entered the war to help out the South side of Korea. It is considered The Forgotten War because of the number of causalities with a lack of territory gained, as Korea is still divided today. This war was not very publicized, only represented through the setting of a television show M*A*S*H. This war was seen as a war against communism. (http://www.history.com/topics/korean-war) -
South East Asia Treaty Organization
SEATO is formed of the United States, New Zealand, France,Australia, Great Britain, Pakistan, The Philippines and Thailand. The purpose of this organization was to create forces to ensure the protection against communism gaining territory. Because of the lack of Asian forces there was a threat of SEATO to become another advancement of Western colonialism. Also due to cultural differences, SEATO disbanded in 1977. (https://history.state.gov/milestones/1953-1960/seato) -
The Warsaw Pact
This organization was created in response to the formation of NATO's decision to remilitarize Germany. The Warsaw pact include the USSR and seven other Eastern alliances, but the Soviet Union was the most prominent in this organization. In 1991 this organization disbanded when the Soviet Union left after many other countries did. This was due to the rise of non government in what was supposed to be communist territory. (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-warsaw-pact-is-formed) -
Soviets Man-Made Satellite
Sputnik was a Soviet satellite that was the worlds first artificial satellite. Although it was only the size of a beach ball it caused very large problems for the tensions rising between the USSR and America. Sputnik is credited for the beginning of the space race between the USSR and United States. It was thought that whoever made it to space first could develop technology for a nuclear war. (http://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/) -
Castro in Cuba
On this date Fidel Castro was sworn in to office as the Prime Minister of Cuba. He believed in communism, and the United States withdrew their support from Cuba. Castro is known for his extreme dictatorship over Cuba. When he came into power many wealthy Cuban citizens migrated to the United States. He just died on November 25, 2016. (http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/fidel-castro) -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
The Bay of Pigs Invasion was a failed attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro and communist Cuba. Because of the close relationship between Cuba and the USSR, America found it necessary to try to overthrow Castro. The plan failed as the refugees were counterattacked by Castro's army, causing many fatalities. This attack caused the Soviet Union provided Cuba with military aid, becoming problematic for the United States of America. (http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/bay-of-pigs-invasion) -
Cuban Missile Crisis
This was a standoff between the United States and Soviet Union. This was due to the presence of Soviet missiles on Cuban Territory that was only 90 miles off the coast of the United States. Both forces were clear that they were prepared to use military force if necessary and there was a fear of a nuclear war that was resolved when the Soviet's promised to remove the missiles as long as the U.S. promised not to invade Cuba. (http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/cuban-missile-crisis) -
Nixon Visits China
With the goal of trying to re establish diplomatic relationships, President Nixon took a visit to China. China and the Soviet Union also had a tense relationship between them. This meeting between the U.S. and Communist China was a great pave way for trade between the two nations, to which we still utilize. Nixon also wanted to use China to contain Vietnam due to the alliance of China and North Vietnam. (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nixon-arrives-in-china-for-talks) -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
As free migration was allowed between East and West Germany, many traveled freely but many also started to chip away at the wall with hammers. This was symbolizing the fall of the wall and one of the ending moments of the Cold War. There were celebrations all throughout Germany as they became United once more. (http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/berlin-wall) -
Free Migration In Germany
On this day, East and West citizens of Berlin were free to migrate to the various cities. This was a historical event because it showed the crashing of the Communist power in Germany. Many citizens could finally travel to where their family was located. Many people had tried to escape before, leading to certain death.(http://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/10/world/clamor-east-east-germany-opens-frontier-west-for-migration-travel-thousands.html?pagewanted=all) -
The Soviet Union Collapses
Boris Yeltsin became President of Russia. He believed in a democratic and free market reforms. Because of his presidency, the USSR collapsed and disbanded, and the Ukraine and Russia gained independence. This put an end to the Cold War. Nobody really won the Cold War but the prominent threat of nuclear war was over. (http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/fall-of-soviet-union).
