-
The Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution was one of the most explosive political events. During the Russian Revolution, the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power and rule. The Bolsheviks became the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. The Russian Revolution is significant to the Cold War because the Communist Party known as the Bolsheviks started, spreading communism. And the U.S. was against communism, which began tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, beginning the Cold War. -
Potsdam Conference
The Potsdam Conference was the last of the World War II meetings Featuring American President Harry Truman, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. The talks established Allied Control Council for administration of Germany. The leaders came to agreements on the German economy and land boundaries, etc. The talks centered around postwar Europe. But, Stalin had other plans to spread communism throughout Europe, which the U.S. was against. -
Atomic Bomb - Hiroshima and Nagasaki
During World War II, an American B-29 bomber dropped the world’s first atomic bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The explosion immediately killed 80,000 people. Three days later, a second B-29 bomber dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, killing around 40,000 people. Japan’s Emperor Hirohito finally announced his country’s unconditional surrender in World War II. This would be the defeat of Japan, but would lead to future tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, and the Cold War -
Iron Curtain
The Iron Curtain was the boundary dividing Europe from the end of WW2 until the end of the Cold War. Winston Churchill gave a speech in which he said that an "Iron Curtain has descended" across Europe. Europe was divided into two different areas, Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Western having political freedom, while Eastern was under Soviet communist rule. Alliances existed on each side, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on the Western side, and the Warsaw Pact on the Eastern. -
Molotov Plan
The Molotov Plan was a system created by the Soviet Union to provide aid to rebuild the countries in Eastern Europe that were aligned with the Soviet Union. This system was seen as the Soviet Union's own version of the Marshall Plan. Since the Soviet's rejected aid from the Marshall Plan, Vyacheslav Molotov created the Molotov Plan. The Molotov Plan was symbolic to the Soviet Union's refusal to accept aid from the Marshall Plan. The Soviets did not agree with the terms of the Marshall Plan. -
Truman Doctrine
President Harry S. Truman established the Truman Doctrine, explaining that the United States would provide Economic, Military, & Political support to any Democratic country under threat of Soviet forces and communism. Truman asked Congress to support Greece and Turkey, since they were threatened by communism. Since the Soviet Union wanted to spread communism throughout Europe, the U.S. needed to stop it and help any country in need. -
The Hollywood 10
The Hollywood 10 were 10 professional Hollywood actors, directors, and musicians that were accused of having communist ties. The 10 refused to answer questions about the communists so they were suspicious of being a communist. It lasted until 1960. A number of those backlisted were still barred from their work and professions for years afterward. -
The Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan was an American initiative to aid Western Europe. The U.S. gave over $15 billion in assistance to help rebuild Western Europe after the devastating effects of WW2. The U.S. plan was to re build regions affected by war, remove trade barriers, modernize industry, and prevent the spread of communism. The Marshall Plan rebuilt the world after WW2 and the Soviet Union refused help from it, which led to conflict and eventually the Cold War. -
Berlin Blockade
The Berlin Blockade, in 1948, was an attempt by the Soviet Union to limit the ability of France, Great Britain and the United States to travel to their section of Berlin. The western powers finally commenced the Berlin Airlift that delivered much needed supplies to the people inside of Berlin. The Soviet Union finally lifted the Blockade, but the U.S. continued to support Berlin. The blockade was a major clash of the Cold War and would lead to future conflict between the two powers. -
Berlin Airlift
After WW2, Germany was divided into sections. British, French, America, and the Soviet Union all got zones. Berlin, the heart of Germany was also divided. The Russians wanted all of Berlin to themselves so they closed all highways, roads, and canals from Western Germany into Western Berlin. The Soviets hoped this would cut off people from getting food and other supplies. The Allies used cargo planes to deliver food and goods to the Western sector of the city. -
NATO
NATO is an international alliance between 29 members from America and Europe. It was established at the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty. The treaty states that if an armed attack occurs against one of the member states, it should be called an act of war and the other members can assist the attacked member with armed forced if needed. The alliance of NATO was because of the conflict between Soviets and the U.S. The Soviet Union eventually formed their own alliance called the Warsaw Pact -
Soviet Union Bomb Test
The Soviet Union secretly tested an atomic bomb in 1949. This was a huge step for the Soviets and was shocking to the U.S. that the Soviet Union was successful with such a huge project. The bomb was 12 kilotons, and roughly equal to the U.S. first atomic bomb test explosion. This test by the Soviet Union was huge in the war between Soviet forces and the U.S. Not only did America have nuclear weapons, the Soviet Union now had them too. -
Rosenberg Trial
Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were accused of selling nuclear plans and secrets to the Soviet Union. The treason could not be charged because there was no war between the Soviet Union and the United States. The trial lasted nearly a month, ending at the beginning of April. It ended with convictions for the Rosenbergs. They were sentenced to death on April 6. They were offered a deal that their death sentences would reduce if they admitted guilty, but they refused and were executed. -
Alger Hiss Case
Alger Hiss was an American government official who, in 1948, was accused of being a spy for the Soviet Union. He was involved in the establishment of the United Nations. A former U.S. communist party member testified and said Hiss had secretly been a communist. In January 1950, Hiss was found guilty and received 2 five-year sentences, of which he eventually served three and a half years. Hiss maintained that he was innocent until he died. -
Korean War
The Korean War was a war between North and South Korea. North Korea was supported by China and the Soviet Union, while South Korea was supported by the U.S. It started when North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950. As product of the Cold War, Korea was divided into two states, north and south. Conflict escalated and began battles between the two on the border. South Korean forces and U.S. forces dispatched to Korea were on point of defeat, but the war ended with a signing of an armistice. -
Army-McCarthy Hearings
The Army-McCarthy Hearings were a series of hearings held by the United States Senate. This was to investigate accusations between Joseph McCarthy and the United States Army. The hearings were held on March 16. The media contributed to McCarthy's decline in popularity. The hearings received high press attention. -
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
The Battle of Dien Bien Phu was a confrontation of the First Indochina War between the French Corps and Viet Minh communists. It was a battle to draw out the Vietnamese and destroy them. The battle ended in a comprehensive French defeat. Later that influenced negotiations at Geneva among several different nations about the future of Indochina. -
Geneva Conference
The Geneva Conference was a conference among several nations in Geneva. It was held to settle issues resulting from the Korean War and the First Indochina War. The Conference ended without adopting any declarations or proposals. The crumbling French Empire in Southeast Asia would create the eventual states of Democratic North Vietnam and Republican South Vietnam. Splitting Vietnam into two nations. -
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Pact was signed in Warsaw, Poland among the Soviet Union and seven other Eastern Europe states. It was signed during the Cold War in 1955. The Warsaw Pact was created in reaction to the creation of NATO by the Allies. Also, it was said to be created due to the motivation of the Soviet Union to maintain their control of military forces in Eastern Europe. The Warsaw Pact was created as a balance of power. -
Hungarian Revolution
The Hungarian Revolution was a revolt against the communist Hungarian Republic and it's Soviet imposed policies. It lasted from October 23rd to November 10th. It was the first major threat to the Soviet Union since the USSR's forces drove Nazi Germany away at the end of WW2. -
U2 Incident
On May 1, 1960, a U.S. U-2 plane was shot down by the Soviet Defence Forces while it was deep into Soviet territory. The aircraft, flown by pilot Francis Gary Powers, parachuted safely down, but was captured by Soviet Forces. The U.S. were forced to admit the mission's true purpose when a few days later the Soviet government produced the captured pilot and parts of the U-2's surveillance equipment, including photographs of Soviet military bases taken during the mission. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
The Bay of Pigs invasion was a failed military invasion of Cuba by the C.I.A. A military group trained and funded by the CIA, was sent to invade and overthrow the communist government that Fidel Castro was leading. Launched from Guatemala and Nicaragua, the invading force was defeated within three days by the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces. Forces led by Castro. -
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was a concrete barrier that divided eastern and western Berlin. It was constructed by the German Democratic Republic. The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls, that contained anti-vehicle trenches, and other defenses. The Eastern Bloc portrayed the Wall as protecting its population from fascist elements. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union. It was initiated by American ballistic missile deployed in Italy and Turkey, with Soviet ballistic missile deployment in Cuba. The confrontation is often considered the closest the Cold War came to escalating into a full-scale nuclear war. -
Assassination of Diem
Diem, the president of South Vietnam was captured and assassinated in November 1963. Discontent with the Diem regime had been below the surface, and exploded with mass Buddhist protests against long-standing religious discrimination after the government shooting of protesters. -
Assassination of JFK
John Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, while riding in a presidential motorcade through Dealey Plaza. He was riding with his wife, Texas Governor John Connally, and Connally's wife when he was fatally shot. He was shot by former U.S. Marine Lee Harvey Oswald. The President was rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital where Kennedy was pronounced dead. -
Tonkin Gulf Resolution
On August 7, 1964, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. It allowed President Johnson to take any measures he believed were necessary to retaliate and promote peace and security in southeast Asia. The Tonkin Gulf Resolution was signed due to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident. -
Operation Rolling Thunder
Operation Rolling Thunder was an aerial bombardment campaign conducted by the U.S. against the Democratic Republic of North Vietnam. This occurred from March 2, 1965 until November 2, 1968, during the Vietnam War. The objectives of the operation were to boost the morale of South Vietnam, and to persuade North Vietnam to cease its support for the communist insurgency in South Vietnam. Also, to destroy North Vietnam's transportation system, and to halt the flow of material into South Vietnam. -
Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive was a series of surprise attacks by the Vietcong forces, on cities, towns, and hamlets throughout South Vietnam. It was considered to be a turning point in the Vietnam War. It was also said to be one of the largest military attacks in the Vietnam War. The name of the offensive comes from the holiday of the Vietnamese New Year. -
Assassination of MLK
Martin Luther King Jr. was shot at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. King was rushed to the hospital, but was pronounced dead. He was a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement. He inspired many, many people during the Civil Rights movement. He changed many lives during one of the toughest times for people of color. -
Assassination of RFK
Senator Robert Kennedy was shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after winning the California presidential primary. Kennedy was shot by Palestinian Sirhan Sirhan. He later died a day later. Kennedy was perceived by many to be the only person in American politics capable of uniting the people. He was beloved by the people for his integrity during the Civil Rights Movement. -
Invasion of Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia was invaded by 5 Warsaw Pact countries, including the Soviet Union, Poland, Bulgaria, East Germany, and Hungary. 250,000 Warsaw Pact troops attacked. This occurred on August 20-21, 1968. Romania and Albania refused to participate. 137 Czechoslovakia people were killed, while 500 were wounded. -
Riots of Democratic Convention
The Democratic National Convention was held at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago. The convention was held during a year of violence, political turbulence, and riots in more than 100 cities following the assassination of M.L.K. on April 4. -
Election of Nixon
The United States presidential election of 1968 was the 46th presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 5, 1968. The Republican nominee, former Vice President Richard Nixon, defeated the Democratic nominee, Vice President Hubert Humphrey. Democratic President Lyndon Johnson had been an earlier frontrunner, but he withdrew from the race. -
Kent State
The Kent State Incident were shootings on May 4, 1970, of unarmed college students. They were shot by members of the Ohio National Guard. During a mass protest against the bombing of Cambodia by United States military forces, 4 college students were shot and killed. Twenty-eight guardsmen fired approximately 67 rounds over a period of 13 seconds. 9 others were wounded. -
Nixon Visits China
U.S. President Richard Nixon visited China in 1972. It was a important strategic and diplomatic overture that marked the culmination of the Nixon administration's resumption. It discussed the relations to the U.S. and China. The visit lasted 7 days and Nixon visited 3 different Chinese cities. Nixon visited China to gain more leverage over relations with the Soviet Union. -
Ceasefire in Vietnam
When the cease-fire went into effect in Vietnam, Saigon controlled about 75 percent of South Vietnam’s territory and 85 percent of the population. The South Vietnamese Army was well equipped and continued to receive U.S. aid after the cease-fire. The cease-fire began on time, but both sides violated it. South Vietnamese forces continued to take back villages occupied by communists in the two days before the ceasefire deadline and the communists tried to capture more territory. -
Fall of Saigon
Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam fell (captured) on April 30, 1975. It was captured by the Vietcong. The event marked the end of the Vietnam War and the transition into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. -
Reagan Elected
The United States presidential election of 1980 was the 49th presidential election. It was held on November 4, 1980. Republican Ronald Reagan defeated Democrat Jimmy Carter. Some historians consider the election of Reagan to be a realigning election that marked the start to the "Reagan Era". -
SDI Announced
The Strategic Defense Initiative, SDI, or known as Star Wars was a proposed missile defense system intended to protect the United States from attack by enemy nuclear weapons. The concept was first announced publicly by President Ronald Reagan on March 23, 1983. Reagan called upon the scientists and engineers of the United States to develop a system that would render nuclear weapons. -
Geneva Conference with Gorbachev
The Geneva Conference was a Cold War meeting in Geneva. It was held on November 19th and 20th, in 1985 between U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Mikhail Gorbachev. The two leaders met for the first time to chat about international diplomatic relations and the arms race. -
'Tear down this wall' Speech
The 'Tear down this wall' speech by President Ronald Reagan was a speech given in Western Berlin on June 12, 1987. 'Tear down this wall' was a line said by Reagan during his speech. The speech was given to call out Soviet leader Gorbachev to open the barrier of the Berlin Wall dividing western and eastern Berlin. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
After decades of the Berlin Wall separating Eastern and Western Berlin, the wall came down in a revolutionary sweep of communist influenced East Germany. Berlin, and Germany in general were drastically changed. Germany's biggest city was finally reunited. This event eventually reached Moscow, and toppled the Soviet Union, ending communism in Russia.
