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Creation of the United Nations
The United Nations was created to talk about conflicts before wars broke out. The United Nations has especially successful, with the inclusion of the the United states. The Soviets were also present in the United Nations, and debates were often held between the US and Soviets. These debates may of solved some conflict, but the pressure between the US and Soviets only increased as debate went on. -
Policy of Containment
The Policy of Containment was enacted by the US in a response to the Soviets movement and to stop the spread of communism using a variety of strategies. It was suggested/created by George F. Kennan. This policy to stop the spread of communism of course increased tensions between the US and the Soviet Union. -
Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine was passed by the US. It states that the US will not stand by when countries start to slip into communism. Specifically Greece and Turkey (Closest to soviet military). Gives aid to these countries to rebuild and stabilize, in hope that they become democratic. This dramatically increases tension between the Soviets and the US, as we are fighting to gain the support of two countries closest to the Soviet's Military. -
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Berlin Airlift
During the Berlin Airlift, West Germany sent food, presents, and supplies to East Berlin to help support them. This was done for two reasons. The first is that it was done to try to convert the communist citizens by showing them how great democracy is. The second reason was to of course support their fellow Germans. The result of this was a want to be democratic in East Berlin and an increased tension between the US and the Soviets from the democrats trying to convert the communists. -
Marshall Plan
The Marshall plan was a European recovery program by the US. It has the same purpose as the Truman Doctrine, but allows for all European countries to have access to economic support. The US put $13 billion (approximately $130 billion in current dollar value as of June 2016) into the program. This program furthered the tensions between the US and the Soviet union because we are now offering support to many more nations than those close to them. -
Creation of Israel
After WWII, many Jews were lost or displaced. They couldn't go home because there was nothing left for them. So, the world carved out a portion of land from Palestine and gave it to the Jews to live on. The Palestinians didn't appreciate this, and turned to the soviets to be their support in getting rid of the them. This of course increased tensions further, as it is once again the Soviets on one side and the US and other nations on the other. -
NATO is formed
Also know as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the members of this group agree that if one is attacked, then it is an attack against all of them. This organization consisted of democratic countries to prevent attacks from the Soviet Union or any other communist nations. This increased tensions between the Soviets and the US because it shows that the US is prepared to go to war and is in a stronger position than the Soviets. So, the soviets make an organization of their own to be equal. -
Korean War
Those on the communist side were North Korea, China, and Russia. Opposing them were South Korea and from 21 United Nations countries including Australia. The war was caused by North Korea invading South Korea. During this war, 6 million troops fought. North Korea wanted to spread communism and had the support of the Soviets, while the southern side had support from the US. This increased tension, as it was a war between the soviets and the US, just indirectly. -
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Vietnam War
the result of the First Indochina war. It was fought between North Vietnam and its allies in South Vietnam, known as the Viet Cong, against the government of South Vietnam and its ally, the United States. The causes of the Vietnam War was the US’s desire to stop the spread of communism. Vietnam becomes all communist. -
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Pact was in response to the creation of NATO. It is essentially the same agreement as the democratic states, just that it is between the communist countries. This of course would further tensions, as both sides are now prepared to fight and have their elected sides. However the world doesn't want to go to war at this time, as two world wars had just ended. So, the two sides can just look at each other and fight in indirect ways. -
Berlin Wall is built
East Communist Berlin is the side that built the wall. It was put up to prevent people on the communist side of Berlin from escaping to the west democratic side. This of course increased tensions between the Soviets and the US because the Soviets are now directly preventing people from moving to democracy. The US responds to this with the Berlin Airlift. -
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Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest we have come to war with the Soviets. The crisis was the Soviets building 42 missile silos only 90 miles south of Florida in Cuba and trying to ship rockets to them. The Soviets pressured the US for 13 days while the US blockaded Cuba. After negotiations, the Soviets removed the silos and the US promised not to invade Cuba. This was the only direct confrontation between the Soviet Union and the US, and was a drastic increase in tension between them. -
Camp David Accords
The Camp David Accords were a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt as a preventative measure so that they don't go to war. It was signed by Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem. This treaty served to decompress the tension between the Soviets and US, as this is one less front that can be fought between them. -
Perestroika and Glasnost
Perestroika is economic restructuring. Glasnost is the opening of the country. This all occurred in soviet Russia when Mikhail S. Gorbachev became the leader of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or USSR. Gorbachev's actions allowed for the introduction of democracy and eventually led to the dissolvent of the Soviet Union. These reforms helped to release tension between the Soviet Union and the US, as the Soviets were changing from Communists to Democrats. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
The fall of the Berlin wall was more symbolism than anything. With the new reform of Glastnost, East and West Berlin were no longer separated, but rather somewhat joined by the openness of the Glasnost policy. This decreased tensions between the Soviet Union and the US, because it was part of the process of the Soviets becoming more democratic. -
Soviet Union Dissolves
Finally, the Soviet Union dissolves/breaks up. This was in large part due to the great number of reforms by Mikhail Gorbachev. Because of his reforms and the lack of support for communism, the Soviet government fell and a new independent Russian State took its place. This eliminated the tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States because there was no longer a Soviet Union to have tensions with.