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The Russian Revolution
Began in 1917 and ended in 1923. The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, took power and got rid of the tradition of a czarist rule or an "emperor". The Bolsheviks later became the communist party of the Soviet Union. -
The Iron Curtain
It was a non physical boundary dividing Europe into 2 separate parts until 1991, the end of the Cold War. This represents the attempt of the Soviets trying to barricade themselves in and their satellite states to avoid the Allied states. Later, the term was used for the physical fences, walls, minefields, and watchtowers that divided the east and the west. -
The Potsdam Conference
When Germany had admitted defeat and accepted unconditional surrender, the US, Russia, and the UK had to decide what they were going to deal with Germany. Goals brought up in the conference were the establishment of postwar order, peace treaty issues, and countering the effects of war. -
The Atomic Bombs: Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The US dropped 2 nuclear bombs over the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki killing between 129,000 to 226,000, most of these deaths were Japanese citizens. -
The Long Telegram
George Kennan had written "The Long Telegram" which was an 8000 word telegram based on how the Soviets saw the world. The Clifford-Elsey report had detailed how the facts in the telegram affected the world and what the US should do, leading to the US creating the policy of Containment. -
Chinese Communist Revolution
The Chinese Communist Revolution was led by the communist party of China as well as Mao Zedong. Mao Zedong proclaimed the Peoples Republic of China after the revolution had ended (1949). The period of this revolution was known as The War of Revolution and was considered the second part of the Chinese Civil War. -
The Molotov Plan
The Molotov Plan was created by the Soviet Union and used as a way for the Soviet Union and its satellite states to reject the Marshall Plan so Communism could spread more. The plan would help their satellite states rebuild and grow economically. -
The Truman Doctrine
An American foreign policy with the purpose of stopping the spread of the Soviets political expansion during the Cold War. What this meant was Americans would support foreign countries threatened by Communism, especially Greece and Turkey. -
The Marshall Plan
George Marshall, secretary of state, had went to Europe to see the damage that had been done. He worried about the conditions these countries were in and thought, due to the lack of food and shelter, they would turn to Communism. Later, he had devised a way to help postwar Europe by gathering nations that wanted to help as well to give Europe 17 billion dollars. -
The Hollywood Ten
10 writers and directors were cited for the contempt of Congress by refusing to testify in front of the HUAAC. There punishment was 1 year in jail and an $1000 fine and were eventually fired by the Association of Motion Picture Producers. The producers had met at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and made the Waldorf Statement, condemning the people involved in the blacklisting. -
Berlin Blockade
The Soviet Union had blocked Western Allies access to Berlin via railway, road, and canal access. The Soviets would only drop this barrier if they withdrew Deutsche Mark from West Berlin. The Soviets had eventually lifted the blockade to avoid confrontation. It ended on May 12, 1949. -
The Berlin Airlift
The Berlin Airlift was a plan devised by the Allies to deliver necessities to the people being held within the Berlin Blockade. Many of the goods included medical supplies, food, and coal and a plane would arrive every 3 minutes to airdrop the supplies in. -
The Alger Hiss Case
Alger Hiss was accused of espionage for the Soviet Union in 1948 and later of perjury or swearing on a false oath related to the accusation of espionage. In 1948, Whittaker Chambers, former communist, had accused Hiss of being a communist while in federal service. Hiss also denied this and received a second 5 year sentence for perjury. -
First Soviet Bomb Test
The Soviet Union had developed a nuclear bomb that tested successfully. This surprised the Soviets, because scientists didn't expect them to develop it this early. -
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organization. An intergovernmental military alliance between North American and European countries, it started with 12 members when founded. Independent member states agree to mutual defense in response to an attack from any outside parties. -
The Korean War
A three year war between North Korea, was supported by communist China and the Soviet Union, and South Korea, supported by the United Nations. It started when the North Korean leader had sent troops across the border to invade South Korea and the UN had responded by sending their forces (mostly American). The Korean War had ended with the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement which meant the North and South had separated, meaning prisoners were also allowed to return their country. -
The Rosenberg Trial
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were convicted of espionage for the Soviet Union in 1951 and executed June 19, 1953. Later evidence showed that Julius was a courier and recruiter for the Soviets and Ethel was an accessory. Ethel would hide money and espionage items for Julius and would fill in for tasks Julius didn't have time for like meetings and meetups with different Soviet spys. -
Invasion of Czechoslovakia
An invasion of 5 Warsaw Pact countries (Soviet Union, Poland, Bulgaria, East Germany, and Hungary). About 250,000 Warsaw Pact troops attacked Czechoslovakia, but East Germans were ordered to not participate, except a few specialists, by Moscow. 137 Czechoslovakians were killed, 500 were injured. -
Nixon Visits China
An important strategic and diplomatic move made by the US to settle 25 years of no communication or diplomatic ties with China. It gave the US more leverage over relations with the Soviet Union. -
Reagan Elected
He was elected on the 49th quadrennial presidential election. Some historians considered his presidency as an era for a realigning election due to the rise of conservatism after he had been elected. At the end of the primaries, all of Reagan's opponents had dropped out of the race. He had promised increased defense spending, implementation of supply-side economic policies, and a balanced budget. Reagan had won by a landslide with 50% of the popular vote and most of the electoral vote. -
Geneva Conference with Gorbachev
Held on the 19th and 20th in 1985 between president Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev. They talked about international diplomatic relations and the arms race. -
The "Tear Down This Wall" speech
This event is also known as the Berlin Wall speech delivered by US President, Ronald Reagan. He called for Gorbachev to take down the wall between west and east Berlin.
