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Yalta Conference
The Yalta Conference was the stepping stone for the Cold War. The "bug three" all came to the Yalta Conference with thier own agenda. -
Formation of the United Nations
The formation of the United Nations showed the hope that the world leaders had for a peaceful existence after WWII. The leaders of the world wanted to make sure that a war like WWI or WWII did not happen again. The UN wanted to be an international peacekeeping organization that any country could come to if there was a conflict. -
Potsdam Conference
Initially meant to figure out post war Europe, surrender or Germany and a united front in the war in the Pacific. But fundamental differences came up between the Allied powers which lead to animosity between them. -
Winston Churchill's Iron Curtain Speech
This speech by Churchill, he publically goes against the USSR and her allies, Truman openly supported and praised this speech. This is seen as the "start" of the Cold War. -
Truman Doctrine
The United States openly state they are against Communism and will help any country that is in danger of falling to communism or threatened by communism. -
NATO Established
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Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan stated that the US would give funds to western European countries to help them rebuild after WWII. The idea behind this plan was to keep communism out of these depressed economies. -
Formation of CIA
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Hollywood Ten Arrested
This struck fear into the American Nation. Americans quickly learned that if they did not "conform" to the norm, their activities would be viewed as un-American and they would be at risk of being viewed as a spy, traitor or communist. It also gave many Americans the feeling that no one was safe from McCarthy and his strong anti-communism ideals. -
Communist Information Bureau Established
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Berlin Blockade
The first serious crisis of the Cold War. Russia had hoped that by starving West Berlin they would eventually cave to communism. It was also a test of the Western powers to see how far they would go to protect democracy. -
Berlin Airlift
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Communist win civil war in China
Another win for Communism and the Russians. This threatened the ideals of Democracy and continued to reinforce the concept of Domino Theory. -
Korean War
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Caracas Conference
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SEATO Established
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Warsaw Pact Formed
To combat the agreements that the western powers were making, the Russians made the Warsaw Pact to ensure their safety and the prosperity of communism. -
Big Four Summit in Geneva
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Eisenhower Proposes "Open Skies"
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Russia launches Sputnik
American lose the first step in the Space Race. The Russians launched the first satellite. Leaving the US feeling threatened and inferior. -
Fidel Castro become Premier of Cuba
The American backed leader of Cuba was over thrown, bringing communism the closest it had been to the United States, threatening the safety of Democracy. For Russia, this was a huge step in having an ally on this side of the world. -
U-2 Spy Mission
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Bay of Pigs
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Construction of Berlin Wall Begins
During the height of the Cold War, the Berlin Wall became the symbol of just how badk thigs went between the east and west. A wall divided a city and a nation; more than that it divided a continent. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
Another large crisis in the Cold War. The closest the world was to a nuclear war. Forging the wedge deeper between the Russians and Americans. -
Golf of Tonkin
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Vietnam War
A conflict that was meant to keep Communism out of Vietman. A long standng fight between communism and democracy. -
Man walks on Moon
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SALT I Talks Begin
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President Nixon visits China
First time a President had visited a communist country, let alone China. Shows the first signs of a possible agreement between a communist country and a non communist country. -
President Nixon visits Russia
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SALT II Treaty Signed
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Ronald Reagan is elected 40th President of the United States
This begins to usher in a new era of the Cold War and agreements between the US and Russia. A true sign that things will soon change. Ultimately the work that he and Gorbachev began was concluded with George Bush and the end of the Cold War. -
Mikhail Gorbachev becomes General Secretary of Soviet Communist Party
This ushered in a time of great chnage in Russia. HIs openness to negotiate peace with western powers helped to aide in the end of the Cold War and the progress that would be seen in communist countries. -
Geneva Summit
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Fall of Berlin Wall
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Malta Conference
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Reunification of Germany
The reunification of Germany marked the end of a country divided. It showed first hand the changes in Russia and it's hold on satellite countries. -
End of USSR
The end of the USSR marks the end of the Cold War. This was significant because it ended the 50 year power struggle between the East and West. It marked, for the first time in almost a century, when the East and West were workign together for a peaceful world and not against each other.
