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Period: to
Cold War 1947-1966
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Truman Doctrine
President Harry S. Truman delivered the Truman Doctrine speech to Congress, requesting $400 million in aid for Greece and Turkey to counter Soviet influence in the post-World War II era. This speech marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, establishing a commitment to supporting free nations resisting communist aggression, thus signaling the beginning of the Cold War. -
The Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan was proposed by Secretary of State George Marshall in a speech at Harvard University on June 5, 1947. This speech outlined the plan for the United States to provide economic assistance to war-torn European nations. -
The Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance
The Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance was signed in Rio de Janeiro. This treaty, signed by many countries in the Americas, was viewed by U.S. President Harry S. Truman as a sign of fidelity to the United Nations. Additionally, that same day, the London Evening Standard published an editorial criticizing London's hosting of the 1948 Summer Olympics, arguing it was an excessive burden during a time of crisis. -
Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia
the Czechoslovak coup d'état ended when President Beneš agreed to a new Communist-led government, marking a significant shift in Czechoslovak politics. This event was a key milestone in the early years of the Cold War, as it signaled a further expansion of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe. The move by the Czech government to appoint a Communist-led government was seen as a capitulation to Soviet influence and was a catalyst for the adoption of the Marshall Plan and the establishment of NATO. -
President Truman addressed a joint session of Congress
President Truman addressed a joint session of Congress, calling for the passage of the Marshall Plan and a temporary peacetime draft to counter Soviet influence in Europe. -
Berlin Blockade Begins
the Soviet Union initiated the Berlin Blockade. They cut off all road and rail traffic into West Berlin, effectively isolating the city from the West. This blockade was a key event in the early Cold War, leading to the Berlin Airlift, where the Western Allies supplied West Berlin with essential goods by air. -
NATO Ratified
the North Atlantic Treaty was signed, establishing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This treaty, signed by 12 nations in Washington, D.C., formed a mutual defense pact against potential Soviet aggression. -
Berlin Blockade Ends
the Soviet Union lifted its 11-month blockade of West Berlin. This event marked the end of a key early Cold War crisis and is known as the end of the Berlin Blockade. -
Russia tested first atomic bomb
the Soviet Union detonated its first atomic bomb, codenamed "First Lightning" or "Joe-1", at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan. This test marked the Soviet Union as the second nation to successfully develop and test a nuclear weapon, triggering the start of the Cold War nuclear arms race. The Soviet Union's atomic bomb test was conducted in secrecy, with the test site being a remote area in Kazakhstan. -
Truman approved H-bomb development
President Harry Truman approved the development of the hydrogen bomb in 1950. He made this decision after the Soviet Union successfully tested its first atomic bomb in 1949. Truman's approval came in response to this development and a desire to maintain a weapons advantage over the Soviets. -
Joe McCarthy begins Communist witch hunt and loyalty tests
McCarthy had initiated a series of investigations into potential infiltration of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) by communist agents and came up with a list of security risks that matched one previously compiled by the Agency itself. -
Korean War begins
news reached President Truman in Independence, Missouri, that North Korea had invaded South Korea. This marked the beginning of the Korean War. The invasion was launched on the morning of June 25 in Korea (June 24 in the US), as South Korean army bases near the border were attacked -
Korean War: Third Battle of Seoul
the South Korean capital of Seoul was captured by Chinese and North Korean forces for the second time during the Korean War. -
Truman fires MacArthur
President Harry S. Truman relieved General Douglas MacArthur of his command in the Korean War. Truman made this decision due to MacArthur's public disagreement with U.S. policy and his concerns that his actions could escalate the conflict. Matthew Ridgway was appointed as his replacement. -
Mutual Security Act
authorized the U.S. to provide military, economic, and technical assistance to friendly nations. This legislation aimed to bolster the defense capabilities of allies, particularly in Western Europe, and counter Soviet influence during the early Cold War. The act, which authorized nearly $7.5 billion in aid, was designed to maintain international peace and security and promote U.S. foreign policy goals. -
The Marshall Plan comes to its official end, with European production now significantly improved
The Marshall Plan, officially the European Recovery Program, concluded in 1952, with significant positive impacts on European production. The plan aimed to revitalize Western Europe's economy and prevent the spread of communism following World War II. By the end of the program, agricultural and industrial output had substantially increased, contributing to a more stable and prosperous Europe. -
The United Kingdom tests its first atomic weapon, becoming the world’s third nuclear power.
The United Kingdom became the third nuclear power on October 3, 1952, when it successfully detonated its first atomic bomb at the Monte Bello Islands in Western Australia. This event occurred during Operation Hurricane, making the UK the third nation to possess nuclear weapons, after the United States and the Soviet Union. -
The US detonates a thermonuclear weapon called ‘Ivy Mike’ in the Marshall Islands. Its yield is 10.4 megatons, more than 400 times more powerful than the atomic devices used against Japan in World War II.
On November 1, 1952, the US detonated the first full-scale thermonuclear device, codenamed "Ivy Mike," in the Marshall Islands. The device, tested at Enewetak Atoll, yielded 10.4 megatons, exceeding the power of the atomic bombs used against Japan in WWII by a factor of 400.