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Period: to
Cold War 1947 - 1966
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Truman Doctrine
A U.S. foreign policy established in 1947 by President Truman, aimed at containing the spread of communism. It pledged political, military, and economic support to countries resisting communist influence, starting with aid to Greece and Turkey. This marked the beginning of the Cold War-era policy of containment. -
Marshall Plan
A U.S. initiative launched to provide economic aid to Western European countries after World War II. Its goal was to help rebuild war-torn economies, prevent the spread of communism, and promote political stability. Over four years, the U.S. gave more than $12 billion in assistance. -
Rio Pact
Also known as the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, was signed in 1947 by the United States and many Latin American countries. It established a mutual defense agreement, stating that an attack against one member would be considered an attack against all. The pact aimed to strengthen regional security during the early Cold War period. -
Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia
The Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, backed by the Soviet Union, seized full control of the government in a coup. Non-communist ministers were forced to resign, and President Edvard Beneš reluctantly accepted a new, communist-led government. This marked the complete establishment of a Soviet-style regime and tightened Soviet influence in Eastern Europe. -
Truman's Loyalty Program
Launched in 1947, aimed to root out suspected communists from the U.S. federal government. It required background checks on government employees and allowed investigations into their political beliefs and associations. The program reflected growing Cold War fears of communist infiltration in American institutions. -
Berlin Blockade begins
When the Soviet Union blocked all rail, road, and canal access to West Berlin in an attempt to force the Allies out of the city. It was a response to the introduction of a new currency in West Berlin, which the Soviets saw as a threat to their control. This marked one of the first major crises of the Cold War. -
NATO ratified
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was ratified in as a military alliance between the U.S., Canada, and several Western European nations. Its purpose was to provide collective defense against the threat of Soviet expansion. The U.S. Senate approved the treaty, marking a significant shift from isolationism to active involvement in European security. -
Russia tested its first atomic bomb
The Soviet Union successfully tested its first atomic bomb, known as "First Lightning" or "Joe-1" by the U.S. This surprise development ended the United States' monopoly on nuclear weapons and escalated Cold War tensions. The test marked the beginning of the nuclear arms race between the two superpowers. -
Mao Zedong takes control of China
In 1949, Mao Zedong and the Chinese Communist Party defeated the Nationalist forces led by Chiang Kai-shek after years of civil war. On October 1, Mao declared the founding of the People’s Republic of China, establishing a communist government. The Nationalists retreated to Taiwan, marking a major shift in the global balance of power during the Cold War.