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Period: to
Cold war 1947-1966
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Truman Doctrine
The U.S. committed to support free peoples resisting communism, starting with aid to Greece and Turkey. This marked the beginning of America's containment policy. -
Marshall Plan
An act where the U.S. offered massive financial aid to rebuild European economies that were broken by the war. It aimed to prevent the spread of communism by fostering economic stability -
Hollywood Ten Testify Before HUAC
The House Un-American Activities Committee investigated communist influence in the U.S. film industry. Ten screenwriters and directors refused to answer questions which then were cited for contempt, and blacklisted. -
Takeover in Czechoslovakia
The communist party in Czechoslovakia was able to take full control of the nation's government in February 1948 thanks to support and aid from the Soviet Union. The communist party then rigged the ensuing elections in May. -
The Brussels Treaty
Britain, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands ratified the Brussels Treaty, which established a broad defensive alliance, to protect western European countries from communism. In the end, NATO and the Western European Union were established as a result. -
Soviet Union Blockades West Berlin
The Soviet Union made the decision to blockade West Berlin's entrance points in an effort to take control of the entire city. The US replied by sending 2.3 million tons of supplies for West Berlin via the Berlin Airlift. -
NATO was informed
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, was established to defend numerous European nations against the Soviet Union and other potential invaders. Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States were among the founding members. -
Berlin Blockade Ends
The Soviets dropped the blockade on land access from West Berlin after discovering that the Berlin Blockade had been rendered meaningless because the west had been able to get around it by flying the supplies in. -
Soviet union bomb test
In August of 1949, the Soviet Union tested its first atomic bomb, which was known in the west as Joe-1. The bomb was tested at Semipalatinsk Test Site, in Kazakhstan. -
SOviet union Atomic bomb test
After the Soviet Union successfully tested its own atomic bomb, Truman wanted to reinstate U.S. superiority. He approved the development of a new Hydrogen Bomb which was shown to be over a hundred times more powerful than the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. -
Joe McCarthy anti-communist speech
During a time period in the U.S, known as the Red Scare, many were afraid of communism spreading throughout the country. Joe McCarthy, or McCarthyism, were set on catching communists and putting them on trial for working for the Soviets. Dozens were put on trial for treason, including some higher-up officials. -
Korean War Begins
In June of 1950, with aid and support from The Soviet Union, North Korea invaded South Korea over the 38th parallel, hoping to conquer the South and reunite with Korea under the North Korean regime. This prompted the United States and the UN to get involved and send aid to the south. -
Communist Party
The Australian High Court declares the Communist Party Dissolution Act, passed the previous October, to be unconstitutional. Prime minister Robert Menzies promises to seek a referendum on the matter. -
William oatis arrested
Famous American foreign correspondent in Prague, is arrested by Czechoslovakian authorities and charged with espionage. The charges are based only on information published in Oatis’ news reports. -
treaty of San francisco
The US and 47 other nations sign the Treaty of San Francisco, resolving World War II hostilities with Japan. The Soviet Union and several Soviet bloc countries do not sign, opting to sign their own treaty with Japan. -
Greece and Turkey Join NATO
Greece was formally welcomed as one of NATO's first new members since the creation of the Alliance in 1949, along with Turkey. His Majesty King Paul I, king of the Hellenes, signs the Instrument of accession for Greece in Athens on 11 February 1952.