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Period: to
Cold War 1947-1966
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Truman doctrine announced
Truman says U.S will support countries fighting communism. This started with Greece and turkey. This started the American containment policy -
Marshall plan proposed
George marshall announced a academic aid plan to rebuild Europe. The goal of this was to stop the spread of communism and restore stability -
Cominform established
USSR forms Cominform to coordinate communist parties all over the globe. It makes Soviet control stronger over Eastern Europe -
Czechoslovak coup
The Communist Party takes control of the Czechoslovak government. It marks a turning point in Soviet domination of Eastern Europe. -
Marshall plan enacted
The U.S. begins distributing aid to 16 European countries. This speeds up recovery and makes Western alliances stronger -
Berlin blockade begins
The USSR blocks Western access to West Berlin to try to force Allied withdrawal. The U.S. and allies respond with a massive airlift. -
Communist victory in China
Mao Zedong proclaims the People's Republic of China. The U.S. sees this as a major setback in the Cold War. -
NATO formed
The U.S. and 11 other countries form a defense alliance. It institutionalizes the Western military response to Soviet threats. -
Soviet Union tests atomic bomb
The USSR detonates its first nuclear weapon. The U.S. loses its monopoly on nuclear arms. -
Start of Korean war
North Korea invades South Korea with Soviet and Chinese helpp. The U.S. leads a UN force to defend the South. -
Truman sends troops to Korea
Without a formal declaration of war, U.S. makes a move one combat. This sets a precedent for future conflicts. -
China enters Korean War
China sends troops across the Yalu River. The war intensifies and extends -
MacArthur dismissed
President Truman fires General MacArthur for publicly opposing his policies. The incident underscores civilian control of the military. -
Ceasefire talks begin in Korea
Negotiations start between North and South Korea. But no agreement is immediately reached. -
Mutual Security Act passed
The U.S. boosts military aid to allies around the world. It expands containment beyond Europe. -
First British atomic bomb test
The U.K. joins the nuclear club. It strengthens NATO's strategic arsenal. -
U.S. tests hydrogen bomb
The U.S. detonates the first strong nuclear weapon. It vastly increases nuclear destructive power. -
NSA established
The National Security Agency is created to coordinate U.S. communications intelligence. It becomes a key player in Cold War surveillance. -
Eisenhower becomes U.S. President
Dwight Eisenhower takes office and promotes a strong anti-communist stance. He introduces the “New Look” defense policy. -
Stalin dies
Joseph Stalin’s death sparks a power struggle in the USSR. It leads to a brief period of political thaw. -
Korean War armistice signed
The fighting ends, but the peninsula remains divided. A formal peace treaty was never signed. -
Geneva Conference begins
Vietnam is divided at the 17th parallel. Elections to reunify are planned but never held. -
Dien Bien Phu falls
French forces are defeated by the Viet Minh. France withdraws from Indochina. -
CIA-backed coup in Guatemala
The U.S. helps overthrow President Arbenz. He is accused of communist sympathies.