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Period: to
Cold War 1947-1966
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Truman Doctrine Announced
President Truman said the U.S. would help countries fight against communism. This was the start of the U.S. trying to stop communism from spreading. -
Marshall Plan Proposed
The U.S. offered money to help rebuild Europe after WWII, so countries wouldn't turn to communism. -
U.S. National Security Act Signed
Established the Department of Defense, CIA, and National Security Council, restructuring U.S. military and intelligence agencies. -
Western Union Established
A defense alliance formed by Western European nations as a precursor to NATO. -
Marshall Plan Implemented
President Truman signed the Economic Recovery Act, officially launching the Marshall Plan. -
Berlin Blockade Begins
The Soviet Union blocked Western Allies' access to West Berlin, prompting the Berlin Airlift. -
NATO Formed
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was established as a military alliance against Soviet aggression. -
Soviet Atomic Bomb Test
The USSR successfully tested its first atomic bomb, escalating the arms race. -
Communist Victory in China
Mao Zedong proclaimed the People's Republic of China, expanding communist influence in Asia. -
Korean War Begins
North Korea, supported by the Soviet Union and China, invaded South Korea. The U.S. and other United Nations countries stepped in to help South Korea, starting the Korean War. -
UN Forces Land at Inchon
General MacArthur led a surprise landing at Inchon, South Korea, helping to push back North Korean forces. -
Chinese Troops Enter Korean War
China sent troops to support North Korea, turning the war into a bigger conflict involving more countries. -
Rosenberg Trial Begins
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were tried for allegedly passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union. They were later executed in 1953. -
UN Forces Recapture Seoul
United Nations troops regained control of Seoul, the capital of South Korea, after it had been taken by North Korean and Chinese forces.
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General MacArthur Removed from Command
President Truman relieved General MacArthur of his command in Korea due to disagreements over war strategy. -
Greece and Turkey Join NATO
Greece and Turkey became members of NATO, strengthening the alliance against the Soviet Union. -
U.S. Tests First Hydrogen Bomb
The United States detonated its first hydrogen bomb, a more powerful nuclear weapon, escalating the arms race. -
U.S. Elects Dwight D. Eisenhower as President
Eisenhower, a World War II hero, was elected President, promising to end the Korean War and fight communism. -
Stalin Dies
Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, died, leading to changes in Soviet policies and leadership. -
Rosenbergs Executed
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed for espionage, marking a controversial moment in the Cold War. -
Korean War Armistice Signed
An agreement was signed to stop fighting in Korea, ending the war without a clear winner and leaving Korea divided. -
Battle of Dien Bien Phu Ends
Vietnam defeated France in a major battle, ending French control and leading to Vietnam being split into North (communist) and South (non-communist). -
Geneva Accords Signed
Agreements split Vietnam at the 17th parallel into North (communist) and South (non-communist), marking a formal division. -
SEATO Formed
The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization was created by Western and Asian countries to stop communism from spreading in Southeast Asia. -
West Germany Joins NATO
West Germany became a NATO member, causing the Soviet Union to speed up forming the Warsaw Pact. -
Warsaw Pact Established
The Soviet Union and its Eastern European allies formed a military alliance to counter NATO. -
Khrushchev Becomes Soviet Leader
Nikita Khrushchev rose to power as First Secretary of the Communist Party, shifting leadership after Stalin’s death. -
Khrushchev’s “Secret Speech”
At a Communist Party meeting, Khrushchev denounced Stalin’s crimes, shocking many and starting de-Stalinization. -
Hungarian Uprising
Hungarian citizens rose up against Soviet control. The revolt was crushed by Soviet tanks, showing Soviet strength. -
Suez Crisis
Britain, France, and Israel attacked Egypt after President Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, highlighting Cold War tensions in the Middle East. -
Eisenhower Doctrine Announced
President Eisenhower said the U.S. would help any Middle Eastern country threatened by communism. -
Sputnik Launched by USSR
The Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, into space. This shocked the U.S. and started the space race. -
Soviet Union Launches Sputnik 2 with Dog Laika
USSR sent the first living creature, a dog named Laika, into space aboard Sputnik 2. -
NASA Founded
The U.S. created NASA to catch up with the Soviet Union in space exploration after Sputnik's success. -
Second Taiwan Strait Crisis
China bombed islands controlled by Taiwan, and the U.S. sent Navy ships to help protect Taiwan. -
U.S. Tests ICBM (Atlas Missile)
The U.S. successfully tested its first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), able to carry nuclear weapons long distances. -
Cuban Revolution Succeeds
Fidel Castro overthrew Cuba’s leader, turning Cuba into a communist country close to the U.S. -
Kitchen Debate
U.S. Vice President Nixon and Soviet Premier Khrushchev debated capitalism vs. communism in a model kitchen exhibit in Moscow. -
Khrushchev Visits the U.S.
Soviet leader Khrushchev toured the U.S. and met with President Eisenhower to try to ease tensions. -
Sino-Soviet Split Begins
China and the Soviet Union started having serious disagreements, ending their friendship and weakening the communist alliance. -
U-2 Spy Plane Shot Down
The Soviet Union shot down an American U-2 spy plane. The U.S. first lied, then admitted spying, worsening tensions. -
JFK Elected President
John F. Kennedy was elected U.S. President. He promised to stand up to communism, especially in Cuba and Berlin. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
U.S.-trained Cuban exiles tried to invade Cuba to overthrow Fidel Castro, but the mission failed. -
JFK’s "Ich bin ein Berliner" Speech
President Kennedy visited West Berlin and gave a powerful speech showing U.S. support for West Germans. -
Berlin Wall Constructed
East Germany, backed by the Soviet Union, built a wall to stop people from escaping to West Berlin. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The U.S. discovered Soviet missiles in Cuba. After 13 tense days, the USSR agreed to remove them, and nuclear war was avoided. -
U.S. Blockade of Cuba (Quarantine)
President Kennedy ordered a naval blockade of Cuba to stop more Soviet missiles from arriving. -
Agreement Ends Missile Crisis
Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles from Cuba if the U.S. promised not to invade and secretly removed missiles from Turkey. -
JFK’s Peace Speech at American University
President Kennedy gave a speech asking for peace and better U.S.-Soviet relations. -
Limited Test Ban Treaty Signed
The U.S., USSR, and U.K. agreed to stop testing nuclear weapons in the air, underwater, or in space. -
Hotline Between U.S. and USSR Set Up
A direct phone line was created between Washington, D.C., and Moscow to help U.S. and Soviet leaders talk quickly during a crisis. -
U.S. Congress Passes Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Gave President Johnson the power to send U.S. troops to Vietnam without declaring war. -
Khrushchev Removed from Power
Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev was forced to resign and replaced by Leonid Brezhnev. -
China Tests First Atomic Bomb
China exploded its first nuclear bomb, becoming the fifth country with nuclear weapons. -
Indonesia Cuts Ties with the U.S. and U.K.
Indonesia pulled away from Western powers and leaned closer to the communist bloc. -
Operation Rolling Thunder Begins
The U.S. launched heavy bombing of North Vietnam to weaken the communist government. -
U.S. Sends Combat Troops to Vietnam
The first official U.S. combat troops landed in Vietnam, marking the start of major U.S. fighting in the war. -
U.S. Bombing Expands in Vietnam
The U.S. increased air attacks on North Vietnam, targeting cities and supply routes to weaken the enemy. -
Soviet Luna 9 Lands on the Moon
The Soviet spacecraft Luna 9 became the first to safely land on the Moon and send back pictures — a major win in the space race. -
Cultural Revolution Begins in China
Mao Zedong launched a movement to strengthen communism in China by getting rid of old traditions and people seen as “capitalist.”