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German Invasion of Poland
- The Germans invade Poland, effectively starting WW2 as France and the UK have guaranteed Poland’s independence, meaning they are forced to join the war.
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Period: to
World War 2 (Start to End)
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Bombing of Pearl Harbor
- The Empire of Japan bombs the strategic Island of Pearl Harbor, which stationed many American vessels and fuel silos.
- Prompted FDR to declare war a day later
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The creation of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act (G.I. Bill)
- Aimed to improve the financial conditions of veterans who fought in WW2, through many benefits such as subsidized housing, paid-for education (college level), and other economic opportunities
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Yalta Conference (Feb 4-11)
- A series of meetings held at Yalta, Crimea (Soviet Occupied Territory)
- The three world leaders (Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin) discuss the fate of the world after WW2
- Leads to many conflicts regarding: How to partition Germany, the fate of Poland, Japan, and Africa
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FDR Dies
- FDR dies from Polio, leaving his Vice-president Harry S. Truman to be the new president of the United States.
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Period: to
Truman Presidency
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V-E Day
- Victory in Europe Day, where Germany surrenders and the Allies seize Europe
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Potsdam Conference
- Meeting between: Harry S. Truman, Joseph Stalin, and Clement Attlee, to discuss further more how the world would look after WW2
- Led to much tension due to the U.S.’s development of the A-Bomb, which the Soviets where aware of due to the Espionage of the Manhattan Project
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Atomic-Bomb dropped on Hiroshima
- The “Little Boy” was dropped by the Enola Gay on Hiroshima.
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Atomic Bomb dropped on Nagasaki
- Second Atomic Bomb dropped on Japan called “Fat Man” which was dropped by Enola Gay.
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V-J Day
- Commonly known as Victory in Japan day. Officially ended WW2 as The Empire of Japan surrendered on the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
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Period: to
Cold War (Unofficial Start to end)
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Kennen’s Long Telegram Speech
- George Kennan sends a telegram to the US outlining how the spread of communism must be contained and how the US needs to not be pushed back by Soviet resilience.
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The Iron Curtain Speech
- Speech made by Winston Churchill in Fulton Missouri, outlining how an “Iron Curtain” was falling down on Eastern Europe, and how communism was inherently harmful towards Capitalism/democracy
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Taft-Hartley Act
- Restricted the power of Labor Unions
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Marshall Plan Enacted
- The Marshall Plan was a proposition from George C. Marshall (Trumans Secretary of State) to pump money into the European Economy to strengthen its weak foundation, bettering the global economy in the long run and preventing European nations from going into Turmoil which could lead to the spread of communism.
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Warsaw Pact Formed
- Was mostly a reaction to the NATO alliance, where the USSR and its allies/satellites formed a coalition against NATO
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Period: to
Berlin Blockade / Berlin Airlift
- Due to the blockade of West Berlin by the Soviet Union, the US begins to send supply planes into Berlin at a constant rate to supply the western part of the city.
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NATO Formed
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization, comprised of many Democratic/western influenced nations who sought to protect one another from Soviet expansion
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China becomes Communist
- The communist party of China drives the Nationalists out of mainland China and into Taiwan, effectively taking control of China in its entirety.
- Led by Mao Zeodong
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Korean War Start
- Conflict that started with North Korea invading South Korea with overwhelming numbers.
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Truman Seized Still Mills (1950-1952)
- Due to a feared labor strike on steel mills, Truman decided to seize the mills to keep up with production
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Period: to
Growth of Suburban Population
- Many people who were interested in Levittown, and met the criteria (Nuclear family, white, middle class citizens) migrated from Urban areas to more rural areas.
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Korean War End
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Conviction of the Rosenbergs
- The Rosenbergs were a family (2) that were convicted of being communist spies and sentenced to the electric chair
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Period: to
Eisenhower’s Presidency
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Period: to
The Montgomery Bus Boycott
- Sparked by Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama
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Publication of the Southern Manifesto
- A series of claims by more than 100 southern politicians, outlining the refusal of integration of school system (in the south).
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Period: to
John F. Kennedy’s Presidential Term