Cold War Conflicts
Origins of the Cold War
The UN is established to keep the peace in 1945. Truman takes over in office after FDR dies, and he goes to the Potsdam Conference. Here, Stalin negates what he said at the Yalta Conference, banning democracy in Western Europe.
George Kennan sends the long telegram, advising America to control Communism, in what is called, containment. It was also at this time, that Winston Churchill delivers the Iron Curtain speech in Missouri, where he describes that Europe has been divided by an iron curtain where democracy and communism meet.
Truman creates the Truman Doctrine to support minorities. Then the Marshall Plan is created to aid European countries in recovery. Then Stalin puts a blockade over West Berlin, so that they couldn't receive supplies from the ground. So the US began to drop supplies from aircraft. Also, NATO is created in fear of the Soviets that provides mutual support between the US, Canada and some European countries.
George Kennan sends the long telegram, advising America to control Communism, in what is called, containment. It was also at this time, that Winston Churchill delivers the Iron Curtain speech in Missouri, where he describes that Europe has been divided by an iron curtain where democracy and communism meet.
Truman creates the Truman Doctrine to support minorities. Then the Marshall Plan is created to aid European countries in recovery. Then Stalin puts a blockade over West Berlin, so that they couldn't receive supplies from the ground. So the US began to drop supplies from aircraft. Also, NATO is created in fear of the Soviets that provides mutual support between the US, Canada and some European countries.
The Cold War Heats Up
China has a small civil war to choose between a communist or nationalist. The communists win, the nationalists flee to Taiwan where they convert the government to a nationalist government. But Russia wanted to convert Taiwan to a communist government.
Truman signs the NSC-68 to control communism by increasing our nuclear arsenal at the cost of $50 billion.
North Korea crosses the 38th parallel to invade South Korea . MacArthur takes control of the US soldiers in South Korea, they push north to China, China pushes the US back. MacArthur recommends a nuclear strike on China, and Truman denies his idea, then fires MacArthur.
They then established the Demilitarized Zone or DMZ, along the 38th parallel to divide the North from the South.
Truman signs the NSC-68 to control communism by increasing our nuclear arsenal at the cost of $50 billion.
North Korea crosses the 38th parallel to invade South Korea . MacArthur takes control of the US soldiers in South Korea, they push north to China, China pushes the US back. MacArthur recommends a nuclear strike on China, and Truman denies his idea, then fires MacArthur.
They then established the Demilitarized Zone or DMZ, along the 38th parallel to divide the North from the South.
The Cold War at Home
American begin to fear communism again in a second Red Scare. The House Un-American Activities Committee investigates people's houses who are believed to have communist ties. Also, the McCarran Act restricts people's free speech, considered unlawful and a step towards totalitarianism.
The Rosenbergs, who were minor Communist Party Activists, are charged with being communist spies, and sentenced to death.
Joseph McCarthy accuses government officials of having communist ties. He had no evidence relating any government officials to communism.
The Rosenbergs, who were minor Communist Party Activists, are charged with being communist spies, and sentenced to death.
Joseph McCarthy accuses government officials of having communist ties. He had no evidence relating any government officials to communism.
Two Nations Live on the Edge
The Soviet Union and America race to build a hydrogen bomb, a bomb even
more powerful than the atomic bomb we built during World War II. Each
of these hydrogen bombs are about 65 times more powerful than the atomic
bomb. In 1952, the US detonates the first hydrogen bomb, and the
Soviets detonate one on 1953.
John Foster Dulles proposes the policy of brinkmanship, threatening nuclear war. They risk the chance of nuclear war to prevent the spread of communism. This led to the largest nuclear threat, with a possibility of millions of people dying.
The CIA is formed to gather information. They help oust the Iranian Prime Minister, and reinstate the Shah. They also dispose of Guatemala's president and an army leader becomes a dictator.
The relationship between the US and the Soviets gets better after the death of Stalin in 1953. West Germany joins NATO, and forms the Warsaw Pact, a military alliance with seven Eastern European countries.
The Eisenhower Doctrine is created, saying that the US will defend Middle Eastern countries from communists.
The new Russian leader, Nikita Khrushchev, favors scientific competition, leading to the space race and deployment of Sputnik. This caused America to pour money into the space program.
John Foster Dulles proposes the policy of brinkmanship, threatening nuclear war. They risk the chance of nuclear war to prevent the spread of communism. This led to the largest nuclear threat, with a possibility of millions of people dying.
The CIA is formed to gather information. They help oust the Iranian Prime Minister, and reinstate the Shah. They also dispose of Guatemala's president and an army leader becomes a dictator.
The relationship between the US and the Soviets gets better after the death of Stalin in 1953. West Germany joins NATO, and forms the Warsaw Pact, a military alliance with seven Eastern European countries.
The Eisenhower Doctrine is created, saying that the US will defend Middle Eastern countries from communists.
The new Russian leader, Nikita Khrushchev, favors scientific competition, leading to the space race and deployment of Sputnik. This caused America to pour money into the space program.