Marshall Plan
http://www.marshallfoundation.org/TheMarshallPlan.htm
Marshall Plan- George Marshall will be known as one of the most patriotic diplomats; because of his response to Europe during the war. Due to the devastating impact of World War II, much of Europe was left in shambles. Many people in Europe experienced famine due to the war as well, their transportation infrastructure was nonexistent because of all of this the United States, at that time, was the only major power in the world that had no significant damages. George Marshall was appointed secretary of state in 1947. The United States has been assisting European economic recovery with direct financial aid. Also the newly formed United Nations was providing industrial aid, clothes, food, and anything that people would need. As secretary of state Marshall was able to craft the Marshall Plan contempt and introduce it to the world, in a speech that he delivered at Harvard. This was known as the European recovery program and was intended to rebuild the economy and spirits of Western Europe. Marshall believed that political Europe was key to crippling the advances to communism in that region. European nations received nearly 13 billion in aid which boosted their economy and later resulted in investments in industrial capacity in Europe, the Marshall plan funding ended in 1951.
Berlin Airlift
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/62154/Berlin-blockade-and-airlift
Berlin Airlift- After World War II, Berlin was divided into 4 different sections. French, British, and the United States all came together and made their own money system, leaving the Soviet Union section by its self and its money’s not useable. The Soviets, under the leadership of Stalin, took offence to this. In order to get revenge the Soviets made its own money and started to blockade the city, in result of not letting any supplies get into the cities. The Soviets said the four powers of administration of Berlin had ceased and Allies were not allowed to have any power there. The United States (Truman) and Britain (Churchill) still went behind the Soviets back and supplied the city with food and other helpful supplies by using planes. It was finally ended because General Tunner of the allies sent a message to Soviets and to people of Berlin by airlifting more supplies than that they ever had before so that the Soviets would settle down and try to negotiate something. The day they did the big airlift was Easter Sunday and it became known as the Easter Parade. On May12th the Soviets agreed to end the blockade because the airlifts showed how effective they were.
North Atlantic Treaty
http://www.audifaz.com/coldwar/NATO.htm
The North Atlantic treaty organization was created by countries in Europe and North America, who wanted a mutual defense alliance so that if one of them were attacked, all of the other countries in NATO would come to their aid. The agreement also helped them with economic aid under the Marshall Plan. During the time when there were military or administrator structure NATO was used as an agreement for the US to protect other members. This was also the beginning of the Korean War which also helped expand the organization with the creation of the military command system. During this time of expansion the Soviet Union capatabilty began to the western powers. This posed a threat to European countries and they began to doubt the US would honor their agreement. In 1979 NATO began a new program that would help build up defense and make an effort in stopping the Soviet Union from building up their nuclear weapons.
Warsaw Pact
http://www.history.com/topics/formation-of-nato-and-warsaw-pact
Warsaw Pact- The Warsaw Pact consisted mostly of the Soviet Union and satellite countries, it was created to response of NATO and the Soviet Union dominated the alliance. This pact was used to keep military personnel to satellite countries and also to keeps the social government running. The Warsaw pact was renewed in 1985 for an additional 20 years, even though the organization weekend by the end of the 80’s. By July of 1991 the remaining 6 countries deciding dissolve the Pact.
Iron curtain
http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/06/an_iron_curtain_descends_on_islamistan.html
Iron Curtain- The Iron Curtain was used to separate the Warsaw Pact countries and the NATO countries. This time period was around 1945 to about the end of the Cold War in 1991. The countries that were more to the east of the iron curtain were influenced by the Soviet Union. These eastern countries were Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, and Albania. Yugoslavia was communist but was not considered a part of the eastern countries. The Iron Curtain was used to refer to as the separation that cut the continent into two parts. This stretched for thousands of kilometers to Separate Eastern and Western but very strong around the Germany area. The Iron Curtain division consisted of Highly guarded areas or some just consisted of and plain fenced area with a chain.
Cuban Missile Crisis
http://www.history.com/topics/cuban-missile-crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis- The Cuban missile crisis was as 13 day long confrontations between Cuba and the United states. This tension had started when an American U2 spy plane discovered nuclear missile sites in Cuba. President Kennedy saw this as a threat and immediately and forcefully. President Kennedy had secret meetings with his advisors, trying to get together a solution or seek out a plan for this problem. After many of these meeting President Kennedy found his plan on what he was going to do to react. He decided to form a blockade around Cuba. This blockade was formed so the soviets wouldn’t bring anymore military supplies. On October 7th, 1952 President Kennedy made other nations known about what was going on with the Soviets. President Kennedy and the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev discussed the tension between the two countries and tried to come to an agreement on what they could do. They came to an agreement and the Soviets agreed to dismantle their weapons. On the other hand, the United States also had to abide by the agreement too, to not invade Cuba. Even though the Soviets kept their missile out of Cuba, they still built them elsewhere.
Korean War
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/kowar/kowar.htm
Korean War- The Korean War was the war that was fought by North and South Korea. It began in 1950 when soldiers from North Korea invaded South Korea’s area. This was the first military advance in the Cold War. Americans entered the war on South Korea’s side. The North Korean’s tried desperately to try and fall to Communism. The North Korean’s were backed by the Soviet Union and China. The United Nations also got involved siding with the United States. The United States tried their best to keep countries from falling to communism. The UN helped the US push the Chinese and North Korean’s back. Many leaders thought the war was going to start another world war and would run the world into the ground. The world wouldn’t be able to take another World War and it would be left in shambles. Eventually the United Nations gained control of South Korea and signed a ceasefire agreement. When the war was over, the border between both countries designated at the 30th parallel. The death toll was 4 million people.
Space Race
http://www.history.com/topics/space-race
Space Race- During the Cold War, not only was there tension there was also rivalry. These two nations were considered the two super powers and the contributed to their rivalry. During the Cold War science and education were affected greatly. In August 1957, the Soviet Union announced that they have created a rocket that could travel great distances. It was intercontinental ballistic missile (ISDM). This was used for them to push sputnik into the earth’s atmosphere because they wanted to be advance in science. Americans felt that they were better than the Soviets educational advancement. The American’s government put more money into the educational field. The United States decided to launch a Satellite in 1958. This created a superpower conflict between the Soviets and US. Earlier president Eisenhower had suggested that the United States and Soviet Union to present nuclear attacks. A few years later the Soviets shot down an American U2 plane and this made things between the Americans and Soviets worst. At this point tensions between the Soviets and US only got worst.
Communist China
http://www.infowars.com/communist-chinese-government-calls-for-americans-to-be-disarmed/
Communist China- Communist China was lead by the Maovedong. He had a strong army and good support from the Soviet Union. He was against Jiang Jieshi and his nationalist’s government. During World War II the communist and nationalists and communists; the United States supported the Nationalists. The United States supported the Nationalists money for financial aid.