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Cold War
An intense rivalry for global power between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. following WWII that lasted for more than 40 years -
Truman Doctrine
The United States will provide political, military and economic help to all democratic nations under threat fro communist expansion ($400 million to Greece and Turkey) -
Marshall Plan
Aid European countries in rebuilding their economies with $13 billion to avoid another global depression and possible WWIII; prevent countries from turning to communism -
Berlin Blockade
Stalin closed all roads, railways, and river routes leading into West Berlin (June 1948) hoping the West would give up West Berlin to East Germany -
Berlin Airlift
For 11 months the allies flew 2.3 million tons of goods at a cost of more than $200 million to West Berlin on a daily basis, planes took off every 3 minutes -
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Military alliance of western democratic countries to defend Europe against Communism formed -
Korean War
June 1950 Communist North Korea invades South Korea, United Nations' forces push them back to North Korea beyond 38th parallels. July 1953 cease-fire issued, fighting ends but formal peace never declared. Over 53,000 Americans were killed. -
Warsaw Pact
U.S.S.R. and communist nations in Eastern Europe unite to counter the threat from N.A.T.O. -
Vietnam War
Americans were worried that democratic South Vietnam could become communist; U.S. involvement: 1964-1973, South Vietnam falls in 1975. 2.6 million Americans served, over 58,000 Americans died, 304,000 were wounded -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
C.I.A. trained exiled Cubans attempt to invade Cuba and assassinate Fidel Castro, no U.S. air support given; invasion fails - all 1,400 Cuban rebels captured or killed -
Berlin Wall
Built to prevent East Germans from escaping to the West; 171 people killed trying to cross -
Cuban Missile Crisis
Spy planes take pictures of nuclear missiles in Cuba, can hit anywhere in the U.S. Kennedy orders a naval blockade of Cuba; USSR removes missiles
