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Creation of NATO
LinkThe North Atlantic Treaty Organization was founded in 1949 by the U.S., Canada, and several European Nations to provide security against the Soviet Union. NATO was the first peacetime military alliance outside of the Western Hemisphere by the U.S. -
Vietnam War
LinkThe Vietnam War was a long period of armed conflict between the communist government of North Vietnam, and its southern allies, the vietcong, in South Vietnam with their ally the U.S. The U.S. withdrew forces in 1973 and the war ended with communist control in 1975. More than 3 million people died in this long conflict, including 58,000 Americans. The Vietnam War ended on April 30th, 1975. -
Bay of Pigs
LinkThe bay of Pigs was an invasion in Cuba in attempt to bring down the communist government of Fidel Castro. Cuba has been growing a closer relationship with the Soviet Union, and this led the U.S. government to conclusion that Fidel Castro was a threat to the U.S. In March, Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered the C.I.A. to train and arm a force of Cuban exiles for an armed attack on Cuba. The attack was a failure when Castro's military counter attacked and captured over 1,100 attackers. -
US sends man to the moon
LinkThere was a space race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union had launced sputnik, and had the first man in space, but soon President Kennedy revealed a plan to launch the first man to the moon. Apollo 11 left the Earth and landed safely back to Earth before the end of the decade. The Americans had won the race to the moon. -
Nixon visits China
LinkIn 1972 President Richard Nixon visited the People's Republic of China (PRC) to formally normalize the relations between the U.S. and the PRC. This was the first time a U.S. president had visited the PRC, and Nixon met with Mao Zedong in Beijing. The reason behind the visit was because Nixon claimed the U.S. did not maintain diplomatic relations. The visit allowed the U.S. to see images of China for the first time in over 2 decades. Nixon named the visit "The week that changed the world". -
1972 Olympic Basketball Game
LinkThe 1972 Olympic Basketball Game was between the United States and the Soviet Union. The United States were 63-0 at the time and were compelled to beat the Soviet Union in this time of the Cold War Tension. The USA team had been behind the whole game, but towards the end of the game they were ahead 50-49. After the Soviet Union had a timeout at 3 seconds left, they missed their chance. After the celebrating by the US another 3 seconds was added to the clock, and the USSR won 51-50. -
1980 Olympic Hockey game
LinkIce Hockey during the 1980 Olympics held a match between the USA and the Soviet Union. This was a time of high tension between the US and USSR, and was a game of high importance as the Soviet Union was heavily favored and known as the Miracle on Ice. During the finals the US was behind 2-3, but in the last round the US scored 2 points and won 4-3. USA took home gold and the Soviet Union took home silver. -
Collapse of the Soviet Union
LinkOn Christmas Day, 1991, the Soviet Union Collapsed. The Soviet Union split apart into 15 different countries and hailed by the West as a victory for freedom. This victory was democracy over totalitarianism, where one man was center of all control. The fall of the Soviet Union led to a complete reformulation of political, economical, and military alliances all over the globe. The fall of the Soviet Union ended the Cold War!
