-
The united states. Leader of the capitalist world. (1945-1960)
There were many anti-communist measures implemented by the Republican presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight Eisenhower. A blacklist was drafted those likely communist sympathizers. It is the McCarthyism or Witch-Hunt. -
The cold war
The cold war began whit the Truman Doctrine when it was announced in 1947, and ends when the Soviet Union collapsed -
Benelux Customs Union (1948)
It was an agreement that was signed by Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg in order to remove customs and to promote free movement of capital, goods, and workers. -
Eastern Europe (1948)
In1948, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Albania and Bulgaria had pro-soviet Communist governments controlled by USSR. Yugoslavia had a Communist government, led by Josip Tito, but it was not pro- soviet, so Stalin opposed Tito´s power. -
Berlin (1948)
Berlin was in Eastern Germany (controlled by the USSR). Stalin ordered that all land communication between West Berlin and the outside world should be cut off. -
NATO (1949)
The Western Powers formed NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) against the communist threat -
Germany (1949)
Two new states were formed: the German Federal Republic (West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic. -
Korea (1950-1953)
-President Truman allowed General MacArthur to invade North Korea. This worried China, because they were afraid of a Western invasion. China attacked the UN forces, capturing Seoul (the capital of SK).
-MacArthur wanted to attack China but Truman disagreed
-Truman looked for peace and a cease-fire was agreed on in 1953. -
Treaty of Paris (18th April 1951)
It involved the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community It was signed by France, Western Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. I -
USSR (1953)
Stalin died in 1953. He was succeeded by Nikita Khrushchev, who began a process of De-Stalinization to fight the abuse of power of cult of personality of Stalin. -
Vietnam war (1954)
South East Asia had been controlled by France, but French forces were completely defeated by the North Vietnamese -
Warsaw Pact (1955)
The Eastern Bloc formed the Warsaw Pact -
Poland (1956)
Polish workers in Poznan went on strike but were soon controlled by Russian troops. -
Hungary (1956)
The people of Budapest (1956) protested against the harsh government of Rakosi. At first the were treated differently allowing them to hold free elections, ending communism there. But Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and the new Primer Minister, Kadar, was loyal towards Russia. -
Treaty of Rome (25th March 1957)
It constituted the creation of the European Economic Community or Common Market. Its main objectives were the free movement of people, goods, services, and capitals. It was signed by West Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. It also involved the creation of Euratom (European Atomic Energy Community) with pacific goals as well as creating a common market of nuclear fuels. -
Cuba (1959)
Castro began a guerrilla war and soon marched on Cuba's capital, Havana, and overthrew the government. -
John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1961)
The Democrat J. F Kennedy became the president and tensions with the eastern bloc were reduced. There were mobilizations in favor of civil rights for black people led by Martin Luther King . -
Cuba missile crisis (1961)
President Kennedy authorised an invasion of Cuba by rebels trained by the CIA.
After this Castro decided that Cuba needed Soviet military assistance.
The world was on the brink of nuclear war, but on the last minute Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles from Cuba if the US promised not to place missiles in Turkey. -
Berlin (13th August 1961)
2,5 million people left East Berlin for the West, half of them were young people. A 30 mile barrier was erected across the city of Berlin dividing the Eastern sector from the West. Those who tried to escape were shot dead. -
USA (1964)
Civil Rights Act was finally passed in 1964. -
USSR (1964-1982)
Leonid Brezhnev led the USSR between Khrushchev’s death in 1964 and 1982. He stopped all Khrushchev’s reforms. -
Vietnam war (1964)
President Johnson was determined to keep South Vietnam communist free, so he increased troop numbers from 23.000 in 1964 to 500.000 in 1967 -
Czechoslovakia (1968)
the czech government, led by Dubcek, tried to install its own type of socialism (Socialism with a Human Face). This was called the Prague Spring. But the troops of the Warsaw Plan invaded Praga and suppressed the attempt -
The renewed conflict and the end of Cold War (1972)
The USSR and the USA agreed to limit their nuclear weapons and they signed the strategic Arms Limitation Talks Agreement -
Vietnam war (1973)
In 1973 a ceasefire was arranged. -
Vietnam war (1975)
Saigon (the South capital) had been captured by the Vietcong. The Americans were defeated. -
The renewed conflict and the end of Cold War (1979)
They planned more arms limitation but the USA refused to sign the SALT 2 agreement -
Ronal Reagan (1980)
Ronald Reagan was elected president of the USA and the period of détente ended. -
USSR (1985)
The USSR began to change its policies. Mikhail Gorbachev came to power and brought some changes.
