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Berlin Airlift
The Berlin Airlift was set up in response to the set up of the Berlin Wall. The Allies wanted to take care of the West Berliners in Berlin, since they were cut off from supplies and things. They had flights going nonstop to West Berlin. This is significant because it showed that the Allies weren't going to leave anyone behind. They would do anything they had to to take care of all of their people. -
Creation of NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was an alliance between the United States, Canada, and some European nations. It stated that these countries, if attacked, would come to eachothers aid. Germany and it's allies responded with the Warsaw Pact. This is significant because it showed that the countries would band together, to help eachother. And it also showed what countries were for or against communism. -
Soviet Launches Sputnik
Sputnik was the first artificial satellite launched into space. The US had hoped to do this first, and were very upset. The launch intensified the arms race to space. During this time the US and the Soviet Union were racing eachother to create new technology. This is significant because it intensififed the hatred between the US and SU. They both wanted this honor of launching the first satellite into space, and the SU beat US. -
Bay of Pigs
1200 Cuban exiles waded across the Bay of Pigs to take revenge on Cuba. Their goal was to serve as a rally point for all Cubans against their government. They were armed with American weapons. This event is significant because it is one of the first signs of the United States taking a stand against Cuba. While it wasn't a large stance, it proved that the two countries were at conflict. -
The Berlin War Goes Up
East Germany was controlled by the Soviet Union, West Germany was controlled by UK, US, and France. Berlin was split the same way. The SU, in an effort to show the West side that they didn't appreciate the West Berliners, put a wall up, so that people couldn't get from the East to the West. This is significant because it showed that the Communists' weren't very tolerant of other political groups. They wanted to cut them off as quickly as possible. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Soviet Union aided Cuba in their distaste for the US, by giving them missile stations to create, pointing them at the United States. The US then put an embargo on Cuba, almost resulting in a sea battle. However, America resolved the issue and no missiles were launched. This event was significant because it was one of the few actions actually taken during the Cold War. Most of the war was just talking and arguing, but this actually happened, the missiles were actually set up. -
The Six Day War
Arabic forces built up along the Israeli border. And the Israeli's didn't like it. To show their distaste, they launched simultaneous attacks on Egypt and Syria. There was no match for the Israeli army, and in the six days, they had more than double their size. This battle is significant because it showed unrest in the countries. It was a very unsafe time, and if anyone was rubbed the wrong way, war could break out easily. -
US Sends A Man To The Moon
Neil Armstrong was the first man to ever step on the moon. He was a part of the Apollo 11 mission from the United States. This accomplishment by the US put them ahead of the Soviet Union in the great Space Race. It is significant because it is a huge technological and scientific advancement for the world. It also gave the US more power as a world power since they were the first to accomplish this great feat.
