The Cold War
The Cold War was a period of tension and competition between the United States and the Soviet Union from 1947 to 1991. The countries of Great Britain and the United States were opposed to increased Soviet control and Communist ideals in democratic Europe, while the USSR was afraid of German attack- therefore wanting to keep control and to impose widespread communist ideals. The USA and USSR fought through a series of proxy wars in an attempt to prevent their allied countries from gaining the ideals of the opposing side.
Major Events
Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan. Photo from TheColdWarExperience.Weebly.com, 1947.
The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan were put in place by the United States in order to help foreign countries fight communism and provide financial aid to Europe. The implementation of these created more negative feelings in the Soviet Union towards the United States. They believed that these were put in place by the USA to gain control over the countries of Europe and gain democratic principles opposed to those of the Communist USSR. The implementation of both the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan further contributed to the divide between the Soviets and Americans.
Cuban Missile Crisis
John F. Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Photo from History.com, 1962.
The country of the United States was weary of Soviet cargo ships going to Cuba that were attempting to keep information about what was on board under wraps. In an address to the citizens of the United States, President Kennedy stated that he and the government officials who had been surveiling the events in Cuba believed that they had evidence that "a series of offensive missile sites is now in preparation." This was seen as a major threat to the Western Hemisphere and, more specifically, the USA.
In a series of letters between President Kennedy and First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev, the USSR's actions were defended based on the reasoning that the weapons were to assist Cuba due to the threat of an invasion of the island. However, this did not ease American feelings and furthered the divide between the Soviet Union and United States, ultimately leading to President Kennedy issuing a quarantine of Cuba.
Space Race
Laikia, "The Sputnik Dog." Photo from Digital Public Library of America, 1957.
One of the major points of competition between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War was the Space Race. No country had ever successfully launched a spaceship until the USSR's Sputnik satellite which was launched along with Laika, the dog pictured to the left. This was considered a major loss for America, as it was seen as a setback in the war.
However, the United States launched the Apollo along with Neil Armstrong, who became the first man on the moon. Though it was a difficult journey in the race to space, America was able to catch up and accomplish a major feat.