The+Cold+War

__**1945-1970**__ **Dolan & Matt**  "All great change in America begins at the dinner table ."

-Ronald Reagan

The Cold War was brought on by the fight between communism and democracy. The USA and the USSR which were allies during WWII became strict enemies during this time. One of the problems of this event was the creation of nuclear weapons. During the Cold War each country had enough weapons of mass destruction to destroy the entire world if they so chose. They had come to a point of total war where each country would destroy each other totally if they began to fight whatsoever.

During this time period multiple other events took place related to the struggle between communism and democracy. One of which was the Vietnam War. Vietnam was split between north and south or communism and democracy. The Soviets gave the North Vietnamese weapons to take over South Vietnam which was democratic. In this instance the USA helped the South Vietnamese protect themselves from communism.

Another event that took place during this event was the Bay of Pigs invasion. The USA armed Cuban's who went back in their country in hopes of ridding it of Fidel Castro. This would also take away any Soviet nuclear weapons in Cuba. The mission was a failure, but throughout the Cold War not a single nuke was used.

Timeline: 1. 1945- The Cold War begins. 2. 1947- United States announces Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan. 3. 1948- Berlin Air Lift begins. 4. 1949- NATO formed. 5. 1949- Chinese Communists take control of China. 6. 1950- Korean War begins. 7. 1954- Korean War ends. 8. 1957- Soviets launch Sputnik I. 9. 1961- Berlin Wall built. 10. 1962- Cuban missile crisis unfolds.

__**10 Important Terms:**__
 * **Sattellite state:** A country that is economically and politically dependent on another country.
 * **Policy of Containment:** A policy to keep something, such as communism, within its existing boundaries and to prevent further spreading.
 * **Arms Race:** Race between the U.S and Russia to see who could build up there armies and store more weapons to keep up with eachother.
 * **Domino theory:** Idea that if one country falls to Communism, the countries close to it will also fall for the idea.
 * **Heavy Industry:** The manufacturing of machines and equipment for factories and mines.
 * **De-Stalinization:** Nikita Khrushchev's process of eliminating Stalin's more ruthless policies.
 * **Detente:** The phase between the U.s and Russia where there were relaxed tensions and improved relations.
 * **Dissident:** A person, for example a person in Eastern Germany, that speaks out against the regime in power.
 * **Perestroika:** Mikhail Gorbachev's plan to reform the Soviet Union by reconstructing its economy.

__**5 Important People:**__ __**5 Links:**__ Cold WarRonald ReaganSoviet UnionThe Berlin WallThe Korean War media type="custom" key="17963194" media type="youtube" key="EKexf166TKk" height="315" width="420" media type="custom" key="17963220"
 * 1) **Ronald Reagan:** President of the United States during the Cold War who called the Soviet Union an "Evil Empire" and was a total beast.
 * 2) **Mikhail Gorbachev:** Leader of the Soviet Union starting in 1985 and created the policy of "New Thinking" which led to stunning changes.
 * 3) **Nikita Khrushchev:** Emerged as the new leader of the Soviet Union in 1955 and created the Berlin wall.
 * 4) **Alexander Dubcek:** Elected the first secretary of the Communist Party in January 1968 and was the leader of the Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia.
 * 5) **Harry Truman:** President during the beginning of the Cold War and created the Truman Doctrine in 1947 which provided money to counties threatened by Communism.