containment

1947-1972

This is the idea of "containing" communism so justifying giving aid or fighting wars overseas to keep communism out of power. This also applies within the United States, like the blacklisting and red scare. This also applies for the Soviet Union containing capitalism. It would influence political policy throughout the Cold War.

More Detailed Timeline

CONTAINMENT (1947-1950)

1947: Truman supports anti-Moscow forces in Greek Civil War

- Communist government was about to seize power in Greece but through massive influx of aid U.S. keeps anti-communist monarchy in power

- June: Marshall Plan Announced – aid through European Recovery Program ($13 billion)

1948: Soviet takeover of Czechoslovakia

June, Berlin Blockade & Airlift (ends May 1949)

1949: July, NATO ratified

September, Communist China under Mao Zedong (civil war with Nationalists since 1927) – a successful peasant revolt; to U.S. decolonization brought about another communist opponent

September, 1st Soviet Nuclear Explosion

CONTAINMENT/COERCION (1950-1972)

1950: June, Korean War begins (U.N. as U.S. proxy)

- Korea divided into communist North (Soviet Union) and anti-communist South (United States)

- U.S. allowed police action in North Korea due to North Korea invasion along border

- General MacArthur pushed North Korean troops to Chinese border, Truman denies permission to go further, but Chinese troops come over border to support North Korean troops and war is at stalemate

- ends in 1953

1951: NATO expansion

1954: CIA intervention in Iran & Guatemala

KGB established

1955: Bandung Conference: the 3rd World speaks

May, Warsaw Pact established

1956: Hungarian put down by force

1957: Sputnik—The Space Race Begins (ICBMs)

1959: January, Cuba goes Communist

September, Khruschev Visits U.S. – a THAW until 1964 when Khruschev loses power; addressed social ills and more literary freedom