# data[].attributes.body
February 1945
The Big Three (Churchill, Stalin & Roosevelt) conferred at Yalta.

Germany would be divided into occupation zones

Free election in liberated countries of Eastern Europe

Soviets enter war against Japan

Soviets control the southern half of Sakhalin Island and Kurile Islands (and special concessions in Manchuria)

New world peace organization (UN)

The Yalta Conference occurred before Germany and Japan's surrender and therefore was rather peaceful as the three leaders tried to reach consensus. The agreement made at the conference is rather fair and peaceful with an emphasizes on new world peace and self determination. Since this was a peaceful and successful conference, the Soviet Union and the United States bear no "blame" and were equally responsible for the outcome of the conference.

# data[].attributes.body
July 17, 1945 - August 2, 1945
The Big Three (updated with Stalin, Truman and Clement Attlee) met in Potsdam, Germany.

Demand unconditional surrender from Japan

Hold war0crime trials of Nazi leaders

The Potsdam Conference had arguably less significance compared to the Yalta Conference as fewer agreements were made. However,
similar to the Yalta Conference, the Potsdam Conference was peaceful as the leaders discussed post-war possibilities of the world. This had no direct relationship with the signature arm race of the Cold War and neither side bears blame.

# data[].attributes.body
August 6 and August 9, 1945

top-secret Manhattan Project begun in 1942 to develop a frightfully destructive weapon

spend $2 billion, directed by physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, employed over 100,000 people

Bomb successfully tested on July 16, 1945

Truman and allies called on Japan to surrender unconditionally or face "utter destruction"

Truman decided to use the weapon on Hiroshima and Nagasaki (previously undamaged cities to test capability of the bomb)

About 250,000 Japanese casualties

Dropping the atomic bomb was a decision made entirely by the United States government, mostly by President Harry Truman. The Soviet Union played little to no influence in such a decision as the bombs were mainly used to force a surrender from Japan. Although threatening the Soviet Union and display America's military strength may have been an motive, the Soviet Union shares no blame in the dropping of the bombs and the United States is solely responsible.

# data[].attributes.body
April 1927 - May 1950
The Chinese Civil War as a result of the Chinese Communist Revolution.

Nationalist party (lead by Chiang Kai-shek) vs Communist Party (lead by Mao ZeDong)

Temporary halt during WW2 as both parties worked to defend China against the Japanese

Truman administration sent George Marshall in 1946 to negotiate an end but failed shortly

United States sent massive military aid. In 1948 Congress voted to give the Nationalist government $400 million in aid (large-scale American invasion ruled out)

By the end of 1949, all of mainland China was controlled by the Communist and the People's Republic of China was established.

Chiang and the Nationalists retreated to Taiwan and claimed to be the legitimate government of all of China.

United States refused to recognize the People's Republic of China

Republicans blamed Democrats for "the loss of China" to the communists

Stalin and Mao signed Sino-Soviet pact in 1950

The Chinese Revolution and the Chinese Civil War was an important event in the period of Cold War as the Chinese government was backed by the Soviet Union. The signing of the Sino-Soviet pact seemed to provide further proof of a worldwide Communist conspiracy which alarmed the United States. Although the communists were closely tied with the Soviet Union, General Marshall stated that he knew of no evidence that the Chinese communists were being supplied by the Soviet Union. This means that the massive military support provided by the United States to Chiang's Nationalist government had a rather significant influence of the war. Since the Soviet Union had little influence on the war, the United States, the Communists and the Nationalists from China should split the blame. The economic and historic background of China gave rise to the communists while the Nationalist government was incredibly corrupt. Since the United States had very limited options regarding riding China of Communist influence, it only shares 20% of the blame as the rest contributes to China and its people.

# data[].attributes.body
March 12, 1947
American foreign policy announced to the Congress by President Truman

$400 million in economic and military aid to assist the "free people" of Greece and Turkey against "totalitarian" regimes

Gained bipartisan support

Containment Policy

The Truman Doctrine was the embodiment of the containment policy in response to the two threats: a communist-led uprising against the government in Greece and Soviet demands for some control of a water route in Turkey. Although the Doctrine was created due to Soviet influence, the decision was made by President Truman and supported by Congress, thus making the United States far more responsible.

# data[].attributes.body
June 1947
Program outlined by George Marshall to help European Nations

After WWII, Europe was in ruins, short of food and deep in debt (harsh winter 1946-1947)

Discontent encouraged the growth of the Communist party in Europe (especially in France and Italy)

Truman administration feared that the western democracies might vote Communists into power

provide economic aid to revive European economies and strengthen democratic governments

$12 billion in aid over a four-year period

The Marshall Plan was an United States foreign policy introduced in response to the growing possibility of a Communist controlled western Europe. Though the Soviet influence created fear and doubt in Americans' minds, the Marshall Plan was created by the United States to help western democracies. Soviet Union has no direct contribution to such a decision, therefore shares rather minimum blame.

# data[].attributes.body
1955
Level of Importance: 7
US Responsibility: 25%
USSR Responsibility: 75%

USSR formed a military alliance with Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania in response to the creation of the NATO

This meant that if any one of these countries were attacked, all the other countries in the alliance would come to their aid

The USSR held the main responsibility for this event, with the United States having a small role in it. The Warsaw Pact was an agreement in direct response to the creation of the NATO. The NATO, which was partly created by the US, was the inspiration for the Warsaw Pact; However, it was the USSR's decision to create an alliance, giving them the main responsibility for this event.

# data[].attributes.body
1948-1949
Level of Importance: 4
US Responsibility: 20%
USSR Responsibility: 80%

Stalin blocked off paths used to transport food and supplies to West Berlin, wanted full control of Berlin

Threatened to starve the people of West Berlin if he wasn't given full control

In response, the US and UK used planes to transport necessary supplies to West Berlin for a year

Blockade finally lifted by Russia

Russia was mainly responsible for this event because Stalin initiated the conflict with the blockade and threatened to let thousands starve. The US only reacted to the situation that Russia created, which ultimately saved the people of West Berlin.

# data[].attributes.body
1950-1953
7
US Responsibility: 40
USSR Responsibility: 60

Japanese (who had been ruling Korea since 1910) in North Korea surrendered to Soviets, while the Japanese in the South surrendered to Americans

This led to a communist nation in the North and a democratic one in the South

By 1949, US had drastically cut back armed forces in South Korea; Russia believed that they would not fight for the South if Soviets invaded it

Russia planned to support North Korea in taking over the entire country

North Korea invaded South Korea - the UN decided to take military action

Truman ordered US troops in Japan to protect South Korea, and sent an American fleet

South Korea, with the aid of the UN, started to push the North Koreans back across the border

China joined the Northern side to prevent Americans to reach the border, pushing all South Korean and United Nations soldiers back to the South

MacArthur suggested to drop nukes into China, which led to Truman  firing him

The Korean war ultimately ended up in a stalemate

Resulted in separation of Korea into South and North Korea

Although both the US and the USSR played major roles in the war, the USSR played a slightly more significant one because they aided North Korea in the initial charge to conquer the country, in an attempt to spread communist influence. After the initial charge, the support the US gave the South and the USSR gave the North were roughly equal.

# data[].attributes.body
1942-1952
5
50-50

Scientists speculated that a more destructive bomb than the nuclear bomb could be created

Both the US and the USSR raced to create this bomb first

US created the first hydrogen bomb in 1952

in 1953, the USSR tested their own hydrogen bomb

The responsibility for this event falls equally on the US and the USSR, as they both competed to create the same thing. The discovery of the possibility of the hydrogen bomb was discovered by both countries at around the same time, and were pretty much neck-and -neck throughout the whole development of the bomb.

# data[].attributes.body
1951-1954
3
95-5

Mohammed Mossadegh (Iranian Prime Minister) placed private oil fields under government control

British refused to buy Iranian oil, which led to the US fearing that Mossadegh may turn to the USSR for support

CIA gave several millions to protesters against Mossadegh in order to put a pro-American Shah of Iran into power

The Shah was put into power and turned control of Iran's oil fields over to Western companies

The United States were mainly responsible for this because the USSR did not actually do anything during this event. The CIA acted based on their fears of what the USSR could do, not what the USSR actually did. A combination of paranoia and greed led the US to conduct operations in Iran. However, Soviet influence was spreading to other countries at the time, so they influenced the event a little.

# data[].attributes.body
May 4, 1960
6
90-10

Russia and US close to reaching peace agreement, would effectively end surveillance / paranoia

US decided to send one last U-2 spy plane for surveillance right before the agreement date

Plane shot down by USSR, accused US of breaking good faith

USSR cancelled agreement

The United States was mainly responsible, as they sent a spy plane out without any good reason to. It was completely reasonable for the USSR to cancel the agreement, as it was an infringement on its values right before it was put into place; it created a bad impression onto America. It was a reckless decision by the US government that was directly responsible for the cancellation of the agreement.

# data[].attributes.body
August 13, 1961
Level of importance: 4
US responsibility: 50
USSR Responsibility: 50

• End of WWII: Western Berlin occupied by Britain, France, and US was surrounded by Soviet-occupied territory
• Stalin closed off all highways into Western Berlin, leaving residents with only 5 weeks of food/fuel
• Western nations conducted the Berlin Airlift as a result
• 11 years later, in 1961, 3 million East Germans (20% of population) fled into West Berlin because East Germany's government and economy was failing
• Berlin Wall was constructed; ended Berlin crisis but increased Cold War tensions

While the Soviet Union was the party who constructed the actual Berlin Wall, the United States was also responsible for the circumstances that led to its construction. As a result of the Berlin Airlift, tensions were high: the US conducted the airlift, but the Soviet Union made it necessary in the first place, indicating equal responsibility on both parts. Kennedy refused to give up U.S. access to West Berlin, and used superior U.S. military might to prevent Khrushchev from cutting West Berlin off from West Germany. These actions ultimately resulted in Khrushchev creating the Berlin Wall, although he could have used other methods to accomplish his objectives instead. In conclusion, both parties contributed to the events that encouraged Khrushchev to construct of the Berlin Wall.

# data[].attributes.body
1961-1969
Level of importance: 9
US responsibility: 50%
USSR responsibility: 50%

• Soviet Union launches Sputnik, first space satellite, in 1957. US races to catch up; ashamed to be 2nd place
• US launches first satellite on Jan 31, 1958
• percent of budget going to defense went from 18% in 1940 to 52% in 1960
• Soviet Yuri A. Gagarin was the first human in space; Kennedy wanted to surpass by putting an American on the moon.
• 1969 US puts Neil Armstrong on the moon
• Space/defense industries in South/West of USA flourished

The responsibility for this event is evenly split between both parties because a race requires two competitors. In the space race, which was initiated by the Soviet Union, both parties fought to outdo the other. The US eventually caught up after the launch of Sputnik, beating the Soviet Union to put the first man on the moon. However, the Soviet Union also revolutionized space travel, as they put the first man in space. Because of the fear of their rival, each country funnelled massive amounts of resources into the space exploration effort. Therefore, this event came from both parties.

# data[].attributes.body
March 1960 (planning) April 17 1961 (invasion)
Level of importance: 6
US responsibility: 85
USSR responsibility: 15

• Eisenhower authorizes CIA to train Cuban exiles to overthrow Cuba; goal is to overthrow Castro
• 1.3-1.5k Cuban exiles and US military land on Bay of Pigs
• Everything goes wrong - air strike fails to knock out Cuban air force, troops met by 25k Cuban troops, exiles are killed or imprisoned
• Cuban media sensationalizes their victory; continues Soviet alliance
• Disaster for the US; have to pay $53 million in food/medical supplies to get commandos out

The United States bears the bulk of the responsibility for the Bay of Pigs Invasion for several reasons. First, they initiated the invasion to overthrow a leader instead of engaging in other actions to oust Castro, such as diplomatic talks or sanctions on Cuba. Next, they continued the invasion despite an unsuccessful first air strike, as the CIA fed the troops incorrect information to keep the invasion going. However, the Soviet Union also played a smaller part (mostly at the end of the conflict) because they sensationalized their victory and kept their alliance with Cuba. However, because they initiated the invasion in the first place, the US is responsible for this Cold War event.

# data[].attributes.body
1962
Level of importance: 8.5
US responsibility: 45
USSR responsibility: 55

• Flow of Soviet weapons (including nuclear missiles) increased dramatically
• Kennedy: warned that he wouldn't tolerate this aggression
• October 14: Soviet missile bases had missiles ready to launch; could hit US in minutes.
• October 22-28: incredibly tense, missiles could strike any time
• Atlantic Ocean: Soviet ships headed to Cuba, U.S. Navy quarantined Cuba and prevented ships from coming within 500 miles
• 100k troops waited in Florida to attack
• Soviet ships suddenly stopped to avoid confrontation at sea, Khrushchev offered to remove missiles in return for Americans promising not to invade Cuba
• resulted in severe criticism of Kennedy and Khrushchev, more Republican support, and thousands of Cuban immigrants into the US

The Soviet Union and the US were both responsible for this crisis for several reasons. First, the Soviet Union created the conditions that led to the conflict in the first place by shipping missiles (including nuclear ones) to Cuba. Next, they used clear demonstrations of aggression when they positioned missiles such that they could reach the US mainland in minutes. However, the United States' response also escalated the conflict, which meant that they played a role in this event as well. They amassed massive numbers of troops in preparation for an advantage, but then the Soviets suddenly changed their tactics when explicitly asking for peace. This complete redirection of the Cuban Missile Crisis was due to Soviet actions, thus, in both the beginning and end of this event, the Soviets were more responsible for it.

# data[].attributes.body
1955-1975
Level of importance: 8
US responsibility: 65
USSR responsibility: 35

• August 2, 1964: North Vietnamese patrol boat fires torpedo at USS Maddox; misses but Maddox returns fire
• More alleged attacks on US boats; President Johnson asks for Congress' approval for broad military power in Vietnam (Tonkin Gulf Resolution)
• There had been secret raids against North Vietnam
• Operation Rolling Thunder (Feb 1965): first sustained bombing of North Vietnam
• June 1965: 50k US soldiers fighting the Vietcong although Johnson was initially reluctant to send Americans in
• End of 1965: more than 180k Americans in Vietnam; 500k in 1967
• War of attrition; included napalm and Agent Orange; created 3 million refugees by 1967
• Morale plummeted; soldiers mutinied or turned to drugs; costly; support for Johnson decreased sharply
• By 1967, nation was split with youth movement opposing the war.

The US bears most of the responsibility for this event because they were the ones who escalated the conflict in Vietnam. First, they began secret raids against Vietnam, and then increased the extent of their involvement throughout 1965. Next, the US kept the war going for a long time, even though they could have withdrawn at any time and imposed peaceful restrictions on the country to fight Communism without going to war. However, the Soviet Union was also partly responsible for this event because they supported the Vietnamese Communists, but they merely fought the war instead of initiating or escalating it. Although both parties are responsible for the war, the US played a much more active role in it, and thus possesses a higher amount of responsibility.

# data[].attributes.body
Nov 9 1989
Level of importance: 7
US responsibility: 90
USSR responsibility: 10

• East Germany opened the wall and allowed free passage between the two parts of the city for the first time in 28 years
• Early 1990: East Germany held its first free elections
• October 3: the two Germanies had united

Gorbachev (general secretary of the Communist Party in Soviet Russia) encouraged self-determination for Eastern Europe and Eastern Germany. Reagan publicly declared that if Gorbachev really cared for democracy, he would lift the wall between West and East Berlin.