Turning Point in American History: Terrorism and September 11th

The latest major turning point in American history occurred on a beautiful autumn morning in 2001. Four hijacked airplanes were used as weapons to cause destruction and terror. As the dust settled, Americans realized their vulnerability. However, they also pulled together to present a united front.

The military response to September 11th's terrorist attack was meant to neutralize Al Qaeda who had been blamed for the attack. Another group called the Taliban was also targeted. This battle continues today and has become a source of contention between different groups in the United States.

 SEPTEMBER 11TH TERRORIST ATTACK
Early on September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes from airports on the east coast. Three of the planes were flown into buildings and one crashed in a field. Within hours, New York's World Trade Center had collapsed and the Pentagon building was filled with smoking rubble (Kelly, n.d.). Americans watched the terror unfold, partly on live television. (Photo Courtesy: Draves, n.d.)

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PRESIDENT BUSH LEARNS OF TERRORIST ATTACK

President Bush was visiting with elementary school students when he was notified of the terrorist attack in New York  (Solcomhouse, n.d.).  At that point, he did not know that a plane would crash into the Pentagon and another in a field.  (Photo Courtesy:  Radified.com, n.d.)

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PRESIDENT BUSH'S SEPTEMBER 11TH SPEECH

"Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature, and we responded with the best of America, with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could" ...President George Bush (Archives of Global Change in the 21st Century, n.d.)

As the day's events settled in to the minds of Americans and the World, President Bush addressed the nation.  He reminded everyone that America would rise above the trauma and prevail (Archives for Global Change in the 21st Century, n.d.). 

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FIREFIGHTERS RAISE THE FLAG OVER THE WORLD TRADE CENTER RUBBLE
In the days following the September 11th attacks, Americans came to grips with a new reality. No longer was America safe from terrorism; the fear set-in. Along with fear though came hope. Firefighters erected the American flag over the smoldering World Trade Center site, reminding Americans that they would persevere. (Photo Courtesy: Professional Firefighters of Salem 2892, n.d.)

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2009 PENTAGON MEMORIAL SERVICE

On the September 11th Anniversary each year, memorial events are held at both the World Trade Center site and the Pentagon, as well as the site of the fourth plane's crash (Skillings, 2010). The memorials are a constant reminder of how America picked itself up after the tragedy. (Photo Courtesy: Bookwormom, 2008)

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TROOPS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
America's response to the September 11th terrorist attack on a military level was to wage a "war on terror" both at home and in countries where there is an Al Qaeda/ Taliban stronghold. Some Americans saw this as a step toward defending the country from future attacks. (Photo Courtesy: Rick, 2007)

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MAP:  IRAQ COMBAT LOCATIONS
Though the September 11th response began with combat in Afghanistan, the military response soon moved to Iraq.  President Bush cited terrorist tendencies and links in Iraq as the reason for the spread of combat (BBC, 2003).  (Photo Courtesy:  Da Costa, n.d.)

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IRAQ/ AFGHANISTAN WAR PROTESTORS 
Yet others felt the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were not the best way to secure America from future terrorist attacks. Protestors expressed their disagreement with the combat situations, which led others to think about whether the military response has been a success.  (Photo Courtesy:  UPI.com, n.d.)

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TROOPS PACKING OUT OF IRAQ
Though the combat in Afghanistan continues, American troops have started to withdraw from Iraq (Santana, 2010).  Whether the military response to the September 11th attack was successful is yet to be seen.  (Photo Courtesy:  Santana, 2010)

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References:

Archives of Global Change in the 21st Century.  (n.d.).  President Bush 9/11/2001.  Retrieved from http://www.september11news.com/PresidentBush.htm

BBC.   (2003, May 29).  In quotes: Reasons for the Iraq war.  Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2948068.stm

Bookwormom. (2008, September 11). Pentagon memorial. Retrieved from http://bookwormom.blogspot.com/2008/09/pentagon-memorial-dedicated.html

Da Costa.  (n.d.).  Shock and awe.  Retrieved from http://www.franciscodacosta.com/articles/shock.html

Draves, A. (n.d.). September 11, 2001....The new day of infamy. Retrieved from http://www.draves.com/sept11/photo.htm

Kelly, M. (n.d.). Terrorist attack: World Trade Center on September 11. Retrieved from http://americanhistory.about.com/od/terroris1/p/wtc_September11.htm

Professional Firefighters of Salem 2892. (n.d.). September 11, 2001. Retrieved from http://www.salemfd.org/343.html

Radified.com.  (n.d.).  (no name).  Retrieved from http://radified.com/911/911_bush_reaction.htm

Rick, J. (2007, August 15). Withdrawal is not an option. Retrieved from http://jonathanrick.com/tag/iraq-war/

Santana, R. (2010, August 3).  U.S. troops pack-up millions of items in Iraq.  Retrieved from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38542232/ns/world_news-mideast/n_africa

Skillings, P. (2010). Remember September 11 on ninth anniversary of 9/11. Retrieved from http://manhattan.about.com/od/september11th2001/a/911memorial.htm

Solcomhouse. (n.d.).  President Bush timeline September 11, 2001.  Retrieved from http://www.solcomhouse.com/bushtime.htm

UPI.com. (n.d.).  Demonstrators protest war in Iraq in Washington.  Retrieved from http://www.upi.com/enl-win/f2f490e651af85aa7e94d39524c1bd24/

Turning Point in American History: Watergate Scandal

The Watergate Scandal brought the corruption in the government to the forefront in America. People were suddenly very aware of the corruption in the government. The scandal first came to light after the arrest of five men for breaking into the Democratic National Committee Headquaters in an attempt to wiretap the facility (Kelly, n.d.). Eventually, the men were linked to the President's re-election campaign. Though President Nixon continued to deny involvement, mounting evidence began to tell a different story. On August 9, 1974, President Nixon issued his resignation (Kilpatrick, 1974). Later, his successor President Gerald Ford would issue Richard Nixon a pardon, thus allowing the country to heal rather than endure a long trial (Ford, 1974).

PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON,  37TH PRESIDENT
Richard M. Nixon came to the American Presidency at a time when the country craved strong leadership. After years in the Vietnam War and growing war protests at home, Americans wanted a president to lead them out of the troubles. This seemed possible in the hands of a man who had persevered even after being defeated in the 1960 presidential election and the 1962 California Governor election (White House, n.d.). (Photo Courtesy: White House, n.d.)

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PRESIDENT NIXON AND VICE-PRESIDENT AGNEW WIN RE-ELECTION
After a successful first Presidential term, President Richard Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew won re-election by one of the largest margins on record (White House, n.d.).  (Photo Courtesy:  White House, n.d.) 

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FIVE MEN ARRESTED FOR BREAKING INTO DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE HEADQUARTERS
On June 17, 1972, five men were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee Headquarters. After their conviction, they would be connected to President Nixon's re-election committee (Kelly, n.d.). Americans began to wonder about the honesty and integrity of their president. (Photo Courtesy: Weiner, 2006)

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THE WATERGATE BUILDING 
The ensuing scandal would be named after the building which housed the Democratic National Committee Headquarters (Must See Washington, 2010). The name 'Watergate' would be engrained in the minds of Americans as they tried to figure out their president's involvement in the scandal. (Photo Courtesy: Kent, 2011)

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THE WATERGATE HEARINGS
In 1973 the U.S. Senate ordered public hearings into the Watergate scandal, particularly any presidential involvement.  These hearings were eventually called the Watergate Hearings.  The hearing was televised and was carried on all three major networks (Museum of Broadcast Communications, 2011).   (Photo Courtesy:  Answers.com)

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NEWSPAPER:  NIXON WON'T RESIGN

Despite mounting evidence against him, President Nixon continued to dismiss accusations and announced that he would not resign.  (Photo Courtesy:  Rhodes & Smith, 1995)

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DOCUMENT:  PRESIDENT NIXON RESIGNS
President Nixon denied his involvement in the Watergate scandal. Eventually, evidence mounted against the president and he handed in his resignation. In his resignation speech, he indicated that his resignation was more about allowing the nation to heal than admission of guilt (Kilpatrick, 1974). America had lost another president before the end of his term. (Photo Courtesy: krqe.com, 2010)

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PRESIDENT NIXON RESIGNS AS HIS FAMILY LOOKS ON

PRESIDENT KENNEDY WAVES GOOD-BYE AFTER RESIGNATION

President Nixon said good-bye to the nation in a televised speech with his family at his side (Kilpatrick, 1974).  His family then flew to their home in California.  (Photo Courtesy:  Ling, 2009;  Cars, 2010)

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DOCUMENT:  PRESIDENT FORD GIVES A PARDON TO RICHARD NIXON
After the Watergate scandal, Gerald Ford took over the presidency. He found himself with a shocked nation in need of healing. As part of that healing, President Ford issued a pardon for former-President Nixon (Ford, 1974). This allowed the nation to stop worrying about the scandal and begin to look to a better future. (Photo Courtesy: Paul Fraser Collectibles, 2010)

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References:

Answers.com. (2011).  Watergate hearings.  Retrieved from http://www.answers.com/topic/watergate-hearings

Cars 2010.  (2010, December 4).  Richard Nixon's Resignation address.  Retrieved from http://www.anylee.us/article/cars/40.html

Ford, G. (1974, September 8). President Gerald R. Ford's Proclamation 4311, granting a pardon to Richard Nixon. Retrieved from http://www.ford.utexas.edu/library/speeches/740061.htm

Kelly, M. (n.d.). What are the basic facts about the Watergate Hotel break in? Retrieved from http://americanhistory.about.com/od/watergate/f/watergate1.htm

Kent, E. (2011). The Watergate Scandal. Retrieved from http://www.emersonkent.com/history_dictionary/watergate_scandal.htm

Kilpatrick, C. (1974, August 9). Nixon resigns. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/watergate/articles/080974-3.htm

krqe.com. (2010, August 8). Richard Nixon resigns 1974. Retrieved from http://www.krqe.com/dpps/features/photo_galleries/gallery-Richard-Nixon-resigns-1974-jgr_3536631

Ling, J. (2009, July 18).  Walter Cronkite, soundtrack of my life.  Retrieved from http://clearriver.org/jefflingblog/2009/07/walter-cronkite-soundtrack-of-my-life/

Museum of Broadcast Communications.  (2011).  Watergate.  Retrieved from http://museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=watergate

Must See Washington. (2010). Watergate Complex. Retrieved from http://www.mustseewashingtondc.com/attractions/watergate-complex.html

Paul Fraser Collectibles. (2010, February 8). Gerald Ford/ Richard Nixon. Retrieved from http://www.paulfrasercollectibles.com/section.asp?catid=209&docid=1395

Rhodes & Smith.  (1995).  The Watergate era.  Retrieved from http://www.asu.edu/lib/archives/rhodes/essay4.htm

Weiner. (2006). The burglars. Retrieved from http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Fall06/Weiner/pages/Burglary/burglars.htm

White House. (n.d.). Richard M. Nixon. Retrieved from http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/richardnixon

Turning Point in American History: President Kennedy

For generations Americans had watched as European countries fawned over their royal families. Not until the election of a vibrant young president named John F. Kennedy did the American people have their own version of royalty. For many, the seemingly perfect world and family of the Kennedys was like a type of Camelot. Besides bringing a beautiful family to the White House, President Kennedy brought many ideas for his vision of a perfect America. His ability to reach Americans through eloquent speeches helped see the American people through the stressful times of the Cold War and made them dream of walking on the moon and equal rights for all.

While President Kennedy's presidency was a turning point of sorts in American history, his assassination made a lasting impression that would change America.

PRESIDENT KENNEDY AND FAMILY
The election of a charismatic young president named John F. Kennedy brought an aire of royalty to the White House (Gould, 2011). His presidency was a turning point for Americans who were eager to watch the Camelot-style family live their life in the White House. This brought about a change in leadership style and family example set by the President (Gould, 2011). (Photo Courtesy: Tumblr, n.d.)

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"And so, my fellow Americans ... ask not what your country can do for you ... ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world ... ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man"  President John F. Kennedy.  (St. Petersburg Times Online, n.d.)

At President Kennedy's inauguration, he set the tone with an inaugural speech meant to encourage all to join in for the good of the country and the world. 

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PRESIDENT AND MRS. KENNEDY IN THE LIMO BEFORE THE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION
The era of Camelot ended on November 22, 1963. While driving in a presidential motorcade in Dallas, Texas, President Kennedy was shot. He was pronounced dead later that day (Historymania, n.d.). Americans and the rest of the world watched stunned as the day's events led to a dramatic turning point in history. (Photo Courtesy: Caveofknowledge.com, 2010)

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JOHN KENNEDY, JR. SALUTES HIS FATHER'S COFFIN
The world mourned with the young Kennedy family. People in the United States were suddenly vividly aware that tragedy could strike in even seemingly perfect situations. The assassination also left the country with a degree of uncertainty.  The photo of President Kennedy's young son saluting his father's casket was a reminder to all of how much the family and nation had lost.  (Photo Courtesy: Associated Press, 2010)

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NEWSPAPER:  ANNOUNCING KENNEDY ASSASSINATION AND SWEARING IN OF PRESIDENT JOHNSON
Immediately after the death of President Kennedy, Vice President Johnson was sworn into office as the new President. Though he and Kennedy shared many commonalities, President Johnson was a very different personality type (Time, 1965). Those used to the charisma of President Kennedy might have been challenged by this change. (Photo Courtesy: Tampabay.com, 2009)

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ACCUSED KENNEDY ASSASSIN, LEE HARVEY OSWALD
The man accused of the assassination was Lee Harvey Oswald, a young loner who had experienced a variety of troubles in his past.  Before Oswald could go to trial, he was killed by Jack Ruby (Spartacus Educational, n.d.).  The lack of finality of a trial led to some people questioning whether Oswald committed the crime by himself.  A conspiracy theory has continued even to this day.  (Photo Courtesy:  Discovery News, 2010)

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AMERICAN OPENLY GRIEVED IN THE STREETS

Word of the President's death spread around the world.  People open wept and prayed in the streets.  This was also a time of confusion as people worried about whether the assassination was actually part of a larger planned attack (Historymania, n.d.).  (Photo Courtesy:  Gable, 2008)

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THE WARREN COMMISSION REPORT 
President Johnson appointed by Executive Order a commission to investigate the Kennedy assassination, as well as the death of the accused assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald.  The commission was led by Earn Warren, Chief Justice of the United States;  thus, earning the name the Warren Commission.  The report concluded that Oswald was the lone gunman in the assassination (National Archives, n.d.).  (Photo Courtesy:  Open Library, 2010)

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THE KENNEDY FAMILY AFTER THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY 
The Kennedy family continued to carry on with the class the American people had come to expect. Two other Kennedy brothers would dedicate to a life of service in the government. The example set by this family was a positive point in what might have otherwise been only a negative spot on American history. (Photo Courtesy: Tumblr, n.d.)

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THE SIXTH FLOOR MUSEUM

The building from which Lee Harvey Oswald fired his fatal shots at President Kennedy is now a museum called the Sixth Floor Museum (Sixth Floor Museum, 2011).  The display on the sixth floor is a lasting remembrance of a terrible tragedy in American history.  (Photo Courtesy:  Sixth Floor Museum, 2011)

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References:

Associated Press. (2010, March 8). Condolence letters received by Jacqueline Kennedy after John F. Kennedy's assassination published for first time. Retrieved from http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/condolence_letters_received_by.html

Caveofknowledge.com. (2010, November 22). RIP John F. Kennedy. Retrieved from http://caveofknowledge.com/history-2/john-f-kennedy/

Discovery News.  (2010, December 3).  Lee Harvey Oswald's coffin for sale:  Big pic.  Retrieved from http://news.discovery.com/history/oswald-kennedy-coffin.html

Gable, G. (2008, November 20).  Scanning around with Gene:  A normal day in Dallas turns tragic.  Retreived from http://wwwbr.creativepro.com/blog/scanning-around-gene-normal-day-dallas-turns-tragic

Gould, L.L. (2011, February 17). JFK: Celebrity in the White House. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/coldwar/kennedy_celebrity_01.shtml

Historymania. (n.d.). John F. Kennedy Assassination. Retrieved from http://www.historymania.com/american_history/John_F._Kennedy_assassination

National Archives. (n.d.).   Introduction to the Records of the Warren Commission.  Retrieved from http://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/warren-commission-report/intro.html

Open Library.  (2010, August 10).  President John F. Kennedy Assassination Report of the Warren Commission.  Retrieved from http://openlibrary.org/books/OL8583700M/President_John_F_Kennedy_Assassination_Report_of_the_Warren_Commission

Sixth Floor Museum. (2011).  Exhibits.  Retrieved from http://www.jfk.org/go/exhibits

Spartacus Educational.  (n.d.).  Lee Harvey Oswald.  Retrieved from http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/JFKoswald.htm

St. Petersburg Times Online.  (n.d.).  JFK:  A timeline of his life.  Retrieved from http://www.sptimes.com/News/111199/JFK/timeline.shtml

Tampabay.com. (2009). Tampa Bay through the times. Retrieved from http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2009/reports/times_125th_anniversary/page4.shtml

Time. (1965, November 26). Kennedy legend & Johnson performance. Retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,834704-1,00.html

Tumblr. (n.d.) Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Retrieved from http://jacquelinekennedyonassis.tumblr.com/page/5

Turning Point in American History: The Space Program

As Cold War tensions heated up between the United States and the Soviet Union, the Space Race also come to light. While both countries had explored the option of space travel with missiles, the Soviets were the first to launch an artificial satellite in 1957 (Siddiqi, 2007). Americans realized they had to catch up if they did not want to lose the Space Race to the Soviet Union.  This created a turning point in history, as the United States began to fight the Soviet Union seperate from the Cold War.

In 1958, President Eisenhower brought about the creation of the American space program in a entity called NASA (NASA, 2008). Just three short years later, astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American in space (Ultimate Space Place, 2004). This was followed by many more firsts in the Space Race. Americans finally saw themselves as having potential to lead the way to the moon and beyond.

PRESIDENT EISENHOWER AT GENEVA CONFERENCE
At the July 1955 Geneva Conference President Eisenhower proposed an interesting idea called the Open Sky Policy.  He thought both the United States and Soviet Union should agree to allow reconnaissance aircraft to fly openly over their airspace.  The Soviets declined this idea, leading to President Eisenhower's decision to create a satellite program that would provide needed information (National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, n.d.).  (Photo Courtesy:  NOVA, 2007)

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 SOVIET SPUTNIK SATELLITE
The Soviet launch of the first artificial satellite called Sputnik on October 4, 1957 created what would be called the "Sputnik crisis" in the United States (Siddiqi, 2007). The government became concerned about the Soviet's new ability and the potential hazard it created for national security. The United States turned its attention to catching up and surpassing the Soviets in the space race. (Photo Courtesy: Siddiqi, 2007)

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PRESIDENT EISENHOWER VIEWS SPACE PHOTOS
Eager to catch up with the Soviets, President Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act on July 29, 1958 (NASA, 2008). This created the agency known as NASA. Americans could finally feel confident that the government was charting their way into space. (Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons, n.d.)

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ASTRONAUT ALAN SHEPARD
Astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American in space on May 5, 1961. He piloted Freedom 7 on a 15 minute flight (Ultimate Space Place, 2004). Americans now realized they had a viable space program that could compete with the Soviets. (Photo Courtesy: Exploring Florida, 2004).

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PRESIDENT KENNEDY ISSUES CHALLENGE FOR SPACE PROGRAM
In a speech on May 25, 1961, President Kennedy issued a challenge to the American space program.  He wanted to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade.  Though some thought the idea crazy, NASA jumped at the chance (Cable News Network, 2001).  (Photo Courtesy: Wall Street Journal, 2009)

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APOLLO 11 CREW LEAVES THE AMERICAN FLAG ON THE MOON 
On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the moon in the first manned lunar landing. Two Americans became the first to leave their footprints and the American flag on the moon (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, n.d.). The mission provided a great deal of pride for Americans, as well as scientific data and lunar samples. (Photo Courtesy: Hsu, 2011)

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PLAQUE COMMEMORATING APOLLO/ SOYUZ JOINT EFFORT
Despite the heated tensions caused by the Cold War, in July 1975 the United States and Soviet Union joined forces for their first collaborative space effort.  The United States' spacecraft Apollo docked with the Soviet's spacecraft Soyuz.  A plaque was made to commemorate the occassion, which was considered a success both in information gathered but also in proving the countries' ability to work together (NOVA, 2007).  (Photo Courtesy:  NOVA, 2007)

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SPACE SHUTTLE COLUMBIA MEMORIAL

NEWSPAPER:  SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER TRAGEDY

The American space program was not without issues.  Two episodes in particular reminded Americans of the dangers involved in going into space.  On January 28, 1986 the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after lift-off (Broad, 2011).  Tragedy struck again when the Space Shuttle Columbia exploded upon re-entry on February 1, 2003 (Foxnews, 2003).  (Photo Courtesty:  Vacation Lovers, n.d.)

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THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
The International Space Station (ISS) marked another turning point in American history. Instead of merely racing against others to be the first to conquer space, the ISS brought countries together on one project (International Space Station, 1999). The facility is an internationally staffed research facility benefitting scientists from several countries. (Photo Courtesy: UPI.com, n.d.)

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References:

Broad, W. J. (2011).  The shuttle explodes.  Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0128.html

Cable News Network. (2001, May 25).  Man on the Moon:  Kennedy speech ignited the dream.  Retrieved from http://articles.cnn.com/2001-05-25/tech/kennedy.moon_1_single-space-project-apollo-space-race?_s=PM:TECH

Exploring Florida. (2004). Freedom 7 and Shepard in flight. Retrieved from http://fcit.coedu.usf.edu/florida/photos/nasa/people/people07.htm

Foxnews. (2003, February 1).  Space shuttle disintegrates; Seven astronauts killed.  Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,77253,00.html

Hsu, J. (2011, January 13). The myth of America's love affair with the Moon. Retrieved from http://www.space.com/10601-apollo-moon-program-public-support-myth.html

International Space Station. (1999, June 3). International Space Station. Retrieved from http://www.shuttlepresskit.com/ISS_OVR/index.htm

NASA. (2008, October 15). The National Aeronautics and Space Act. Retrieved from http://www.nasa.gov/offices/ogc/about/space_act1.html

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.  (n.d.).  Open Skies Proposal.  Retrieved from http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1878

NOVA. (2007 October).  Space Race Time Line.  Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sputnik/time-nf.html

Siddiqi, A. (2007). Sputnik: A history of the beginning of the space age. Retrieved from http://faculty.fordham.edu/siddiqi/sws/sputnik/sputnik.html

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. (n.d.). Apollo 11 (AS-506) lunar landing mission. Retrieved from http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/imagery/apollo/AS11/a11.htm

Ultimate Space Place. (2004, February 2). Freedom 7. Retrieved from http://www.thespaceplace.com/history/mercury/mercury03.html

UPI.com. (n.d.). International Space Station at 5 years in space. Retrieved from http://www.upi.com/enl-win/e1c472c77b706aea96dee00727986f02/

Vacation Lovers.  (n.d.).  Washington DC vacation photos.  Retrieved from http://www.vacationlovers.net/washington_dc/washington_dc_04.html

Wall Street Journal.  (2009, July 17).  Apollo's Historic Lunar Landing.  Retrieved from http://blogs.wsj.com/photojournal/2009/07/17/apollos-historic-lunar-landing/

Wikimedia Commons. (n.d.) (no title). Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:President_Eisenhower_and_NASA_Administrator_Glennan_examine_photographs_taken_by_TIROS-1.jpg

Turning Point in American History: The Cold War

The Cold War was a part of America’s history for several generations. From the fear in post-World War 2 to strength and hope at the removal of the Berlin Wall, America witnessed a great deal of change in the 40 years of the Cold War. The amount of time that passed during the Cold War meant that there were actually several turning points for the American people.

The world came out of World War 2 with a realization of the terror that a poorly-led government could visit on its people. As the United States dealt with the Soviet Union’s desire to spread communism to other countries, their decisions in dealing with the situation likely relied greatly on the fear of losing freedoms to a takeover by an unstable government system. A feeling of vulnerability in the world was a turning point for the previously robust American society. Eventually, the Cold War decisions led to a renewed strength under a charismatic president named Ronald Reagan, and an ultimate resolution with the crumbling of the Soviet Union.

EAGER BERLINERS WAVE AT AIRLIFT PLANE
In the months after World War 2, Berlin became an area of concern for many countries, including the United States. There was concern over the Soviet Union taking over Berlin and Germany, turning it into a communist area. America took its first major stand against communism by supplying Berliners with much-needed supplies, defying the Soviet's communist regime (Historical Boys' Clothing, 2008). (Photo Courtesy: Historical Boys' Clothing, 2008)

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FIDEL CASTRO AND SOVIET PRESIDENT NIKITA KHRUSHCHEV

In February 1959, a new leader named Fidel Castro came to power on the small island nation of Cuba.  The close proximity of Cuba to the United States made it a popular new ally for the Soviets.  The countries became fast friends and soon enacted trade pacts that were especially beneficial to Cuba.  This agreement soon led to the Soviets being able to place missile sites in Cuba (PBS Online, 2004).  (Photo Courtesy:  PBS Online, 2004)

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TELEVISED FALLOUT SHELTER PROMOTION
In the United States, residents were coming to a realization about the potential dangers of a nuclear attack.  The government provided pamphlets and televised presentations of preventative measures residents should take (Nebraskastudies.org, n.d.).  Americans were encouraged to build their own fallout shelters, stocked with necessities to survive a nuclear bombing.  (Photo Courtesy: Clugston, 2002)

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SENATOR MCCARTHY'S TELEGRAM ABOUT COMMUNISTS IN AMERICA
As the fear grew at home so did the hysteria.  Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy started a witchhunt of sorts by accusing 205 people in the State Department of being communists.  For several years he continued to accuse people of being communists despite a lack of substantiation.  At the encouragement of Vice-President Richard Nixon and others in the Eisenhower Administration, Americans began to question McCarthy's motives and information (Oracle, n.d.).   (Photo Courtesy:  National Archives, n.d.)

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AMERICAN U2 SPY PLANE SHOT DOWN IN SOVIET UNION
On May 1, 1960, an American U2 spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union.  The pilot, Francis Gary Powers, survived the crash and was imprisoned in Russia.  The event proved humiliating to President Eisenhower who denied knowledge of the spy flight.  This situation created a tremendous amount of tension between the two countries.  Powers was eventually brought home through a spy exchange in 1962 (Pound High School, 2010).  (Photo Courtesy:  Malcomson, 2010)

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NEWSPAPER:  CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS
In the autumn of 1962, the threat of communism arrived in the small island nation of Cuba, approximately 350 miles from Florida (True Knowledge, n.d.). U.S. spy planes captured footage of Soviet-built nuclear missile sites in Cuba. The ensuing American naval blockade brought about a threat of nuclear war, but eventually led to the Soviet Union backing down. The nuclear missile sites were removed and war was averted (John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, n.d.). (Photo Courtesy: Mitchell Archives, 2009)

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CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS PROTESTORS 
As America stood on the brink of nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis, protestors urged President Kennedy to find a non-combat resolution to the situation. Their urging showed the great concern felt by many Americans, not eager to have Soviet missiles within striking distance but not ready for war (Oregon Historical Society, 2002). (Photo Courtesy: Oregon Historical Society, 2002)

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GLASNOST POSTER
The beginning of the end of the Cold War came about with the leadership of Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev.  His quest to bring a new openness to the Soviet Union was called Glasnost (Rosenberg, n.d.).  It helped build trust between the two countries, despite the many years of distrust.  (Photo Courtesy:  Pix.fr, n.d.)

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THE BERLIN WALL IS TORN DOWN
Generations of Berliners lived with a divided city thanks to a concrete wall erected in 1965 to keep the communist east from mingling with the free west. As the Soviet Union and its communist neighbors began to see their governments crumble, the tearing down of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 was a symbolic representation of the end of the Cold War (Berlin-life.com, n.d.). (Photo Courtesy: Wagner, 2009)

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VICE PRESIDENT BUSH, PRESIDENT REAGAN, AND SOVIET PRESIDENT GORBACHEV
The true end of the Cold War came with a new understanding between President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev. The two began a series of summits meant to encourage communication and better understanding that might eliminate some of the previous distrust (National Security Archive, 2005). This ended up being the ultimate turning point as tensions relieved, and the Soviet Union eventually collapsed. (Photo Courtesy: Cassidy, 2009)

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References:

Berlin-life.com. (n.d.). The Berlin Wall. Retrieved from http://www.berlin-life.com/berlin/wall

Cassidy, B. (2009). History of U.S. foreign relations since 1898. Retrieved from http://faculty.washington.edu/bcasserl/HSTAA462/home.shtml

Clugston, S. (2002).  Cold War and hot spots.  Retrieved from http://www.marchfield.org/coldwar.htm

Historical Boys' Clothing. (2008, February 18). The Cold War (1945-91). Retrieved from http://histclo.com/essay/war/cold/war-cold.html

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. (n.d.). Cuban Missile Crisis. Retrieved from http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-History/Cuban-Missile-Crisis.aspx

Malcomson, R. (2010, March 11).  U.S. and the Soviet Union: Tensions increase: Spy plane mystery.  Retrieved from http://mrmworldciv.blogspot.com/2010/03/us-and-soviet-union-tensions-increase.html

Mitchell Archives. (2009). The Cuban Missile Crisis- Blockade. Retrieved from http://mitchellarchives.com/the-cuban-missile-crisis-blockade.htm

National Archives. (n.d.)  Teaching with documents: Telegram from Senator Joseph McCarthy to President Harry S. Truman.  Retrieved from http://phs1.org/U2%20Program/Francis_Gary_Powers.htm

National Security Archive. (2005, November 22). To the Geneva Summit. Retrieved from http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB172/index.htm

Nebraskastudies.org.  (n.d.).  The family fallout shelter.  Retrieved from http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0900/frameset_reset.html?http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0900/stories/0901_0132.html

Oracle. (n.d.)  Senator Joseph McCarthy.  Retrieved from http://library.thinkquest.org/10826/mccarthy.htm

Oregon Historical Society. (2002). (no title) Retrieved from http://www.ohs.org/education/oregonhistory/historical_records/dspDocument.cfm?doc_ID=0008E4D3-1F29-1E93-891B80B0527200A7

PBS Online.  (2004, December 21).  Fidel Castro.   Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/castro/peopleevents/e_coldwar.html

Pix.fr. (n.d.).  Glasnost.  Retrieved from http://pixfr.eu/image/feca3097/

Pound High School.  (2010, December 3).  Francis Gary Powers.  Retrieved from http://phs1.org/U2%20Program/Francis_Gary_Powers.htm

Rosenberg, J. (n.d.)  What was Gorbachev's policy of Glasnost?  Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/1980s/qt/glasnost.htm

True Knowledge. (n.d.). Distance between Florida and Cuba. Retrieved from http://www.trueknowledge.com/q/distance_between_florida_and_cuba

Wagner, T. (2009, November 6). Tearing down walls. Retrieved from http://wagnerblog.com/