1944
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1945
    China    
At the end of World War II, both the Chinese Communist Party and the KMT (Kuomintang Nationalist Army) are rearmed, the KMT by the United States and the Communists by the Soviet Union. They renew their war.


    Ethiopia    
Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia meets with President Franklin D. Roosevelt to discuss the union of Eritrea to Ethiopia.

Biography and pictures of Emperor Haile Selassie.


    Korea    
Before the end of World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union agree to divide Korea at the 38th parallel for the purpose of accepting the surrender of Japanese troops.


    Vietnam    
After World War II, the League for the Independence of Vietnam, or Viet Minh, seek for Vietnamese independence from France. When the French refuse to grant this, fighting breaks out between the French and the Viet Minh.

Read about the origins of the Vietnam War.


    Soviet Union/United States    
Joseph Stalin, Winston Chuchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt meet at the Yalta Conference. The main issue discussed is the future of post-war Europe. The three powers come to an agreement that an interim government will rule in the Eastern European nations. This will be followed by free elections in the nations.

Text of the agreement reached at the Yalta Conference.



    Romania    
Soviet pressure leads to the creation of a predominantly Communist goverment in Romania under the non-Communist Petru Groza.


    Czechoslovakia    
Prague and most of the rest of Czechoslovakia is taken over from the Germans by the Soviets.



    Poland    
The Polish Government of National Unity is established. It is recognised by the British and the United States government under the condition that the Soviets will ensure a free election.


    Hungary    
Elections to the Hungarian National Assembly are held. The Communist party receives less than one fifth of the votes. The Independent Smallholders' Party wins.

Read more about the elections in Hungary on this site created by the British Helsinki Human Rights Group.


    1946 >>


Cold-War-at-a-Glance 2003