Soviet, British, and French representatives meet in Paris to discuss American proposals for economic assistance to Europe. Talks break down on 2 July when Soviet foreign commissar Vyacheslav Molotov denounces the Americans' "Marshall Plan" as politically motivated and refuses to participate in the reconstruction program.

15 Aug.

India and Pakistan become independent nations, ending nearly 350 years of British colonial rule on the Indian subcontinent.

2 Sept.

Nineteen Western Hemisphere nations, including the United States, sign the Rio Pact, committing themselves to collective defense against aggression.

5 Oct.

The Soviet Union announces that during a secret meeting in Warsaw in September, the Communist parties of the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Yugoslavia created the Communist Information Bureau (Cominform) to coordinate the activities of European Communist Parties and trade unions.

26 Oct.

India annexes Kashmir, provoking war with Pakistan; on 30 December the conflict will be referred for settlement to the United...