Question

Which event sparked these changes?

1) The Soviet Union launched its satellite, Sputnik.
2) Mao Zedong led a successful Communist revolution in China
3) North Korea crossed the 38th parallel to invade South Korea
4) Senator Joseph McCarthy announced the discovery of "Reds" in the State Department

Answer 1

The victory of Communist forces led by Mao Zedong and the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949 was the event that spurred significant changes in the Cold War era. Option 2

Step-by-step explanation:

The event that sparked significant changes in the global political landscape, particularly with regards to the spread of Communism and the geopolitical strategies of the United States, was the founding of the People's Republic of China by Mao Zedong.

This victory of Communist forces in China in 1949 signaled a major shift in international power dynamics and intensified the Cold War tensions between the United States and the Communist Bloc. It prompted the U.S. to bolster its efforts to contain the spread of Communism, influencing foreign policy decisions and military involvement in regions like Korea and Vietnam. Option 2