COLD WAR 1947-1966

By wattsa1
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    COLD WAR 1947-1966

  • Truman Doctrine Announced

    Truman Doctrine Announced
    President Truman went before Congress and basically said, “We have to stop the spread of communism , no matter where it pops up.” This was the first time the U.S. openly said it would help countries fight off communist influence. It set the tone for the Cold War and showed that America was stepping up as a global leader.
  • Marshall Plan Proposed

    Marshall Plan Proposed
    Europe was struggling after WWII, cities bombed, economies wrecked. The U.S. offered billions of dollars in aid to help rebuild, but only to countries that would stay free from Soviet influence. This wasn’t just charity, it was a smart move to keep Western Europe strong and non-communist.
  • Cominform Created

    Cominform Created
    The Soviet Union created Cominform to tighten control over communist countries in Europe. It was basically Stalin’s way of saying, “If you’re with me, you follow my rules.” It also showed how much the world was dividing , you were either with the U.S. and capitalism, or with the USSR and communism.
  • Communist Takeover in Czechoslovakia

    Communist Takeover in Czechoslovakia
    The Soviets backed a coup in Czechoslovakia, turning it from a democracy into a communist state almost overnight. This really scared the West, it showed how quickly a country could fall under Soviet control. It made the Marshall Plan seem even more necessary.
  • Organization of American States (OAS) Formed

    Organization of American States (OAS) Formed
    The U.S. got together with countries in North and South America to form a group that would help stop the spread of communism in the Western Hemisphere. This was about keeping the “backyard” safe from Soviet influence, especially after seeing how quickly Eastern Europe had fallen behind the Iron Curtain.
  • Berlin Blockade Begins

    Berlin Blockade Begins
    Stalin didn’t like how the U.S., Britain, and France were helping West Berlin recover, so he tried to force them out by cutting off all supply routes. No food, no fuel, nothing in or out by land. It was one of the first major showdowns of the Cold War, a power move that made Berlin the center of the East vs. West struggle.
  • NATO was formed

    NATO was formed
    The U.S. and its allies formed a military alliance called NATO, basically, if one member got attacked, the others would come to its defense. This was the first time the U.S. signed a peacetime military alliance, and it sent a clear message to the USSR: we’re not backing down.
  • Berlin Blockade Ends

    Berlin Blockade Ends
    After 11 months of the U.S. and allies flying in food and supplies every day (the Berlin Airlift), Stalin gave up and reopened the roads. It was a big win for the West and showed that the U.S. was serious about standing up to Soviet pressure.
  • USSR Tests Its First Atomic Bomb

    USSR Tests Its First Atomic Bomb
    The U.S. had the atomic bomb all to itself, until now. When the Soviets successfully tested their first bomb, it shocked the world and officially started the nuclear arms race. Suddenly, both superpowers had the power to destroy each other.
  • NSC-68 Policy Paper Issued

    NSC-68 Policy Paper Issued
    A secret U.S. document called NSC-68 said that the Cold War was a global struggle and that the U.S. had to massively build up its military to win. This shaped American foreign policy for the rest of the Cold War, it meant more defense spending and stronger efforts to stop communism worldwide.
  • Korean War Begins

    Korean War Begins
    North Korea, backed by the Soviets and later China, invaded South Korea. The U.S. and the United Nations stepped in to help South Korea. This was the first time the Cold War turned into a shooting war, real combat, real casualties.
  • China Enters Korean War

    China Enters Korean War
    After U.S. troops pushed North Korean forces almost to the Chinese border, China joined the war on North Korea’s side. This surprised the U.S. and made the war much tougher. It also increased Cold War tensions between the U.S. and communist China.
  • General MacArthur Fired by Truman

    General MacArthur Fired by Truman
    General MacArthur wanted to expand the Korean War into China, even use nukes. President Truman said no. When MacArthur kept pushing, Truman fired him. It showed that civilian leaders (not military generals) were in charge of U.S. foreign policy, and that even famous war heroes had limits.
  • Geneva Conference Divides Vietnam

    Geneva Conference Divides Vietnam
    The Geneva Accords temporarily divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel, setting the stage for future conflict between the communist North and anti-communist South.
  • ANZUS Treaty Signed

    ANZUS Treaty Signed
    The U.S., Australia, and New Zealand signed a defense pact to work together if attacked. It was the Cold War spreading into the Pacific region, showing the U.S. wanted strong allies everywhere, not just in Europe.
  • Mutual Security Act Signed

    Mutual Security Act Signed
    This law gave billions of dollars in U.S. aid to countries willing to fight communism. It built on the Marshall Plan and made it clear that America’s Cold War strategy was global. Think of it as “money for loyalty”, but also a way to strengthen allies.
  • Greece and Turkey Join NATO

    Greece and Turkey Join NATO
    Greece and Turkey were admitted into NATO, expanding the alliance's reach and strengthening its position against the Soviet Union in the Eastern Mediterranean.
  • United Kingdom Tests Its First Atomic Bomb

    United Kingdom Tests Its First Atomic Bomb
    The UK became the third country to possess nuclear weapons after successfully testing its first atomic bomb in Australia. This development further complicated global power dynamics during the Cold War.
  • U.S. Tests First Hydrogen Bomb

    U.S. Tests First Hydrogen Bomb
    The U.S. detonated its first hydrogen bomb, "Ivy Mike," in the Pacific. This test marked a significant escalation in the nuclear arms race, showcasing a weapon far more powerful than previous atomic bombs.
  • Death of Joseph Stalin

    Death of Joseph Stalin
    Soviet leader Joseph Stalin died, leading to a power struggle and eventual leadership by Nikita Khrushchev. Stalin's death opened the door for a potential thaw in Cold War tensions.
  • Rosenbergs Executed for Espionage

    Rosenbergs Executed for Espionage
    Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed in the U.S. for allegedly passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union, highlighting the era's intense fear of communist infiltration.
  • Korean War Armistice Signed

    Korean War Armistice Signed
    An armistice was signed to cease hostilities in the Korean War, effectively dividing Korea at the 38th parallel. While not a peace treaty, it ended active combat and solidified the division between North and South Korea.
  • West Germany Joins NATO

    West Germany Joins NATO
    West Germany's admission into NATO was a significant step in its post-WWII rehabilitation and a strategic move to bolster Western Europe's defense against the USSR.
  • Geneva Conference Divides Vietnam

    Geneva Conference Divides Vietnam
    The Geneva Accords temporarily divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel, setting the stage for future conflict between the communist North and anti-communist South.
  • SEATO Formed

    SEATO Formed
    The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was established to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, reflecting the U.S.'s commitment to containment.
  • U.S. Senate Condemns McCarthy

    U.S. Senate Condemns McCarthy
    Senator Joseph McCarthy was censured by the Senate for his aggressive anti-communist investigations, signaling a decline in the Red Scare's influence.
  • Warsaw Pact Established

    Warsaw Pact Established
    The Soviet Union and seven Eastern European countries formed the Warsaw Pact, a military alliance countering NATO and solidifying the Eastern Bloc.
  • Geneva Summit Held

    Geneva Summit Held
    Leaders from the U.S., USSR, UK, and France met in Geneva to discuss reducing Cold War tensions. While no major agreements were reached, it marked a move toward diplomacy.
  • Eisenhower Doctrine Announced

    Eisenhower Doctrine Announced
    President Eisenhower declared that the U.S. would use force to protect Middle Eastern countries from communist aggression, extending containment policy to the region.
  • Khrushchev's Secret Speech

    Khrushchev's Secret Speech
    Nikita Khrushchev denounced Stalin's cult of personality in a secret speech, initiating a period of de-Stalinization and altering Soviet domestic and foreign policies.
  • Suez Crisis Erupts

    Suez Crisis Erupts
    Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal, leading to a military intervention by Britain, France, and Israel. The crisis highlighted Cold War tensions in the Middle East and the declining influence of European colonial powers.
  • Hungarian Uprising Crushed

    Hungarian Uprising Crushed
    Hungarians revolted against Soviet control, seeking political freedom. The uprising was brutally suppressed by Soviet forces, demonstrating the USSR's grip on Eastern Europe.
  • Sputnik Launched

    Sputnik Launched
    The USSR launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, into orbit. This event shocked the U.S. and ignited the space race, a new front in the Cold War.
  • U.S. Deploys ICBMs

    U.S. Deploys ICBMs
    The U.S. deployed its first intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), enhancing its nuclear deterrent and escalating the arms race.
  • Gaither Report Released

    Gaither Report Released
    The Gaither Report recommended strengthening U.S. defenses in response to perceived Soviet missile superiority, influencing American military policy.
  • NASA Established

    NASA Established
    In response to the Soviet space achievements, the U.S. created NASA to coordinate its space exploration efforts and compete in the space race.
  • Berlin Crisis Begins

    Berlin Crisis Begins
    Soviet Premier Khrushchev demanded Western powers leave Berlin, initiating a crisis that heightened Cold War tensions and led to future confrontations.
  • Fidel Castro Takes Power in Cuba

    Fidel Castro Takes Power in Cuba
    Fidel Castro overthrew the Cuban government, establishing a communist regime allied with the USSR, bringing the Cold War to the Western Hemisphere.
  • Kitchen Debate

    Kitchen Debate
    U.S. Vice President Nixon and Soviet Premier Khrushchev engaged in a spontaneous debate about capitalism and communism at an American exhibition in Moscow, symbolizing ideological rivalry.
  • Antarctic Treaty Signed

    Antarctic Treaty Signed
    The U.S., USSR, and other nations agreed to preserve Antarctica for peaceful scientific research, showcasing a rare moment of Cold War cooperation.
  • U-2 Incident

    U-2 Incident
    An American U-2 spy plane was shot down over the USSR, leading to a diplomatic crisis and the collapse of a planned summit between Eisenhower and Khrushchev.
  • Congo Crisis Begins

    Congo Crisis Begins
    Post-independence Congo descended into chaos, becoming a Cold War battleground as the U.S. and USSR supported opposing factions.
  • JFK Elected President

    JFK Elected President
    John F. Kennedy's election brought a new, youthful leadership to the U.S., with a strong stance against communism and a focus on Cold War issues.
  • Bay of Pigs Invasion

    Bay of Pigs Invasion
    A failed U.S.-backed invasion of Cuba by exiles aimed to overthrow Castro. Its failure embarrassed the U.S. and strengthened Castro's position.
  • Berlin Wall Constructed

    Berlin Wall Constructed
    East Germany built the Berlin Wall to stop citizens from fleeing to the West, becoming a powerful symbol of Cold War division.
  • Checkpoint Charlie Standoff

    Checkpoint Charlie Standoff
    U.S. and Soviet tanks faced off at Berlin's Checkpoint Charlie, bringing the superpowers to the brink of conflict before tensions eased.
  • Strategic Arms Build-Up Intensifies

    Strategic Arms Build-Up Intensifies
    In the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis, both superpowers accelerated their production of nuclear weapons and delivery systems, deepening the arms race.
  • Cuban Missile Crisis

    Cuban Missile Crisis
    The discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba led to a tense standoff, bringing the world close to nuclear war before a peaceful resolution was reached.
  • Sino-Indian War

    Sino-Indian War
    China and India went to war over border disputes in the Himalayas. Though not directly involving the U.S. or USSR, it had Cold War implications as both powers tried to influence Asian geopolitics.
  • JFK's "Ich bin ein Berliner" Speech

    JFK's "Ich bin ein Berliner" Speech
    In West Berlin, President Kennedy gave a passionate speech declaring U.S. support for Berliners against communism. It became an iconic moment of Cold War rhetoric.
  • Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Signed

    Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Signed
    The U.S., USSR, and UK agreed to ban nuclear tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater, marking a small but meaningful step in reducing nuclear tensions.
  • Diem Overthrown in South Vietnam

    Diem Overthrown in South Vietnam
    U.S.-backed South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem was assassinated in a military coup. This increased American involvement in Vietnam’s internal conflict.
  • Gulf of Tonkin Incident

    Gulf of Tonkin Incident
    Alleged attacks on U.S. ships by North Vietnam led Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, allowing President Johnson to escalate U.S. military involvement in Vietnam.
  • Khrushchev Removed from Power

    Khrushchev Removed from Power
    Nikita Khrushchev was quietly removed and replaced by Leonid Brezhnev. The leadership change signaled a shift in Soviet strategy and leadership style.
  • China Tests First Atomic Bomb

    China Tests First Atomic Bomb
    China successfully detonated its first atomic bomb, joining the nuclear club and altering the Cold War balance in Asia.
  • Operation Rolling Thunder Begins

    Operation Rolling Thunder Begins
    A massive U.S. bombing campaign over North Vietnam aimed to weaken communist morale and logistics, but instead deepened U.S. involvement and controversy.
  • U.S. Sends Ground Troops to Vietnam

    U.S. Sends Ground Troops to Vietnam
    The first official U.S. combat troops landed in Vietnam, marking a full-scale military commitment to stopping the spread of communism in Southeast Asia.
  • Indonesian Anti-Communist Purge

    Indonesian Anti-Communist Purge
    After a failed coup, the Indonesian military led a brutal purge of suspected communists, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths. The West largely supported this as a victory against communism.
  • U.S. Public Opposition to Vietnam War Grows

    U.S. Public Opposition to Vietnam War Grows
    As casualties mounted, Americans increasingly protested U.S. involvement in Vietnam. The war became a defining issue of Cold War-era domestic unrest.
  • France Withdraws from NATO Military Command

    France Withdraws from NATO Military Command
    President Charles de Gaulle pulled France out of NATO’s integrated military structure, seeking more independence from U.S. influence while still remaining in the alliance politically.
  • Cultural Revolution Begins in China

    Cultural Revolution Begins in China
    Mao Zedong launched the Cultural Revolution to reassert communist ideology. It caused chaos in China and worried both the U.S. and USSR about the unpredictability of Chinese communism.