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Period: to
Cold War 1947-1966
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Czechoslovak Coup
The Communist Party seized control of Czechoslovakia with Soviet support, deepening Cold War tensions. -
Truman Doctrine Announced
President Truman asked Congress for $400 million to aid Greece and Turkey, marking the start of U.S. containment policy against communism. -
Marshall Plan Proposed
Secretary of State George Marshall announced a European recovery program to stabilize economies and prevent the spread of communism. -
Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (Rio Pact)
Signed in Brazil, establishing mutual defense among the U.S. and Latin American countries. -
Loyalty Program Expanded
President Truman expanded efforts to root out alleged communists within the federal government. -
Berlin Blockade Begins
The Soviet Union cut off ground access to West Berlin, prompting the U.S. to begin the Berlin Airlift. -
NATO Founded
The North Atlantic Treaty was signed by 12 nations as a collective defense against Soviet aggression. -
Berlin Blockade Ends
After nearly a year, the Soviet Union lifted the blockade following the success of the U.S.-led airlift. -
Soviet Union Tests Atomic Bomb
The USSR successfully detonated its first nuclear weapon in Kazakhstan, ending the U.S. monopoly. -
H-Bomb Program Approved
Truman authorized the development of the hydrogen bomb in response to the Soviet atomic threat. -
McCarthy's Wheeling Speech
Senator Joseph McCarthy claimed to have a list of communists in the State Department, sparking Red Scare hysteria. -
Korean War Begins
North Korean forces invaded South Korea, prompting a U.S.-led United Nations response. -
MacArthur Dismissed
President Truman relieved General Douglas MacArthur of his Korean War command after MacArthur publicly criticized administration policy. -
Korean Armistice Talks Begin
U.N. and Communist representatives opened negotiations in Kaesong, Korea, though a final armistice would take two more years. -
National Security Agency (NSA) Formed
Early planning began for centralized communications intelligence, leading to the formal creation of the NSA in 1952. -
USSR Tests H-Bomb
The Soviet Union successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, accelerating the arms race with the U.S. -
UK Tests Atomic Bomb
Britain became the third nation to possess nuclear weapons after testing its first bomb off the coast of Australia. -
First U.S. H-Bomb Test
The U.S. detonated the first true H-bomb on Enewetak Atoll, massively more powerful than previous bombs. -
Eisenhower Elected President
Dwight D. Eisenhower defeated Adlai Stevenson, promising to end the Korean War and strengthen U.S. Cold War policies. -
Korean War Armistice Signed
The fighting ceased with an agreement to maintain the 38th parallel division, though no peace treaty was signed. -
"Atoms for Peace"
President Eisenhower proposed the peaceful use of nuclear energy in a speech before the United Nations. -
Castle Bravo H-Bomb Test
The U.S. detonated a 15-megaton bomb in the Marshall Islands; radioactive fallout caused international concern. -
Domino Theory Introduced
Eisenhower warned that if Vietnam fell to communism, other Southeast Asian countries would follow. -
CIA-Led Coup in Guatemala
The U.S. helped overthrow President Jacobo Árbenz, fearing communist influence in Latin America. -
West Germany Joins NATO
Re-arming and integrating West Germany into NATO angered the Soviet Union and intensified the Cold War. -
Warsaw Pact Signed
The Soviet Union and Eastern bloc countries formed a military alliance to counter NATO. -
Geneva Summit
Leaders of the U.S., USSR, UK, and France met to ease Cold War tensions, but no major agreements were reached. -
Hungarian Uprising Begins
Protesters demanded reforms; Soviet tanks crushed the revolt in November, reasserting control. -
Suez Crisis Begins
Israel, the UK, and France invaded Egypt after Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, straining Western unity. -
Soviets Invade Hungary
Thousands died or were arrested as Soviet troops brutally suppressed the revolution. -
Soviets Launch First ICBM
The USSR successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile, capable of reaching the U.S. -
Sputnik I Launched
The first artificial satellite was launched by the USSR, igniting the space race. -
Sputnik II Carries Laika
The Soviet Union launched a second satellite, with a dog onboard, showing capability for biological spaceflight. -
Cuban Revolution Succeeds
Fidel Castro overthrew Batista and soon aligned with the Soviet Union. -
Explorer I Launched
The first U.S. satellite entered orbit, discovering the Van Allen radiation belts. -
NASA Established
The U.S. created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to lead space exploration. -
Khrushchev Issues Berlin Ultimatum
He demanded Western powers leave Berlin, raising Cold War tensions. -
Kitchen Debate
Vice President Nixon and Khrushchev clashed in Moscow over communism vs. capitalism during a U.S. exhibit. -
Khrushchev Visits U.S.
The Soviet Premier toured America and met with President Eisenhower, but tensions remained high. -
U-2 Incident
A U.S. spy plane was shot down over the USSR; pilot Gary Powers was captured, souring U.S.-Soviet talks. -
First Televised Presidential Debate
Kennedy and Nixon faced off on TV, with Kennedy gaining a public image advantage. -
Kennedy Elected President
John F. Kennedy narrowly defeated Nixon, signaling a generational and policy shift. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
A failed CIA-backed invasion by Cuban exiles tried to overthrow Castro. -
Vienna Summit
Kennedy and Khrushchev met; tensions grew over Berlin and Cuba. -
Berlin Wall Construction Begins
East Germany sealed off West Berlin to prevent defections. -
U.S. Increases Vietnam Commitment
The number of American military advisors in South Vietnam rose significantly. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba brought the U.S. and USSR to the brink of nuclear war before a peaceful resolution. -
Missiles Withdrawn from Cuba
Khrushchev agreed to remove Soviet missiles from Cuba after U.S. naval blockade. -
JFK Berlin Speech
President Kennedy delivered his “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech, affirming U.S. support for West Berlin. -
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Signed
U.S., USSR, and UK agreed to stop atmospheric nuclear testing. -
Kennedy Assassinated
JFK was shot in Dallas, Texas; Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson became president. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
Alleged attacks on U.S. ships led Congress to authorize military force in Vietnam. -
China Tests Atomic Bomb
China became the fifth nuclear power. -
Johnson Wins Election
President Johnson defeated Barry Goldwater in a landslide, supporting his Vietnam and Great Society policies. -
U.S. Marines Land in Vietnam
First official American combat troops arrived in Da Nang. -
U.S. Intervention in Dominican Republic
Marines landed to prevent a communist takeover during civil unrest. -
Troop Increase in Vietnam Announced
Johnson committed to sending 125,000 more troops to Vietnam. -
U.S. Bombs North Vietnam's Oil Facilities
A major escalation in the bombing campaign targeted Hanoi and Haiphong. -
Soviet Luna 12 Launched
A successful lunar orbiter mission to photograph the moon’s surface. -
CIA Reports on Chinese Nuclear Growth
Intelligence estimated growing capabilities in China’s nuclear arsenal.