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Truman Doctrine Announced
President Truman pledged U.S. support for countries resisting communism, starting with aid to Greece and Turkey, marking the start of the containment policy. -
Marshall Plan Proposed
The U.S. proposes massive economic aid to rebuild Europe and prevent the spread of communism. -
Cominform Created
The Soviet Union forms Cominform to coordinate communist parties in Europe and counter Western influence. -
Czechoslovak Coup
The Communist Party seizes control in Czechoslovakia, expanding Soviet influence in Eastern Europe. -
Marshall Plan Implemented
The U.S. begins distributing aid to European countries to rebuild economies and curb communism. -
Berlin Blockade Begins
The Soviet Union blocks Western Allies' access to West Berlin, leading to the Berlin Airlift. -
NATO Established
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is formed as a military alliance against Soviet aggression. -
German Federal Republic Founded
West Germany is established, solidifying the division of Germany. -
German Federal Republic Founded
West Germany is established, solidifying the division of Germany. -
Soviet Atomic Bomb Test
The USSR successfully tests its first atomic bomb, ending the U.S. nuclear monopoly. -
McCarthyism Rises
Senator McCarthy begins his anti-communist crusade, leading to widespread fear and suspicion. -
Korean War Begins
North Korea invades South Korea, prompting U.S. and UN military intervention. -
China Enters Korean War
Chinese forces cross into Korea, escalating the conflict. -
General MacArthur Dismissed
President Truman relieves MacArthur of command during the Korean War over policy disagreements. -
ANZUS Treaty Signed
Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S. form a security pact in the Pacific. -
Mutual Security Act Passed
The U.S. provides military and economic aid to allies to combat communism. -
Stalin Notes Proposals
Soviet leader Stalin sends notes proposing German reunification, which are rejected by the West. -
UK Develops Atomic Bomb
The United Kingdom becomes the third nation to possess nuclear weapons. -
U.S. Tests Hydrogen Bomb
The first successful test of a thermonuclear weapon marks a new phase in the arms race. -
Eisenhower Becomes President
Dwight D. Eisenhower takes office, promoting a strong stance against communism. -
Stalin Dies
Joseph Stalin's death leads to a power struggle and eventual policy shifts in the USSR. -
Korean War Armistice Signed
An armistice ends active combat in Korea, establishing the DMZ. -
Geneva Conference
Discussions on Korea and Indochina lead to temporary division of Vietnam. -
CIA Overthrows Iranian Government
The U.S. orchestrates a coup to remove Prime Minister Mossadegh and strengthen the Shah's power. -
U.S. Involvement in Vietnam Begins
The U.S. starts providing aid to South Vietnam to counter communism. -
Warsaw Pact Formed
The Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries establish a military alliance. -
Austrian State Treaty Signed
Austria regains independence and declares neutrality after the withdrawal of Allied forces. -
Geneva Summit
Leaders from the U.S., USSR, UK, and France meet to discuss Cold War tensions. -
Khrushchev's Secret Speech
Nikita Khrushchev denounces Stalin's cult of personality, signaling a shift in Soviet policies. -
Hungarian Uprising
A revolt against Soviet control is crushed by the Red Army. -
Suez Crisis
Egypt nationalizes the Suez Canal, leading to military intervention by the UK, France, and Israel. -
Eisenhower Doctrine Announced
The U.S. pledges to defend Middle Eastern countries against communism. -
Syrian Crisis
Tensions rise as the U.S. and USSR vie for influence in Syria. -
Sputnik Launched
The USSR launches the first artificial satellite, igniting the Space Race. -
Lebanon Crisis
U.S. Marines land in Lebanon to support the government against internal opposition. -
NASA Established
The U.S. creates the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in response to Sputnik. -
Second Berlin Crisis Begins
Khrushchev demands Western withdrawal from Berlin, escalating tensions. -
Cuban Revolution Triumphs
Fidel Castro overthrows Batista, leading to a communist government in Cuba. -
Geneva Talks on Berlin
Negotiations fail to resolve the status of Berlin, maintaining Cold War tensions. -
Khrushchev Visits U.S.
The Soviet leader tours the U.S., promoting peaceful coexistence. -
U-2 Incident
An American spy plane is shot down over the USSR, derailing a planned summit. -
Paris Summit Collapses
The U-2 incident causes the collapse of talks between U.S. and Soviet leaders. -
Congo Crisis Begins
Post-independence turmoil in the Congo becomes a Cold War proxy conflict. -
Alliance for Progress Launched
The U.S. initiates a program to promote economic development in Latin America. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
A failed U.S.-backed attempt to overthrow Castro in Cuba. -
Berlin Wall Constructed
East Germany builds a wall dividing Berlin to stop emigration to the West. -
Hotline Established
A direct communication link between Washington and Moscow is set up to prevent future crises. -
Nuclear Test Ban Talks Begin
Discussions start on limiting nuclear weapons testing. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
A confrontation over Soviet missiles in Cuba brings the world to the brink of nuclear war. -
Kennedy's "Ich bin ein Berliner" Speech
President Kennedy expresses solidarity with West Berliners. -
Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Signed
The U.S., USSR, and UK agree to prohibit nuclear tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and under water. -
Diem Overthrown in South Vietnam
A coup removes South Vietnam's president, increasing U.S. involvement. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
Alleged attacks on U.S. ships lead to increased American military presence in Vietnam. -
Khrushchev Ousted
Nikita Khrushchev is removed from power, replaced by Leonid Brezhnev. -
China Tests Atomic Bomb
China becomes the fifth nuclear power with its first successful test. -
Pleiku Incident
Viet Cong forces attack a U.S. military base in Pleiku, South Vietnam, killing 8 Americans and wounding over 100, prompting the U.S. to escalate its military involvement in Vietnam. -
Operation Rolling Thunder Begins
A sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam is launched. -
U.S. Troop Escalation in Vietnam
American military presence in Vietnam increases dramatically. -
France Withdraws from NATO Command
President Charles de Gaulle announces France's withdrawal from NATO's integrated military command, asserting national sovereignty and altering alliance dynamics. -
French-Soviet Joint Declaration
France and the Soviet Union sign a declaration in Moscow to enhance cooperation in foreign affairs, science, and technology, reflecting France's independent foreign policy stance. -
Jakarta Accord Signed
Indonesia and Malaysia sign the Jakarta Accord, officially ending the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation and reducing regional Cold War tensions.