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Greek Civil War
The Greek Civil War was a conflict between the Greek government and the Democratic Army of Greece (DSE), the military wing of the Greek Communist Party -
Period: to
Cold War timeline 1946-1966
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Iron Curtain Speech
The Iron Curtain Speech, delivered by Winston Churchill, emphasized the growing divide in Europe, with the Soviet Union imposing its influence and control over Eastern European nations. He used the metaphor of an "iron curtain" to describe this barrier. -
USSR refuses to withdraw from Iran
In 1946, the Soviet Union (USSR) refused to withdraw its troops from northern Iran as agreed upon after World War II, leading to the Iran crisis. -
NATO Established
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed as a collective defense pact among Western nations against potential Soviet aggression. -
Marshall Plan
Secretary of State George Marshall proposed economic aid to rebuild Europe, aiming to prevent the spread of communism by stabilizing economies. -
Cominform Established
The Communist Information Bureau was created to coordinate actions among communist parties under Soviet direction, solidifying the Eastern Bloc. -
Czechoslovak Coup d'État
Communists seized control in Czechoslovakia, demonstrating Soviet influence in Eastern Europe and alarming Western nations. -
Marshall Plan Implemented
The U.S. Congress approved funding for the Marshall Plan, initiating economic recovery in Western Europe and countering communist appeal. -
Berlin Blockade Begins
The Soviet Union blocked Western Allies' access to West Berlin, leading to the Berlin Airlift to supply the city, symbolizing Cold War tensions. -
Soviet Atomic Bomb Test
The USSR successfully tested its first atomic bomb, ending the U.S. monopoly on nuclear weapons and escalating the arms race -
People's Republic of China Founded
Mao Zedong declared the establishment of communist China, significantly shifting the global balance during the Cold War. -
NSC-68 Report Completed
This U.S. policy document advocated for a substantial increase in military spending to counter Soviet threats, influencing Cold War strategy. -
East German Uprising
Workers in East Germany protested against the government, leading to Soviet military intervention and highlighting unrest in the Eastern Bloc -
The Korean War Begins
The Korean War was a conflict between North and South Korea, from 1950-1953. The war started when North Korea invaded South Korea. North Korea was supported by China and the Soviet Union and South Korea was supported by the US. -
China Enters Korean War
Chinese forces crossed into Korea to support the North, intensifying the conflict and complicating U.S. military objectives. -
ANZUS Treaty Signed
Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S. formed a security pact, extending Cold War alliances into the Pacific region -
Japanese Peace Treaty Signed
The treaty ended the state of war with Japan, integrating it into the Western bloc and countering communist influence in Asia. -
Mutual Security Act Signed
The U.S. provided military and economic aid to allies, reinforcing containment and supporting nations resisting communism. -
European Defense Community Proposed
Western European nations proposed a unified defense force, aiming to strengthen collective security against the Soviet threat. -
U.S. Tests First Hydrogen Bomb
The successful test marked a significant advancement in nuclear weaponry, intensifying the arms race with the Soviet Union. -
U.S. Elects Dwight D. Eisenhower
Eisenhower's election brought a military leader to the presidency, influencing Cold War policies and strategies. -
Stalin Dies
Joseph Stalin's death led to a power struggle in the USSR and eventual policy shifts, including a temporary thaw in Cold War tensions. -
Geneva Conference on Indochina
The conference resulted in the division of Vietnam at the 17th parallel, setting the stage for future conflict. -
Korean War Armistice Signed
The armistice ended active combat in Korea, establishing the Demilitarized Zone but leaving the peninsula divided. -
Battle of Dien Bien Phu Ends
French forces were defeated by the Viet Minh, leading to the end of French colonial rule in Indochina. -
West Germany Joins NATO
West Germany's inclusion in NATO marked its integration into the Western defense system, provoking Soviet concerns. -
SEATO Formed
The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization was established to prevent the spread of communism in the region. -
Warsaw Pact Signed
The Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries formed a military alliance in response to NATO, solidifying the division of Europe. -
Austrian State Treaty Signed
The treaty re-established Austria as a sovereign state and declared its neutrality, reducing East-West tensions. -
Khrushchev's Secret Speech
Nikita Khrushchev denounced Stalin's crimes, initiating a period of de-Stalinization and impacting Soviet relations with satellite states. -
Hungarian Revolution
A nationwide revolt against Soviet-imposed policies was brutally suppressed, demonstrating the USSR's control over Eastern Europe. -
Suez Crisis
Egypt's nationalization of the Suez Canal led to military intervention by Britain, France, and Israel, causing Cold War tensions. -
Eisenhower Doctrine Announced
The Eisenhower Doctrine was announced by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on January 5, 1957. It was a policy aimed at stabilizing the Middle East by offering economic and military assistance to countries threatened by armed aggression, specifically those perceived to be influenced by "international communism". -
Syrian Crisis
A political crisis in Syria involving Soviet and Western interests heightened Cold War tensions in the Middle East -
Sputnik Launched
The USSR launched the first artificial satellite, sparking the space race and U.S. fears of Soviet technological superiority -
Explorer 1 Launched
The United States launched its first satellite, Explorer 1, marking its entry into the space race. -
Congo Crisis Begins
Post-independence conflict in the Congo became a Cold War proxy battleground between U.S. and Soviet interests. -
Formation of NASA
The U.S. established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to coordinate its space exploration efforts. -
Second Berlin Crisis Begins
Soviet Premier Khrushchev demanded Western powers withdraw from Berlin, escalating Cold War tensions. -
Antarctic Treaty Signed
Twelve nations, including the U.S. and USSR, agreed to preserve Antarctica for peaceful and scientific purposes, reflecting Cold War cooperation. -
Cuban Revolution
Fidel Castro overthrew the Batista regime in Cuba, leading to the establishment of a communist government allied with the Soviet Union. -
Khrushchev's Visit to the U.S.
Soviet Premier Khrushchev's visit to the U.S. marked a temporary thaw in Cold War relations. -
U-2 Incident
An American U-2 spy plane was shot down over the USSR, leading to increased Cold War tensions and the collapse of a planned summit. -
Paris Summit Collapse
The U-2 incident caused the breakdown of the Paris Summit between the U.S. and USSR, halting diplomatic progress. -
First Human in Space
Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space, marking a significant achievement in the space race. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
A failed U.S.-backed invasion of Cuba by exiles aimed to overthrow Fidel Castro, strengthening his position and Soviet ties. -
Berlin Wall Constructed
East Germany erected the Berlin Wall to prevent emigration, symbolizing the Cold War divide. -
Hotline Agreement
The U.S. and USSR agreed to establish a direct communication link to prevent future crises -
Cuban Missile Crisis
A confrontation over Soviet missiles in Cuba brought the world close to nuclear war, ending with a negotiated withdrawal. -
U.S. Blockade of Cuba
President Kennedy announced a naval blockade of Cuba to prevent further Soviet missile deliveries. -
Kennedy's "Ich bin ein Berliner" Speech
President Kennedy expressed solidarity with West Berliners, reinforcing U.S. commitment during the Cold War. -
Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
The U.S., USSR, and UK agreed to ban nuclear tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and under water, easing Cold War tensions -
The death of John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States. Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a presidential motorcade in Dallas,Texas. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
Alleged attacks on U.S. ships by North Vietnam led to increased U.S. military involvement in Vietnam. -
Indonesia's Anti-Communist Purge
A failed coup led to mass killings of communists in Indonesia, shifting the country away from Soviet influence. -
Khrushchev Ousted
Nikita Khrushchev was removed from power, leading to a shift in Soviet leadership and policies. -
China's First Nuclear Test
China detonated its first atomic bomb, becoming the fifth nuclear power and altering Cold War dynamics. -
Operation Rolling Thunder Begins
A sustained U.S. bombing campaign against North Vietnam aimed to weaken its capacity to support the Viet Cong. -
U.S. Troops Sent to Vietnam
The U.S. deployed combat troops to Vietnam, escalating its involvement in the conflict -
Luna 9 Lands on Moon
The Soviet Luna 9 spacecraft achieved the first soft landing on the Moon, advancing the space race. -
France Withdraws from NATO Command
President Charles de Gaulle removed France from NATO's integrated military command, asserting national sovereignty. -
Surveyor 1 Lands on Moon
NASA's Surveyor 1 became the first U.S. spacecraft to soft-land on the Moon, demonstrating landing capabilities.