Cold War Timeline

Harry Truman

Apr 12, 1945

FDR's Vice President. Brought an end to WW2 by launching 2 nuclear bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

United Nations

Oct 24, 1945

An international organization set up after WW2. It's purpose is to keep peace through the world.

Truman Doctrine

Mar 12, 1947

A doctrine introduced by president Truman which focuses on containing communism.

Marshall Plan

Jun 3, 1948

A plan which would allow the US to aid Western Europe by giving over $13 Billion for reconstruction efforts.

NATO

Apr 9, 1949

A coalition between the US and most of Europe. It's purpose was to defend Europe from the communist threat.

Red Scare

Jan 1, 1950

A time period characterized by the fear and hat for communism.

McCarthyism

Mar 29, 1950

A practice of making accusations without any evidence. The term was coined from senator McCarthy whom often accused people of being communist without proof.

Korean war

Jun 25, 1950

The first war fought to contain communism. Ended in a stalemate.

Dwight Eisenhower

Jan 20, 1953

Famous WW2 general. Invested alot of money into building new highways. Ended the war in Korea

Vietnam War

Nov 1, 1955

A 20 year conflict between US, south vietnam and north vietnam. It was long and unsuccessful.

John F. Kennedy

Jan 20, 1961

President during the peak of the cold war. He was assassinated November 22 1963.

Bay of Pigs

Apr 17, 1961

The US trained Cuban refugees to invade Cuba but were unsuccessful.

Cuban Missile Crisis

Oct 16, 1962

A period of high tension between US and Cuba. US Stealth aircraft found out about many missiles in Cuba and responded with a blockade.

Lyndon B. Johnson

Nov 22, 1963

JFK's vice president. Although he was a successful president he did not run for re-election because of the hate he got for the Vietnam war.

Kennedy's Assasination

Nov 22, 1963

JFK during a motorcade was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald

Richard Nixon

Jan 20, 1969

Brought an end to the Vietnam war. He later resigned due to the Watergate scandal.

Ronald Reagan

Jan 20, 1981

Helped bring an end to the cold war by often meeting with Gorbachev.

George H. W. Bush

Jan 20, 1989

Started the invasion of Iraq in response to its invasion of Kuwait. He ran for re-election but lost to bill clinton

Fall of communism in western europe

Nov 9, 1989

The fall of the Berlin wall symbolized the end of communism in west Europe.

Persian Gulf war

Aug 2, 1990

In response to Iraq's invasion H.W. Bush decided to invade Kuwait and restore democracy.

USSR Collapse

Dec 25, 1991

After a failing economy and losing a war, the USSR collapsed which restored democracy to many countries.

Bill Clinton

Jan 20, 1993

Was president over a long period of economic prosperity. Deployed troops in the middle east and Yugoslavia as peace keepers.

Nafta

Jan 1, 1994

A free trade agreement that allows free trade between US Mexico and Canada

George W. Bush

Jan 20, 2001

Was president over the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history. Ordered invasion of Afghanistan in response.

9/11

Sep 11, 2001

A terrorist attack that downed the twin towers by crashing airplanes into them.

War in Afghanistan

Oct 7, 2001

A direct response to the 9/11 terrorist attack. Lasted 13 years.

Iraq war

Mar 20, 2003

An 11 year long war in Iraq that aimed at toppling Saddam Hussein.