Coldwar

Cold War Timeline

  • Yalta Conference

    Yalta Conference
    The Yalta Conference was a conference that of three major ones that took place in this era. One of the conference's main points was the discussion of Russia's entry to the war. Another main point was the discussion of Europe's post war re-organization and re-insitution. Its attendees were the Big Three; United States, United Kingdom, and United Soviet Socialist Republics. It happened as Allied Victory was certain.
  • Berlin Declaration

    Berlin Declaration
    The Berlin Declaration was a changing time. It was one the supreme leaders of the Western Powers met with USSR. It was the proclamation of the unconditional surrender of Germany. It also declared high authority by the 4 winners of World War 2. It also showcased the beginning of high tensions between the US and USSR.
  • Potsdam Conference

    Potsdam Conference
    The Potsdam Conference was the third conference in the war and by far the most crucial one. It assembled the USSR, US, Great Britain. They discussed the terms of mostly peace treaty issues. The main point of the potsdam conference as to establish how to control Germany and reparations to Europe. This conference was the last and by far more important conference of all, as relations will never be the same after.
  • North Vietnam

    North Vietnam
    North Vietnam had declared independece from the french after Japanese had surrendered. The potsdam conference allowed the Chiang Kai-Shek to receive the surrender for japanese in the North. This showcased some of the rising tensions that were exampliefied. In short, this event marked and changed their history forever,
  • Iron Curtain Speech

    Iron Curtain Speech
    The Iron Curtain Speech was given by Winston Churchill. It declares an Iron Curtain descending across the continent due to the USSR. Churchill praised the US for standing at the height of power. The speech was warmely recieved and helped draw battle lines for the Cold War.
  • First Indochina War

    First Indochina War
    The First Indochina War began on Dec 19, 1946. The event had lasted from the 19th of Dec 1946 to the 1st of Aug 1954. The war was fought between French forces and Viet Minh. The war was to for the expansion of French. The end result was the victory of Viet Minh. It resulted in the division of Vietnam into North and South Vietnam and would play a huge factor in the Cold War for years to come.
  • Marshall Plan

    Marshall Plan
    The Marshall Plan was a plan that was program for recovery. The recovery specifically for post-war europe in rebuilding. President Harry S. Truman signed this plan. The plan brought up 17 billion dollars and had it distributed in the course of over 4 years from 1948 to 1951. Majority of funds were grants and others were loans. Seventeen nations receieved this and rebuilt for the better.
  • Containment Policy

    Containment Policy
    The containment policywas a crucial part in the Cold War. The containment policy was designed in a effort to stop the spread of communism. There are 2 approaches to the containment policy, one is military, and the other is was economic. This was a response to the USSR's moves of expansion. This laid the groundwork for the Cold War. It was induced by the National Security Act of 1947
  • Berlin Blockade

    Berlin Blockade
    The Berlin Blockade was one of the major starting points of the Cold War. After the agreement to divide germany among the 4 winners, there were some things unseen in russia's side. The Soviet's attempt to limit the ability of the others. This in turn signified the first major clash in the Cold War. It also indicated many things for the rising conflicts that were about to occur in Berlin.
  • Berlin Airlift

    Berlin Airlift
    The Berlin Airlift was the counter measure. The counter measure was used against the Berlin Blockade that the Russians employed. This used an airlift bringing in large. insurmountable amounts of food. The airlifts took over 200 thousand flights. This increased tensions between USSR and the US.
  • NATO

    NATO
    NATO or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It was a joint operation that is established by 12 western nations. It was made up of the United States, Great Britain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Iceland, Canada, and Portugal. This was a military alliance and oversaw the agression of the Soviets. This helped increase american influence in Europe and lasted throughout the Cold War.
  • Soviet Union Test A-Bomb

    Soviet Union Test A-Bomb
    Soviet Union Tests A-Bomb happened on Aug 29, 1949. The main event, laid the groundwork for the Cold War. It also illustrated the first time the Soviets possed the Atomic Bomb. The effort was led by Igor Kurchatov and was helped by Russian spies in the Manhattan Project. This event shocked the world and influenced part of the Red Scare. It changed shocked the world and the United States and the world changed forever.
  • People's Republic of China Founded

    People's Republic of China Founded
    People’s Republic Of China was established on Oct 1, 1949. It was proclaimed by Mao Zedong and he named himself head of state. This was a proclamation after the climax of all the years of battle in the Chines Civil War. The end result led to some tension between the US and China. This also resulted in the loss of China to communism which was a large blow to the US.
  • Second Red Scare

    Second Red Scare
    The Second Red Scare was a biproduct of WWII. It had started after the second world war and continued to the late 1950s. It had people turning on people had them question their neighbors. The second red scare marked how communism began to spread and fear. During the late 50s was when the red scare began to die down. Still, it influenced the US in its decisions as well as the some of the Cold War's events.
  • Korean War - American Involvement

    Korean War - American Involvement
    The Involvment of the US likely steemed from the fact of joint pack of US-USSR. It was after the North Korea invaded South Korea, the US was inclined to respond. The troops were under command by a General Douglas MacArthur. Next 18 months, the fight was interuptted occasionally by uneasy truces. The war cost $50 billion and 33,000 US lives. This is one of the regional wars in the Cold War.
  • Julius and Ethel Rosenberg

    Julius and Ethel Rosenberg
    The Julius and Ethel Rosenberg trial took place April 5th 1951. The people present were accused of heading the spy ring of espionage with information about the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union. They were convicted and sentenced to death. They were killed by the electric chair despite pleading for innocence. This marked a huge finale to a controversial case and heightened the fear in US.
  • Eisenhower Presidency

    Eisenhower Presidency
    The Eisenhower presidency was a generally surprising time for everyone. Eisenhower was originally a General that had a lrage impact in WW2. He led the operation that led to V-E day. His tenure lasted for over 8 years (1953-1961). He passed good policies as well as participating in domestic affairs like Korea and even the space race. Eisenhower's run in presidency led the US to become a global Nuclear super power.
  • Iranian Coup d'état

    Iranian Coup d'état
    Iranian Coup D'état was military coup that took place. It occured on August 15-19, 1953. It was designed to overthrow the government of Premier Mohammad Mosaddeq and the reinstitution of Shah of Iran. It was ochestrated by the CIA and British Intelligence backing up the revolution should Mossadeq keep communist ties. It resulted in the win and Mossadeq arrested. It paved the way for the Iranian Revolution.
  • Nikita Khrushchev

    Nikita Khrushchev
    Nikita Khrushchev began his rise of power back in March 20, 1953. He was one of the 5 people chosen after the death of Joseph Stalin on March 3rd 1953. Nikita was a rather complex man for the USSR. His rise to power helped bring the tensions between the United States of America and the United Soviet Socialist Repulic to an small ease. He helped ease the high tensions that were rising in the Cold War era.
  • Warsaw Pact

    Warsaw Pact
    The Warsaw Pact was created on May 14, 1955. It was a pact designed to rally the Soviets and seven of its european satellites. It placed the the Soviet Union in a command of the armed forces of its states. Albania, Poland, Romania, Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Bulgaria were the seven other members. Its placement heightened the already rising tensions in the Cold War.
  • Suez Crisis

    Suez Crisis
    The Suez Crisis was an international crisis that took place in the MIddle East. It started on July 26, 1956 and continued on. It was provoked when American and British's decisoin not to finance egypt's reconstruction. Then Israeli forces pushed egypt and were joined by the French and British forces and were almost joined by the USSR. This had some serious reprocussions and damaged the relationship between the US & Egypt.
  • Hungarian Revolution

    Hungarian Revolution
    The Hungarian Revolution was a event that took place from Oct 23, 1956-Nov 4, 1956. This was in response to the iron grip Stalin had. It had taken place in Hungarian People's Republic and lasted for 12 days. The protest was to issue better rights and were triggered by the death of Stalin. After his death people were hopeful for more freedoms. The event had resulted in the issue and inclusion of their Sixteen Points.
  • Sputnik

    Sputnik
    The Sputnik I's launch was a turning point in history. It was created as part of the Space Race between the USSR and US, essentially jump starting between the two countries. It is the world's first artificial satellite launched on Oct 4th, 1957. Sputnik was launched to follow the International Geophysicla Year. Still the US feared Russia's capabilities and began to launch their own satellites, marking a new age.
  • Cuban Revolution

    Cuban Revolution
    The Cuban Revolution was a major turning point in Cuban history. It took place over the course from Jul 26, 1953-Jan 1st, 1959. It occured in the prospect to overtake Cuban Pres. Fulgencio Batista and replace him with Fidel Castro. It had huge domestic and international aftermaths. It primarily strained relationships between the US and Cuba. It transformed Cuba's economy and civil society.
  • The U2 Incident

    The U2 Incident
    The U2 Incident occured on May 1st, 1960. The incident involved a U2 spy plane spying over the USSR. It was spearheaded by the CIA. The USSR discovered it. The plane was designed to self-destruct and the pilot kill himself to avoid international incident. It was shot down by the USSR's surface to air missile and was discovered by the USSR.The incident happened during Eisenhower's time and increased tensions.
  • Kennedy Presidency

    Kennedy Presidency
    The Kennedy Presidency was a defining moment in US History. Elected on Nov 8, 1960, JFK marked the new genration of people. He was the youngest president in office and made remarkable changes to the US. He confronted the rising Cuban Missile Crisis. He also declared for the space race to place a man on the moon as well as help pave the way for The Civil Rights. He helped define & shape the America's new generation.
  • First Man in Space

    First Man in Space
    The First Man in Space was Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin. He was a russian born Cosmonaut. He was the pilot of the USSR spacecarft Vostok 1, and became the first man ever in space. He became an instant celebrity. This event was part of the space race between the USSR and the US. This was the second time the USSR had beaten the US in the space race. This increased the already growing tensions and motivated the US for the Apollo 11.
  • Bay of Pigs

    Bay of Pigs
    The Bay of Pigs was a failed mission in Cuba. It occured on April 17, 1961. It was designed to create an uprising against the leader of Cuba Fidel Castro. It was not JFK's idea and was Eisenhower's administration that had planned the invasion. The invasion was botched and had lost a lot of lives. It created already starined tensions with Cuba and had inflamed the Cuban Missile Crisis even farther.
  • Berlin Wall

    Berlin Wall
    The Berlin Wall began on Aug 15, 1961. Its construction was ochestrated by the rising Cold War tensions happening in Berlin again. It was ochestrated by East German Authorities and it was designed to protect citizens from influence and capitalist culture. They began replacing the barbed wire which already separated them with concrete. It was a literal Iron Curtain. It striked up major desputes between the US and USSR.
  • Checkpoint Charlie

    Checkpoint Charlie
    Checkpoint Charlie was a dramatic event that had taken place. The event lasted from Oct 22-Oct 28, 1961. It had taken place on near the Berlin Wall after its construction had began. It started as a despute over the registrations and checking of cross the line. Tanks on both the USSR and US had a standoff at checkpoint charlie. It also represented the growing tensions in the Cold War.
  • JFK Assassination

    JFK Assassination
    The Assassination of JFK was sad point in history. JFK was barely 1000 days in office, and had many more changes to make. JFK was assassinated in Dallas, Texas while in a motorcade for a parade with his wife in his open top convertible. He was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald and marked a surprise to the world. It shocked America, Vice President Johnson had became President the next day.
  • Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

    Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
    The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution took place on August 7, 1964. It was a congressional approval of the expansion of the Vietnam War. It gave Pres. Johnson authority without formal declaration and allowed him to do whatever necessary. It occured because of US ships being attacked in the Gulf by the North Vietnamese. Many people feared that no one would support the expansion of War.
  • Vietnam War - American Involvment

    Vietnam War - American Involvment
    The US involvement in the Vietnam War began officially. Although they had not participated fully in the Vietnam War officially, they have been debating for over some time since Kennedy's run. It was not until the Gulf of Tonkin resolution that we decided to intervene. The US began air raids and eventually deployed more than 20,000 troops. This had played a huge factor and controversy in the Cold War.
  • SALT I

    SALT I
    The SALT I was part of 2 bilateral conferences between the US and USSR. SALT stands for Strategic Arms Limitation Talks. The conferences between the US and USSR were brought together primarily for the cause of international treaties. The main focus was on Armament Control on their missiles on both sides. The 2 Cold War superpowers US and USSR reached an agreement and led to the Anti-Ballistic Missle Treaty. This froze a huge number of missiles.
  • Prague Spring

    Prague Spring
    Prague Spring was a period of time of politic liberation of Czechoslovakia. This event lasted from Jan 5, 1968 to Aug 21, 1968. The event was an attempt to grant more right to the citizens of Czechoslovakia. It was unreceived well by the majority of the USSR. This event was unsuccessful and established an authoritarian Communist regime, This changed the USSR in a large way.
  • Tet Offensive

    Tet Offensive
    The Tet offensive was luanched on Jan 31, 1968. It was ochestrated and included 70,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong Forces. It was a coordinated attack in oner 100 cities in North Vietnam. The offensive majorly favored North Vietnam. The end result was rewarding for North Vietnamese. It marked the beginning of the South's decline and the US' retreat from the Vietnam War.
  • Nixon Presidency

    Nixon Presidency
    Richard M. Nixon took office on January 20, 1969. His time in office was a controversial and changing time. His involvemtn in the Watergate scandal and beyond marked his time in office with controversy. His time in office allowed the US to achieve peace with honor in vietnam by the use of Vietnamization. He also approved of treaties to limit the US nuclear weapons armament. He helped ease tensions in the Cold War.
  • Apollo 11

    Apollo 11
    The Apollo 11 mission was defining moment in US history. It was the first manned mission to the moon. The astronuats on the Apollo were Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. This marked a win in the space race as well completing the goal set by JFK at the beginning of the decade. It ended the space race between the US and USSR. The Apollo 11 showcased the US' ingenuity and spirit.
  • Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

    Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
    The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was a major milestone in the Cold War. The Treaty was signed on Jul 1, 1968. It was an international treaty with the main point to prevent the wide-spread of Nuclear Armament and weaponry. Its other purpose was to promote peace and alternative ways to use Nuclear power. It became fully effective on Mar 5, 1970. It also helped further the almost full disarmament of nuclear weaponry in the world.
  • Nixon visits China

    Nixon visits China
    Pres. Nixon visits China on Febuary 21, 1972. Nixon's primary purpose was to make peace with China. He helped normalize relations between the US and PRC. The result was showing the USSR about peace. It also resulted in the open trade policy between the United States and China. China also gained an ally in the already tense relationship with the USSR. This event helped influence many events in the future.
  • Détente

    Détente
    Détente took place when in May 1972. The word means "to relieve tension". The creation was by Pres. Richard Nixon. The main purpose of the event was to cool down the already high tensions of the Cold War. This resulted in the Nixon going to Moscow to discuss arrangements. Both countries would benefit to high trade and reduction of Nuclear armament. This also resulted in much lesser tensions for years to come after this event.
  • Paris Peace Accords

    Paris Peace Accords
    The Paris Peace Accords was the pinnacle for the Vietnam War. The event took place on Jan 27, 1973. Its full intent was to establish peave in Vietnam and bring an end to the war. It ended the U.S. involvement in the war. It also brought the Vietnam War to an end temporarily. Still, it did not end the rivalry and conflict between the North and South. It helped lessen the tensions in Cold War.
  • Chilean coup d'état

    Chilean coup d'état
    The Coup d'état was affected drastically by the Cold War. Chile armed forces arranged a huge coup against the democratic Marxist Allende. The society of Chile was in breakdown under Allende's rule. The CIA and US government formed a coup against Allende. On Sept 11. 1973, Chile's 3 armed government launched an attack. Allende commited suicide in the process. The event was a success and changed Chile forever.
  • Yom Kippur War

    Yom Kippur War
    The Yom Kippur War took place from Oct 6-25, 1973. The war took place in the Middle East in the Suez Canal. This was one of the first full war in the Middle east and it happened on the Day of Atonement. It's main intent was to win back territory lost to Israel during the 3rd Arab-Israeli War. It unintentionally brought USSR &the United States into into an indirect fight to defend their allies. Result favored Israel.
  • Khmer Rouge & the "Killing Fields"

    Khmer Rouge & the "Killing Fields"
    Khmer Rouge & "Killing Fields" took place in Cambodia. It took place more exclusively during Khmer Rouge's time. Khmer Rouge committed massive genocides. killing more than half a million people. The US responded with hesitation and deployed over 70,000 US troops. Many people starved and died due to the prevention of delivering supplies to them by Khmer Rouge. This was part of the many proxy wars in Cold War
  • Fall of Saignon

    Fall of Saignon
    The Fall of Saigon occurred on April 30, 1975. Communist North Vietnamese took over the south Vietnamese capital of Saigon. The fall came two years after the US had left the Vietnam War with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords. South Vietnam lost to North Vietnam following this event. North and South Vietnam were reunited after, while under the control of Communist North Vietnam Government and ended the Vietnam War.
  • Iranian Revolution

    Iranian Revolution
    The Iranian Revolution is dated on to have lasted from January 1978- February 1979. It was revolution made by Ayatollah Khomeini. The main point was to overthrow the Shah and replace with Ayatollah Khomeini. The revolution itself transformed the it into a Islamic Republic. One of the byproducts was the Iranian Hostage Crisis. It illustrated the growing problems in the world and made the US look closer and clearer.
  • SALT II

    SALT II
    SALT II was the second discussion out of 2 that had taken place. SALT I had not prevented any side in reduction of their armaments. SALT II's negotiations lasted for over 7 years and its main point was to set restrictions for their armaments. The treaty helped set limits on the number of strategic launchers and they reached an agreement eventually. The US decided not to ratify the treaty after the Afganistan War with the Soviets.
  • Iran Hostage Crisis

    Iran Hostage Crisis
    The Iran Hostage Crisis was a crisis that occurred on Nov. 4 1979. This crisis lasted from Nov 4, 1979- Jan 20, 1981. It happened in the American embassy in Tehran. It was ochestrated by pro-ayatollah students. They had taken 66 hostages and were mostly diplomats and employees. Since Ayatollah's anti-american stance did not respond to diplomatic maneuvers. It ended after Reagan's election and shook the government.
  • Reagan Presidency

    Reagan Presidency
    The Reagan Presidency marked a change in American Society. It marked a new age in US from Jimmy Carter and NIxon. Pres. Ronald Reagan was an American Actor and widely known to the public. He served 2 terms. It those 2 terms he was able to cool down tensions between the US and USSR. He had summits with USSR leader and discuss on topics of missile depletions. Pres. Ronald Reagan shaped a new age.
  • Korean Air Lines Flight 007

    Korean Air Lines Flight 007
    Korean Airlines Flight 007 was a KAF that was shot down. The perpatrators were USSR jet fighters that intercepted the airline while passing on Russian airspace. The plane had diverged from it regular course and went over a USSR military installation. KAL 007 was shot down and all 269 passengers were killed. The incident was labeled as a misunderstanding. No one knows why it diverged.
  • Reagan and Gorbachev Meet

    Reagan and Gorbachev Meet
    Reagan and Gorbachev meet in their first summit. The summit had taken place in Geneva and had been the first one in 8 years. The meeting took place to allow easier relations between the two nations. It came as a huge shock to everyone. Still this would be one of the first of a few summits to come. It also signified the near end of the Cold War.
  • Reykjavik Summit

    Reykjavik Summit
    The Reykjavik Summit was a summit that took place in Iceland. It took place from October 11-12 1986. The meeting was between US Pres. Ronald Reagan and USSR leader Mikhail Gorbachev. It's primary pupose was to discuss the banning of of missiles on both sides. The talks collapsed in the last minute and ended on a bad note. Still, despite it ending badly, a treaty of Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty made in 1987.
  • "Tear down this wall" speech

    "Tear down this wall" speech
    The "Tear down this wall" speech was a given by US Pres. Ronald Reagan. The speech was given at the Brandenburg Gate on Jun 12, 1987. The speech was a challenge to USSR leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall. The speech was to commemorate 750 anniversary of Berlin. This helped pave the wall to tearing down the wall and reuniting the East and West Germany.
  • Tiananmen Square Massacre

    Tiananmen Square Massacre
    The Tianamen Square Massacre took place in the center of Beining. It was the killing and arrest of more than thousands of pro-democracy protestors. The protestors were protesting for better democracy to the horrible Chinese Communist Party. This event took place on June 3-4 1989. This resulted in the US brining sanctions to China. This shocked the West and USSR.
  • Fall of Berlin Wall

    Fall of Berlin Wall
    The Fall of the Berlin Wall took place on Nov 9, 1989. It happened to illustrate the end of divisions between East and West Germany. It also illustarted the near end the Cold War between the USSR and the US. The Wall had signified the Iron Curtain in Germany and its fall showed the end of bad relations. The Wall had lasted from 1961 to 1989. The reunification of East and West Germany became official on Oct 3, 1990.
  • Gulf War

    Gulf War
    The Gulf War took place from Aug 2, 1990 to Feb 28, 1991. It started when Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein ordered an invsaion. The US was called to intervene by Saudi Arabia and Egypt. On Nov 19, 1990, war officially started and deployed US 540,000 soldiers. The aftermath resulted in deaths as well as other casualties.The Gulf reunited the American people and the military, helping fix wounds from the Vietnam War.
  • Dissolution of Soviet Union

    Dissolution of Soviet Union
    The Fall of the Soviet Union happened on Dec 25, 1991. Although its official end was on declared, it took place from Mar 11, 1985 - Dec 1991. It dissolved because of the tensions and problems in the USSR. The USSR dissovled into 15 separate and independent republics. It ended decades of hostility between NATO and the Warsaw Pact. It was seen as a victory for the US and marked an end to the Cold War.