Cold War Timeline

  • The Potsdam Conference

    The Potsdam Conference
    The Potsdam Conference was held to solve several issues regarding territory division. Germany was temporarily divided among Allied Forces, its capital, Berlin, was split into four sections as well. Apart from dividing Germany, the Potsdam Conference created a plan to rid Germany of any remaining Nazi Parties and beliefs.
  • The Nuremberg Trials

    The Nuremberg Trials
    The Nuremberg Trials were held after the Potsdam conference singled out the remaining Nazi Parties. In Nuremberg, Germany, over two hundred Nazi and military officials were put on trial for war crimes.
  • President Truman's warning

    President Truman's warning
    The conflict between communism and capitalism was growing, along with tensions between the United States and Soviet Union. The Soviet Union refused to put their guard down post-war leading President Truman to warn his secretary that there was "another war in the making".
  • Greece and Turkey vs Communism

    Greece and Turkey vs Communism
    Greece and Turkey were being threatened by Soviet-backed communists. This conflict allowed President Truman to create the Truman Doctrine, which provided aid to oppose the spread of Communism. The Marshall Plan was also launched mid-1947, and provided financial aid towards rebuilding Europe.
  • Blockade of Berlin

    Blockade of Berlin
    In West Berlin, Soviet forces blocked off all of the land, rail, and water routes that went into the city providing citizens with means to survive. Two million residents were no longer able to import coal, food, and vital supplies, this tactic of isolation was used in hopes of forcing the West to leave Berlin.
  • Berlin Airlift

    Berlin Airlift
    The Berlin Airlift was an effort to supply Berlin with food and essentials they were being deprived of. The plan was to have a cargo plane landing every 30 seconds to overwhelm Soviet forces who were guarding the blockade.
  • North Korea vs South Korea

    North Korea vs South Korea
    The post-war Korean peninsula was divided among the United States and Soviet Union, and was also divided by communism and anti-communism. In June, North Korea attacked South Korea, their goal was to unite both countries under communism.
  • U.S tests Hydrogen Bomb

    U.S tests Hydrogen Bomb
    The United States launched an experiment to test the first fusion-powered hydrogen bomb, which vaporized the island it was targeting. Although their technological advances fell short when the Soviets tested their own hydrogen bomb.
  • First artificial satellite

    First artificial satellite
    The Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite. In response, the U.S government established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) the following year.
  • Arms Control

    Arms Control
    The United States and the Soviet Union came up with an agreement to outlaw nuclear testing in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater. This agreement was called the Test Ban Treaty and was supposed to help maintain peace among countries.