Early Cold War Timeline

5.) Chinese Civil War (between Jiang Jieshi and Mao Zedong)

Apr 20, 1927

Millions of peasant farmers in China were tired of their horrible pay which lead to a civil war. This was between the National Government and Communist Forces. The National Government was supported by the United States and lead by Leader Jiang Jieshi while the Communist Forces were lead by Mao Zedong. They promised promised land reform to the farmers and reorganization of property. The Communist won and China became a communist nation. (Ended in 1950.)

Berlin Blockade

Jun 23, 1948

This was the closing down of all entrences into West Berlin Germany by the Societ Union. They shut down all roads, waterways and railroads. This was basically a Soviet attack to see what the Americans would do in return.

Berlin Airlift

Jun 24, 1948

The Berlin Airlift is a direct result of the Berlin Blockade. Truman had three choices, surrender Berlin, order in United States tropps to open the city or launch an airlift. Seeing as the other two could lead to total didtrustion or another world war, Truman made the wise decision to launch an airlift that would being the Berliners food, supplies and other nmessecities. This went on for about a year.

Formation of NATO

Apr 4, 1949

Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States were all apart of the NATO. Which stood for the North American Treaty Allience. This was an allience agenst the Soviet Union.

National Security Council Report NSC-68

Apr 14, 1950

This was a 58 paged paper by the United States that was top secret. Truman was the comander in chef at the time. This document shaped United States foreign policy.

Korean War

Jun 25, 1950

This was the dividing time for the now two nations that still have bitterness between the two. 90,000 North Korean troops followed Soviet made tanks, poured across 38th parallel. All of the major fighting took place in year one of this war. The Korean border has stayed the same. North Korea is still communist to this day while South Korea is still pro democratic. 2 million civilians were killed in this war an it is often questioned if it worth it. This war has shaped many modern events.

President Truman fires General MacArthur

Apr 20, 1951

MacArthur was the leading general, who had a lot of success during WWII. However the two did not agree on Korean issues. MacArthur wanted to expand the Korean war and use nuclear weapons. Truman wanted a limited war, which meant containing the war and using normal weapons. He did this because he did not want WWIII. As a result the general was fired.

Formation of the Warsaw Pact

May 14, 1955

Created in Warsaw Poland this union included Soviet Union, Albania, Poland, Romania, Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Bulgaria. This was a direct responce to the formation of the NATO. The Soviets were now in command of armed forces of member states

Launching of Sputnik

Mar 9, 1961

This was a part of the Arms Race between the Soviet Union and the United States. This was a result of Containment Policy failure; the CN-68 suggested that the US should have a massive built up of new weapons. The defence budget went up to 40 billion. As a refult the Soviets did the same.

Cuban Missile Crisis

Oct 20, 1962

This was a was a 13-day confrontation between America and the USSR.

Cuban Missle Crisis

Oct 23, 1962

This was a thirteen day stand off between Soviet Union forces that were located in Cuba. President John Kennedy had made it clear that the United States would use military force if needed. This was ended when the U.S. agreed to not invade Cuda for exchange of the weapons being removed.