Cold war Timeline

  • Yalta Conference

    Yalta Conference
    USA View: A step toward postwar peace and democracy in Europe. USSR View: A chance to secure influence over Eastern Europe for security.
  • Hiroshima & Nagasaki

    Hiroshima & Nagasaki
    USA View: Necessary to end WWII quickly and save lives. USSR View: Intimidation tactic by the U.S. to showcase nuclear superiority.
  • Iron Curtain Speech

    Iron Curtain Speech
    USA View: A call to resist Soviet expansion in Europe. USSR View: Proof that the West is preparing for confrontation.
  • Truman Doctrine

    Truman Doctrine
    USA View: Aid to nations resisting communism. USSR View: Interference in sovereign nations to halt socialism.
  • Marshall Plan

    Marshall Plan
    USA View: Economic aid to rebuild war-torn Europe and prevent communism. USSR View: A capitalist bribe to weaken Soviet influence.
  • Berlin Blockade & Airlift

    Berlin Blockade & Airlift
    USA View: A peaceful solution to a Soviet blockade. USSR View: Protecting East Germany from Western control.
  • NATO Formed

    NATO Formed
    USA View: A defensive alliance to deter Soviet aggression. USSR View: An aggressive capitalist military bloc.
  • Korean War

    Korean War
    USA View: Containing communism in Asia. USSR View: Supporting a people's revolution against imperialist invasion.
  • Hungarian Uprising

    Hungarian Uprising
    USA View: A tragic example of Soviet oppression. USSR View: A necessary intervention to protect socialism.
  • Sputnik Launched

    Sputnik Launched
    USA View: A wake-up call to invest in space and tech. USSR View: A triumph of socialism and science.
  • U-2 Incident

    U-2 Incident
    USA View: A mistake during necessary surveillance. USSR View: Proof of U.S. espionage and dishonesty.
  • Berlin Wall Built

    Berlin Wall Built
    USA View: A symbol of communist oppression. USSR View: Protection from Western spies and defectors.
  • Cuban Missile Crisis

    Cuban Missile Crisis
    USA View: Defending the homeland from nuclear threat. USSR View: Protecting Cuba from U.S. invasion.
  • Vietnam War

    Vietnam War
    USA View: Stopping the "domino effect" of communism. USSR View: Supporting a national liberation movement.
  • Fall of the Berlin Wall

    Fall of the Berlin Wall
    Victory of democracy and capitalism. USSR View (Gorbachev’s perspective): A necessary reform for peace.