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U.S. Drops Atomic Bombs on Japan
United States drops atomic bombs on Japan’s Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9), causing them to surrender at the end of WWII. This event is important because it was the first time anyone had used nuclear bombs as a war weapon. -
Stalin's Speech
Stalin gives his hostile speech. This is important because it is an example of the type of propaganda he used to gain control. -
Churchill's "Sinews of Peace" Speech
Winston Churchill gives his “Sinews of Peace” speech. His reference to the Iron Curtain publicly displayed the divide between Western Democratic Europe and Eastern Communist Europe. -
Truman Doctrine Implemented
Truman Doctrine is implemented. This is important because it allows the United States to provide economic and military aid to any country threatened by communism or totalitarian ideology. -
Communist takeover Czechoslovakia, Brussels Pact Organized
Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia; Brussels Pact organized to protect Europe from communism. The takeover in Czechoslovakia is important because it as the first communist expansion. The Brussels Pact was organized in response to this to prevent communism from spreading further. -
Berlin Blockade
Berlin Blockade begins lasting 11 months. This is important because the Berlin Blockade was the second action taken by the Soviets to expand communism. In this case, to the Eastern side of Berlin, Germany. -
Russia Tests First Atomic Bomb & Mao Zedong Takes Control of China
FALL 1949: When it was discovered that Russia was testing and in possession of atomic bombs, people began to worry much more because they were gaining power in Europe. People began to panic more when only a few months later, the massive country of China fell under communist power as well. -
Beginning of Korean War
JUNE 1950: Korean War begins and Stalin supports North Korea who invades South Korea equipped with Soviet Weapons. This is yet another example of communist expansion by the Soviets that caused capitalists to fear how much control they were gaining in the Eastern Hemisphere. -
Britain Develops Atomic Bombs
Britain develops atomic bombs. This is important because now the atomic bomb is becoming more and more prevalent and if one country were to set one off, than many others would as well. -
Castro Takes Cuba & Aligns with USSR
Cuba is taken over by Fidel Castro and openly aligns itself with the Soviet Union and their policies. This is important because it is yet another example of communist expansion – and this time it is extremely close to the United States. -
Construction of Berlin Wall Begins
Construction of Berlin Wall begins. This is important because it shows that the communist rule of Eastern Germany is not allowing anyone to emigrate from its power, causing lots of controversy around the world. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
This incredibly important two week confrontation between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. & Cuba was the Cold War’s closest point into turning into a nuclear conflict. -
China Develops Atomic Bombs
Now that the United States, Soviet Union, Great Britain, and China have possession of atomic bombs, the consequences of the war become much higher if any country decides to take physical action. -
Soviet Forces Invade Afghanistan
This began the nine-year Soviet War in Afghanistan. This is important because it began a physical war the Soviets had to fight in, spread communism more, and caused millions of Afghans to flee their country to nearby Pakistan and Iran. -
Mikhail Gorbachev Becomes General Secretary of Soviet Union
His proposition, Glasnost gave the Soviet people much more freedom, including freedom of speech. Gorbachev took big steps when he was in office to reduce government control and give freedom back to the citizens of the Soviet Union. -
Reagan and Gorbachev remove all missiles from Europe
President Reagan and Gorbachev remove all intermediate missiles from Europe, and then all medium and short-range nuclear missals. This began to ease many peoples’ minds knowing that missiles were no longer prepared to fire. -
Soviets Leave Afghanistan; Poland, Hungary, & Lithuania are Independent; Germany Reunited
Soviet troops withdraw from Afghanistan; Poland, Hungary, and Lithuania become independent; Germany is reunited. The independence of these countries and Germany’s no longer divided political system help bring an end to the Cold War. -
Cold War Ends
Finally, the Soviet Union dissolve and the Cold War is officially finished.
