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Start of the Iron Curtain
Churchill announces in a speech the start of the Iron Curtain. The "curtain" is the imaginary separation of Europe into the Soviet/communist side, and the rest of democratic Europe. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/churchill-delivers-iron-curtain-speech -
Truman Doctrine is Announced
Truman announces his policy that the U.S. is going to support countries that are under threat from communism/the Soviets. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/truman-doctrine-is-announced -
Berlin Blockade
Soviets blocked the ability of France, Great Britain, and the United States to travel to Soviet controlled areas of Berlin. http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/berlin-blockade -
Korean War
The Korean War was a proxy war between the Soviet-backed North Korea and the pro-Western South Korea. It was the first military action of the Cold War. http://www.history.com/topics/korean-war -
Space Race
The Soviet Union and the United States competed technologically in the new area of space travel. The Soviets were the first to launch a satellite with Sputnik in 1957. -
U-2 Spy Incident
Soviets shot down an American spy plane that was observing over the USSR. The incident raised tensions between the U.S. and the USSR. http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/u2-spy-incident -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
The U.S. tried to take Castro out of power from the Soviet-backed Cuba. The U.S. was badly outnumbered by Castro's troops and they surrendered. http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/bay-of-pigs-invasion -
Cuban Missile Crisis
Soviets installed missiles on Cuba so that they would be closer to the U.S. The U.S. countered by creating a naval blockade of Cuba. Soviets removed the missiles in exchange for U.S. saying they wouldn't invade Cuba. http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/cuban-missile-crisis -
LBJ Sends Troops to Vietnam War
Johnson sent in troops and bombing squads to Vietnam in order to help fight against the Soviet-backed North Vietnam. http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam/index-1965.html -
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
The treaty was an arms control agreement signed by the US the USSR and other countries. It's considered an important step in stopping the proliferation of nuclear weapons. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1961-1968/npt -
Strategic Arms Limitation Talks
An important treaty signed between the U.S. and the Soviet Union aimed at controlling nuclear weapons. It's important because it was the foundation for future arm agreements like SALT-2. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/salt-agreements-signed -
Soviet Union Invades Afghanistan
The Soviet Union invades Afghanistan and the U.S. fights back by supporting the Afghan group Mujahadeen. It was very costly for the USSR and led to their demise. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/soviet-tanks-roll-into-afghanistan -
Reagan's Speech at Berlin Wall
Reagan has a very famous speech at the Berlin Wall. He speaks against the Soviet Union and urged Gorbachev to "tear down this wall" It's important because it led to the eventual end of Berlin Wall. http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/reagan-tear-down.htm -
East and West Germany Reunite
East and West Germany reunify to form a single German state. The Berlin Wall was torn down and the city was reunited. Strong signal for the end of the cold war. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/east-and-west-germany-reunite-after-45-years -
Collapse of the Soviet Union
The Soviet Union finally collapses and becomes the country of Russia. Gorbachev hands off his power to Yeltsin. This is the end of the cold war.
http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/fall-of-soviet-union
