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Creation of the Atomic Bomb
The Manhattan Project, an international effort taken on by the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, creates the first atomic bomb and detonates it in New Mexico. This weapon would bring about the end of the Second World War as well as be the basis of M.A.D., or Mutually Assured Destruction, which would prevent the United States and the Soviet Union from ever declaring total war. -
End of World War II
The Japanese surrender to the United States aboard the deck of the USS Missouri. This leaves the United States and the Soviet Union as the last global superpowers left in the world. -
Creation of NATO
Following the Second World War, the United States created NATO or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This was an alliance that the United States created with other anti-communist nations, especially in Western Europe, in order to stave off Soviet aggression in Europe. -
North Korea Begins Invasion of South Korea
North Korean forces pushed their way into South Korea starting the first armed conflict of the Cold War. This was a turning point in American foreign policy in that it was the first time that the "Containment" strategy could be taken into effect and by July the United States sent soldiers to fight alongside the South Koreans in order to contain communism. -
Korean Armistice
Due to American General Douglas MacArthur's aggressive strategies during the Korean War the People's Republic of China became involved on North Korea's behalf and the war ended with a Stalemate. An armistice was signed and the two Koreas were split down the 38th parallel. To this day North and South Korea are still officially at war. -
Sputnik 1
The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth. Sputnik shows the Soviet Union's technological prowess as well as the quality of its rockets. This spurs the United States to pursue space technologies as well and begins what will be knowns as "The Space Race." -
Bay of Pigs
A group of CIA sponsored Cuban exiles attempts to invade Cuba and eliminate Fidel Castro's Communist Government. The invasion is a failure and gives Fidel Castro incentive to ally with the Soviet Union and allow them to construct military installations in Cuba. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
Upon discovery of Soviet missile bases in Cuba the United States blockaded the island and would not allow more offensive weapons to be delivered. After several days of the world poised on the edge of nuclear annihilation, an agreement was reached in which the Soviet Union would take its missiles out of Cuba and the United States would remove its missiles from Turkey. This would be the closest the two superpowers ever came to nuclear war. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
The USS Maddox, while on patrol, is supposedly attacked by three North Vietnamese Torpedo Boats. This was used to justify the United States' military intervention in Vietnam and marks the start of the Vietnam War. -
Apollo 11 Lands on the Moon
Neil Armstrong becomes the first human being to walk on the surface of the moon. This achievement showcases America's technological and scientific achievements and cements their claims as the winners of the space race despite losing many important milestones such as first satellite, first man in space, and first woman in space. -
Fall of Saigon
The North Vietanmese army captures the city of Saigon, the captial of South Vietnam. While the combat mission in Vietnam had ended years ago, the United States still supported the Southern Vietnamese government and had some soldiers in the country. The Fall of Saigon marks the end of the Vietnam War which was one of the most unpopular wars ever fought in American history. -
Beginning of Soviet Involvement in Afghanistan
Due to a Civil War in Afghanistan, the Soviet Uninon intervened with its miliatry in order to secure the region and insure that it's government stayed loyal to them. These actions were met with much disdain from the United States and its allies. -
Soviet Withdrawl from Afghanistan
The United States intervened in Afghanistan by arming anti-communist guerrillas called the Mujahedeen. This, combined with other external factors, made sure that the war in Afghanistan was a quagmire for the Soviet Union and they were forced to withdraw. "Afghanistan is where empires go to die" is an old saying that rings true in this instance due to the fact that within several years the Soviet Union would collapse entirely. -
Demolition of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was the most visible symbol of the Iron Curtain, what Winston Churchil desbribed the lack of information coming from and access to areas under Commmunist control. Its destruction represented the inevitable defeat of the Soviet and Union and its allies. -
Collapse of the Soviet Union
The Soviet Union is dissolved and independence is granted to its former Republics and power is handed over to Boris Yeltsin. The Russian Government underwent Liberalization and is today considered a Federal Republic. This spells the end of the conflict known as the Cold War and the United States reigns supreme as the last superpower on Earth.
