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After the defeat of Germany, the Allied Powers met to plan Germany's future. At this point, the Soviet Union established itself as the other major world superpower. Thus, the Cold War begins. http://www.datesandevents.org/events-timelines/03-cold-war-timeline.htm
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Winston Churchill makes a speech to address the newfound relationship with the United States, but also mentions that "an iron curtain" had begun to divide Western and Eastern Europe. This "curtain" was due to communism. This symbolized the western intolerance of communism and its spread. (I used the lecture for this!)
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Truman begins to be apprehensive about the spread of communism. He adopts a foreign policy focused on containment. Indirectly, he says that he will stop the spread of communism at all costs. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/truman-foreign/
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The Soviet Union, in possession of East Germany, held the eastern portion of Berlin. Stalin had provided highways from West Germany to allow access for the other Allied Powers to their respective piece of Berlin. That is until June 24. Stalin closed off these highways to make Berlin virtually inaccessible to prevent civilians in communist East Germany from escaping to democracy. Truman responded by dropping supplies via air. http://www.datesandevents.org/events-timelines/03-cold-war-timeline
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The Soviet Union tested their first atomic bomb. This meant that any act of war on either side would likely result in nuclear warfare. The Soviet Union became a larger military threat to the United States because of this. http://www.datesandevents.org/events-timelines/03-cold-war-timeline.htm
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Wisconsin politician, Joe McCarthy created widespread fear of an invasion of communism in the United States. He accused many government officials of being "card carrying communists." This created paranoia throughout the whole country. However, it was not all in vain. The Soviet Union had "moles" planted in the CIA. (Lecture)
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The Korean War signaled the fight againt communism was moving into Asia. North Korea was communist and sought to take over anti-communist South Korea. The United States got involved because it's aim was to "stop communism at all costs." Because of the close proximity of communist China and the Soviet Union (who supported North Korea), the United States was on a precarious perch of war. (Lecture)
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The Soviet Union sent a rocket powered satellite named "Sputnik" into space. This put fear into the minds of the American people, especially when the USSR launched its second satellite with a dog inside. This meant that the Soviet Union could potentially have weapons in outer space. They now had the upper hand in this war. http://www.datesandevents.org/events-timelines/03-cold-war-timeline.htm
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Communist, Fidel Castro took over Cuba. Cuba becomes a major factor in the Cold War in later years becasue Castro and new Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev become allies. This is also very dangerous to America becasue Cuba is so close to Florida. Communism was getting closer to the United States. http://www.datesandevents.org/events-timelines/03-cold-war-timeline.htm
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The Soviet Union admits to shooting down a US spy plane over their country. They have fired actual shots and taken American lives. The ball was in the United States' court to decide whether to retaliate. http://www.datesandevents.org/events-timelines/03-cold-war-timeline.htm
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Fidel Castro publicly acknowledges that Cuba and the Soviet Union are allies and agree on their policies. This ensures that the Soviet threat of communism is nearing the United States through Cuba. http://www.datesandevents.org/events-timelines/03-cold-war-timeline.htm
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This was the United States' attepmt to remove Fidel Castro from power in Cuba. It was ultimately a failure because Castro knew about the invasion. Kennedy did not pursue it further for fear of starting an actual war. http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/bay-of-pigs-invasion
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Khrushchev had the Berlin Wall built to completely separate East Berlin from West Berlin. The only way to pass was through checkpoints guarded by East German law enforcement and most civilians were not permitted to cross. This was a physical representation of Churchill's "iron curtain." http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/berlin-wall
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Fidel Castro allowed the Soviet Union to create a missile base on Cuba. This meant that Soviet fire power was just off the southeastern coast of the United States. This was the closest the Cold War came to being a full blown war. Kennedy managed to negotiate with Khrushchev to remove missiles if the US did not invade Cuba and the US would remove its (inactive) missiles from Turkey. (Lecture)
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South Vietnam is defeated by communist North Vietnam. This means that the United States has failed to prevent the spread of communism. http://www.datesandevents.org/events-timelines/03-cold-war-timeline.htm
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President Reagan and Gorbachev have come to an agreement about removing missiles from Europe and those posing a threat to one another. This signals the "cooling" of the intense Cold War. http://www.datesandevents.org/events-timelines/03-cold-war-timeline.htm
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The Berlin Wall was torn down after there a cooling period in the Cold War. Many remember Reagan saying, "Gorbachev, tear this wall down!" This allowed free access throughout all of Berlin. Quote: My dad
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Gorbachev's glasnost or "openness" policy made Soviets value freedom. The revoltion that ensued brought more willingness to accept the western ideas held by the United States. Sections of the Soviet Union began to declare their independence and from there, the Soviet Union ceased to exist. The Cold War vanished with it. http://www.ushistory.org/us/59e.asp
