THE COLD WAR & RECONSTRUCTION AFTER WW2 - Group 10

By Group10Civi
  • The UN is created in San Francisco (the San Francisco Conference), initially bringing together 51 countries.

    The UN is created in San Francisco (the San Francisco Conference), initially bringing together 51 countries.

  • The US formalises the future creation of the UN.

    The US formalises the future creation of the UN.

  • The US, the UK and the USSR meet at Yalta (Crimea)

    The US, the UK and the USSR meet at Yalta (Crimea)

  • The 3 powers, along with China and France, become the 5 permanent members of the Security Council.

    The 3 powers, along with China and France, become the 5 permanent members of the Security Council.

  • The Potsdam Conference → Germany and Austria are officially divided into 4 zones of occupation.

    The Potsdam Conference → Germany and Austria are officially divided into 4 zones of occupation.

  • Germany and Austria are occupied and partitioned.

    Germany and Austria are occupied and partitioned.

  • Germany surrendered.

    Germany surrendered.

  • First atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.

    First atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.

  • A second bomb is dropped on Nagasaki.

    A second bomb is dropped on Nagasaki.

  • Japan signs its surrender, marking the end of World War 2

    Japan signs its surrender, marking the end of World War 2

  • The Zhdanov Doctrine

    The Zhdanov Doctrine

    It stated that the world was divided in 2 camps: One imperialists (led by the USA) and other democratic (led by the Soviet Union).
  • The CIA is created to defend the country’s interests around the world.

    The CIA is created to defend the country’s interests around the world.

  • The Marshall Plan is promulgated and designed to provide credit to speed up reconstruction, stabilise economies and strengthen US influence.

    The Marshall Plan is promulgated and designed to provide credit to speed up reconstruction, stabilise economies and strengthen US influence.

  • The Truman Doctrine

    The Truman Doctrine

    Truman declares that the world was divided between democracies and authoritarian regimes, and that the US would embark on an interventionist policy around the world to stem the spread of communism.
  • Stalin founded the Cominform

    Stalin founded the Cominform

    An alliance of Communist countries dominated by the USSR
  • The Western sector of Germany is unified, included in the Marshall Plan and its new currency was the Deutsche Mark.

    The Western sector of Germany is unified, included in the Marshall Plan and its new currency was the Deutsche Mark.

  • The USSR imposed a blockade on West Berlin.

    The USSR imposed a blockade on West Berlin.

    The Westerners then organised an airlift that supplies the 2 million inhabitants of West Berlin for a year.
  • The Treaty of Brussels

    The Treaty of Brussels

    Between the UK, France and the Benelux countries with the aim of forming a military alliance to repel any attack from the East (whether Soviet or German)
  • Czechoslovak coup d’État

    Czechoslovak coup d’État

    In Europe, Czechoslovakia is still seen as a bridge between the two blocs as it remains a democracy with a strong Communist party. In February, the Soviets support a coup d'état, and the country falls entirely into the Eastern bloc.
  • Stalin excludes Yugoslavia from the Cominform.

    Stalin excludes Yugoslavia from the Cominform.

  • The Federal Republic of Germany is officially created.

    The Federal Republic of Germany is officially created.

  • NATO

    NATO

    Western European countries form a military alliance with the USA and Canada to create NATO, where if one member of the alliance is attacked, all of the others agree to defend it.
  • The USSR successfully tested its first atomic bomb.

    The USSR successfully tested its first atomic bomb.

  • The first Indochina War between Communist forces and the French army.

    The first Indochina War between Communist forces and the French army.

  • In Korea, no agreement has been reached on reunification.

    In Korea, no agreement has been reached on reunification.

  • The UN agrees to form an army under US command to defend South Korea.

    The UN agrees to form an army under US command to defend South Korea.

  • Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and mutual assistance.

    Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and mutual assistance.

  • North K. (supported by the USSR) invades the SK across the 38th parallel.

    North K. (supported by the USSR) invades the SK across the 38th parallel.

  • The end of the Korean War.

    The end of the Korean War.

  • Death of Stalin and Nikita Khrushchev becomes the new leader.

    Death of Stalin and Nikita Khrushchev becomes the new leader.

  • President Eisenhower advocates for the installation of atomic weapons in Western Europe to discourage any attack.

    President Eisenhower advocates for the installation of atomic weapons in Western Europe to discourage any attack.

  • The Hungarian revolution

    The Hungarian revolution

    An anti-Soviet insurrection.
  • Mutual assured destruction (MAD)

    Mutual assured destruction (MAD)

    The USSR and the USA impose their policies with the challenge of gaining superiority in other areas, as both have developed large nuclear arsenals, and know that war would have devastating consequences.
  • The Suez crisis

    The Suez crisis

    This event ends the colonial domination by the UK and France.
  • The USSR surprises and worries the USA by sending the first satellite into space.

    The USSR surprises and worries the USA by sending the first satellite into space.

  • The Great Leap Forward.

    The Great Leap Forward.

    Mao Zedong distances from the Soviet Union and launches his own development programs.
  • The USSR deploys nuclear missiles in Cuba, which pose a direct threat to US soil.

    The USSR deploys nuclear missiles in Cuba, which pose a direct threat to US soil.

  • Kennedy imposes a total quarantine on the island, blocking the arrival of Soviet ships.

    Kennedy imposes a total quarantine on the island, blocking the arrival of Soviet ships.

  • Period: to

    The war in Vietnam intensifies, forcing the US to deploy up to 500 000 troops.