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A pivotal World War II meeting between Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin, representing Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union. They discussed organization and rebuilding of Europe after the defeat of Nazi Germany. Laid the foundation for Cold War relationships.

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Hiroshima and Nagasaki: August 6 and 9, 1945

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Hiroshima and Nagasaki: August 6 and 9, 1945

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The US dropped nuclear bombs on two Japanese cities, killing thousands of people and showing the world the terrible consequences of nuclear power. The attack effectively ended World War II with Japan's surrender on August 15, 1945.

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Westminster College, Westminster Avenue, Fulton, MO

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A famous speech delivered by former Prime Minister Winston Churchill in Missouri, calling for Western unity and strength in the face of USSR aggression to protect peace and freedom, highlighting the contrast between democratic and communist governments.

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Truman Doctrine First Applied: March 12, 1947

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Truman Doctrine First Applied: March 12, 1947

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Harry S. Truman applied a policy of the US to support countries fighting communist threats and influences, funding southern Greece in the Greek Civil War to help stop the spread of northern communism, and aiding Turkey as they faced Soviet pressure.

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Marshall Plan announced to rebuild Europe: June 5, 1947

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Marshall Plan announced to rebuild Europe: June 5, 1947

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Proposed by the Secretary of State George C. Marshall, the plan provided over 13 billion dollars of aid to stabilize democratic governments as communism loomed over war-torn Europe. The plan was a success in that it prevented the spread of communism by helping countries recover without changing government, though it also furthered divisions with the Soviet Union.

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Marshall Plan announced to rebuild Europe: June 1947

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Children celebrating the arrival of a supply airlift

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Berlin Blockade and Airlift Begins: June 24 and 26, 1948

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Berlin Blockade and Airlift Begins: June 24 and 26, 1948

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The Soviet Union blocked all access to West Berlin, trying to force the Allies to abandon the city and leave it under Soviet control. The United States responded by flying in the food and supplies needed by the people, continuing until the blockade was lifted.

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A military alliance originally between 12 countries to unify Western nations in times of crisis, particularly the USSR during the Cold War. Formed with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty, establishing NATO as a collective defense organization.

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Russia tests its first atomic bomb: August 29, 1949

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Russia tests its first atomic bomb: August 29, 1949

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Marked the beginning of the nuclear arms race between the USSR and the United States. The test was successful, with a blast similar to that of the bomb dropped on Nagasaki, surprising Western Nations and causing the US to develop the hydrogen bomb faster, further escalating nuclear tensions.

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Mao Zedong wins the Chinese Civil War and creates the People's Republic of China: October 1, 1949

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Mao Zedong wins the Chinese Civil War and creates the People's Republic of China: October 1, 1949

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Beating Chiang Kai-shek's nationalists, communist Mao Zedong founded the People's Republic of China in Beijing, establishing communism and alignment with the USSR in China. The nationalists retreated to Taiwan, and the dispute between the two different governments continues.

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McCarthyism and the Red Scare take hold in the US: Febuary, 1950

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McCarthyism and the Red Scare take hold in the US: Febuary, 1950

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An extreme societal overreaction attempting to protect American democratic values, but damaging the lives and freedoms of many citizens. McCarthyism, led by Joseph R. McCarthy, accused often innocent people of being communist spies, causing the widespread political paranoia known as the Red Scare.

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38th Parallel divides North and South Korea

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Communist North Korea, supported by China and the Soviet Union, was against Democratic South Korea, primarily backed by the United States. Though both sides wanted a united Korea under their government, the war ended in an armistice, with the two countries still divided by a demilitarized zone along the 38th parallel.

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H-Bomb Tested by USA on Bikini Atoll: March 1, 1954

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H-Bomb Tested by USA on Bikini Atoll: March 1, 1954

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This new bomb was much more powerful than predicted, being around 1,000 times stronger than the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with unexpected radioactive and political fallout. It increased Cold War tensions both between countries and citizens, as the fears of a global nuclear war were validated.

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The primary security agency of the USSR was created to protect the Soviet government through gathering intelligence or spying on other countries and controlling internal opposition. The agency ceased to operate after the Soviet Union collapsed, but it is still one of the most famous intelligence agencies in history.

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2430 E Street Northwest, Washington D.C., DC

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Glorious Victory by Diego Rivera (CIA in Guatemala)

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CIA helps overthrow hostile governments: 1953-1954

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CIA helps overthrow hostile governments: 1953-1954

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The CIA ran secret operations in both Iran and Guatemala to overthrow leaders Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh and President Jacobo Árbenz, who were making decisions that conflicted with US interests, mainly of an economic sort. This involvement in these foreign nations changed leadership and had lasting impacts on their politics.

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The Soviet Union led this pact with other Eastern European countries, which allied them as a response to the Western formation of NATO. The USSR used this pact to maintain control over its allies. It deepened tensions between the Eastern and Western Blocs during the Cold War, disbanding after the fall of the Soviet Union.

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A dispute between the American and Soviet scientists over discovering and naming new periodic elements, eventually settled by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry assigning names to the elements.

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Hungarian Revolution put down: October 23, 1956

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Hungarian Revolution put down: October 23, 1956

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Hungarians protested Soviet control and military occupation, temporarily overthrowing their communist government until the Soviet Union aggressively responded a few days later with tanks and soldiers, quickly crushing the uprising, killing thousands, arresting the Hungarian Prime Minister, and showing other allied nations what would happen if they resisted control.

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USSR launches first ICBM: August 21, 1957

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USSR launches first ICBM: August 21, 1957

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As a technological breakthrough, able to carry nuclear bombs over long distances, the Soviet Union's R-7 Semyorka increased tensions and intensified the arms race between the US and USSR, and contributed to later space exploration in the development of Sputnik 1.

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The first major event of the Space Race, shocking the world and showing the sophistication of soviet technology, which led to US competition, increasing space exploration investment,t and the creation of NASA.

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Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba: January 1, 1959

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Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba: January 1, 1959

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Led a successful revolution against the dictator of Cuba, Fulgencio Batista, who was backed by the US. After the guerrilla-style conflict and Batista's flight from the country, his forces moved into Havana, and he became the country's new leader, transitioning Cuba into a communist state that aligned with the USSR.

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U2 spy plane shot down over the USSR: May 1, 1960

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U2 spy plane shot down over the USSR: May 1, 1960

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A United States spy plane is shot down over the Soviet Union, crashing with the pilot inside, who is alive but captured and put on trial: an embarrassment for the US that was covered up with a fake story.

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Failed Bay of Pigs Invasion: April 17, 1961

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Failed Bay of Pigs Invasion: April 17, 1961

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The US felt threatened by nearby communist Cuba, led by Fidel Castro, and set up a secret military base in Guatemala to train Cuban exiles who opposed Castro, sending them to the beaches of Cuba to invade. The invasion and military base were uncovered and ended in embarrassing failure, with Castro then looking to ally with the USSR.

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Berlin Wall Memorial, Bernauer Straße, Berlin, Germany

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Construction of the Berlin Wall begins: August 17, 1964

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Construction of the Berlin Wall begins: August 17, 1964

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With the support of the Soviet Union, East Germany built a guarded 155-kilometer wall to prevent their citizens from leaving for West Berlin because it was under the control of Western allies. The wall divided Germany, increased Cold War tensions, and was seen as a symbol of eastern oppression as opposed to western liberty.

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A 13-day-long standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union after nuclear missiles stationed in Cuba by the USSR were discovered by a US U-2 spy plane. The crisis was able to be peacefully de-escalated through informal communications, holding off on aggressive action, and compromising deals, but it remains the closest the world has ever come to nuclear war.

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Nuclear Test Ban Treaty ratified: October 10, 1963

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Nuclear Test Ban Treaty ratified: October 10, 1963

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The treaty was an agreement between the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union banning nuclear tests in air, space, or water to reduce radiation and contamination, while still allowing underground tests. This was important in the Cold War as a first major step towards increased nuclear control and future diplomacy.

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Gulf of Tonkin incident and resolution:  August 2-10, 1964

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Gulf of Tonkin incident and resolution:  August 2-10, 1964

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The truth of the incident itself is highly debated, with allegedly unprovoked attacks of North Vietnamese torpedo boats on US ships, but the result was US propaganda and LBJ's Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which granted him authority to use military force in Vietnam without formally declaring war, which led to increased US involvement in the Vietnam War.

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US Marines sent to the Dominican Republic to fight Communism: April 28, 1965

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US Marines sent to the Dominican Republic to fight Communism: April 28, 1965

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During the Dominican Civil War, the US sent US Marines and Army troops to prevent a communist takeover after the overthrow of the Dominican Republic's president, Juan Bosch. This involvement was criticized as too interfering, but in the end, US influence in the country was secured when a candidate they supported, Joaquin Balaguer, won the next presidential election.

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US announcement to dispatch 200,000 US troops to Vietnam: July 28, 1965

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US announcement to dispatch 200,000 US troops to Vietnam: July 28, 1965

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LBJ announced a major escalation of US involvement in the Vietnam War to counter North Vietnamese aggression, increasing anti-war protests in the US as thousands of young men were drafted to go fight in dangerous conditions in a foreign land.

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Operation Rolling Thunder: March 2, 1965 to November 2, 1968.

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Operation Rolling Thunder: March 2, 1965 to November 2, 1968.

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Aimed to weaken North Vietnam and therefore its support of forces in the South, the US launched a huge bombing campaign, continuously bombing targeted areas. The campaign did not reach its goals, however, failing to force Vietnam into submission, but rather intensifying conflicts and anti-war protests at home.

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Red Army crushes Czechoslovakian revolt: August 20–21, 1968

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Red Army crushes Czechoslovakian revolt: August 20–21, 1968

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Warsaw Pact leaders, including the Soviet Union, were concerned with Czechoslovakian political liberalization in the "Prague Spring" period, supporting freedom of the press, speech, and economy. The USSR invaded Czechoslovakia to stop these reforms and reinforce Soviet influence, overtaking peaceful protesters and removing their leader, showing that the Eastern Bloc would not allow political change.

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Apollo 11 lands on the moon: July 20, 1969

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Apollo 11 lands on the moon: July 20, 1969

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Neil Armstrong became the first human to step onto the Moon, collecting samples, conducting experiments, and placing the American flag. This caused the USSR to focus on other space missions as it was a huge US victory in the space race, reinforcing their image as a global power, but also proving human capability, inspiring scientific advancements, and celebrated internationally as a triumph for humanity.

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Publication of the Pentagon Papers: June 13, 1971

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Publication of the Pentagon Papers: June 13, 1971

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Classified documents detailing the truth of U.S. involvement and intentions in Vietnam were leaked by a military analyst, Daniel Ellsberg, and published by the New York Times, leading to public outrage and a legal conflict with the US government trying to stop further publication, ending with the Supreme Court ruling in favor of free press.

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President Nixon visits China: February 21-28, 1972

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President Nixon visits China: February 21-28, 1972

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A historic event for US-China relations, helping end diplomatic isolation between the countries and discussing the Cold War, Taiwan, and Soviet relations. Nixon called it “the week that changed the world”, as it led to the Shanghai Communiqué, improving diplomatic ties with the East.

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Richard Nixon and Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev

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The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks were an important agreement on arms control in the Cold War, nuclear expansion, offensive weapons, and the number of Anti-Ballistic Missiles each country could have. This was the first step in limiting nuclear arsenals and protecting the world from nuclear war.

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US Supports Chilean Overthrow: September 1973

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US Supports Chilean Overthrow: September 1973

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The United States supports the overthrow of the Allende government, who were supported by the communist party. Following Allende was the Pinochet government who was heavily democratic. It is said that the U.S. government spent $8 million on covert efforts to assist the Pinochet government overthrow Allende, a Marxist President.

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US Supports Chilean Overthrow: September 1973

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Egypt and Syria Attack Israel: October 1973

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Egypt and Syria Attack Israel: October 1973

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Israel and Arab countries have had several territorial disputes that have led to war. The Egyptian and Syrian forces attacked Israel to regain territory lost in the 1967 war. To do this, they asked the USSR for assistance. They supplied arms and other equipment for the war and did nothing to prevent it, though they knew about it before it had begun.

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Egypt and Syria Attack Israel: October 1973

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North Vietnam won for multiple reasons, such as its unified leadership under the communist party, guerrilla warfare tactics, external support from China and the USSR, and the United State's general opposition to the war. When North Vietnam wins the war after the Fall of Saigon, the United States became more nervous of the increase in Communist regimes in Asia and felt embarrassed of their failure in the war.

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Settlement of a Communist Government in Angola: February 1976

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Settlement of a Communist Government in Angola: February 1976

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After gaining independence from Portugal, Angola was in a Civil War to find the right form of government. The People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) won and settled a communist government, winning military alliance and aid from the Soviet Union and Cuba.

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Settlement of a Communist Government in Angola

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Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC

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US and China Officially Establish Diplomatic Relations & Panda Diplomacy: January 1979

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US and China Officially Establish Diplomatic Relations & Panda Diplomacy: January 1979

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The United States and China officially (through Treaty) signed the establishment of diplomatic trade and relations into law. This is called Panda Diplomacy, where China and the U.S. are trading pandas, but it represents the opening of relations with China.

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Cambodia was taken over by an extreme form of communism under the control of Pol Pot, resulting in the mass genocide of citizens who embraced Western ideologies. This extreme government invades Vietnam to expel other forms of communism with the help of China, resulting in the Sino-Vietnamese War. Later, the Cambodian and Chinese governments fought over territorial disputes.

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Iran Hostage Crisis Begins: November 1979

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Iran Hostage Crisis Begins: November 1979

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Iran and the U.S are allies during the Cold War due to the exchange of oil to the United States and protection to the Iranian government (Shah). The Shah, a dictator, adapts to Western ideas, but gets overthrown multiple times by religious fundamentalists (Shia leader ran by Ayatollah Khomeini) that creates a theocracy. The theocracy is against the United States. People in support of the Shah storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, capturing 60 Americans and holding them hostage for 444 days in exchange for the reestablishment of the Shah government.

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Iran Hostage Crisis Begins: November 1979

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Soviet Forces Invade Afghanistan: December 1979

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Soviet Forces Invade Afghanistan: December 1979

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Soviet Troops invaded Afghanistan to support a new Communist regime in Afghanistan, sparking the Afghan war that lasted more than a decade, until the Soviets withdrew in 1989. The United States supported the democratic regime, acting as another proxy war.

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Soviet Forces Invade Afghanistan: December 1979

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US Hockey Defeats USSR at Winter Olympics: February 22, 1980

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US Hockey Defeats USSR at Winter Olympics: February 22, 1980

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The Soviet Union, containing the dominant team in ice hockey for years, lost to the United States in the winter Olympics, which inspired patriotism and unity across the nation. It was called the "Miracle on Ice" and boosted morale greatly.

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US Hockey Defeats USSR at Winter Olympics: February 22, 1980

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US Boycotts Summer Olympics in Moscow: June-August 1980

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US Boycotts Summer Olympics in Moscow: June-August 1980

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The invasion of Afghanistan was seen as a violation of international law, which led the United States to boycott the Olympics in Moscow. 65 countries, including the U.S., boycotted against the USSR, which left out key countries in the Olympics.

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US Boycotts Summer Olympics in Moscow: June-August 1980

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On U.S. national television, Ronald Reagan proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative, also known as "Star Wars", to prevent the event of a widespread nuclear attack. This consisted of locating Soviet missiles in the atmosphere and using advanced technological beams or lasers to stop their landing.

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US Troops Invade and Overthrow Regime in Grenada: October 1983

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US Troops Invade and Overthrow Regime in Grenada: October 1983

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Worried about a communist presence in Central America, the United States led an operation to invade and overthrow the leftist government in Grenada, led by Prime Minister Maurice Bishop that was overthrown by a communist government. In order to stop Grenada from becoming another Missile output for the Soviet Union, the United States invaded Grenada, overthrowing and restoring order in the government.

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US Troops Invade and Overthrow Regime in Grenada: October 1983

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Eastern Bloc Boycotts LA Summer Olympics: July-August 1984

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Eastern Bloc Boycotts LA Summer Olympics: July-August 1984

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As a response to the boycott of the 1980 Olympic games in Moscow, the USSR and Eastern Bloc of Czechoslovakia boycotted the Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles. Since the USSR wasn't present at the games, the United States won a record of 83 gold medals, which was seen as a victory.

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Eastern Bloc Boycotts LA Summer Olympics

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Gorbachev Begins "Glastnost" and "Perestroika": 1985

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Gorbachev Begins "Glastnost" and "Perestroika": 1985

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Both were political reforms in the government. "Glasnost" sought to open up government affairs with freedom of speech, press, and expression. It also raised accountability for officials and ended the constraint of information. "Perestroika" aimed to modernize and better the Soviet economy after the massive debt created from the Cold War. It also adopted several Western ideas of "free-market" capitalism to boost the economy.

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Gorbachev Begins "Glastnost" and "Perestroika"

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Soviet Troops Withdraw from Afghanistan: January 1989

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Soviet Troops Withdraw from Afghanistan: January 1989

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Ended conflict between the Soviet Union and Afghanistan (not the U.S. and Afghanistan). The Civil War continued in Afghanistan, as well as the fight between the U.S. and the Taliban. The Afghan War was very costly for the Soviet Union, which also led to its withdrawal for the already-deteriorating economy.

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Soviet Troops Withdraw from Afghanistan: January 1989

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European Countries Oust Communist Governments: 1989

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European Countries Oust Communist Governments: 1989

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In Poland, a new established parliamentary government declared Solidarity against the Communist Government. In Hungary, they destroyed the fence with Austria to let people in East Germany in. They also began holding elections, ending Communist rule. After mass protests broke out, East Germany managed to break down the Berlin Wall, ultimately destroying the significance of Communist rule in the area. In Czechoslovakia, the Communist Government was replaced by a democratic government after much protest. In Romania, there were mass protests and a military revolt that led to the Communist leader's execution.

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European Countries Oust Communist Governments: 1989

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Several students and citizens in China met in the square to advocate for political reforms, such as freedom of speech and the end of corruption in the government. As more people joined, the Chinese government intervened and deployed troops to the area. To stop the revolt, the officials fired openly and set off tear gas at the protesters, killing hundreds (maybe thousands). The government banned anyone from speaking about the incident, but the United States found out. They were outraged and re-established sanctions against the Chinese government.

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The Berlin was associated with split families, murder, and division. Basically, when the Berlin wall began to be chipped away, communism, in turn, was chipped away. Families were reunited, and Germany was eventually reunited.

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Boris Yeltsin Elected as President of Russia: May 1990

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Boris Yeltsin Elected as President of Russia: May 1990

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The election of Boris Yeltsin marked the end of Communist significance in the USSR. Yeltsin sought to better Russia's international relations with the United States and other NATO alliances by settling with the reunification of Germany and joining the G7 alliance.

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Boris Yeltsin Elected as President of Russia: May 1990

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Germany, split into East Germany (Soviet Union) and West Germany (France, UK, and U.S), was rejoined after the Berlin Wall was broken down. The Allied Powers met again and officially rejoined Germany as a single, independent country with the "Two Plus Four" Agreement.

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Due to economic strain from Cold War efforts, political reforms by Gorbachev, movements toward independence of countries absorbed by the USSR, and the ultimate defeat of the Gorbachev party led to the break up of the Soviet Union. This ultimately ended the Cold War, though there are still international tensions.