Cold War Timeline by HARMONI DAVILLIER

Berlin Airlift

392466 — 2025-05-07 17:46:13 UTC

In 1948, Stalin severed all road, rail, and canal links to West Berlin in an attempt to prevent Germany from taking over now with U.S influence. In response, the U.S provided constant supplies into Berlin via airlift for over 11 months. The perseverance forced Stalin to surrender and lift the blockade. This reflects the economic aid method of containment because they provided goods and stability to a country in order to show strength.

Korean War

392466 — 2025-05-13 16:49:30 UTC

In 1950, the Korean War increased American alarm over the spread of communism in Asia. After WWII, Korea was divided into two countries: North Korea, supported by the Soviet Union, and South Korea, supported by the United States and the United Nations. After North Korea invaded South Korea, troops were given permission to be sent into the region by general MacArthur. After he declared war on China, MacArthur was fired by Truman who believed in limited war. The Korean War ended in 1953. This demonstrates proxy wars because the U.S did not directly fight; they aided South Korea.

U.S Detonates Its First Hydrogen Bomb

392466 — 2025-05-13 16:55:13 UTC

In 1952, the hydrogen bomb was a new development. It was 450 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Nagasaki. This is the strategy of building up defenses because of the development of a powerful bomb.

Bay of pigs

392466 — 2025-05-13 17:00:03 UTC

In 1961, in response to the Cuban revolution, JFK supported an invasion of Cuba by anti-Castro supporters. The government hoped that the invasion would lead to a popular uprising against Castro; however, the invasion failed and ended up being a huge political embarrassment for Kennedy and the U.S. The U.S was forced to pay $53 million compensation to Cuba. This strategy demonstrates proxy wars because the U.S supported the invasion of Cuba to potentially stop communism without actually fighting.

Cuban Missile Crisis

392466 — 2025-05-13 17:09:27 UTC

In 1962, the relationship between the U.S and Cuba deteriorated so much that Cuba had looked to the USSR for help. The USSR was placing nuclear warheads and missiles on Cuba, only 60 miles away from mainland USA. U2 flights over Cuba had clearly shown missiles were being placed on Cuba; by the end of this process, Kennedy chose a blockade. If any ships entered the "quarantine zone" around Cuba, action would be taken. This demonstrates building up defenses because of the nuclear warheads being hidden as well as boycotting because of the blockade.

U.S Sends Troops To Vietnam

392466 — 2025-05-13 17:20:14 UTC

The U.S begins bombing Vietnam, and by 1966, 400,000 U.S troops are in the country. This represents building up defenses because of the bombings on Vietnam in an effort to stop the spread of communism.

Pinochet's coup in Chile

392466 — 2025-05-15 12:27:34 UTC

In 1970, the people of Chile elected Salvador Allende to office. The U.S believed that his election represented a communist threat because the Soviet Union supported the Chilean Socialist party. The CIA disrupted the Chilean economy, provided funds to newspapers critical of Allende, and encouraged Chilean military officers to organize a coup. As a result, Allende was assassinated in 1973 and replaced by a brutally repressive but pro-U.S dictatorship under general Pinochet. This falls under promoting U.S business interests because of the U.S rule over Chile to uphold American beliefs and democracy.

Nixon's Detente Policy

392466 — 2025-05-15 12:34:25 UTC

During Nixon's presidency (1969-1974) he and his secretary pursued a foreign policy designed to promote a global balance of power. Detente called for a peaceful, friendly coexistence with the Soviet Union and China. Because of detente, Nixon ended three decades of Sino-American hostility by making a historic trip to Communist China; the countries agreed that the Soviets should not be allowed to expand in Asia. Nixon also expanded trade relations with the Soviet Union. This falls under negotiation because the U.S met with Communist countries in order to maintain peace.

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

392466 — 2025-05-15 12:40:49 UTC

In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to provide support to the weak communist government then in control of the country. The U.S viewed the Soviet Invasion as a major threat because the Soviets were now closer to oil resources and ports of the middle east, which is where the U.S relies. President Carter pressured the Soviets to withdraw from Afghanistan by stopping the export of many goods and support to the Soviets. This falls under boycotting because the U.S stopped the flow of goods to the Soviets until they left Afghanistan.

Reagan's Defense Build Up

392466 — 2025-05-15 16:42:56 UTC

In the early 1980's, American-Soviet relations became increasingly tense. President Reagan believed that a massive U.S military buildup would strengthen the U.S position in a possible war with the Soviet Union and intimidate the Soviets into negotiating on terms favorable to Americans. This illustrates the strategy of building up defenses to stop communism.