Cold War Timeline by Rachel Nicolas

1947: The Truman Doctrine

1060386 — 2025-02-19 17:47:10 UTC

The Truman Doctrine policy was named after President Harry Truman on March 12, 1947. The main goal was to prevent communism and keep the countries threatened by the Soviet influence under control. It focused on assisting some countries with political, military, resources, and economic aid. The Truman Doctrine policy remarkably changed the U.S.

1948-1952: The Marshall Plan

1060386 — 2025-02-19 17:48:30 UTC

The Marshall Plan (European Recovery Program) was a foreign policy designed to rebuild Western European economics after World War II. The policy was to give over $13 billion in foreign aid to countries to win the peace by George C. Marshall. It strengthened unions between the U.S. and Europe, creating organizations like NATO.

1948-1949:The Berlin Airlift

1060386 — 2025-02-19 17:50:47 UTC

The Berlin Airlift was the first major operation by the USAF as an independent branch of the US Military. After World War II, Germany was split up into four zones, one controlled by the U.S., the U.K., France, and the Soviet Union. Berlin was located East of Germany. The Soviet Union cut off all transportation to West Berlin. The U.S. organized an airlift that flew in food, fuel, and supplies for almost a year until the Soviets barricaded it.

1950-1953: The Korean War

1060386 — 2025-02-19 17:52:03 UTC

The Korean War was between North and South Korea. The U.S. supported North Korea in an attempt to stop the spread of communism. When the war ended in a draw, Korea stayed divided at the 18th parallel which is still a tense border today. The U.S. still has troops in South Korea since the war influenced how America approached future conflicts.

1950s: The Red Scare and McCarthyism

1060386 — 2025-02-19 17:53:09 UTC

The Red Scare was an intense fear of communism in the U.S. in the late 1940s and 1950s. Senator Joseph McCarthy led a movement called McCarthyism, where he accused people of being communists without evidence. The Red Scare ruined reputations and influenced American politics by increasing the communist policies and not trusting in the government.

1957-1969: The Space Race and Moon Landing

1060386 — 2025-02-19 17:54:15 UTC

The Space Race and the Moon landing was a competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union to achieve a space milestone during the Cold War. This race led to the U.S. landing the first humans on the Moon with Apollo 11. It proved the U.S. advance in technology giving an advantage in its military, economy, and diplomacy.

1962: The Cuban Missile Crisis

1060386 — 2025-02-19 17:54:53 UTC

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day tie between the U.S. The Soviet Union after American spy planes discovered the Soviet Union's nuclear missiles in Cuba. This crisis almost brought the world to a nuclear war but ended with the Soviet Union coming to an agreement to remove the missiles in exchange for the U.S. to promise to not invade Cuba. The Soviet Union and the U.S. improved their communications together, creating the "hotline" between Washington and Moscow.

1955-1975: The Vietnam War

1060386 — 2025-02-19 17:55:44 UTC

The Vietnam War was fought over the political and economic system of North Vietnam. Communist North Vietnam fought the Vietnam War and the U.S. baked South Vietnam as part of the Cold War. When the U.S. got involved to stop communism from spreading, the war became longer. After year, the U.S. withdrew from the war leading to North Vietnam's victory. This war led to distrust in the government, protests, and harsh effects on veterans.

1989: The Fall of the Berlin Wall

1060386 — 2025-02-19 17:57:18 UTC

The Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989, after an attempt to divide East and West Berlin. It signified the end of communist control in Eastern Europe. Protests, money struggles, and political changes in East Germany caused the fallen wall. This led to Germany joining back with a greater democracy.

1991- The Dissolution of the Soviet Union

1060386 — 2025-02-19 17:58:10 UTC

The Dissolution of the Soviet Union declared the economic struggles, political reforms, and independent movements. Mikhail Gorbachev's policies of restrucuting communist control. As Russia and Ukraine declared independence, the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) collapsed, needing the Cold War. Leading to the U.S. reshaping global politics.