Cold War Timeline for Idiots by RILEY PENNY

Yalta Conference-February 1945

rpenny26 — 2025-04-10 16:40:13 UTC

Meeting Between Franklin D Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin, in which they decided to divide Germany into 4 sections and how to deal with war criminals. The conference brought about the creation of the United Nations.

The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki-August 1945

rpenny26 — 2025-04-10 18:20:28 UTC

The first and only use of Atomic Weaponry in conflict, used to effectively end the second World War

Churchill Iron Curtain Speech- March 5, 1946

rpenny26 — 2025-04-22 16:29:10 UTC

Winston Churchill speaks to the common people of America as a rally cry to call attention to the impending growth of communism and Soviet control, calling the line of growth the "Iron Curtain". He suggested that the United states and United Kingdom lead the opposition of communism as an ideology.

Truman Doctrine-March 12, 1947

rpenny26 — 2025-04-22 16:33:51 UTC

Give Financial and Military aid to non-communist governments against communist governments to help slow and prevent the spread of communist practice globally. The first instance of this put into practice was during the Greek Civil War.

Marshall Plan-June 1947

rpenny26 — 2025-04-22 17:25:25 UTC

Giving aid to rebuild war-damaged areas and economies by providing actual reconstruction and economic aid in the form of American money to buy American goods. This was used to prevent the idea of communism of possibly sounding better than any other policy in order to further stop its spread.

Berlin Blockade and Airlift-June 1948

rpenny26 — 2025-04-22 17:37:50 UTC

While the Soviet Union had control of the East in Germany, Berlin was still divided between them and the Western powers. The Soviets feared that the Western powers would take full control of Germany, so they blocked all transportation and goods from the West into the east in hopes of gaining full control and the Allies dropping theirs. The Allies decided to not give up though, and instead they supplied citizens via the use of an airlift that would fly above and drop materials off to help them continue to be in support of our views, but also sway the opinions of others, making the Allies look very good in the process of helping people.

NATO Formed- April 4, 1949

rpenny26 — 2025-04-22 17:45:34 UTC

NATO was an alliance formed between the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Denmark, and Portugal to collectively aid each other and halt the spread of communism. If one member is attacked, the others will aid them in defending against the attacker. The ultimate goal of the organization is to keep peace and prevent or deal with crises.

"Joe-1"- August 1949

rpenny26 — 2025-04-22 18:06:27 UTC

The USSR was testing and created its first atomic bomb, destroying the U.S. monopoly on them, and further pushing the narrative that World War III was not winnable.

Mao Zedong wins Chinese Civil War- October 1, 1949

rpenny26 — 2025-04-22 18:16:52 UTC

Mao Zedong won the war, and China became fully under communist control, with a population of over one billion. This creates fear in the eyes of non-communists.

Red Scare- February 1950

rpenny26 — 2025-04-22 18:22:58 UTC

The idea that anyone could be a communist, and everyone should be on the lookout for them and report any suspicious activity. This lead to many false accusations made out of pure fear, and lead to an ever growing cycle of fear and suspicion until its eventual end after an investigation on the United States Army put peoples suspicions to rest.

H-Bomb tested by USA on Bikini Atoll

rpenny26 — 2025-04-23 18:30:48 UTC

After building so many atomic bombs, the United States decided to create a fusion bomb using hydrogen that was one to ten thousand times more powerful than any atomic bomb. These have never been used in conflict as they would probably spell doom to the world.

Korean War

rpenny26 — 2025-04-23 18:31:25 UTC

The Transfermium Wars Begin

rpenny26 — 2025-04-23 18:57:57 UTC

New element is discovered by United States and Russia around the same time and argued about who got to name it after themselves.

Sputnik Launched into Orbit

rpenny26 — 2025-04-25 16:32:51 UTC

Sputnik was the very first man-made object in space that started the "Space Race" between the United States and the Soviet Union. This was a competition between the two to see who could create more advanced and impressive technologies.

Fidel Castro Takes power in Cuba

rpenny26 — 2025-04-25 16:42:15 UTC

After overthrowing the previous authoritarian leader of Cuba, Fulgencio Batista, Fidel Castro became the new leader. Castro turned Cuba into a Communist State far West of the USSR. This brought a far nearer threat of the spread of communism to the United States. Cuba would later join with the USSR and set the stage for the Cuban missile crisis.

U2 Spy Plane Shot Down- May, 1960

rpenny26 — 2025-04-25 17:25:19 UTC

Spy plane takes pictures of Soviet secrets and is eventually shot down over Soviet territory. United States tries to cover it up as a weather balloon to American people.

Failed Bay of Pigs Invasion-April, 1961

rpenny26 — 2025-04-25 17:30:11 UTC

CIA gathers over 1,000 Cuban exiles to train secretly in Guatemala. In April, they were dropped off at the Bay of Pigs with zero American support and they do not succeed. After interrogation it is discovered that the United States set this up and looks very bad for us.

Construction of Berlin Wall Begins- August 17, 1961

rpenny26 — 2025-04-25 17:41:12 UTC

A wall was set up by the East German government to prevent the fleeing of East German citizens into West Germany or even further. The wall was constructed specifically in Berlin because it was one of the last open borders to flee through.

KGB Established-March, 1954

rpenny26 — 2025-04-25 17:43:31 UTC

The KGB was tasked with intelligence gathering, counterintelligence, and political repression, playing a crucial role in maintaining Communist Party control. The KGB became infamous for its surveillance, arrests, and harsh methods against dissidents.

Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Ratified

rpenny26 — 2025-04-25 18:19:31 UTC

The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed in 1963 in response to growing fears about nuclear fallout and the escalating arms race. Officially called the Partial Test Ban Treaty, it prohibited nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater, but allowed underground testing. The treaty was a major step toward controlling nuclear weapons and reducing global tensions during the Cold War.

Sino-Vietnamese War-Feb, 1979

rpenny26 — 2025-05-07 18:41:26 UTC

War fought between communist China and communist Vietnam. Cambodian communist is also on rise, and is invaded by communist Vietnam because of brutalization of anything that is perceived as western. China does not like this and supports Cambodia, ultimately leading to nobody really winning between Vietnam and China

Shah of Iran Overthrown-Nov 1979

rpenny26 — 2025-05-07 18:52:04 UTC

Shah (King of Iran) is overthrown. Jimmy Carter is the current president and help him get back in power. Islamic college scholars overthrow the Shah and start a theocracy. Iran now religiously follows Shia Islam. Jimmy Carter negotiates for 444 hostages, and the Iranians want the Shah back. Special forces are sent on a mission to get hostages back and end up failing and dying in a plane/helicopter crash.

STAR WARS (SDI)-1983

rpenny26 — 2025-05-07 18:59:29 UTC

United States decides to play defense in mutually assured destruction and have a "nuclear umbrella" to shoot lazers at missiles to stop them from attacking us. United States does not have FULL 100% capacity to shoot down nuclear missiles, but has a lot of use in doing so. This cost the U.S. Government 30 billion dollars.

US Troops invade and overthrow regime in Grenada-Oct. 1983

rpenny26 — 2025-05-09 16:27:49 UTC

In a surrogate war, the United States overthrew the government in Grenada within a few days. Ronald Reagan was new in office. Many weapons found in Grenada were used to support the Soviet Union.

Eastern Bloc boycotts LA Summer Olympics-July/August, 1984

rpenny26 — 2025-05-09 16:38:03 UTC

The Soviet Union and puppet countries do not attend the United States' Olympics to return the favor of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, which many United States allies, as well as the United States itself, did not attend because the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan the year prior.

Gorbachev begins "glasnost" and "perestroika" in efforts to reform the USSR-1985

rpenny26 — 2025-05-12 18:00:52 UTC

The Soviet Union is economically in trouble and about to go bankrupt. Glasnost and perestroika are reform methods used to build the Soviet economy

Soviet Troops withdraw from Afghanistan-Jan, 1989

rpenny26 — 2025-05-12 18:06:46 UTC

The Soviet Union wants to invade Afghanistan to spread communism. Afghanistan militants use guerrilla tactics on the Soviets before they eventually pull out of the war. Much like the United States' involvement in the Vietnam war. The United States smuggles weapons to Afghanistan to help defeat the Soviets.

Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and Romania oust Communist governments-1989

rpenny26 — 2025-05-12 18:17:28 UTC

All mentioned countries ditched their communist puppet master, the Soviet Union, to create and run their own non-communist and independent governments, to no longer be puppet countries. Both violently and non-violently, the communist leaders in all of these countries were overthrown as a first step towards freedom from communist rule.

Tiananmen Square Massacre

rpenny26 — 2025-05-12 18:26:42 UTC

The political and cultural "center" of China. College students in China want to see political reforms in China and decide to protest for freedom of speech and press, as well as a voice in government. The Chinese government sends tanks to crush these protestors.

CIA overthrows unfriendly governments in Iran and Guatemala

rpenny26 — 2025-05-16 15:47:49 UTC

In 1953, Operation Ajax helped overthrow Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh after he nationalized the oil industry, which threatened Western control. The CIA supported opposition groups and restored the Shah to power, ensuring U.S. influence in Iran. In 1954, Operation PBSUCCESS deposed Guatemalan President Jacobo Árbenz, whose land reforms endangered U.S. corporate interests, particularly those of the United Fruit Company.

Warsaw Pact formed- May 1955

rpenny26 — 2025-05-16 15:50:25 UTC

The Warsaw Pact was formed as a response to the integration of West Germany into NATO, which the Soviet Union saw as a direct threat to its security. In an effort to strengthen its control over Eastern Europe and counterbalance NATO, the USSR established the Warsaw Pact, officially known as the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance. It included the Soviet Union and seven of its Eastern Bloc allies: Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Romania.

Rebellion put down in Hungary- Nov. 1956

rpenny26 — 2025-05-16 16:29:50 UTC

The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 was a nationwide uprising against Soviet control and the communist government in Hungary. It began with protests in Budapest on October 23, demanding political reforms, greater freedom, and the removal of Soviet influence. The Hungarian leader Imre Nagy initially promised reforms and declared Hungary's neutrality, but the Soviet Union responded by sending troops to crush the rebellion. On November 4, Soviet forces overran Budapest, and despite initial resistance, the uprising was brutally suppressed.

USSR launches first ICBM- Aug. 1957

rpenny26 — 2025-05-16 16:33:50 UTC

The Soviet Union launched the first intercontinental ballistic missile. The missile, named R-7 Semyorka, was capable of carrying nuclear warheads over long distances, reaching targets thousands of miles away. This development demonstrated the USSR's growing military and technological capabilities, prompting concerns in the United States and fueling the Cold War rivalry.

Berlin Wall Falls-Nov, 1989

rpenny26 — 2025-05-16 16:39:14 UTC

After rising tension, East German authorities unexpectedly announced that citizens could freely cross the border. Crowds quickly gathered, and people began dismantling the wall, celebrating newfound freedom. The fall of the Berlin Wall paved the way for German reunification and the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Cuban Missile Crisis

rpenny26 — 2025-05-16 16:42:11 UTC

13-day standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet nuclear missiles secretly placed in Cuba. U.S. spy planes discovered the missile sites, prompting President John F. Kennedy to impose a naval blockade around Cuba to prevent further Soviet shipments. The crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear war, as both superpowers prepared for potential conflict. After intense negotiations, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for a U.S. promise not to invade Cuba and a secret agreement to remove U.S. missiles from Turkey.

Gulf of Tonkin incident and resolution-August 1964

rpenny26 — 2025-05-16 17:21:37 UTC

The U.S. Navy claimed that North Vietnamese patrol boats attacked the USS Maddox in the Gulf of Tonkin. A second reported attack on August 4 is now widely believed to have been a misunderstanding or did not happen at all. President Lyndon B. Johnson used the incident to push for the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which gave him authority to use military force in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war. This led to a major escalation of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

Marines sent to Dominican Republic to fight communism-April 1965

rpenny26 — 2025-05-16 17:29:52 UTC

U.S. Marines were sent to the Dominican Republic to intervene in a civil war that the U.S. feared could lead to a communist takeover. The conflict began when supporters of ousted President Juan Bosch launched a revolt to restore him to power, prompting concerns in Washington that the rebels had communist ties. President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered over 20,000 U.S. troops to the island, claiming the need to protect American citizens and prevent another "Cuba." The intervention quickly crushed the uprising and helped install a more U.S.-friendly government.

United States announces they are sending troops to Vietnam-July 1965

rpenny26 — 2025-05-16 17:34:13 UTC

The United States dramatically escalated its involvement in the Vietnam War by announcing the deployment of over 200,000 troops to South Vietnam. President Lyndon B. Johnson framed the buildup as necessary to support the South Vietnamese government against the communist Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces. The troop increase marked the beginning of full-scale U.S. military engagement in the conflict. It also sparked growing anti-war sentiment and protests back home as American casualties began to rise. This escalation set the stage for one of the most divisive and costly wars in U.S. history.

B-52's bombing North Vietnam- 1966

rpenny26 — 2025-05-16 17:38:58 UTC

Beginning in 1965, with Operation Rolling Thunder, the bombings aimed to weaken North Vietnam’s war effort and pressure its leaders into negotiations. The B-52s dropped massive amounts of explosives on military targets, supply routes, and infrastructure, but also caused significant civilian casualties and destruction. One of the most intense campaigns was Operation Linebacker II in 1972, also known as the “Christmas Bombings.” Despite the bombings, North Vietnam remained resilient, and public opinion in the U.S. increasingly turned against the war.

Red Army crush Czechoslovakian revolt- Aug. 1968

rpenny26 — 2025-05-16 17:42:13 UTC

The Prague Spring marked an attempt by Czechoslovakia to reform its communist government under Alexander Dubček, who sought greater political freedoms and economic reforms. This liberalization was seen as a threat by the Soviet Union, which feared it could inspire similar movements in Eastern Europe. In response, on August 20, 1968, the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact sent around 200,000 troops and 2,000 tanks into Czechoslovakia to crush the revolt. The Red Army quickly took control of Prague and other major cities, halting the reforms and arresting key leaders. Despite widespread protests, the Soviet intervention solidified Soviet dominance over Eastern Europe, and the event underscored the USSR's determination to maintain a strict, communist-controlled bloc.

Apollo 11 lands on the Moon

rpenny26 — 2025-05-16 17:46:17 UTC

The Apollo mission marked a historic achievement for humanity and the United States. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the lunar surface, while Michael Collins orbited the moon in the command module. This landmark event was a major victory for the U.S. during the Space Race, a Cold War competition with the Soviet Union to demonstrate technological and ideological superiority. The successful landing not only showcased American scientific and engineering prowess but also symbolized the U.S.'s leadership in the Cold War rivalry.

Publication of the Pentagon Papers

rpenny26 — 2025-05-16 17:51:28 UTC

The Pentagon Papers were a classified U.S. government report detailing the history of U.S. political and military involvement in Vietnam from the 1940s to the 1960s. In 1971, The New York Times began publishing excerpts from the papers, which had been leaked by former Defense Department analyst Daniel Ellsberg. The documents revealed that successive U.S. administrations had misled the public and Congress about the true scope and progress of the Vietnam War. The publication sparked a national debate about government secrecy and transparency, leading to a landmark Supreme Court decision that upheld the newspaper's right to publish. The Pentagon Papers exposed the disconnect between official government narratives and the reality of the war.

Nixon visits China-Feb. 1972

rpenny26 — 2025-05-16 17:56:05 UTC

Nixon visiting China marked the first time a sitting U.S. president had traveled to the communist nation. The visit aimed to open diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China, which had been largely isolated from the West since the communist revolution in 1949. Nixon's visit helped ease tensions during the Cold War and was a strategic move to exploit the Sino-Soviet split, encouraging China to align more with the U.S. against the Soviet Union. The visit led to the signing of the Shanghai Communiqué, which set the foundation for future U.S.-China relations.