Soviet/United States Cold War Map by PEYTON BROWN

winston churchill iron curtain speech March 5 1946

pbrown26_ — 2024-04-12 12:32:19 UTC

“From Stettin in the Baltic, to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent,” in this speech Winston Churchill described how Europe was split between the West and Communism and how the grounds have been laid for a long conflict (The Cold War)

yalta conference Feb 1945

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-10 16:25:49 UTC

This treaty marked and laid out the plan for Germany's unconditional surrender where the Soviet Union agreed on boarders agreed on who gets what and agreed on the denazification of Germany and the demilitarization of Germany. the major act of Russia declaring war on Japan was finalized which severely limited Japan. This also allowed the possibility for Russia to gain more influence over Manchuria.

bombing of Hiroshima August 1945

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-10 16:27:28 UTC

The bombing of Hiroshima marked the first use of nuclear weapons on another country which would be the last time nukes or any nuclear devices ever been used on the other foreign country. This kicked off the Cold War by starting the nuclear arms race.

Marshall plan is announced June 1947

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-10 16:32:40 UTC

Harriet S. Truman presented a plan to fund Greece and Turkey to help them combat communism, stay democratic, and align closely with the West. Turkey and Greece were also very important geographical spots where they could plant nuclear missiles that could easily reach the Soviet Union. This was another plan against communism and to combat Soviet influence and limit it as much as possible. Poor people tend to follow communism as they see the idea of the government helping them as very nice, by giving them a better SOL commuism seems less valuable

Truman's Ideology was apples to Greece March 12 1947

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-10 16:40:43 UTC

The Marshall Plan was applied to Greece, which received aid under it. Specifically, Greece received $700 million in funding, making it the sixth-largest recipient.

berlin wall blockade and airlift June 1948

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-10 17:17:24 UTC

The Soviets made a massive embarko and band for all European trade to Western Germany or Berlin which was under Allied Control with all rails airways and any other form of transportation being blocked. Since Berlin had no way to gain food water or any other basic needs this was a attempt to starve out Berlin

NATO Formed April 4th 1949

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-10 17:18:56 UTC

The United States formed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This was a attempt to combat the Soviet expansion and make a massive defense packed against the rising communist threat

Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, Kazakhstan Aug 20th

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-10 17:22:41 UTC

RDS-1 or "First Lightning," was detonated on August 29, 1949 at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan (still in the Soviet Union at the time of course) It was made after the Fat man, which they learned about through spys

The Chinese Civil War (And Mao) August 1, 1927 – December 7, 1949

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-10 17:27:02 UTC

Mao was like the Stalin of China. Mao Zedong and the Nationalist Party, led by Chiang Kai-shek. The war occurred in two main phases: the first from 1927 to 1936 and the second from 1945 to 1949, following the end of World War 2. They stopped the first war because of Japan coming in to take all of China, and joining together is better than being run by the Japanese.... BTW, I made this purple because China wasn't an ally to the soviets, almost like a rival. Of course, they were the nicest to the USA, but they weren't buddy-buddy with the Soviets. the CCP’s victory wasn’t a clear "win" for either the Soviets or a "loss" for the United States; it was instead a uniquely Chinese success shaped by the CCP’s ability to capitalize on domestic conditions and navigate the political landscape independently.

mccarthyism/ The Red Scare 1947–1957

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-10 17:41:35 UTC

This was a massive manhunt and fear against communism that people around them could be communists and could be coming after them to hurt them with the communist party of America label last terrorists and plenty being arrested for charges little to know reason. This was important to the Cold War because it almost guaranteed that communism could never and I mean never rise up in America

korean war 1950-1953

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-10 17:54:40 UTC

At the end of World War II the Soviet Union and the United States formed two different countries South Korea and North Korea North Korea being communists and the lining with the Soviet Union and the Republic of China while South Korea aligning with the United States and partially with Japan. Eventually war broke out between the two Koreas with both factions supporting each others Korea without direct military action but massive volunteers weapons and other goods being sent to their allied korea. This was a major conflict and is regarded as one of the big wars in the Cold War as two major powers were fighting over control in Korea.

Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands March 1st 1954

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-10 18:04:35 UTC

The first hydrogen bomb test. Done by the USA at Bikini Atoll was part of Operation Castle. It used dry fuel and was 1000 times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima,

KGB Formed In Moscow March 13, 1954,

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-21 14:39:13 UTC

The KGB was formed on March 13, 1954, as the Soviet Union's primary security and intelligence agency. Born from things like the NKVD and the MGB, tasked with foreign intelligence, counterintelligence, internal security, and leadership protection. During the Cold War, it became a symbol of Soviet power and operated until the USSR's dissolution in 1991. Its successor organizations include the FSB in Russia. Still living today in Eastern countries.

CIA in Iran and Guatemala March 1954

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-21 14:46:41 UTC

Iran:

The CIA had orchestrated Operation Ajax in 1953, overthrowing Prime Minister Mossadegh.
By March 1954, it focused on consolidating the Shah's regime to align with U.S. interests.
Efforts centered around oil control and countering communist influence.

Guatemala:

The CIA was planning Operation PBSUCCESS to depose President Árbenz.
Concerns over Árbenz’s land reforms and communist ties prompted action.
Propaganda and coup preparations culminated in a June 1954 regime change.

Warsaw Pact May 1955

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-21 14:48:35 UTC

The Warsaw Pack was a alliance made by the Soviet Union to combat NATO and to form their own alliance with communist nations This primarily included Eastern Communist countries under the Soviets control. This once again made a massive divide making two prominent factions very apparent to be opposed to each other.

Transfermium Wars 1955

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-21 14:52:36 UTC

The Transfermium Wars, scientists from both the USA and the Soviet Union, started the discovery and naming of elements 104–106. Both sides claimed credit, prompting intervention. It showcased the mix of science and geopolitical rivalry.

Hungary Rebellion Nov 1956

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-21 14:57:47 UTC

The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 was an uprising against Soviet control, starting on October 23, 1956, with demands for political reforms and freedom. Though briefly successful under Imre Nagy, Soviet troops crushed the rebellion on November 4, killing thousands and forcing over 200,000 to flee. The event exposed Soviet brutality, inspired future resistance in Eastern Europe, and intensified Cold War tensions. ( WHY IS IT Purple? WELLLLLLL The Soviets WERE supposed to give easter nations free elections. When they did and didn't like the results, they shoved their army into the nation. This showed the world that the soviets are NOT to be trusted even to their allies and fellow Soviet nations. However, this did send their rule in the easter nations. This did supress riots since if they did they might be treated like the hungarians. I Feel like this leans more to the soviet BUT they wasn't exactly a win for the soviets, that's why its PURPLE!!!!)

Korolyov, Russia Aug 1957/1961

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-22 16:33:37 UTC

The world's first intercontinental ballistic missile. The R-7 made 28 launches between 1957 and 1961. (What is an ICBM? WELLLLL An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is a ballistic missile with a range greater than 3,400 mi primarily designed for nuclear weapons delivery.) This was the start of Nukes and others being able to be sent over long areas without the need of planes and others

Sputnik 4 October 1957

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-22 16:42:18 UTC

Sputnik was the very first Satellite, made by the soviet Union, This was all a part of the Space Race. a part of the R-7 (rocket family), the SAME family the the first ICBM (made by the soviets) Sputnik was the first object sent into the orbit It was a Soviet satellite this was a major victory for communism while the Soviet Union wasn't developing much technology they did have plenty of spies you were stealing American technology and sending them over. This did not win the race to the moon but it did mark a major victory. This was a major victory for communist.

Castro 1 January 1959

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-22 17:29:22 UTC

Ideologically a Marxist–Leninist and Cuban nationalist, he also served as the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from 1965 until 2011. He heavily aligned with the Soviets, which, with them SOOOOO close to the USA, it made nuking the USA a LOT easier. this would lead to the war of the pigs (almost where the USA ALMOST invaded cuba) and The Cuban Missle Crises which was the closest we came to ww3

U 2 May Incident 1, 1960

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-23 16:56:53 UTC

U -2 incident was incident where a American spy plane was shot down in Soviet airspace. This was a massive embarrassment for the United States. This was a another victory for the communist block. Proving that the United States was not the only powerfully going to be and could be shot down just as well as anyone else.

bay of pigs invasion

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-23 17:07:39 UTC

The Bay of Pigs invasion was a failed invasion on Cuba to take down Fidel Castro and to take down the missile base that Cuba was to the Soviets like turkey Cuba was a vessel where they could put nuclear weapons in case war did break out where they have quick and easy access to send nuclear bombs the United States. This was another failure and embarrassment for the United States since the invasion failed after only two days.

Construction of the berlin wall August 13, 1961.

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-23 17:10:38 UTC

Berlin Wall was a wall that spanned over East and West Germany This wall was again something that split the country's in half. making almost a literal iron curtain between East and West Germany This wall was armed with guards who would shoot if present it. Berlin Wall split families in half making it very difficult to communicate between families This was not only a major blow to West Germany but also east.

Cuban Missile Crisis oct 1962

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-23 17:13:43 UTC

Like stated before, just like Turkey, Cuba was a vessel for the Soviets to plant new weapons, just in case war did break out, so they would have an easy location where they could send missiles. This was one of the moments that could have started the nuclear war, destroying both countries. The actual worm who stopped by a Soviet naval officer who decided it was not worth sending a torpedo toward the US. This was and is the closest the World has ever came to going into a nukelar world filled with death and destruction

nuclear test ban treaty ratified July 1963

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-29 19:10:35 UTC

This prohibitsnuclear weapons befrom ing tested in the air,, underwater,, on outer space. Nuclear weapons were allowed to be tested as long as no nuclear debris hit any other country. This was followed after the Cuban Missile Crisis just to halt nuclear research and the possibility for a conflict to break out. This helped both sides and was important to the Cold War because if significantly decrease the likelihood of actual war breaking out

gulf of Tonkin incident August 2, 1964

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-30 13:48:58 UTC

United States forces were carrying out covert amphibious operations near the north Of vietnam which triggered a response from North Vietnamese forces. Three North Vietnamese Navy ships approached a US ship. The US ships opened fire. In the confusion of the second incident, it was later revealed that the attack may have been a misinterpretation caused by faulty radar or overreaction to perceived threats. Following the incident, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and his administration sought a strong response. On August 5, he ordered airstrikes on North Vietnamese torpedo boat bases and oil facilities. (The Gulf of Tonkin was a U.S. victory in terms of escalating involvement in Vietnam, but it didn’t stop Soviet support for North Vietnam. The U.S. used it as a reason to increase military action, but the Soviets still backed the North. It didn't lead to a clear win for either side in the long run.)

April 1965 Dominican Republic Civil War

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-30 13:52:46 UTC

In April 1965, the U.S. sent 22,000 Marines to the Dominican Republic to intervine in a civil war, fearing a communist goverment might take power. The Marines were deployd to protect U.S. citizens and stablize the situation. Their arrival quickly escalated the conflict, with fighting continung for weeks. The intervantion aimed to prevent communist influance in the region during the Cold War. Despite critisism, the U.S. forces eventuly helped establish a ceasefire and a new goverment. (The U.S. intervention in the Dominican Republic in 1965 was a win for the U.S., as it prevented a communist government from taking power. The Marines helped establish a pro-U.S. government, blocking Soviet influence in the region.)

July 1965, US troops land in south Vietnam

pbrown26_ — 2025-04-30 13:59:09 UTC

In July 1965, President Johnson sent 200k U.S. troops to Vietnam, marking a huge step in the escalation of the war. The move was meant to strenghten the fight against communism but only made things more complicated and intense. This decisoin didn’t lead to a swift end to the conflict; instead, it deepend the U.S. involvement, resultng in years of continued fighting. Many Americans and politicians began questiong the effectivness of the intervention, as it seemed to only worsen the situation. (The U.S. sending 200k troops to Vietnam in 1965 wasn’t a win for either side. It escalated the conflict, but neither the U.S. nor the Soviets achieved a clear victory.)

Rolling Thunder 1966

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-05 13:16:52 UTC

Operation Roling Thunder was a U.S. bomming camapign aimed at presuring North Vietnam to stop suporting the Viet Cong in the South. Dispite droping hundereds of thousands of tons of bombs, it failed to brake enmy moral or distrupt suupply lines signifficantly. The campain led to hi costs, both in terms of U.S. aircraft losses and Vietnamese civilian casualties, and is widely reguarded as a strategic failur.

The Soviet Invasion of Czechoslovakia Aug 1968

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-05 13:21:15 UTC

When Alexandr Dubček became leader of Czechoslovakia and started his reform. He gave people more freedome of speech, cut down on censorship, and tried to fix the econmy. This scared the Soviets and other Communist countries. The Soviet Union and its allies invaded Czechoslovakia with over 200,000 soldiers and 5,000 tanks. They said they were invited by the Czechoslovak government, but that wasn't tru. People protested, but many were killed or hurt. After the invation, Dubček was replaced by Gustav Husák, and Czechoslovakia went back to strict communism.

Apollo 11 lands on the Moon July 1969

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-05 13:23:05 UTC

In July 20, 1969, NASA's Apollo 11 mission succesfully landed astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the Moon. Armstrong becam the first person to walk on the Moon, saying the famous words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Aldrin joined him shortly after. The mission was a huge achievement for the United States during the Space Race with the Soviet Union. The landings were watched by millions around the world, and it marked a big moment in space exploration history. The astronauts spent about two and a half hours on the Moon before returning to Earth with their crewmate, Michael Collins, who had stayed in orbit. This was one of the biggest wins for the US in all of the cold war

Pentagon Papers 1971

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-05 13:27:36 UTC

The Pentagon Papers were published by The New York Times. They were a secret government report that showed how the U.S. had secretly escalated its involvement in the Vietnam War for years, even when leaders knew it wasn't going well. The papers were leaked by Daniel Ellsberg, a former defense analyst. The documents showed how the government had lied to the public and Congress about the war. When the Times started publishing them, the government tried to stop it, but the Supreme Court ruled that the newspaper could continue. The leak caused a big scandal and made many Americans more distrustful of the government. (NOW this was NOT a win for the US but the soviets didnt really do anything, so I'm on the line between a soviet win or a purple tie, so I'm making it purple even though the US didnt tie or win, the soviets didnt either)

Sino-Vietnam War Feb 1979

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-06 16:38:06 UTC

So China launched an offensive ostensibly in response to Vietnam's invasion and occupation of Cambodia in 1978. When they occupied Cambodia, they took out the leader, Pol Pot, who was very pro-China; this was almost like Vietnam attacking China itself, or like someone attacking a British colony. This whole war was a massive defeat to China and the CCP, with a death ratio of 8 to 1, with 57000 (Sino) to 6,954 (Viet). This war, in my views, is very close to the Soviet Finnish or the Continuation Wa,r with a death ratio of 4.8 for every 1 finish death 4.8 died

President Nixon Visit China

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-06 17:14:53 UTC

When President Nixon visited China it marked the start of relations between the United States and China lowering the tension between communist China and democratic United States. This ended the 25 years of no communication between the two and also lowered tensions with the Taiwan issue. This decrease the Soviets allies and made communism less of a threat to the United States.

July 1972: SALT I signed

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-06 17:19:04 UTC

The Strategic Arms Limitation talk were two rounds of talking between the United States and the Soviet Union These talks severely limited ballistic missiles and the production of missiles in general This was another instance of tension being lowered between the two powers and made a step closer to a peaceful resolution of the Cold War.

Sept. 1973: US supported coup overthrows Chilean government

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-06 17:28:17 UTC

The Chilean Goverment formed a majorly " Marxist" Goverment. Marxism seems very close to the teachings of Jesus, giving to the poor not hoarding wealth. Although US did not start the coup that ended the Chilean government in September, it was aware of coup-plotting by the military, and had ongoing intelligence collection relationships with some men in the miltary, and – because CIA did not discourage the takeover and had sought to instigate a coup in 1970 – probably appeared to condone it.

October. 1973 Egypt and Syria attack Israel; Egypt requests Soviet aid

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-06 17:38:06 UTC

The War of many names, Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War, the October War, the 1973 Arab–Israeli War, and the Fourth Arab–Israeli War. Now Egypt aimed to secure a foothold on the eastern bank of the Suez Canal and use it to negotiate the return of the Sinai Peninsula. Israel: Wanted to maintain territorial control and ensure security after the surprise attack. Syria: Aimed to reclaim the Golan Heights, which Israel captured in 1967, and improve its position in negotiations with Israel. United States: Wanted to maintain influence in the Middle East and support its ally Israel, but also sought to prevent a full-scale conflict and a broader regional war. Soviet Union: Sought to support its allies (Egypt and Syria), expand its influence in the region, and challenge U.S. dominance in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia & OPEC: Used the war as leverage to push for higher oil prices, instituting an oil embargo against countries supporting Israel.

April 17, 1975: S. Vietnam falls to Communist N. Vietnam

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-06 17:43:18 UTC

When South Vietnam collapsed it marked the end of the Vietnam War one of the biggest United States failures and like other wars like the Afghanistan war in modern-day history it marked a massive evacuation of South Vietnam supporters and Vietnam immigrants. When South Vietnam fell it was a major victory for communism allowing a communist state in Vietnam to be formed.

Feb 1976: Soviet and Cuban forces help to install Communist government in Angola

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-06 17:52:22 UTC

Former Portuguese colony, which Portugal tried their hardest to hold onto their colony MPLA and the UNITA. MPLA backed by the Soviets and the UNITA backed by the US. Cuba and the soviets helped the MPLA win the civile war after a hard fought war. This intervention was part of the broader Cold War context, where the Soviet Union and Cuba supported left-wing, Communist movements in Africa, while the U.S. and its allies backed anti-Communist factions, often creating proxy conflicts on the continent.

Jan 1979: US and China officially establish diplomatic relations and trade

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-06 17:59:06 UTC

The United States and China officially established diplomatic relations and began formal trade, improving ties after years of separation. This helped open China to the global economy and allowed both countries to benefit from economic and political cooperation.

Nov. 1979: Shah of Iran overthrown; Iran Hostage Crisis begins

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-07 13:32:39 UTC

CONTEXT... the Islamic Revolution of 1979, the overthrow of the Imperial State of Iran, which was backed by the British and the US, as with the British Petroleum Company stealing Iran's oil for little to no cost. "Wages were 50 cents a day. There was no vacation pay, no sick leave, no disability compensation. The workers lived in a shanty town called Paper City, without running water or electricity". To say the least, the people did NOT like the Western powers. Militant Iranian students stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran and captured 60 American diplomats and citizens, accusing them of espionage and demanding the extradition of Iran’s deposed Shah. The hostages were held in harsh conditions, often blindfolded, interrogated, and subjected to psychological pressure. A U.S. military rescue mission was launched but failed disastrously, resulting in the deaths of eight American servicemen. The crisis deeply strained U.S.-Iran relations and became a major political issue in the United States. The hostages were finally released after prolonged negotiations, shortly after a new U.S. president took office. (NOW I put this as red even THOUGH the soviets didn't win, but the US for sure lost, I don't want it to be purple, that would say that it was a tie, which it wasn't)

Dec. 1979: Soviet forces invade Afghanistan

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-07 13:37:46 UTC

Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan to support a struggling communist government, leading to a prolonged and costly conflict. The U.S., seeing the invasion as a Cold War threat, covertly supported the Mujahideen through funding, weapons, and training via Pakistan's intelligence agency (ISI). This aid included sophisticated weaponry, like Stinger missiles, and military training, aimed at weakening Soviet forces. While the U.S. didn't directly support the Taliban, many of the fighters trained and armed during this time later became part of the Taliban's rise to power after the Soviet withdrawal. The war became the "Soviet Vietnam," draining Soviet resources and morale. While the U.S. succeeded in weakening the USSR, the conflict contributed to long-term regional instability and the eventual rise of extremist groups like the Taliban. (The painting is of the Graveyard of Empires, a nickname for Afghanistan. This artwork was part of the British leaving Afghanistan after massive losses.)

Feb 22, 1980:US Hockey defeats USSR at winter Oympics in Lake Placid, NY.

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-07 18:05:06 UTC

The US hockey team won a game with a 4-3 score over the Soviet Union at the Winter Olympics. Known as the "Miracle on Ice," the win was a big underdog story that captivated the nation. It marked one of the most unforgettable upsets in sports history. The victory propelled the U.S. team to claim the gold medal, securing its place in legend.

June-Aug 1980: US Boycotts Summer Olympics in Moscow

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-07 18:07:17 UTC

The U.S. led a boycott of the Summer Olympics in Moscow to protest the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. As a result, over 60 countries refused to participate in the Games. The boycott significantly impacted the competition, with many athletes unable to compete on the world stage. The move was a powerful statement against the Soviet actions, but it also deepened the tension between the two superpowers.

1983 SDI Star Wars

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-07 18:54:43 UTC

The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) was an ambitious and expensive missile defense project, estimated to cost hundreds of billions of dollars over its development. Its goal was to create a space-based system capable of intercepting and destroying incoming missiles, but many experts questioned its technical feasibility. Despite significant investment, the SDI was never fully realized, with most of its proposed systems proving impractical or unworkable.

Oct 1983 Operation Urgent Fury

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-08 15:21:39 UTC

The U.S. invaded Grenada after a Marxist coup overthrew and killed Prime Minister Maurice Bishop.
Citing the protection of American students and rising Cuban influence, Reagan ordered the operation.
U.S. and Caribbean forces quickly removed the junta and installed a new government.
The invasion restored democracy but drew international criticism despite U.S. public support..... FUN fact even after Grenada’s Marxist government took power in, the country technically remained a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.

Although Prime Minister Maurice Bishop led a Marxist-Leninist government aligned with Cuba and the Soviet Union, Grenada never officially removed the Queen.

1985: Gorbachev begins “glasnost” and “perestroika” in efforts to reform the USSR

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-09 13:20:41 UTC

In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Union and introduced two major reform policies: glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring). Glasnost aimed to increase transparency in government institutions and promote freedom of information, while perestroika focused on reforming the stagnant Soviet economy by introducing limited market-like reforms and reducing central control. These policies were intended to modernize the USSR and make it more efficient, but they also exposed deep systemic problems, ultimately contributing to the collapse of the Soviet Union by 1991

July-Aug, 1984: Eastern Bloc boycotts LA Summer Olympics

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-09 13:23:35 UTC

The Soviet Union and most of its Eastern Bloc allies boycotted the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in response to the U.S.-led boycott of the Moscow Olympics. Citing security concerns and alleged anti-Soviet sentiment, the move was largely seen as politically motivated during the ongoing Cold War, further deepening tensions between East and West.

Soviets Leave Afghanistan

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-12 13:02:06 UTC

The Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan ended a long and costly military intervention aimed at supporting the PDPA government against insurgent forces. Despite signing the Geneva Accords to formalize their exit, fighting continued as the mujahideen were not part of the agreement. The Afghan government briefly held power after the withdrawal but collapsed a few years later when Soviet support ended. The war weakened the Soviet Union and left Afghanistan unstable, setting the stage for continued conflict and the rise of the Taliban.

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

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-12 18:11:33 UTC

Poland: Democratic coalition weakened Soviet control, inspiring resistance. Hungary: Multi-party rule challenged Soviet influence; open borders fueled reform. Czechoslovakia: Peaceful revolution led to democratic elections, ending Soviet rule. Bulgaria: Ruling party restructured, signaling Soviet decline. Romania: Violent overthrow ended dictatorship, severing Moscow’s grip. Eastern Europe’s shift marked the collapse of Soviet control.

June 1989: Tiananmen Square Massacre

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-12 18:15:52 UTC

The Tiananmen Square Massacre occurred in June 1989, when the Chinese government violently suppressed pro-democracy protests in Beijing. Students started demanding political reforms, freedom of speech, and an end to government corruption. Then the government declared martial law. They (The Sino Government) cracked down on the protests, 100s of thousands. This shocked the world and gained global condemnation, economic sanctions, and lasting restrictions on political dissent in China.

Nov. 1989: Berlin Wall falls

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-12 18:23:34 UTC

The fall of the Berlin Wall was a defining moment in Cold War history, symbolizing the gradual collapse of the Iron Curtain. Though not entirely dismantled, its partial fall allowed increased contact between East and West Germany, fostering new opportunities for political, economic, and social integration. As barriers came down, the likelihood of reunification grew significantly, marking a turning point for Germany and signaling a broader shift toward freedom and reform across Eastern Europe.

May 1990: Boris Yeltsin elected as President of Russia

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-12 18:32:38 UTC

ABOUT BORIS YELTSIN.... before becoming president, Boris Yeltsin was a high-ranking Communist official known for criticizing corruption and slow reforms. His outspoken stance against Gorbachev’s policies and his defiance during the 1991 coup earned him widespread support. Elected president of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, he championed market reforms and a shift toward democracy.

ABOUT Boris Yeltsin being elected as President of Russia.... Boris Yeltsin was elected president of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic in 1990 due to his popularity as a reformist and critic of Soviet leadership. His outspokenness against corruption, support for political and economic reforms, and opposition to Gorbachev’s slow pace of change resonated with many Russians seeking greater freedom and modernization. Yeltsin’s defiance during the 1991 coup further solidified his image as a leader willing to stand up against the old guard, helping him secure widespread public and political support.

Oct. 3, 1990: Germany Reunited

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-12 18:35:53 UTC

Germany reunified in 1990 due to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and East German protests highlighted the failure of Communist rule. West Germany, under Chancellor Kohl, pushed for reunification, which was supported internationally as Soviet influence weakened. The process was formalized with the 1990 treaty, restoring German sovereignty.

Aug, 1991: USSR dissolved - 15 Republics gain independence, including Russia.

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-12 18:39:34 UTC

The official collapse of the USSR in 1991 marked the definitive end of the Cold War, with the United States emerging as the dominant global power. The disintegration of the Soviet Union ended decades of ideological and political rivalry between the two superpowers, leaving the U.S. as the clear victor. This shift reshaped global politics, as former Soviet-aligned nations sought new alliances and democratic reforms. The end of the Cold War also led to a unipolar world order, where the U.S. was the leading force in shaping international relations and global governance.

Podcast

pbrown26_ — 2025-05-15 16:21:19 UTC

The Cold War was a global struggle between the U.S. and the USSR, fought through propaganda, the arms race, and proxy wars—showing deep rivalry and mistrust without full-scale war. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eko6tKerLosy7PZRCulTxrwGt06O9AK_/view?usp=sharing