Cold War Timeline: Events That Shaped Modern America by Trinity Adly

The Truman Doctrine (1947)

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President Harry Truman established the Truman Doctrine. It committed the United States to a policy of containing communism. This policy of containment became a cornerstone of American foreign policy throughout the Cold War.

The Berlin Airlift (1948-1949)

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The Soviet Union blocked Western access to Berlin, making the United States and its allies to organize the Berlin Airlift. It became one of the first major confrontations of the Cold War. For almost a year, American and British aircraft supplied West Berlin with food and necessities.

The Korean War (1950-1953)

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The first big military confrontation of the Cold War began when North Korea invaded South Korea. North Korea was backed up by China and The Soviet Union. South Korea was backed up by the U.S. and U.N. forces. It ended in a stalemate.

The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

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The closest the world came to nuclear war was when the U.S. found out Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba. President Kennedy and Soviet leader Khrushchev were able to have a peaceful resolution.

Apollo 11 Moon Landing (1969)

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The first successful human moon landing. Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins became the first humans to walk on the Moon. This event was a major win for the U.S. in the space race against the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (1979-1989)

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The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. This lead to a decade-long conflict. The U.S. supported Afghan resistance fighters. This was a very costly war. Eventually, this event contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Gorbachev Becomes Soviet Leader (1985)

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Mikhail Gorbachev became leader of the Soviet Union in 1985. His leadership was a bug turning point for the USSR. He introduced many major reforms that would ultimately lead to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989)

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The Berlin Wall was one of the most important events of the Cold War division. It fell as East Germany opened its borders. This symbolized the collapse of communist control in Eastern Europe and the approaching end of the Cold War.

Dissolution of the Soviet Union (1991)

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The Soviet Union officially collapsed, making it the end of the Cold War. The Soviet union split up into 15 independent countries. This reshaped global politics and economics. Leaving the United States as the world's solo superpower and openings to a new era of global politics.