Cold War Timeline by LYNN-AVERY CROWLEY

Yalta Conference drafts Post-Wat plan (February 1945)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-17 19:41:57 UTC

A meeting between FDR (United States), Winston Churchill, (England), and Joseph Stalin (Russia) was held during World War II to discuss strategy and what would happen after the war. At the Yalta Conference, Russia promised to enter the war against Japan in exchange for some territory in Asia and an economic sphere of influence in China.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki (August 6th-9th, 1945)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-17 19:51:54 UTC

After the Potsdam Conference between the US, England, and Russia, the U.S. decided to drop the first atomic bomb named "Little Boy" on a Japanese city named Hiroshima. With Japan still deciding not to surrender, the U.S. decided to drop a second bomb named "Fat Man" on a Japanese city named Nagasaki. These two bombs resulted in devasting casualties for Japan. The ultimate reason for the U.S. dropping these atomic bombs on Japan is still unclear but one main reason was Japan's unwillingness to surrender.

Winston Churchill's Iron Curtain Speech in Fulton, MO (March 5th, 1946)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-17 20:46:04 UTC

The Iron Curtain speech given by Winston Churchill was given to stress the need for the United States and Britain to join forces against the communist terrors of the Soviet Union. Winston Churchill used the metaphor "iron curtain" to describe the political and military barrier that the Soviet Union put between itself and the rest of the world following World War II. It was significant because it later allowed the West to wage and win the Cold War.

Truman Doctrine First Applied in the Greek Civil War (March 12th, 1947)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-18 18:41:08 UTC

The U.S feared that communism would spread across other countries, like Greece. This made Harry S. Truman go to Greece to give his famous speech. The Truman Doctrine speech explains to the Greeks that if communism spreads to a country with a civil war, give the non-communists weapons and military aid so that they could win the war and stop the spread of communism. This was also considered the United States's first investment outside of the western hemisphere, as the US was giving aid to Greece to maintain its containment policy against communism.

Marshall Plan is announced to rebuild Europe (June 1947)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-18 18:51:39 UTC

George C. Marshall, a military general, suggested that we give millions of money to help rebuild Europe. General Marshall also advised a plan that would help stop the spread of communism. The Marshall Plan is like a vaccine compared to the Truman Doctrine. It stops the spread of communism before it can even happen. With the money that was given to Europe by the US, the deal was that those countries were only allowed to buy American products with the money given. This was a huge success for the American market.

Berlin Blockade and Airlift Begins (June 1948)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-18 19:02:54 UTC

The Berlin Blockade was a major international crisis caused by the Cold War. In post-World War II Germany, the Soviet Union blocked roads, railways, and canals that the Western Allies used to get to Berlin and also put Berlin in complete control of the communist Soviet Union. This blockade l lasted a year until the Western Allies (The U.S and Great Britain) were able to finally get resources to Berlin by using aircraft, this is known as the Berlin Airlift, as well as a win for the Western Allies.

NATO Alliance Formed (April 4th, 1949)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-18 19:11:19 UTC

NATO, also known as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was created to guarantee the freedom and security of its members politically and militarily. Several countries joined NATO, such as France, Italy, Denmark, and several more European countries. NATO was also considered a counterweight to all Soviet Union soldiers still stationed in Central and Eastern Europe after World War II. Countries have different roles in the formation of NATO, but overall the main goal is to dismiss the chance of another world war through political and military treaties created through NATO.

Russia tests its first atomic bomb (Aug 20, 1929)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-18 19:18:15 UTC

At a remote and safe location, Russia successfully explodes its first atomic bomb. They named this bomb, " First Lightning" in honor of their very first atomic explosion. Russians put in a lot of work in order to be able to test out these atomic bombs successfully. First, they constructed bridges and buildings and many more structures in the vicinity of the bomb. Also, they put birds in cages close enough to the explosion that they could study the effect of nuclear radiation on mammals. The bomb destroyed a handful of buildings and killed many animals, deeming the first atomic bomb created by Russians a success.

Mao Zedong wins Chinese Civil War and creates the People's Republic of Chine (Oct 1, 1949)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-18 19:37:38 UTC

The last dynasty of China was overthrown during the Chinese Civil War and Sun Yat-sen created the Republic of China. Within about 20 years of the Republic, there were mixed emotions based on different Chinese morals. Eventually, a new Civil War is created between communist China and non-communist China after the death of Sun Yat-sen. Mao Zedong was the communist leader in China, getting weapons and aid from the Soviet Union, while Chiang Kai-Shek who was the non-communist leader was getting aid from the United States through the Truman Doctrine. The communists win and send the United States into a panic. This civil war also causes China to split into two, communist and non-communist. The non-communists are living in Taiwan, a non-independent country known as the Republic of China, and claim that they run the government of China, while the communists claim that the non-communists are still in rebellion and have no control over the government of China.

McCarthyism and the Red Scare takes holds in the US (Feb 1950)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-18 19:55:04 UTC

The Red Scare was a time period when the United States was in constant paranoia due to its terrors of communism from the Soviet Union. Everyone thought everyone was a communist spy giving information to the Soviets. McCarthy is a senator who uses his accusation of communist spies for his political campaign. He eventually accuses some top US generals of being communist spies which causes him to lose credit.

Korean War (1950-1953)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-18 23:50:43 UTC

After Japan's surrender in World War II, Korea was split into two. The United States controlled the southern half while the Soviet Union controlled the northern half. The divide between the two was known as the 38th parallel. The United States was scared that the Soviet Union was planning World domination with communist North Korea, so when the North Korean army invaded the south, President Truman believed he had no choice but to go to war. The war was miserable for all soldiers, as most died from disease, malnutrition, and frostbite. A stalemate between the two occurred when U.S. general Mcarther was fired, although both sides were fighting on air and land. Once Dwight Eisenhower took office and Joseph Stalin died a peace negotiation was finally signed. Although the Korean War was short, it was costly for both sides and ended in no real victory.

H-Bomb tested by USA on Bikini Atoll (March 1, 1954)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-23 18:42:45 UTC

Tested by the United States in the South Pacific. They used a hydrogen bomb that was a thousand times more powerful than Hiroshima or Nagasaki. They tested this bomb due to competition with the Soviet Union, and it eventually became an arms race between the US and the Soviet Union. These bombs are being tested on beautiful beaches and on ships in the Pacific. The hydrogen bomb was a combination of nuclear fusion and fission, which is what made it so powerful compared to other bombs.

KGB Established (March 1954)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-23 18:57:35 UTC

The KGB was known as the main source of security and intelligence for the Soviet Union. This agency served many roles for the Soviet Union internationally and nationally. The KGB also helped the Soviets to spread their communist views to the rest of the world. The KGB was established to protect the Soviet Union during this time of war with the United States. People feared the KGB during the Cold War, as the agency was known for its brutal tactics as well as widespread global espionage.

CIA helps overthrow unfriendly governments in Iran and Guatemala (March 1954)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-23 19:07:11 UTC

Mosaddeq, Iran's leader at the time, began attacks on British oil companies. His harsh actions got him and his country into conflict with the pro-Western elites of Iran. Massive public riots broke out in Iran, and this made the US grow suspicious of Mosaddeq and his leadership. Through the CIA, the US came to the conclusion that Mossadeq had communist leanings and would move Iran into the Soviet orbit if allowed to stay in power. Working with the Shah, the CIA and British intelligence began to engineer a plot to overthrow Mossadeq. On August 19, 1953, the military, backed by street protests organized and financed by the CIA, overthrew Mossadeq. The Shah quickly returned to take power and, thanks for the American help, signed over 40 percent of Iran’s oil fields to U.S. companies. Overall, Nationalism, not communism, proved to be the most serious threat to U.S power in Iran.

Warsaw Pact formed (May 1955)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-23 19:12:21 UTC

The Warsaw Pact was a defense treaty established by the Soviet Union and seven other countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Formally known as the Treaty of Friendship, Co-operation, and Mutual Assistance, the Warsaw Pact was created on 14 May 1955, immediately after the accession of West Germany to the Alliance. The Warsaw Pact was basically just NATO, the only difference between these treaties is the location of them. NATO and the Warsaw Pact were ideologically opposed and, over time, built up their own defenses starting an arms race that lasted throughout the Cold War.

The Transfermium Wars Begin (1955)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-23 19:30:13 UTC

The US and the Soviet Union are competing to find new elements on the periodic table. Dubna University in the Soviet Union and UC Berkeley in the US are the two schools competing in this research race. These elements are not naturally made, they are lab-made by scientists. There is also a rivalry on who gets to name these new elements.

Rebellion put down in Hungary (Nov 195)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-23 19:40:31 UTC

On October 23rd, 1956, Hungary started to revolt against communist rule. This revolt was known as the first armed uprising against the USSR in history. The control of the USSR over countries like Hungary started to anger the public, beginning revolts. Students demanded a new government based on democracy, and protestors demanded a change in public radios also. Once the armed revolt began, they tried to calm down the protestors by renaming Nagy as prime minister. After 5 days of revolting, Nagy called for a ceasefire, and quickly after Nagy called for a new cabinet of representatives to be established and that Hungary would be withdrawing from the Warsaw Pact.

USSR launches first ICBM (Aug 1957)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-23 19:51:49 UTC

The Soviet Union is launching the first intercontinental ballistic missile. The US and the Soviet Union are now fighting for the best tactic to drop a bomb on another country. The ICBM is a way to fire a missile underground and then it will come up and shoot through outer space. The missiles can fly around continents and fly at the speed of a bullet. ICBMs are also how we got people on the moon for the first time.

Sputnik launched into orbit (Oct 4th, 1957)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-23 20:28:20 UTC

On October 4th, 1957, the Soviet Union launched a beach-ball-sized satellite into space. This satellite was the first man-made one to be entered into orbit. The purpose of launching this satellite into space was to test the method of placing an artificial satellite into Earth's orbit. The satellite was very successful for the Soviet Union as it completed around 1400 orbits. This launch sent the United States into panic as they now thought that this satellite gave the Soviet Union the ability to deliver nuclear warheads from a long distance. The launch also forced the US to continue in its pursuit of space travel while also pushing for a new level of space exploration.

Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba (Jan 1959)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-23 20:35:23 UTC

During the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro and an associated group of revolutionaries toppled the ruling government of Fulgencio Batista, forcing Batista out of power. Castro was a young lawyer and activist, who had been running for Congress as part of the Cuban People’s Party before Batista seized power. The United States was one of the first countries to recognize Castro’s government in Cuba, but relations between the two countries quickly deteriorated as Castro implemented a communist regime and forged close ties with the Soviet Union, the U.S. enemy in the Cold War.

U2 spy plane shot down over the USSR (May 1960)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-23 20:45:38 UTC

U-2 was a high-altitude jet aircraft flown by the United States for intelligence gathering and surveillance, The plane was used by the CIA and US Air Force to monitor electronic emissions, to sample the upper atmosphere for evidence of nuclear weapons tests, and to photograph sites deep within the territory of the Soviet Union, China, and other Cold War enemies. U-2 was shot down over the Soviet Union by Soviet Air Defence Forces. The spy plane was able to get photographs that confirmed the presence of Soviet nuclear-armed missiles in Cuba.

Failed Bay of Pigs Invasion (April 1961)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-24 13:45:07 UTC

The Bay of Pigs Invasion was a failed mission performed by the CIA, the purpose of the invasion was to push communist leader, Fidel Castro, out of power in Cuba. One of the main reasons the invasion failed was simply because the invaders were widely outnumbered by Castro's troops. The Americans also were unaware that Castro had knowledge of the invasion, so he was already on the defensive side ready to strike on the invaders. The invasion resulted in several casualties for the invaders and was overall a waste of time, men, and resources for the U.S.

Construction of Berlin Wall Begins (Aug 17, 1961)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-24 13:58:12 UTC

The Berlin Wall was built almost overnight to stop their people from fleeing to freedom in the West. Thankfully, almost two million East Germans were able to escape before the construction of the wall began, but there were still millions left stuck behind the wall before it came down. The wall was built very strategically so people could not escape or easily die trying to. East German soldiers even had lookout towers, it was basically a prison controlled by communists.

Cuban Missile Crisis (Oct 1962)

lcrowley25 — 2024-04-24 14:02:56 UTC

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day confrontation in October 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union over the installation of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba. U.S. spy planes discovered the missile sites under construction, President Kennedy imposed a naval blockade around Cuba and made preparations for a possible invasion. Both sides refused to back down and the world fearing nuclear war, a tense stalemate ensued. Finally, the Soviet Union agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for the U.S. promising not to invade Cuba. The crisis was a decisive moment in the Cold War and is regarded as the closest the two superpowers came to direct military conflict and potentially nuclear war.

Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Ratified (July 1963)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-03 18:32:47 UTC

The treaty was made for the purpose of prohibiting nuclear weapons tests or other nuclear explosions underwater, in the atmosphere, or in outer space, and also prohibited nuclear weapons tests or other nuclear explosions underwater, in the atmosphere, or in outer space. Both countries led signatories to work towards complete disarmament, an end to the armaments race, and an end to the contamination of the environment by radioactive substances. Thirty-three years later, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Signed by 71 nations, including those possessing nuclear weapons, the treaty prohibited all nuclear test explosions including those conducted underground.

Gulf of Tonkin incident and resolution (Auguest 1964)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-03 18:36:50 UTC

In early August 1964, two U.S. destroyers stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam radioed that they had been fired upon by North Vietnamese forces. In response to these reported incidents, President Lyndon B. Johnson requested permission from the U.S. Congress to increase the U.S. military presence in Indochina. Later on, congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, authorizing President Johnson to take any measures he believed were necessary to retaliate and to promote the maintenance of international peace and security in southeast Asia.

US Marines sent to Dominican Republic to fight communism (April 1965)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-03 18:40:37 UTC

In 1965 President Lyndon B. Johnson sent over 20,000 troops to the Dominican Republic under the idea that America and its nations would not allow a communist government to foster in the Western hemisphere. However, by acting unilaterally and through Johnson's "Johnson Doctrine" the United States had violated the OAS prohibition on any American state from intervention of any kind on any other state for any reason.

US announcement to dispatch 200,000 US troops to Vietnam (July 1965)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-03 18:43:55 UTC

President Lyndon B. Johnson announces that he has ordered an increase in U.S. military forces in Vietnam in order to fight communism in Vietnam. He pointed out that to fill the increase in military manpower needs, the monthly draft calls would be raised from 17,000 to 35,000. There was an immediate reaction throughout the world to this latest escalation, with communist leaders attacking Johnson for his decision to send more troops to Vietnam. This decision to send more troops was regarded as a major turning point, as it effectively guaranteed U.S. military leaders a blank check to pursue the war.

B-52s Bomb N. Vietnam in Operation Rolling Thunder (1966)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-03 18:52:32 UTC

After troops were sent to Vietnam, America launched the biggest military mission ever performed known as Operation Rolling Thunder. The U.S was now attacking the homeland, which President Johnson says is justified since we pledged to help and defend South Vietnam from communist North Vietnam. This bombing lasted for over three years between Vietnam and the U.S. Troops continued to be shipped to Vietnam, bombs were sent off, and many people died in this war.

Red Army crushes Czechoslovakian revolt (August 1968)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-03 18:56:20 UTC

Czechoslovakians living under Communism got to enjoy newfound freedoms in a period known as the “Prague Spring.” But in August of that year, tanks from the Soviet Union and allied Warsaw Pact nations quickly crushed the reforms. On August 20, 1968, the Soviet Union led Warsaw Pact troops in an invasion of Czechoslovakia to crack down on reformist trends in Prague. The Soviet Union's action successfully halted the pace of reform in Czechoslovakia.

Apollo 11 lands on the moon (July 20, 1969)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-03 18:59:38 UTC

Apollo 11, U.S. spaceflight during which commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Edwin Aldrin, Jr became the first people to land on the Moon and walk the lunar surface. Apollo 11 was a massive national commitment by the United States to beat the Soviet Union in putting people on the Moon. Almost every major aspect of the flight of Apollo 11 was witnessed via television by hundreds of millions of people in nearly every part of the globe.

Publication of the Pentagon papers (1971)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-03 19:02:47 UTC

The Pentagon Papers, officially titled "Report of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Vietnam Task Force", was commissioned by Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara in 1967. In June of 1971, small portions of the report were leaked to the press and widely distributed. However, the publications of the report that resulted from these leaks were incomplete and suffered from many quality issues. The Pentagon Papers revealed that the United States had expanded its war with the bombing of Cambodia and Laos, coastal raids on North Vietnam, and Marine Corps attacks, none of which had been reported by the American media.

President Nixon visits China (Feb 1972)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-07 18:50:24 UTC

President Nixon goes to the Great Wall and meets with the communist Chinese government. Richard Nixon starts the process of re-establishing diplomatic relations and trade deals with China. This is when China's economic rise starts to begin. This is an example of "Detente" which means a lessening of tensions. Nixon does this as a way to court communist China away from communist Russia. Nixon makes a name for himself as the anti-communist hardliner.

SALT l signed (July 1972)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-07 18:56:26 UTC

A limitation treaty that puts a cap on the number and type of nuclear weapons that each country could have. Countries can also no longer test nuclear weapons above the ground. Russia and the US both signed the treaty. Another example of "Detente" by lessening tensions. There are more treaties signed after that limit nuclear weapons but today none of those treaties are still in place.

US-supported coup overthrows Chilean government (Sept 1973)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-07 19:03:55 UTC

Fifty years ago in Chile, the United States worked to end the presidency of an elected Marxist and, in turn, helped usher in an authoritarian right-wing dictatorship. Salvador Allende was elected president of Chile in 1970 as the candidate of a leftist coalition. Under Nixon, the U.S. actively worked to undermine Allende's government through economic pressure, propaganda, and covert operations by the CIA. On September 11, 1973, the Chilean military led by General Augusto Pinochet bombed the presidential palace and seized power in a violent coup. While not directly orchestrating it, the U.S. covertly supported the forces that carried out the violent overthrow of Chile's government.

Egypt and Syria attack Israel; Egypt requests Soviet Aid (Oct 1973)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-07 19:08:25 UTC

Egypt and Syria launched coordinated surprise attacks against Israel from the Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights. This caught Israel off-guard initially but as the war progressed, Israel was able to regroup and push back against the Egyptian and Syrian advances after urgent military mobilization. Egypt did request military aid from the Soviet Union, which was a key backer of Arab states against Israel. The Soviets began a massive airlift operation to resupply Egypt and Syria with weapons, equipment, and personnel to support their war efforts against Israel. This raised tensions with the United States, which was firmly backing Israel and conducted its own resupply efforts. It brought the two Cold War superpowers dangerously close to direct confrontation.

South Vietnam falls to Communist North Vietnam (April 17, 1975)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-07 19:12:16 UTC

After years of fighting between North Vietnamese forces and the U.S.-backed South Vietnamese government, the Paris Peace Accords were signed in 1973, leading to a withdrawal of U.S. troops. However, fighting continued between North and South Vietnam despite the ceasefire. South Vietnamese forces, lacking U.S. ground troops and air support after the American withdrawal, were unable to withstand the North Vietnamese onslaught. North Vietnamese tanks rolled into Saigon as South Vietnam's government capitulated. This marked the official Fall of Saigon to communist North Vietnamese forces.

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

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-07 19:16:15 UTC

oviet and Cuban forces played a major role in helping install a communist government in Angola after years of civil war following Angola's independence from Portugal. After Portugal withdrew from Angola in 1975, three main factions began fighting for control - the MPLA, UNITA, and FNLA. With massive Soviet and Cuban military aid, the MPLA was able to gain the upper hand and capture Luanda, the capital, in early 1976. Angola remained an ally of the Soviet Union during the Cold War under MPLA rule.

The US and China officially established diplomatic relations and trade & Panda Diplomacy (Jan 1979)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-07 19:51:08 UTC

The US now has fully established diplomatic ties with China just like any other country. The Chinese like to loan out their pandas to the US now that they have trade relations. The US wanted pandas in their zoo so China would sell them for $1 million dollars a panda. The two countries also became dependent on each other for economic success.

Sino-Vietnamese War (Feb 1979)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-08 19:27:09 UTC

Shah of Iran overthrown; Iran Hostage Crisis begins (Nov. 1979)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-08 19:39:02 UTC

The United States wanted oil from Iran, they also did not want them to be communist so the US decided to promote the Shah. He promoted Western culture but the people of Iran hated him because he was a dictator. He was overthrown and fled to the US to get cancer treatment. The new government of Iran was anti-American and became a theocracy ruled by religious leaders. The new religious leader wants to execute the Shah but the US will not turn him over. Some Iranian college students decide to storm the American embassy and they take 60 American citizens and hold them hostage for a year and a half. Jimmy Carter says they will not trade the Shah for the American hostages so he finally decides to launch a rescue mission. The helicopter and airplane crashed into each other and ended in many Navy seal deaths. Within three hours of Ronald Reagan's presidency, he got the American hostages back. To this day, America and Iran do not get along and are considered enemies.

Soviet forces invade Afghanistan (Dec. 1979)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-08 19:47:26 UTC

Afghanistan had a communist government until conservative Muslims overthrew the communist government. The Soviet Union stepped in directly and invaded Afghanistan. The Soviet Union has been there for years, they spent a lot of money and lost a lot of soldiers, but ultimately they left unseccessful. The US is giving aid to the Aghanistan members to fight against communism.

US Hockey defeats USSR at winter olympics in Lake Placid, NY (Feb 22, 1980)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-08 19:55:54 UTC

The US pro hockey players were unable to compete in the Olympics so the US team was made up of college players, while the USSR's team was made up of their best players. The US was the underdog but pulled out a win against the USSR. This was known as the "miracle" since the USSR was expected to win.

US Boycotts Summer Olympics in Moscow (June-Aug 1980)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-08 19:58:08 UTC

The summer Olympics are being held in Moscow. But since the Soviet Union had just invaded Afghanistan, many countries including the US decided not to go. They sit out our Olympics 4 years later to show the tensions between the two.

Reagan proposes SDI or “Star Wars” (1983)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-10 18:36:27 UTC

President Reagan proposes a strategic defense initiative or "nuke" defensive initiative. Nuclear bombs can be tracked using laser beams and other high technology to destroy the bombs before they can hit the US. Critics nicknamed it "Star Wars" because of the high technology. The SDI was almost successful. It shot down about 80% of incoming missiles.

US Troops invade and overthrow the regime in Grenada (Oct 1983)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-14 19:23:22 UTC

The invasion of Grenada in October 1983 was a major military operation carried out by the United States and allied forces from several Caribbean nations. The reasons for the invasion were to protect American citizens there after a military coup had unseated the government, and to address concerns over the construction of a new airport which the U.S. suspected could be used by Soviet or Cuban military forces. The invasion drew considerable international criticism, including from some U.S. allies, who viewed it as an unjustified violation of Grenada's sovereignty.

Eastern Bloc boycotts LA Summer Olympics (July-Aug 1984)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-14 19:35:12 UTC

In 1984, 14 Eastern Bloc countries boycotted the Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, California. It was initiated by the Soviet Union, which stated the reason was security concerns and alleged anti-Soviet sentiments in the U.S. It was viewed as a retaliatory move after the U.S. had led a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. In addition to the Soviet Union itself, the full list of boycotting nations included East Germany, Cuba, Bulgaria, Hungary, Laos, Mongolia, Poland, Czechoslovakia, North Korea, South Yemen, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan. Major Olympic powers like the Soviet Union, East Germany, and Cuba missing the Games severely dented their competitive standing, especially in sports like gymnastics, weightlifting, and boxing.

Gorbachev begins "glasnost" and "perestroika" in efforts to reform the USSR. (1985)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-14 19:48:07 UTC

Gorbachev is the leader of the Soviet Union in the 80s, during a rough economy. He initiated the reforms that he called "glasnost" and "perestroika" to help preserve the USSR and help the people. "Glasnost" translates to openness as in more freedom of speech, and press, as well as more openness with Western culture. He is trying to help the people and the country as a whole. "Perestroika" translates to restructuring, he wants to restructure the economy. Manufacturing, and banking, and he even wants to restructure communism so that it can compete industrially and financially with capitalism. He is doing all of this to make the people of the USSR happy so that the USSR as a country can help recover. It is too late though, the USSR does collapse later and Gorbachev is the last leader of the Soviet Union.

Soviet Troops withdraw from Afghanistan (Jan 1989)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-19 14:32:43 UTC

The withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan in 1989 marked the end of the Soviet-Afghan War, which had begun in 1979 when Soviet forces intervened in Afghanistan. The Soviet Union, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the United States signed the Geneva Accords, which called for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. Despite the troop withdrawal, the Soviet Union continued to provide military aid to the PDPA government.

Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and Romania oust Communist governments (1989)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-19 14:39:57 UTC

In 1989, a wave of revolutions swept across several countries in Eastern Europe, leading to the overthrow of long-standing Communist governments and the end of over 40 years of Soviet domination in the region. In Poland, the Polish United Workers' Party (Communist Party) agreed to hold partially free elections, leading to the formation of the first non-Communist government in the Eastern Bloc. In Hungary, the Hungarian Communist Party had been disbanded, and the country held its first multi-party elections in 1990. In Czechoslovakia, Václav Havel became the first non-Communist president of Czechoslovakia since 1948. In Bulgaria, The Bulgarian Communist Party gave up its guaranteed right to rule, and the country held its first free elections in 1990. In Romania, The Romanian Revolution began in December 1989 with protests in Timisoara against the repressive regime of Nicolae Ceausescu.

Tiananmen Square Massacre (June 1989)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-19 14:44:15 UTC

In April 1989, students and others began gathering in Tiananmen Square to mourn the death of former Communist Party leader Hu Yaobang and to voice calls for democracy, free speech, and a free press. By mid-May, over a million people had joined the protests across China, making it the largest pro-democracy movement in the country's history. In the early hours of June 4, 1989, the Chinese military moved in with tanks and troops to clear Tiananmen Square of protesters. The crackdown crushed the pro-democracy movement and was condemned internationally as a violation of human rights. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of protesters were arrested in the aftermath, with many leaders receiving lengthy prison sentences.

Berlin Wall falls (Nov 1989)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-19 14:47:13 UTC

The Berlin Wall was erected in 1961 by the communist government of East Germany to prevent people from fleeing to democratic West Berlin. For nearly 30 years, the heavily fortified barrier divided the city of Berlin, serving as a powerful symbol of the Iron Curtain between Western and Soviet-controlled Eastern Europe. The East German government unexpectedly allowed citizens to cross the border with West Berlin due to mounting public pressure and protests across East Germany. Over the next few weeks and months, the Berlin Wall was progressively demolished by ordinary citizens. It marked a symbolic end to the decades-long Cold War struggle between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Boris Yeltsin elected as president of Russia (May 1990)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-19 14:50:36 UTC

Boris Yeltsin was elected as the first president of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR). He won 57% of the vote in the first direct presidential election in Russian history. Yeltsin's election as Russian president reflected growing democratic aspirations in Russia and a rejection of the ossified Soviet Communist establishment.

Germany Reunited (Oct 3, 1990)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-19 14:54:38 UTC

After World War II, Germany was split into democratic West Germany and communist East Germany, which was controlled by the Soviet Union as part of its Eastern Bloc. With the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 and the collapse of East German communism, moves swiftly began to reunite the two Germans. Through a negotiated process involving the four Allied powers of WWII, the two German states agreed on economic and political reunification. It represented the final solidification of West Germany's alignment with Western Europe and the end of Germany's four decades of post-war division.

USSR dissolved- 15 republics gain independence, including Russia (Aug, 1991)

lcrowley25 — 2024-05-19 14:59:29 UTC

The dissolution of the Soviet Union in late 1991 was a pivotal geopolitical event that marked the end of the Cold War and the collapse of one of the 20th century's most powerful states. The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus announced the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the establishment of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). All 15 Soviet republics - Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan - formally regained or declared their independence. The end of the Soviet Union concluded the decades-long Cold War rivalry between the USSR and the West led by the United States.

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lcrowley25 — 2024-05-20 19:24:04 UTC