The Cold War by EMILY IRELAND

Yalta Conference Drafts Post-War plan (February 1945)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-10 13:57:12 UTC

The Yalta Conference was a meeting that took place with the Allied Leaders from World War Two to discuss the plan for Europe after the war. During the conference, decisions over Germany were made, causing Germany to surrender and split into four occupational zones controlled by the Allied powers. Decisions over war crimes were made, leading to the Nuremberg Trials, and Germany was tasked with paying reperations for the damage caused by the war. Stalin agreed to join the war in the Pacific to help end it in return for territorial gains, and the Soviet Union agreed to hold free elections in Poland after the war. The Conference also strengthened the foundations for the United Nations with the agreements over the Security Council and veto power for permanent members of the UN.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki (August 1945)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-10 14:04:54 UTC

In hopes of causing Japan's surrender to the United States in World War Two, the U.S. dropped two atomic bombs on Japan. The first was on August 6, 1945, in Hiroshima, Japan, killing around 80,000 people instantly. The second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, killing 60,000 to 80,000 people. The atomic bombs devastated the cities in Japan, leading to Japan's surrender on August 15, 1945. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki became the first and only time nuclear weapons were used in warfare.

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

eireland26_ — 2025-04-10 14:17:22 UTC

The Iron Curtain speech was a warning to the U.S. about the growing Soviet power in Eastern Europe. The speech highlighted the need for Western unity against the Soviet Union and its expansion. Churchill also urged the U.S. to work alongside Britain to stop the Soviet Union from expanding further. This speech influenced the U.S. to start a containment policy against the Soviet Union to try and stop the spread of Communism, causing the U.S. to become involved more in global issues and abandon isolationism.

Truman Doctrine first applied to Greek Civil War (March 12, 1947)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-22 13:24:27 UTC

The United States is fixated on the containment of Communism. The Truman Doctrine stated that the US was to ally with non-communist countries and provide economic and military aid to fight against communism. The Truman Doctrine was put into place during the war between Greece and Turkey, and was a success as the communists lost in the war.

Marshall Plan is announced to rebuild Europe (June 1947)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-22 13:37:02 UTC

Europe was annihilated because of World War Two. Communism sounds appealing to a lot of people in Europe because cities were in ruins, and economies were failing. The United States gave free money to the countries that could buy American goods to rebuild European cities. It was a way to contain communism by stopping the spread, because rebuilding the cities could make the economies grow, and jobs could be created for citizens. Money was given to allied countries, but also to countries that were neutral, to keep ties good between Europe and the U.S. while also stopping the spread of communism.

Berlin Blockade and Airlift Begins (June 1948)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-22 13:49:10 UTC

The Berlin Wall was an attempt by the Soviets to try and keep the U.S. and other allied forces away from East Berlin and to cut off West Berlin. As a response, the Berlin Airlift was started by the Allies to provide West Berlin with supplies. The airlift provided food, fuel, medicine, etc. to citizens by American and British aircraft. The airlift ensured the survival of 2.5 million people in West Berlin.

NATO Alliance Formed (April 4, 1949)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-22 13:50:55 UTC

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was founded as a military alliance originally consisting of 12 nations: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States. NATO's purpose was to provide a collective defense, an attack on one is an attack on all, to its members against potential threats like communism and the Soviet Union, which was the main goal at its creation.

Russia tests its first atomic bomb (August 20, 1949)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-22 14:04:24 UTC

Russia's atomic bomb, Joe-1, was similar to the US's design of Fat Man, and its creation was aided by intelligence gathered from the Manhattan Project. US intelligence was able to detect the explosion, which was a shock to the country, as it was assumed the Soviets would take years to develop an atomic bomb. The Successful test increased the arms race between the Soviets and the United States, causing the world to live under the threat of nuclear warfare.

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

eireland26_ — 2025-04-22 14:18:50 UTC

Mao Zedong was a communist leader who was fighting for control of China before World War Two and was losing to the non-communist leader Chiang Kai-shek. During World War Two, Japan invaded China, and the civil war was paused until after the end of the war. After World War two, the civil war continued, but Mao Zedong won and China became a communist nation, while Chiang Kai-shek and his troops fled to Taiwan. The United States gave its support to Taiwan, which became the Republic of China.

McCarthyism and the Red Scare takes hold in the U.S. (February 1950)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-22 14:28:23 UTC

The fear of communism in the U.S. led to aggressive accusations and investigations to expose communists. Senator Joseph McCarthy was the face of the movement and claimed that multiple people were communists. These claims were made with a lack of evidence. The fear of communism led to the ruination of thousands of lives in the U.S.

Korean War (1950-1953)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-23 02:30:37 UTC

North Korea, a communist nation, was backed by the Soviet Union and China, while South Korea was backed by the United Nations, specifically the United States, in an effort to contain and stop the spread of communism. However, the war ended in a stalemate, causing Korea to be split into North and South Korea at the Demilitarized Zone, and causing communism to still be in North Korea.

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

eireland26_ — 2025-04-23 14:34:18 UTC

An H-Bomb is a hydrogen bomb bigger than an A-bomb, an atomic bomb, that the U.S. dropped on Japan. The U.S. tested the bomb in Bikini Atoll on World War Two military vehicles. The H-Bomb was more powerful and was a result of the arms race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

The Transfermium Wars Begin (1955)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-23 14:54:07 UTC

A scientific race to find new elements on the periodic table that could be used in the arms race to develop stronger weapons. The United States and the Soviet Union developed new elements in labs and fought over the discovery and naming of the elements.

KGB established (March 1954)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-24 18:55:37 UTC

The KGB, the Committee for State Security, was the main security agency for the Soviet Union. The KGB's headquarters were in Moscow and specialized in foreign intelligence, counterintelligence, covert operations, and political surveillance. The KGB was used to infiltrate Western intelligence organizations to gain information.

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

eireland26_ — 2025-04-24 23:52:43 UTC

Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh of Iran nationalized Iran's oil supply with threaten Western economic interests. The U.S. and Britain feared his actions were going to cause Iran to become more like the Soviet Union, so in response, the CIA orchestrated Operation Ajax to overthrow the Prime Minister. The CIA also overthrew President Jacobo Árbenz in Guatemala because they believed that his land reforms threatened the United Fruit Company, which was a U.S.-based company; because of this, he was labeled as a communist by the U.S.

Warsaw Pact Formed (May 1955)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-24 23:59:26 UTC

The Warsaw Pact was created as a way for the Soviet Union to counterbalance NATO after West Berlin joined. The pact was led by the Soviet Union and offered the country military alliances. The original members of the Warsaw Pact were the Soviet Union, Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Romania.

Rebellion put down in Hungary (November 1956)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-25 00:07:47 UTC

After World War Two, Hungary was under the control of the Communist Soviet Union. The uprising began on October 23, 1956, in Budapest, Hungary, for more independence from the Soviet Union, causing Hungary to withdraw from the Warsaw Pact. In response to the withdrawal, the Soviet Union invaded Hungary to put a stop to the uprising, which caused Hungary to continue to be under Soviet control.

USSR launches first ICBM (August 1957)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-25 00:16:35 UTC

The Soviet Union's ICBM, the intercontinental ballistic missile, was the first one ever launched. The R-7 Semyorka was designed to carry nuclear weapons to American targets and was created during the Nuclear Arms Race. The model was then modified to be used by the Soviet Union in the Space Race as well.

Sputnik launched into orbit (October 4, 1957)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-25 13:10:31 UTC

Sputnik 1 was the first artificial satellite and was launched by the Soviet Union. The launching of Sputnik was the start of the space race, which caused both the U.S. and the Soviet Union to put more time and money into space development.

Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba (January 1959)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-25 13:16:23 UTC

Cuba was under the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista until the Cuban Revolution, led successfully by Fidel Castro. Fulgencio Basta fled Cuba, and Fidel Castro took control, changing Cuba into a communist country. Cuba had become the first communist nation in the Western Hemisphere.

Construction on the Berlin Wall begins (August 17, 1961)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-25 13:23:40 UTC

The construction of the Berlin Wall was initiated by East Germany's government, backed by the Soviet Union. The wall's purpose was to prevent Western ideologies and influence from spreading east and to stop people in East Germany from fleeing to West Berlin. The wall was initially made from barbed wire fences and concrete blocks.

U-2 spy plane shot down over the USSR (May 1960)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-25 13:37:01 UTC

The U-2 is a new top-secret spy plane that is unknown to the public. The plane flies in the stratosphere, which makes it harder to shoot down. The U.S. is using the U-2 plane to spy on the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union shot down the U-2 plane and arrested the pilot, Francis Gary Powers.

Failed Bay of Pigs Invasion (April 1961)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-25 13:47:55 UTC

Castro is in power in Cuba, and the U.S. gathers anti-Castro exiled Cubans and trains them in military type training and then drops them off in Cuba. Castro is made aware that the invasion is happening, and captures the Cubans, who are integrated, and it is revealed that the U.S. is involved. This led to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Cuban Missile Crisis (October 1962)

eireland26_ — 2025-04-25 14:09:24 UTC

The U.S. is spying on Cuba and saw the Soviet Union putting nuclear weapons in Cuba, 90 miles from Florida. President Kennedy orders a naval blockade around Cuba rather than invade in order to stop the Soviet Union from getting nuclear weapon parts into Cuba. After negotiations, the U.S. promises not to invade Cuba, and the Soviet Union agrees to remove the weapons. The U.S. also agrees to secretly remove weapons from Italy and Turkey.

Nuclear Test Ban Treaty ratified (July 1963).

eireland26_ — 2025-05-02 13:42:52 UTC

The treaty banned Nuclear weapons from being tested underwater, in the atmosphere, or in outer space. However, they could still be tested underground if radioactive debris were contained in the testing area. Negotiations for the treaty were driven by the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union.

Gulf of Tonkin incident and resolution (August 1964).

eireland26_ — 2025-05-02 13:54:15 UTC

The USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy, U.S. destroyers, reported that they were attacked by Vietnamese torpedoes in the Gulf of Tonkin. These incidents were reported as unprovoked attacks by President Johnson, which furthered the U.S. Congress to agree to allow military action. However, this was used by Johnson to increase the U.S.'s role in the Vietnam War.

U.S. Marines sent to Dominican Republic to fight communism (April 1955)

eireland26_ — 2025-05-02 14:05:59 UTC

Over 22,000 U.S. troops were ordered by Johnson to deploy to the Dominican Republic, which was called Operation Power Pack. The main goal was to stop a communist government from taking control in the Dominican Republic. The U.S. backed the loyalist faction, and Johnson justified the operation by stating it would be beneficial in protecting American interests and lives.

Sino-Vietnamese War (February 1979)

eireland26_ — 2025-05-07 14:31:51 UTC

War against communist China and communist Vietnam. After the Vietnam War, Vietnam became a communist nation. Cambodia is also a communist nation ruled by Pol Pot under what is called the Khmer Rouge. Pol Pot is a communist extremist and mass murderer who was anti-Western and was supported by China. Vietnam overthrows Pol Pot to stop his rule, and China invades Vietnam in response to Vietnam's overthrow.

Shah of Iran overthrown; Iran Hostage Crisis begins (November 1979)

eireland26_ — 2025-05-07 14:43:16 UTC

The king of Iran inherited the monarchy from his father and is a big ally of the U.S. However, he is unpopular in Iran. Iran was a very conservative country because of the Islamic religion, and the Shah had been working to modernize Iran. Iranian male college students overthrew the Shah, and he fled to the U.S.; Iran became a theocracy. The college students stormed the U.S. embassy and took around 60 Americans hostage for 444 days. The Iranians wanted the Shah back from the U.S. in exchange for the Americans, but Jimmy Carter refused, and it made his presidency look weak. When Jimmy Carter tried to get the hostages, the plane went down and caused the death of U.S. special forces. Jimmy Carter was not reelected.

Reagan proposes SDI or "Star Wars" (1983).

eireland26_ — 2025-05-07 16:47:40 UTC

The Cold War has focused on offensive weapons, but Reagan proposed a focus on defense. He wanted a "dome" to use a satellite to spot and shoot down Soviet nuclear weapons to protect the U.S. and eliminate the threat of a nuclear attack. The plan was not 100 percent effective, and it cost billions of dollars to conduct the research. It was nicknamed "Star Wars" as many thought the technology was too futuristic.

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

eireland26_ — 2025-05-07 16:58:23 UTC

President Lyndon B. Johnson made the announcement to send more troops to Vietnam on national television. The announcement came after the Tet Offensive, and more troops were requested by General William C. Westmoreland. The decision to send more troops was met with outrage from the American public, specifically activist and college students, but also outrage from some government officials, like Secretary of Defense Clark Clifford, who opposed the idea of sending more troops off to war.

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

eireland26_ — 2025-05-07 17:15:54 UTC

Operation Rolling Thunder was a U.S. bombing campaign against North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The overall goal of the operation was to weaken North Vietnam by targeting supply routes, military bases, and industrial zones. The bombing operation was, however, not successful as North Vietnam was able to rebuild its infrastructure quickly and was able to strengthen its air defense. This campaign was met with opposition from Americans, who said that the bombing caused too many civilian casualties. So while the bombing did not help the war effort in Vietnam, it also did not help the war effort in America.

Red Army crushes Czechoslovakian revolt (August 1968)

eireland26_ — 2025-05-08 13:56:48 UTC

Czechoslovakia was in a period of political liberation where democratic ideologies and reforms were attempting to be put in place, like freedom of speech, the press, and travel. In an attempt to put an end to these reforms, the Soviet Union, Poland, Hungary, and Bulgaria invaded Czechoslovakia and was met with resistant from the protester however the Soviet Union was able to retake control.

Apollo 11 lands on moon (July 20, 1969)

eireland26_ — 2025-05-08 14:07:39 UTC

The Apollo 11 landing on the moon marked the first time humans had set foot on the moon. The mission was launched from Kennedy Space Center. The success of the landing was a major win for the U.S. in the space race against the Soviet Union. The landing was seen as a win in the Space Race by Americans however, the Soviet Union continued to develop its space programs to keep up with the U.S.

Publication of the Pentagon Papers (1971).

eireland26_ — 2025-05-08 16:27:04 UTC

The Pentagon Papers revealed U.S. government decisions about the Vietnam War that were unknown to the public. The papers were leaked by former military analyst Daniel Ellsberg. The papers revealed that the public was misled by the U.S. government administration about the likelihood of a U.S. victory, progression, and involvement in the war. The publication of the Pentagon Papers increased the anti-war movement in the U.S. and increased disagreements over the Vietnam War.

President Nixon visits China (February 1972).

eireland26_ — 2025-05-08 16:35:21 UTC

Richard Nixon's visit to China marked the first time a U.S. president visited the People’s Republic of China. The trip was a significant attempt at normalizing relations between the two nations. The trip was also a driving wedge between China and the Soviet Union and caused a balance shift as the U.S. and China became more open to relations between the two of them.

SALT 1 Signed (July 1972)

eireland26_ — 2025-05-08 18:33:56 UTC

SALT 1 was an arms control agreement and was signed by both the U.S. and the Soviet Union by President Richard Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. The treaty limited one ABM deployment area and 100 interceptor missiles to each country to limit either side from gaining an advantage, and froze the number of intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles for five years.

US supported coup overthrows Chilean government (September 1973)

eireland26_ — 2025-05-08 18:51:39 UTC

Chile was led by President Salvador Allende, and fearing his Marxist ideologies, the Nixon administration backed a military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet to overthrow the government. After the overthrow, Pinochet ruled Chile in an authoritarian-controlled government, and Chile was put under severe political repression.

Egypt and Syria attack Israel; Egypt requests Soviet aid (October 1973)

eireland26_ — 2025-05-08 19:04:20 UTC

In an effort to reclaim land that was lost during the Six-Day War in Israel, Egypt and Syria launched an attack on Israel. Egypt was backed by the Soviet Union to provide equipment. Israel was backed by the United States and received arms shipments. The differing support increased tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States.

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

eireland26_ — 2025-05-08 19:13:51 UTC

North Vietnam forces captured the capital of South Vietnam, Saigon, marking the end of the Vietnam War. Vietnam was reunified as a communist nation. The end of the war led to strained diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States because the U.S. was supporting South Vietnam, which lost in the war.

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

eireland26_ — 2025-05-08 19:23:12 UTC

After Angola gained its independence from Portugal, it went into a civil war with both sides being backed by different nations. The Soviet Union and Cuba backed the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola, a Marxist-Leninist communist group, and the United States and South Africa backed the UNITA and FNLA. The civil war ended in Angola becoming a communist nation.

U.S. and China officially establish diplomatic relations and trade & Panda Diplomacy (January 1979)

eireland26_ — 2025-05-09 00:58:45 UTC

After Nixon visited China and acknowledged the country, formal trade negotiations were put into place, as well as economic cooperation. Panda Diplomacy was first put into place as a goodwill gesture, and it involved sending pandas to the U.S. The first panda arrived Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and China has continued to send pandas to zoos across the country.

U.S. troops invade and overthrow regime in Grenada (October 1983)

eireland26_ — 2025-05-09 13:13:02 UTC

The U.S. invaded Grenada after it was taken over by communist control to end the regime that was led by Cuba and supported by Soviet equipment. Increasing concerns for American citizens' safety and the influence of the Soviet Union and Cuba caused the U.S. to take action to try to end the communist regime. The U.S. was successful, and within a few days, communist control was lost in Grenada.

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

eireland26_ — 2025-05-09 13:19:55 UTC

The last Olympics were held in Moscow, and the United States and other Western nations did not participate in the Olympics as a form of protest because the Soviet Union had invaded Afghanistan. In response, during the 1984 Summer Olympics, the Soviet Union and 14 other Communist nations boycotted the games and refused to participate in the Los Angeles games.

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

eireland26_ — 2025-05-09 13:30:05 UTC

Gorbachev was the last leader of the Soviet Union, and in 1985, the Soviet Union was struggling economically. The U.S. and Soviet Union were in an arms race, which caused debt for both nations. Gorbachev attempted to fix the economy with "glasnost" and "perestroika". Glasnost, which is openness, was an effort to open up soviet society in the way of freedom of speech, press, etc. "Perestroika" is an economic reform that tries to allow a little bit of capitalism through personal investments, and open the nation to other countries' companies to try and help the economy. His plans were not enough as citizens were demanding more freedom than the plans offered.

Soviet forces invade Afghanistan (December 1979)

eireland26_ — 2025-05-11 20:02:20 UTC

The government in Afghanistan was a communist government, so the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to support the communist government against the anti-communist insurgents. The U.S. supported the anti-communists by sending supplies to help in the war. The war lasted until 1989 when the Soviet Union pulled its troops, leading to the instability in Afghanistan's government.

US Hockey defeats USSR at Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY (February 22, 1980)

eireland26_ — 2025-05-11 20:10:58 UTC

The U.S. Ice Hockey team was made up of college students and immature players to play in the Olympics. The Soviet Union's team was made up of professionals, and at the height of the Cold War, the game was seen as a "battle" between both nations. During the game, the Soviets were leading 3-2 in the second period; however, in the third and final period, Team U.S.A. took the lead and won the game 4-3, creating the "Mirecal on Ice". The U.S. then went on to win gold against Finland.

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

eireland26_ — 2025-05-11 20:19:34 UTC

Since the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan as part of an effort to get the Soviet Union to leave Afghanistan, President Carter announced that the United States would not be participating in the Summer Olympic Games. After the United States announced its boycott, 65 other countries also chose to boycott the Olympic Games that year.

Soviet troops withdraw from Afghanistan (January 1989)

eireland26_ — 2025-05-12 13:53:54 UTC

10 years prior, the Soviets overthrew the government in Afghanistan and put in a communist government. Afghans wanted their country to have its own government that allowed their religion. The CIA was secretly supplying Afghan rebels, the invasion led to a decade-long war in Afghanistan, and then the Soviets left the country. The Soviet war in Afghanistan was similar to the United States' war in Vietnam.

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

eireland26_ — 2025-05-12 14:04:02 UTC

Before 1989, the Soviets were able to put down any democratic attempt from countries; however, in 1989, they no longer had the resources to stop the countries. Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and Romania all broke away from communism, and since Gorbachov was trying to introduce Glasnost and Perestroika, he did not try to keep them as communist countries.

Tiananmen Square Massacre (June 1989)

eireland26_ — 2025-05-12 14:09:25 UTC

In June of 1989, the communist government in China was facing peaceful protests from young college students who were calling for more freedom. The peaceful protesters are put down violently by the Chinese Communist government by bringing in tanks to stop the protests.

Berlin Wall falls (November 1989)

eireland26_ — 2025-05-12 19:35:58 UTC

Protest in East Germany put pressure on the government to allow more freedoms one of those being travel. After other communist nations split from the Soviet Union like Hungary whose boarders were reopened again allowing Germans an out the governement in East Germany was weakening. When East Germany announced the reopening of the walls the annocment came early causing a mass rush of people trying to get into west Berlin and the gates were eventually opened.

Boris Yeltsin elected as President of Russia (May 1990)

eireland26_ — 2025-05-13 01:50:37 UTC

Boris Yeltsin's election became the first direct presidential election in Russia, and he became the first president of the Russian Federation. His election led to the transition from Russia being communist to a free market economy, making the country more democratic through reforms. However, these reforms caused economic hardship for Russian citizens.

Germany Reunited (October 3, 1990)

eireland26_ — 2025-05-13 13:00:31 UTC

After 45 years split apart, Germany was finally reunited following the collapse of the Berlin Wall. The reunification of the nation caused a reunion of the capital city of Berlin and the economy, creating a market economy.

USSR dissolved - 15 Republics gain independence, including Russia (August 1991)

eireland26_ — 2025-05-13 13:11:36 UTC

After the Belovezh Accords were signed in the Soviet Union dissolved, and 15 nations, including Russia, were granted freedom again. The Soviet Union's collapse marked the end of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union and allowing Eastern Europe to become more democratic in its ways.

Video Analysis

eireland26_ — 2025-05-16 00:07:49 UTC

During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union used Proxy wars, competition over Technological advancements, and cultural competitions to fight against each other, intensifying the rivalry, mistrust, and hostility between the two nations.