Timeline by Amelia Arboneaux

Berlin Airlift: 1948-1949

467300_1 — 2025-05-07 13:47:35 UTC

A 15 month thing where the western allies supplied west Berlin by air after the Soviet union blockade land and water access to the city. The Airlift delivered food, fuel, medicine, and other necessities.

Korean War: 1950- 1953

467300_1 — 2025-05-07 13:50:38 UTC

A war between north and south Korea where North Korea was supported by China and the Soviet Union and South Korea was supported by the UN and the US. Communist North Korea wanted to unify both Koreas so they invaded South Korea. The war ended with an armistice agreement but not a peace treaty.

US detonates its first Hydrogen bomb- November 1st, 1952

467300_1 — 2025-05-07 13:54:00 UTC

The Hydrogen Bomb, with the code name: "Ivy Mike" was detonated on the Marshall Islands having ten megatons of energy. It was the first full scale test of a thermonuclear weapon.

Bay of Pigs- 1961

467300_1 — 2025-05-07 13:56:38 UTC

It was a failed invasion attempt by the US, supported by Cuban exiles, to overthrow Fidel Castro and his communist government. It was a significant event during the Cold War and had song lasting effects on the relationship between Cuba and the US.

Cuban Missile Crisis- 1962

467300_1 — 2025-05-07 13:59:47 UTC

It was a 13 day standoff in October between the US and the Soviet Union when America deployed nuclear missiles in Italy and Turkey and the Soviet Union matched them and deployed missiles in Cuba. This was after the Bay of Pigs- when Castro sought protection from the Soviets.

US sends troops to Vietnam: 1964- 1973

467300_1 — 2025-05-07 14:02:52 UTC

The US sent over 3.4 million troops to Vietnam in this time period. There was a peak of 543,000 personnel stationed in the country in April of 1969. After the Gulf of Tonkin Incident there was and increase in US troops.

Pinochet’s coup in Chile- 1973

467300_1 — 2025-05-07 14:05:14 UTC

The Chilean military overthrew the democratically elected socialist government of Salvador Allende. This resulted in a 17 year military dictatorship.

Nixon’s detente policy/SALT I- 1969

467300_1 — 2025-05-07 14:08:10 UTC

This policy aimed to ease the tension in the Cold War with the Soviet Union. This involved many efforts and agreements, including Salt I which was a major step in nuclear arms control, limiting the deployment of ballistic missiles.

Soviet invasion of Afghanistan- 1979

467300_1 — 2025-05-07 14:10:47 UTC

This triggered a 9 year civil war and significantly contributed to the Soviet Unions collapse. The invasion was aimed at supporting a communist regime struggling with a popular insurgency but ultimately became a costly war for the Soviets.

Reagan’s defense buildup-

467300_1 — 2025-05-07 14:13:04 UTC

During Reagan's administration, the size of the US army grew by two active divisions and say the developed of lots of new weapon systems. It was a Hallmark of his precedence that lifted the military industry out of the slumps.