Germany was divided between western allies and the Soviet Union. Berlin was in the east but since it was the capital it was still split so the USSR tried to gain control by cutting surface traffic to west Berlin.

The USSR started its own atomic bomb research in 1943. Aided by plans stolen from the Manhattan project, In august of 1949. The was a successful test of a 20- kiloton bomb years ahead of american predictions creating tension and soon after war.

When two major parties withdrew power from Korea friction between the north and south erupted when north Koreans invaded the south, who was unprepared. The U.S. help by stepping in to help which caused tension between the USSR and U.S. creating a proxy war between the two.

construction of a barbed wire fence and concrete wall created in 2 weeks this would soon turn into a 13- foot wall to divide East and West Germany as many from the east were fleeing west and the soviets did not like this

The Titan II could launch from its underground silo in just 58 seconds and at 103 feet tall and 10 feet in diameter, it became an important component of the U.S. Strategic Triad.

The people were upset with the economic and political situation in East Berlin, and Ronald Reagans talks at the Brandenburg Gate where he said "tear down the wall." And 18 months later millions of Germans celebrated as thousands of their compatriots tore down symbols down the Berlin wall. The most iconic symbols of the end of the Cold War..

after the fall of the Berlin wall, leader of every Eastern European nation except for Bulgaria were overthrown by popular uprising who were inspired, by the end of 1989 the Soviet Union was in turmoil and there were several attempts to overthrow General Secretary Gorbachev.

on December 8, 1991 the Soviet Union collapsed. The President of the Russia Republic; Boris Yeltsin formed the common wealth independent state. After 45 years the longest war in U.S. history was over.