Cold War Timeline by KENDALL MULLALLY

Yalta Conference drafts Post-War plan (Feb 1945)

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-22 13:10:19 UTC

The leaders of the US, UK, and USSR came together to discuss the division of Germany into occupation zones, and how they would carry out the United Nations, as well as the USSR's agreement to join the war against Japan. However, one of the agreements, free elections in Europe, was not honored by the USSR; this led to distrust amongst the allied powers. After the tension grew, the division of Europe grew, and would introduce the Iron Curtain.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Aug 1945)

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-22 13:13:02 UTC

These nuclear bombs killed more than 100,000 people and are still the first and only use of nuclear weapons in war. Japan would go on to surrender 6 days after the Nagasaki bombing and would end WWII. The use of these weapons created dominance from the US POV, but created a rivalry with the Soviet Union along with that. This created fear and more mistrust towards the USSR.

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

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-22 13:16:41 UTC

As the Soviet Union progressed further into communism, the relationship between the former WWII allies (US and USSR) slowly deteriorated. Churchill delivered one of the most famous speeches in the Cold War, which would encourage the US to further dive into containment. This is sometimes viewed as the start of the Cold War.

Truman Doctrine first applied in Greek Civil War (Mar 12, 1947)

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-22 13:19:11 UTC

The Truman Doctrine was a promise made by U.S. President Harry Truman in 1947. He said the United States would help any country that was fighting against communism. This meant giving money, supplies, or support to countries like Greece and Turkey so they wouldn't be taken over by communist governments. It was the start of the U.S. trying to stop the spread of communism around the world during the Cold War.

Marshall Plan is announced to rebuild Europe (June 1947)

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-22 13:30:38 UTC

The Marshall Plan was a big help from the US to European countries after WWII. The war had left many cities and economies in Europe destroyed. So in 1948, the U.S. gave money, food, and supplies to help those countries rebuild their homes, schools, and businesses.

Berlin Blockade and Airlift Begins (June 1949)

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-22 13:42:18 UTC

Berlin was split between the Soviet Union and the Allies, including the US. The Soviet Union wanted total control, including the Western portion, which the Allies controlled. The Soviet Union blocked off all water and land routes that were controlled by the Eastern portion of Berlin. The Allies came together and airlifted about 200,000 flights to Berlin for a year, containing food, water, and other supplies.

NATO Alliance formed (Apr 4, 1949)

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-22 13:53:38 UTC

The NATO Alliance was formed in Washington, D.C., and was a key event during the Cold War because 12 countries joined together to prevent the spread of communism. The alliance would go on to expand to more countries, especially after the Cold War, and solidify an international security organization.

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

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-22 14:02:08 UTC

The testing of this bomb marked the entry of the Soviet Union into the nuclear arms race. This now brought the Cold War to a more dangerous level, and the US realized it no longer held the upper hand in nuclear weapons. Not only did this create fear, but it created drive and competition; other countries began creating and testing their nuclear weapons. This would go on to create global security policies, although the NPT wasn't created until the 1960s.

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

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-22 14:12:19 UTC

The Communists wanted to make China a country where the government owned most things and tried to make everyone more equal. The Nationalists wanted a different kind of government with more private ownership and different freedoms. In 1949, Mao Zedong and the Communists won the war. They took control of China and started a new country called the People's Republic of China. The Nationalists lost and ran away to an island called Taiwan, where they set up their own government. This was a huge change in history, because it made China a communist country, and that affected its future for many years.

McCarthyism and the Red Scare takes hold in the US

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-22 14:24:07 UTC

McCarthyism was when a U.S. senator named Joseph McCarthy accused many people of being communists in the 1950s without real proof. People were scared of communism spreading in the U.S., so many believed him. This led to a time when people were afraid to speak their minds, and some lost their jobs or were put on trial just because someone said they were communist.

H-Bomb Tested by USA on Bikini Atoll (Nuke Map) (Mar 1, 1954)

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-23 14:26:45 UTC

In 1954, the U.S. tested a powerful H-bomb at Bikini Atoll. The explosion was huge and caused dangerous radiation. It showed how strong nuclear weapons had become and made people more scared during the Cold War.

Korean War (1950-1953)

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-23 14:27:53 UTC

The Korean War was a fight between North Korea (communist) and South Korea (non-communist) from 1950 to 1953. The U.S. helped South Korea, and China helped North Korea. It was part of the Cold War. The war ended with no clear winner, and Korea is still split into two countries today.

The Transfermium Wars Begin (1955)

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-23 14:44:40 UTC

The Transfermium Wars were scientific arguments in the 1970s and 1980s between the U.S. and the Soviet Union about who discovered certain super-heavy elements and what to name them. Both sides wanted credit, so there was a lot of disagreement.

Rebellion put down in Hungary (Nov 1956)

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-25 13:06:33 UTC

In 1956, the people of Hungary rebelled against Soviet control, wanting more freedom. The Soviet Union sent in troops and crushed the rebellion. Showed the world that the Soviet Union wouldn’t allow countries to leave its control. Thousands were killed or fled the country. It made many people lose hope that Eastern Europe could be free during the Cold War.

USSR launches first ICBM (Aug 1957)

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-25 13:07:44 UTC

In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the world’s first ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile), a rocket that could carry a nuclear bomb across continents. It scared the U.S. and showed the Soviets had powerful technology. It started a missile race between the U.S. and USSR. It made the Cold War even more dangerous, as it advanced the technology in the war.

Sputnik launched into orbit (Oct 4, 1957)

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-25 13:09:01 UTC

The Soviet Union launched Sputnik to assert its dominance in the race for technology. This would put it neck and neck with the US and its military and technological advancements. Sputnik then created more fear of falling behind, as well as fear of the growing technology in the Cold War for the United States.

Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba (Jan 1959)

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-25 13:09:49 UTC

In 1959, Fidel Castro took power in Cuba after leading a revolution. He made Cuba a communist country and became friends with the Soviet Union. The U.S. got worried because communism was now close to its border. It led to big events like the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis during the Cold War.

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

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-25 13:31:42 UTC

The USSR shoots down the spy plane, and it lands in Russia. Russia then captures a US pilot and is then put on trial for spying on Russia.

Failed Bay of Pigs Invasion (Apr 1961)

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-25 13:46:05 UTC

The US gathers Cuban exiles to go against Castro to end communism. This is done through the creation of a CIA training center in Guatemala. After the training, they drop the exiles off on the Bay of Pigs, acting as if it were a spontaneous revolution. Castro was informed and captured, questioned, and informed that the US was behind it.

Construction of Berlin Wall begins (Aug 17, 1961)

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-25 13:51:47 UTC

In 1961, East Germany, with the support of the Soviet Union, began building the Berlin Wall to separate East Berlin (controlled by communists) from West Berlin (controlled by democracies). The wall was meant to stop people from fleeing East Berlin to the free West. It became a powerful symbol of the Cold War and the division between communist and non-communist countries.

Cuban Missile Crisis (Oct 1962)

kmullally26_ — 2025-04-25 14:07:15 UTC

Cuba is building nuclear missiles, and Kennedy is being told to invade. Before invading, Kennedy carried out a blockade before the invasion. The US goes around and has meetings and has made a deal not to invade. Kennedy is seen as a hero and prevented WWIII.

Nuclear Test Ban Treaty ratified (July 1963)

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-02 13:38:12 UTC

In 1963, the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed, banning nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere, underwater, and in space. The United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom were the first to agree to it. The treaty aimed to reduce the spread of nuclear weapons and limit the environmental damage caused by testing. It marked a step toward easing Cold War tensions and promoting global peace.

Gulf of Tonkin incident and resolution (Aug 1964)

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-02 13:40:15 UTC

In 1964, the Gulf of Tonkin Incident occurred when North Vietnamese forces reportedly attacked U.S. naval ships in the Gulf of Tonkin. This event led to the U.S. Congress passing the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Lyndon B. Johnson authority to use military force in Vietnam. It escalated U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, though later reports raised doubts about the true nature of the attack.

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

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-02 13:40:48 UTC

The United States sent Marines to the Dominican Republic in April 1965 as part of a military intervention during a period of intense political and social unrest in the country. The mission was framed as a move to prevent the spread of communism in the Western Hemisphere, during the height of the Cold War.

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

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-02 13:41:42 UTC

In July 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced a major escalation of the Vietnam War by committing an additional 200,000 U.S. troops to Vietnam. This marked a turning point, shifting the U.S. role from an advisory and support mission to direct, large-scale combat involvement.This escalation deepened American involvement in Vietnam and marked the beginning of a long, costly, and controversial conflict that would last until 1975.

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

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-02 13:42:31 UTC

Operation Rolling Thunder was a major U.S. bombing campaign during the Vietnam War, launched to weaken North Vietnam’s ability to support the communist insurgency in the South. It marked the first sustained American air assault on North Vietnam.While B-52 bombers were initially used mostly in South Vietnam, they later became central to heavy strategic bombing, especially in the final years of the war. The campaign demonstrated the limits of air power in achieving political objectives and helped deepen U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

Red Army crush Czechoslovakian revolt (Aug 1968)

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-02 15:10:00 UTC

In August 1968, the Soviet Union and other communist countries sent troops into Czechoslovakia to stop the Prague Spring—a peaceful movement led by Alexander Dubček that tried to make life more free and open under communism. The invasion ended these reforms and showed that the Soviet Union would not allow any country in Eastern Europe to make big changes without its approval. It proved that freedom and reform were very limited in countries controlled by the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

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

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-02 15:10:59 UTC

Apollo 11 became the first space mission to land humans on the Moon. The mission was run by NASA, the U.S. space agency. On July 20, 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the Moon in a spacecraft called the Eagle, while Michael Collins stayed in orbit around the Moon in the command module. Apollo 11 was a major achievement in the space race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, and it showed that humans could travel to another world and return safely. It was a huge moment in science, technology, and history.

Publication of the Pentagon appears (1971)

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-02 15:11:26 UTC

In 1971, a top-secret government report called the Pentagon Papers was leaked and published by The New York Times and other newspapers. The papers revealed that the U.S. government had been dishonest with the public about the Vietnam War for many years. The publication caused a major scandal, led to debates about freedom of the press, and increased public distrust in the government during the Vietnam era.

Sino-Vietnamese War (Feb 1979)

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-07 14:23:53 UTC

The war was a result of rising tensions between the two countries after Vietnam invaded Cambodia in late 1978, which overthrew the Khmer Rouge regime (a communist government in Cambodia supported by China). Vietnam’s invasion of Cambodia was aimed at removing the Khmer Rouge, which had been committing atrocities and threatening Vietnam’s security. However, China, which had been an ally of the Khmer Rouge, was strongly opposed to this action.

President Nixon visits China (Feb 1972)

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-07 14:24:33 UTC

In February 1972, President Richard Nixon became the first U.S. president to visit communist China. This was a big surprise at the time because the U.S. and China had been enemies for over 20 years, ever since the Chinese Communist Party took power in 1949. The visit helped open up communication and trade between the U.S. and China, and it also allowed the U.S. to use its new friendship with China as a way to pressure the Soviet Union. The trip was part of Nixon's strategy of "playing the China card"—using improved relations with China to gain an advantage in the Cold War.

SALT 1 signed (July 1972)

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-07 14:25:54 UTC

In 1972, the United States and the Soviet Union signed the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks agreement, known as SALT I. It was the first major arms control agreement between the two superpowers during the Cold War. The goal was to limit the number of nuclear weapons each side could build, helping to reduce the risk of nuclear war. The agreement was signed by President Richard Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev in May 1972, during Nixon’s visit to Moscow.

US supported coup overthrows Chilean government (Sept 1973)

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-07 14:27:09 UTC

The U.S. government, led by President Richard Nixon, was worried that Chile would become another communist ally during the Cold War. The coup happened on September 11, 1973, and was led by General Augusto Pinochet, who took control of the country. Allende died during the takeover. After the coup, Pinochet ruled Chile as a military dictator for nearly 17 years. The U.S. gave financial and political support to the Pinochet regime, despite its human rights abuses, because it was strongly anti-communist.

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

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-07 14:28:02 UTC

Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. This conflict is known as the Yom Kippur War or the October War. The goal of Egypt and Syria was to recapture land lost to Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War, specifically the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights. The war quickly escalated into a superpower confrontation because of the Cold War rivalry.

S Vietnam falls to communist N Vietnam (Apr 17, 1975)

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-07 14:29:04 UTC

The North Vietnamese Army (NVA) captured Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, forcing the South Vietnamese government to surrender. This event led to the formation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam under communist control. The fall of South Vietnam occurred after the U.S. withdrawal in 1973, following the Paris Peace Accords, which aimed to end U.S. involvement. Despite the U.S. promise to support South Vietnam, the country was unable to defend itself without American aid, and North Vietnam launched a full-scale invasion in 1975.

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

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-07 14:30:12 UTC

After Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975, the MPLA, led by Agostinho Neto, was the group that eventually took power with the help of Soviet arms and Cuban military forces. Cuba sent thousands of soldiers to support the MPLA, while the Soviets provided weapons and financial aid. A civil war broke out between rival factions. The USSR and Cuba benefited the most. The success of the MPLA in Angola was seen as a victory for communism in Africa, and it expanded the Soviet Union's influence in the region. Cuba, under Fidel Castro, saw the conflict as a chance to support revolutionary movements and strengthen ties with the USSR.

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

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-07 14:31:42 UTC

In 1979, the United States and China officially established diplomatic relations, marking a significant shift in global politics. This was largely the result of President Richard Nixon’s visit to China in 1972, which opened the door for a more positive relationship between the two countries, despite years of tension during the Cold War. The move was part of a larger U.S. strategy to open China to the West and use China as a counterbalance against the Soviet Union in the Cold War. China, under Mao Zedong's successors, was eager to improve relations with the U.S. to help modernize its economy and strengthen its position on the global stage.

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

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-07 14:39:47 UTC

A group of college students overthrows the Shah, and he flees. Jimmy Carter was the president, oil prices were high, and Iran had the oil. About 600 American students were held hostage for 644 days as a protest to get the Shah back. When Carter attempted to retrieve the students, he failed, as the aircraft crashed and never made it to the hostages. He was not re-elected, and the Iran Hostage Crisis created long lasting tension between the US and Iran.

Reagan proposes SDI or "Star Wars" (1983)

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-07 14:44:50 UTC

The idea was that the US would have satellites in space that would track incoming nuclear weapons. This idea was billions and was nicknamed "Star Wars" due to the idea being so unrealistic and the new movie series being produced. This was never fully perfected so that would mean even if most millses were shot down, there would still be large amounts of damage if a single one was missed.

US troops invade and overthrow regime in Grenada (Oct 1983)

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-09 13:01:36 UTC

US soldiers had captured numerous Cubans because of the theory that they were going to overthrow Grenada. Cuba had acquired loads of ammunition, weaponry, and more supplies from Russia. They were able to put a halt to anything before it was too serious.

Eastern Bloc boycotts the LA summer Olympics (July-Aug 1984)

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-09 13:12:16 UTC

This boycott was in response to the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, which had been led by the U.S. as a protest against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. In retaliation, the Soviet Union and its allies decided not to participate in the 1984 Olympics. They argued that the games would not be fair due to American political influence and the “unsafe” environment in Los Angeles, although the true motivation was more likely to be a political protest against the U.S. actions in 1980.

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

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-09 13:23:33 UTC

Glasnost was a policy that aimed to make the Soviet government more open and allow people to speak freely about problems and criticize the government. Before this, the government controlled everything and kept things secret. Glasnost was meant to help the government be more honest and accountable. Perestroika was a plan to reform the Soviet economy and government. It tried to move away from strict government control and let people and businesses have some freedom to make decisions. This included allowing some private ownership and trying to make industries more efficient. Perestroika also gave more power to local areas in the Soviet Union to make decisions for themselves.

Soviet troops withdraw from Afghanistan (Jan 1989)

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-12 13:49:50 UTC

The Soviet Union was in a decade-long war with Afghanistan. By the late 1980s, the Soviet Union was facing significant economic problems and political pressure, and the war had become extremely unpopular both in Afghanistan and back home in the Soviet Union. Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet leader, decided to pull out the troops to end the costly conflict. However, the war had left Afghanistan deeply damaged, and the country remained in a state of civil war for many years after the Soviet withdrawal.

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

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-12 14:05:20 UTC

The countries were more open to protests or too weak to fight back, so the people were successful and not communist countries. The Hungarian communist leader retired, which kicked-started the chain. With uproars of protests within the countries, the leaders stepped down or were executed. In 1990, they held the first elections for citizens to vote.

Tiananmen Square Massacre (June 1989)

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-12 14:09:47 UTC

Young college students are protesting for more freedom in China, as a response to the successful protests in Europe. It was put down violently by the Chinese government by shooting at unarmed citizens. This created a terrible image for the government as well as the country of China.

Soviet forces invade Afghanistan (Dec 1979)

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-16 03:40:36 UTC

In 1979, the Soviet Union sent troops into Afghanistan to help the country's communist government, the PDPA, which was struggling to stay in power after a coup in 1978. The government was unpopular, and many different groups, including Islamist fighters and tribal forces, were fighting against it. The Soviets, led by Leonid Brezhnev, sent about 100,000 soldiers to help keep the government in control. They wanted to support the communist government and prevent any threats to their influence in the region during the Cold War.

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

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-16 03:41:40 UTC

The Soviet Union's hockey team was considered the best in the world, having won nearly every international tournament for years, and they were the overwhelming favorites to win gold. On the other hand, the U.S. team was made up of young, amateur players who were seen as underdogs.

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

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-16 03:42:31 UTC

The boycott was a response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, where the Soviet Union sent its forces to support the communist government in Afghanistan against a growing insurgency. The U.S. and its allies saw the invasion as an act of aggression, and President Jimmy Carter decided that the U.S. would not participate in the games to protest the Soviet action. In total, 65 countries joined the boycott, including many Western nations like Canada, West Germany, and Japan, while some countries chose to compete in the games despite the boycott. However, the Soviets and their allies were still able to compete, and the games went ahead with fewer countries than usual.

Berlin Wall falls (Nov 1989)

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-16 03:43:27 UTC

The wall had separated East Berlin, controlled by the Soviets, from West Berlin, which was under Western influence. As East Germany opened its borders, people from the East flooded into the West, celebrating the end of separation and communist rule. The fall of the wall was a major victory for the U.S. and its allies because it symbolized the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe. For the Soviet Union, it was a loss, as it represented the weakening of Soviet control in Eastern Europe. In the long run, the event helped lead to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Boris Yeltsin elected as President of Russia (May 1990)

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-16 03:44:10 UTC

His election was a victory for the West because it signaled the end of Soviet-style communism and the potential for closer ties with Western countries. For the Soviet Union, however, Yeltsin's rise to power was a major blow, as it helped accelerate the collapse of the Soviet system. Overall, Russia shifted away from communism under Yeltsin, and the U.S. and Western democracies benefited from the changes, while the Soviets and their allies lost influence.

Germany reunited (Oct 3, 1990)

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-16 03:44:32 UTC

The East and West parts of Germany, which had been divided since the end of World War II, were brought back together as a single country. This reunification was a major victory for the West, particularly for the U.S. and its allies, as it symbolized the collapse of communism and the end of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe. For the Soviet Union, it was a loss, as the reunification of Germany was part of the broader collapse of the communist system in Eastern Europe. In the long run, Germany’s reunification was beneficial for the U.S. and its democratic allies because it marked a step toward a unified Europe and the end of Cold War divisions.

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

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-16 03:45:21 UTC

The Soviet Union broke up in 1991 because of many problems, including Gorbachev's reforms (like Glasnost and Perestroika) that weakened the government. Many countries within the Soviet Union, such as Ukraine, Georgia, and the Baltic states, became independent, and the USSR turned into 15 separate countries, including Russia. This was a big loss for the Soviet system and a victory for the U.S. and the West, as it ended the Cold War and the spread of communism. For the people in the former Soviet Union, it meant tough economic times, but also more freedom and independence in their new countries.

Cold War through ideological warfare

kmullally26_ — 2025-05-16 13:37:09 UTC

Throughout the Cold War, the United States and Soviet Union expressed their rivalry through ideological expansion, cultural influence, economic aid, espionage, and proxy wars—avoiding confrontation but fueling global instability and mistrust.