Cold War Timeline by SPENCER JONES

Yalta Conference (Feb 1945)

sjones253 — 2024-04-17 14:42:01 UTC

A conference was held in Yalta, Crimea that involved the three respective leaders of the world; Joseph Stalin, FDR, and Winston Churchill. In this conference, the Allies discussed postwar plans and borders

The Atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Aug 1945)

sjones253 — 2024-04-17 14:50:37 UTC

Following years worth of research into Atomic bombs, the U.S. develops the first Atomic bomb and decides to use it to end the war with Japan. The U.S. would drop 2 nuclear bombs over Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, completely obliterating both. This large display of power was used to not only force Japan into submission, but to also intimidate the USSR into not continuing to March through the rest of Europe.

Winston Churchill gives the Iron Curtain Speech (March 15, 1946)

sjones253 — 2024-04-18 13:05:06 UTC

Former prime minister Winston Churchill gives a speech in Fulton, MO describing how an "Iron Curtain" had fallen along Europe. This proverbial Iron Curtain represents the ideological divide between Capitalist Western Europe and Communist Eastern Europe. This is widely seen as the beginning of the Cold War.

First use of Truman Doctrine in Greek civil war (March 12, 1947)

sjones253 — 2024-04-18 13:07:19 UTC

Truman Doctrine is first used in the Greek Civil war. The Truman doctrine involved the U.S. and NATO sending support to anti-communists fighting against communist nations, or supporting anti-communist forces in civil wars such as the one in Greece

Marshall Plan is announced to rebuild Europe (June 1947)

sjones253 — 2024-04-18 13:44:49 UTC

The Marshall Plan was a plan given forth by the U.S. to prevent communism from gaining support by providing a stable and healthy economy that could take care of the people in it, decreasing the support for communist movements in Western Europe

Berlin Blockade and Airlift (June 1948)

sjones253 — 2024-04-18 13:54:03 UTC

The Berlin blockade and airlift was an event where the soviet union blockaded the city of Berlin after the West united the German territories in the West. To prevent the taking of Berlin by Soviet forces, the U.S. flew in thousands of tons of goods to the city. Soviet forces eventually ended the blockade and allowing for supplies to be shipped via land into the city

Mao Zedong Wins the Chinese Civil War and forms the People's Republic of China (October 1st, 1949)

sjones253 — 2024-04-18 14:16:33 UTC

Before WW2 the Qing dynasty was overthrown resulting in a warlord period, eventually the Kuomintang would unite much of China before then falling into a civil war between the communists and nationalists. The communists would eventually Win the war against the nationalists and exile the leaders of the nationalists to the island of Taiwan. Following his victory, Mao would announce the formation of the People's Republic of China

Korean War (1950 - 1953)

sjones253 — 2024-04-23 13:05:17 UTC

The Korean war was a war between Communist North Korea and Capitalist South Korea. North Korea attacked south Korea and pushed them back to the bottom coast of Korea. The UN created a coalition of nations that would help South Korea win. When the UN forces, comprised mostly of Americans, pushed the communists to the Yalu river, China sent forces across the river to support North Korea. This would eventually end in a stalemate between North and South Korea.

U.S. tests first Hydrogen Bomb (March 1, 1954)

sjones253 — 2024-04-23 13:16:13 UTC

The U.S. creates the first Hydrogen bomb and tests it on Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The Hydrogen bomb would be the next step up from the Atomic bomb. Atomic bombs use Nuclear Fission as the method to cause the explosion, instead, Hydrogen bombs use both nuclear fission and fusion to create a bomb that's hundreds to thousands of times bigger than an Atomic bomb.

KGB is created (March 1954)

sjones253 — 2024-04-23 13:21:11 UTC

The KGB was created to be the Intelligence agency for the USSR. Would investigate for internal threats such as political dissidents and communist party members that were traitors. The KGB was responsible for large espionage networks in the U.S.

U.S. helps overthrow unfriendly Governments in Iran and Guatemala (March 1954)

sjones253 — 2024-04-23 13:32:26 UTC

The U.S. helps overthrow unfriendly Governments in Iran and Guatemala for not cooperating with the West. Their support of the 2 Coups would put western aligned politicians into power for both nations

Warsaw pact created (May 1955)

sjones253 — 2024-04-23 13:36:58 UTC

The Warsaw pact was the communist puppet states of the USSR's alliance. They would be the rival organization to NATO. The Warsaw pact also created even more economic, political, and military ties between the countries who signed it.

Hungarian Rebellion suppressed by Soviet forces (November 1956)

sjones253 — 2024-04-23 13:47:20 UTC

Soviet forces would descend on Hungary's capital of Budapest to stamp out any ideas of democracy and separation from the soviet sphere of influence. Hungary had undergone a revolution that saw the leaders of the nation killed and the revolutionaries taking power. This use of force by Soviet forces showed the failures of communist policy via the people's willingness to rebel and desire to establish a new government that was separated from the Warsaw Pact.

Transfermium wars (1955)

sjones253 — 2024-04-23 14:03:18 UTC

The Transfermium wars was a scientific research battle that was a race for who could be the first one to discover a new element. The USSR and U.S. each wanted to discover a new element so they could name it first and take the credit. Each science institute were speeding as fast as possible into finding the elements. No side would necessarily win this 'war'.

first ICBM is launched by the Soviet Union (Aug 1957)

sjones253 — 2024-04-23 14:17:15 UTC

USSR tests the first inter continental ballistic missile. This missile allows for nuclear bomb payloads to be sent via missile to a specific location much farther than a bomber would be able to reach reasonably. These ICBMs cause the state of Mutually Assured Destruction also know as MAD throughout the entirety of the cold war.

Sputnik launched into orbit (October 4th, 1957)

sjones253 — 2024-04-23 14:21:38 UTC

on Oct 4th, 1957 the USSR launched a rocket into space. The USSR pulls ahead of the U.S. in the space race by sending the first satellite into low earth orbit.

Fidel Castro comes to power in Cuba (Jan 1959)

sjones253 — 2024-04-25 13:01:34 UTC

Communist revolutionary, Fidel Castro comes to power in Cuba on January 1st, 1959. Castro was the leader behind the communist revolution who would wage a gorilla war against the country's Dictator. Castro and the revolutionaries eventually came out victorious.

U2 Spy Plane shot down over the USSR (May 1960)

sjones253 — 2024-04-25 13:25:37 UTC

While on a covert mission in the USSR to take pictures of military installations, Gary Powers is shot down in his high tech U2 Spy Plane.

Failed Bay of Pigs invasion (April 1961)

sjones253 — 2024-04-25 13:38:34 UTC

The U.S. trains Cuban anti-communist exiles in Guatemala to overthrow Castro. The U.S. decides to send them to attack the Bay of Pigs in Cuba. Since the U.S. didn't want to look like it was meddling in foreign affairs, they don't provide much support to the Cuban exiles once they started the invasion.

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

sjones253 — 2024-04-25 13:40:15 UTC

Senator McCarthy starts a "Red Scare" by telling the public that he had a list of 205 communists who were in the government. McCarthy would start witch hunts against government employees and celebrities. Other politicians would stoke the flames of the red scare by scaring the population about possible communists being everywhere. McCarthy would later fall from public grace and the red scare would calm over the following years.

Construction of Berlin wall begins (Aug 17th, 1961)

sjones253 — 2024-04-25 13:44:31 UTC

To help prevent espionage and stop east Germans from leaving their jobs and homes for the west, East Germany builds a wall through the middle of Berlin that stops travel between the 2 half's of the city. This border was heavily enforced on the east German side and border guards shot on site, any who tried to climb the wall

Cuban Missile crisis (Oct, 1962)

sjones253 — 2024-05-14 14:03:58 UTC

In October of 1962, the U.S. discovers nuclear missiles on the island of Cuba. The Soviet Union sent the Cubans nuclear missiles to set up against the Americans to prevent any invasions. To prevent any more missiles from being delivered to Cuba, the U.S. sets up a blockade around Cuba. Each ship that tried to pass through them to Cuba, had to be searched for any weapons. Cuba would start to prepare their rockets for launch against the U.S. while the U.S. prepped its rockets for launch against the USSR. Eventually, the U.S. and USSR backed down after both world leaders agreed to have the USSR take its missiles out of Cuba, while the U.S. took out their missiles from Turkey.

Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (July 1963)

sjones253 — 2024-05-14 14:06:38 UTC

The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was a treaty where the U.S. and USSR agreed to not test nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, underwater, and in Space.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident (Aug, 1964)

sjones253 — 2024-05-14 14:09:11 UTC

The Gulf of Tonkin incident was an event where 2 U.S. destroyers radioed that they had been attacked by North Vietnamese torpedo boats. Believing that the 2 U.S. destroyers were part of a South Vietnamese raid, the Vietnamese torpedo boats shot at the U.S. ships. This event would allow for the deployment of the U.S. troops into south vietnam to fight the north Vietnamese.

U.S. Marines sent to the Dominican Republic to fight Communists (April, 1965)

sjones253 — 2024-05-14 14:14:07 UTC

Following several changes in leadership, the Dominican republic was at war with rebels. The U.S. was scared of the Dominican republic becoming a second Cuba, so the President sent in U.S. forces to install a conservative, non military government. The U.S. is condemned by many countries, as they see as modern gun boat diplomacy.

200,000 U.S. troops are sent to fight in Vietnam (July, 1965)

sjones253 — 2024-05-14 14:18:25 UTC

Following the Gulf of Tonkin incident, Lyndon B. Johnson sends 200,000 troops to Vietnam and helps the south Vietnamese fight the North Vietnamese. This becomes a slog for the U.S. due to the Communists using gorilla warfare in the Jungle.

Operation Rolling thunder (1966)

sjones253 — 2024-05-14 14:22:26 UTC

Operation rolling thunder was a U.S. operation that involved the Air force continuously bombing North Vietnamese forests to both stop enemy supply and to destroy the forest as to prevent gorilla tactics. Was unsuccessful because of poor intelligence and the underground tunnel system created by North Vietnamese soldiers. Would have long reaching consequences for residents of Vietnam due the chemicals used to destroy the forests.

Red Army suppresses Czechoslovakian Revolt (Aug, 1968)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:01:54 UTC

Czechoslovakian citizens began to protest the restrictive laws around freedom of the press and wanted to These protests became larger and larger until Warsaw Pact troops marched into Prague and put down the protests violently. Would slightly delay the progress of reform in Czechoslovakia and other Warsaw Pact members. This event would draw international condemnation from both capitalist and communist nations.

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

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:04:32 UTC

On July 20th, 1969, The U.S. wins the space race by sending the first manned spaceship to the moon. The astronauts set up a camera and record themselves walking on the moon as well as putting up the American flag. This final act of the space race put the U.S. as the victor.

Cuba and the USSR install a Communist government in Angola (Feb 1976)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:06:12 UTC

Following the independence from britain, Angola falls into a civil war between communist MPLA and Capitalist UNITA. the civil war eventually ends with a MPLA victory due to Soviet and Cuban support

Pentagon Papers Released (1971)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:10:22 UTC

The Pentagon papers were classified documents about the total involvement of the U.S. in Indochina all the way from the end of WW2 to 1968. These documents were leaked to the New York Times and brought the U.S. public opinion for the Vietnam War against continued involvement. Public support for Johnson evaporates and he loses the next election.

Nixon Travels to China (Feb, 1972)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:11:45 UTC

Following the Sino-Soviet split, the U.S. president Richard Nixon visits China and ends the 25 year long isolation between the two nations. This visit opens up China to diplomatic relations with the U.S.

Reagon proposes SDI, and is nicknamed 'Star Wars" (1983)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:12:15 UTC

Reagan proposes a missile defense system to protect America from Nuclear weapons. the defense system is called SDI but is referred to by the public as "Star Wars" due to the high-tech nature of the project. Is unsuccessful due to technical and science-related problems.

SALT I signed (July 1972)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:14:33 UTC

SALT I was a Treaty between the U.S. and USSR that limited the build up and stockpile of nuclear weapons. Was the first Treaty that addressed nuclear arms build up between the 2 nations

U.S. overthrows Chilean government (Sept, 1973)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:16:55 UTC

U.S. helps General Augusto Pinochet overthrow the Chilean government. After the Coup's success, U.S. helps the new government consolidate power and suppress rebels

Egypt and Syria attack Israel while also asking for Soviet Support (Oct, 1973)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:25:33 UTC

Israel goes to war with Egypt and Syria to protect their borders. Egypt and Syria both used a surprise attack on Israel but failed. Israel wins after the U.S. sends support and supplies.

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

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:26:28 UTC

After the U.S. withdrawal of troops, South Vietnam falls to communist forces. South Vietnamese leadership leave the nation and North Vietnam takes complete control of Vietnam. Is seen as a massive failure for the U.S.

U.S. and China officially establish trade and diplomatic relations (Dec, 1979)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:29:53 UTC

Sino-Vietnamese War (Feb 1979)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:33:04 UTC

Shah of Iran overthrown: Iran hostage Crisis begins (Nov, 1979)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:36:55 UTC

The U.S. backed shah of Iran is overthrown by the population and is replaced with a more left leaning government. The U.S. gives the Shah asylum and angers the new Iranian government leading to Iranian students storming the U.S. embassy and taking the people inside hostage.

USSR invades Afghanistan (Dec, 1979)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:41:22 UTC

Soviet Forces invaded Afghanistan to install a communist government that would be part of the Soviet sphere of influence. This invasion goes disastrously and becomes the USSR's Vietnam.

U.S. Hockey Team beats USSR at the Olympics (Feb 22, 1980)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:42:19 UTC

U.S. hockey team wins the final match in the Olympics against the USSR. U.S. hockey team is considered the underdogs and aren't expected to beat the soviets. Despite the doubts, the U.S. wins and the USSR loses.

U.S. boycotts the summer Olympics that are being hosted by the USSR (June-Aug, 1980)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:43:39 UTC

The U.S. boycotts the soviet summer Olympics because of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. U.S. tells the USSR that they have a month to leave Afghanistan or the U.S. won't participate in the Summer Olympics.

U.S. forces overthrow regime in Grenada (Oct, 1983)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:45:56 UTC

Eastern Block boycotts LA summer Olympics (July-Aug, 1984)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:46:45 UTC

Before the 1984 American summer Olympics, the soviet Union and Warsaw pact boycotted the event. They claimed that they were not going to the Olympics because they're athletes didn't feel safe going to the U.S.. In reality, it was most likely retaliation for the U.S. boycott of their Olympics in 1980

Soviet forces withdrawal from Afghanistan (Jan, 1989)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:48:37 UTC

Due to continues failures in Afghanistan, Gorbachev withdrawals soviet forces. The invasion of Afghanistan was a complete failure and cost the Soviet Union dearly in how much money was wasted on it. This would later play into the fall of the USSR.

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

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:50:03 UTC

To stop the collapse of the USSR, Gorbachev introduces reforms with "Glasnost" (transparency and openness) and “perestroika” (economic reform). both of these reforms are meant to overhaul soviet society, as well as bring more freedoms for the press and speech, Both end up backfiring. Perestroika gave way to extreme government spending and massive inflation of food prices, while Glasnost opened up the soviet union to investigations by the public about it's past and present, further destabilizing the USSR.

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

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:52:25 UTC

Over the course of 1989, Warsaw pact member began to oust their communist government leaders from office and start elections for new government officials. Soviet Union can does little to stop it.

Tienanmen Square Massacre (June 1989)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:53:32 UTC

Following the death of the Hu Yaobang, a reformer in the Chinese Communist party, Students start to protest in Tiananmen square. The Chinese government starts crackdown on protesters, so the protesters turn violent. Eventually, the military is called in and they start to shoot the protesters. This massacre of protesters became known to world through smuggled footage, and was called the Tiananmen Square massacre

Berlin Wall falls (Nov, 1989)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:54:25 UTC

Following

Boris Yeltsin elected president (May, 1990)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:55:48 UTC

Germany Reunited (Oct 3, 1990)

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 13:56:37 UTC

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

sjones253 — 2024-05-17 14:08:52 UTC

Following an economic collapse, the soviet union breaks up into 15 different republics. Due to Gorbachev allowing for a multi party system, each different republic in the soviet union, who wanted to be independent, left the Union. This is the final event in the cold war and makes the U.S. the victor of the cold war

NATO formed (April 14th, 1949)

sjones253 — 2024-05-21 04:53:42 UTC

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is formed to combat Soviet expansion. The U.S. and 11 other countries band together and sign a Treaty that creates the NATO organization which protects it's members from attack by outside invaders.