Cold War Timeline by KYLIE SMITH

October 1962

3718321 — 2025-05-06 15:16:16 UTC

Considered the most dangerous and tense moment in the Cold War since the USSR placed nuclear warheads and missiles on Cuba which would leave 90% of America open to firing in less than 5 minutes. The US also had missiles secretly in Turkey. US bombers were then placed on standby to take action if ships were to come near the missiles, at the end of Oct and then came to an agreement that the USSR will remove the missiles if the US doesn't invade Cuba.

Negotiations

3718321 — 2025-05-06 15:18:28 UTC

June 26, 1948

3718321 — 2025-05-06 15:22:33 UTC

This was a response to the Berlin blockade where the Soviet halted all land and water routes into the control sectors of Berlin. In response America and British forces would use airplanes to deliver essential supplies to the city like food and fuel.

Military Aid

3718321 — 2025-05-06 15:24:22 UTC

June 25, 1950- July 27, 1953

3718321 — 2025-05-06 15:27:15 UTC

This was a proxy war with North Korea (supported by China and the Soviet Union) invading South Korea (supported by the United Nations). The war was a stalemate ending in an armistice leaving them divided by the DMZ.

Proxy Wars

3718321 — 2025-05-06 15:28:11 UTC

November 1, 1952

3718321 — 2025-05-06 15:30:54 UTC

This bomb was nicknamed "Ivy Mike" and was a staged fusion device that used liquid deuterium and was tested in the Marshall Islands. It was not designed to be a deliverable weapon due to it's size but was a successful demonstration later designed to be more portable.

Building up Defenses

3718321 — 2025-05-06 15:32:19 UTC

April 17, 1961

3718321 — 2025-05-06 15:35:57 UTC

This invasion was a failed attemmpt by Cuban exiles which was aimed at overthrowing Fidel Casto's government in Cuba. 1,400 exiles (known as Brigade 2506) were trained by the CIA intending to spark uprising against Castro after coming in with U.S. supplied weapons and landing aircraft, however they were crushed by Cuban forces.

Clandestine Operations

3718321 — 2025-05-06 15:36:57 UTC

March 8, 1965

3718321 — 2025-05-06 15:40:17 UTC

They sent 3,500 Marines to Da Nang who were used to protect an air base used bombing raids on North Vietnam. This created escalation and conflict which started to mark the beginning of the US's involvement in the Vietnam War. They had 25,000 US military advisors in place but they started to become more directly military involved.

Military Aid and Forgin Alliances

3718321 — 2025-05-06 15:41:43 UTC

September 11, 1973

3718321 — 2025-05-06 15:44:41 UTC

The military seized power from the elected socialist president who was Salvador Allende. This was done through a violent overthrow involving shelling of the presidental palace and was followed by military rule and human rights abuses, ending the civilian rule.

Military Aid

3718321 — 2025-05-06 15:46:44 UTC

1969

3718321 — 2025-05-06 16:50:32 UTC

His policies were aimed to ease Cold War tensions with the Soviet Union and China through agreements and talks instead of confronting one another. There was Arm Control Treaties which negotiations and involved a move away of communism and a focus on diplomatic relations.

Forging Alliances

3718321 — 2025-05-06 16:51:10 UTC

December 24, 1979

3718321 — 2025-05-06 16:55:27 UTC

The invasion began on Christmas Eve where Soviet forces gained control of major cities like Kabul starting with troops by air. The intervention was due to internal turmoil and request for assistance from the Afghan government. This was under the Soveit-Afghan Friendship Treaty of 1978. This included 280 transport aircraft and three divisions of 8,500 men.

Proxy War

3718321 — 2025-05-06 17:00:03 UTC

1983

3718321 — 2025-05-06 17:09:32 UTC

This included the Strategic Defense Initiative. This involved increasing military spending and developing new technologies like SDI developing shield against missile attacks hoping to target and dismissed incoming missles. This was aimed to weaken and reverse the Soviet's spread of communism.

Building Up Defenses

3718321 — 2025-05-06 17:10:46 UTC