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Period: to
Cold War 1947-1966
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Truman Doctrine
President Truman announced the Truman Doctrine, pledging U.S. support to countries resisting communism, starting with aid to Greece and Turkey. This marked the beginning of America's Cold War policy of containment, aiming to stop the spread of Soviet influence worldwide. -
Marshall Plan
The U.S. started the Marshall Plan to help rebuild European countries after World War II. The plan gave money, food, and supplies to help them recover and stay strong against communism. It also helped improve the U.S. economy by creating trade with Europe -
Rio Pact
The U.S. and many countries in North and South America signed the Rio Pact. It said that if one country in the Americas was attacked, the others would help defend it. This showed unity against threats like communism during the Cold War. -
Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia
The Communist Party took control of Czechoslovakia with support from the Soviet Union. They forced out non-communist leaders and made the country a one-party communist state. This event increased fear in the West and helped lead to the formation of NATO. -
Truman's Loyalty Program
President Truman started the Loyalty Program to check if government workers were loyal to the United States. It was meant to stop communist influence in the U.S. government. Many people were investigated, and some lost their jobs even without clear proof. -
Berlin Blockade
The Soviet Union blocked all roads and railways into West Berlin to try to force the Allies out. In response, the U.S. and its allies flew in food, fuel, and supplies in what became known as the Berlin Airlift. The blockade ended in 1949, and it showed the deep division between the East and West during the Cold War. -
NATO ratified
The United States and 11 other countries officially approved the NATO agreement. NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was a military alliance that promised to protect each other if attacked. It was created to stop the spread of communism and keep peace in Europe during the Cold War. -
Berlin Blockade ends
The Berlin Blockade ended on May 12, 1949, when the Soviet Union lifted the blockade on West Berlin. The U.S. and its allies had successfully supplied the city by air for almost a year. The end of the blockade was seen as a victory for the West and made the divide between East and West even clearer. -
Russia testing its first atomic bomb
In August 1949, the Soviet Union tested its first atomic bomb, shocking the United States. This ended America’s nuclear advantage and started a dangerous arms race during the Cold War. It increased fear and tension between the U.S. and the USSR. -
Truman approved H-bomb development
In January 1950, President Truman approved the development of the hydrogen bomb, a weapon much more powerful than the atomic bomb. He made this decision after the Soviet Union tested its own atomic bomb. This marked the start of a new and more dangerous phase in the nuclear arms race. -
Joe McCarthy begins Communist witch hunt and loyalty tests
Senator Joe McCarthy started accusing people in the U.S. government of being communists without strong proof. This led to a period of fear and unfair investigations, known as the Red Scare. Many people lost their jobs or reputations during these "witch hunts." -
Korean War begins. Stalin supports North Korea who invade South Korea equipped with Soviet weapons
North Korea invaded South Korea using weapons and support from the Soviet Union. This started the Korean War, as the U.S. and other countries helped South Korea fight back. The war became a major conflict in the Cold War between communism and democracy. -
Federal Civil Defense Administration established
U.S. government created the Federal Civil Defense Administration to prepare Americans for a possible nuclear attack. It gave safety instructions, built shelters, and ran drills. This showed how worried people were about nuclear war during the Cold War. -
The trial of Julius and Ethel
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were put on trial for giving U.S. atomic secrets to the Soviet Union. They were found guilty of spying and later executed in 1953. Their case caused fear about communism and raised questions about fairness and justice during the Cold War. -
Truman fires MacArthur
President Truman fired General Douglas MacArthur during the Korean War. MacArthur wanted to attack China, but Truman feared it would start a bigger war. This showed that civilian leaders, not military generals, control U.S. war decisions. -
Greece and Turkey are granted membership of NATO
Greece and Turkey were allowed to join NATO, a military alliance of Western countries. This move helped protect them from Soviet influence and increased NATO’s strength in the eastern Mediterranean. It also showed the growing divide between the East and West during the Cold War. -
The Marshall Plan comes to its official end, with European production now significantly improved
Marshall Plan officially ended after providing billions of dollars in aid to European countries. By then, European economies had recovered and production had significantly improved. The plan helped stop the spread of communism and strengthened ties between the U.S. and Europe. -
A-bombs developed by Britain
Britain successfully tested its first atomic bomb, becoming the third country with nuclear weapons after the U.S. and the Soviet Union. This gave Britain more power in global politics and strengthened its role in the Cold War. It also showed that the nuclear arms race was spreading beyond just two superpowers. -
RAND report on the "Vulnerability of U. S. Strategic Air Power"
The RAND Corporation released a report warning that U.S. strategic air power, particularly its bomber fleet, could be vulnerable to Soviet attacks. The report suggested that relying too much on bombers for nuclear deterrence could be risky. This led to a shift in U.S. defense strategy, emphasizing missile systems and better air defenses. -
Korean War ends
The Korean War ended in July 1953 with a ceasefire agreement, but no peace treaty was signed. The border between North and South Korea stayed almost the same at the 38th parallel. The war showed the deep divide between communism and democracy during the Cold War. -
Ike's Atoms for Peace speech
President Dwight D. Eisenhower gave his "Atoms for Peace" speech at the United Nations. He said that nuclear energy should be used for peaceful purposes, not just weapons. The speech helped start global talks about sharing nuclear technology safely. -
H-bomb Castle-Bravo test
The U.S. carried out the Castle Bravo test, its most powerful hydrogen bomb explosion at the time. The blast was much bigger than expected and caused radioactive fallout that affected nearby islands and people. It raised global fears about nuclear testing and its dangers. -
KGB established
The Soviet Union created the KGB, its main security and intelligence agency. It was responsible for spying, secret police work, and stopping opposition to the government. The KGB became a powerful tool for the USSR during the Cold War. -
Vietnam split at 17th parallel
After the Geneva Agreement, Vietnam was temporarily divided at the 17th parallel. North Vietnam became communist, led by Ho Chi Minh, while South Vietnam was supported by the United States and its allies. This division set the stage for the Vietnam War. -
US Congress authorises president Dwight Eisenhower to use force to defend Taiwan if it is attacked by the People’s Republic of China.
The U.S. Congress gave President Eisenhower the power to use military force to protect Taiwan from attacks by communist China. This showed strong U.S. support for Taiwan during a time of rising tension in Asia. It was also part of America's efforts to stop the spread of communism during the Cold War. -
Warsaw Pact formed
The Soviet Union and several Eastern European countries created the Warsaw Pact. It was a military alliance made to counter NATO and keep communist countries united. The pact showed the growing divide between the East and West during the Cold War. -
An American U-2 spy plane makes its first flight over Soviet territory.
An American U-2 spy plane flew over the Soviet Union for the first time to gather secret information. These high-altitude flights helped the U.S. learn about Soviet military activities. It increased tensions between the two countries and risked starting a major conflict if the planes were caught. -
USSR sent tanks into Poznan, Poland, to suppress demonstrations by workers
Workers in Poznań, Poland, protested for better working conditions and more freedom. The Soviet Union sent in tanks and troops to crush the demonstrations, killing dozens. This showed how the USSR used force to keep control over Eastern Europe during the Cold War. -
USSR sent military aid to Afghanistan
The Soviet Union began sending military aid to Afghanistan, including weapons and training. This was part of its effort to increase influence in the region during the Cold War. It marked the start of a closer relationship that would later lead to deeper Soviet involvement. -
Suez Crisis began with Israeli attack led by Moshe Dayan against Egyptian forces in the Sinai
The Suez Crisis began when Israeli forces, led by General Moshe Dayan, attacked Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. The attack was part of a secret plan with Britain and France to take back control of the Suez Canal after Egypt nationalized it. The crisis increased tensions in the Middle East and drew in the U.S. and USSR. -
Vostok rocket launched 1st ICBM
The Soviet Union launched the Vostok rocket, their first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). This missile could carry nuclear weapons over long distances, reaching the U.S. The launch marked a big step in the nuclear arms race during the Cold War. -
Sputnik launched into orbit
The Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, into orbit around the Earth. This surprised the world and showed Soviet advances in space technology. It started the Space Race between the U.S. and the USSR during the Cold War. -
Sputnik II launched - Laika died in space
The Soviet Union launched Sputnik II, carrying the dog Laika into space. Laika became the first living creature to orbit Earth but sadly died during the mission. This was an important step in space exploration, showing the USSR’s early lead in the Space Race. -
Explorer I launched
The United States launched Explorer I, its first successful satellite into orbit. It helped discover the Van Allen radiation belts around Earth. The launch marked America’s entry into the Space Race against the Soviet Union. -
NASA began Mercury project using Atlas rocket
NASA started the Mercury Project to send the first American astronauts into space. They used the powerful Atlas rocket to launch these missions. This was America’s first step toward human spaceflight during the Space Race with the Soviet Union. -
Khrushchev demands withdrawal of troops from Berlin
Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev demanded that Western countries remove their troops from West Berlin. He wanted control over the entire city and threatened to sign a separate peace with East Germany. This increased Cold War tensions and led to the Berlin Crisis. -
Cuba taken over by Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro and his rebels overthrew the Cuban government and took control of the country. Castro’s communist government later became an ally of the Soviet Union. This change worried the United States and made Cuba a key Cold War hotspot. -
Khrushchev visits United States; The Kitchen Debate
Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev visited the U.S. and took part in the famous “Kitchen Debate” with Vice President Nixon. They argued about which country had a better way of life while standing in a model American kitchen. The debate showed the strong competition between the U.S. and USSR during the Cold War. -
Khrushchev meets with Chinese leader Mao Zedong in Beijing.
Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev met with Chinese leader Mao Zedong in Beijing to discuss their communist alliance. Though both were allies, tensions and disagreements began to show during this meeting. It was an early sign of the split between the Soviet Union and China. -
Soviet Union reveals that U.S. spy plane was shot down over Soviet territory
In 1960, the Soviet Union announced that it had shot down an American U-2 spy plane flying over its territory. The U.S. at first denied spying, but the Soviets had captured the pilot, Gary Powers. This incident caused a major Cold War crisis and ended a planned peace summit between the two countries. -
John F. Kennedy elected President of USA
On November 8, 1960, John F. Kennedy was elected President of the United States, narrowly defeating Vice President Richard Nixon in one of the closest elections in American history. Kennedy became the youngest person ever elected president at age 43 and the first Catholic to hold the office. His victory marked a new era of youthful energy and optimism in American politics. -
Cuba openly aligns itself with the Soviet Union and their policies
On December 19, 1960, Cuba officially aligned itself with the Soviet Union and adopted communist policies. This brought the Cold War closer to the United States, just 90 miles from Florida. It also deepened tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, leading to future conflicts like the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis. -
Bay of Pigs invasion see Cuban Missile Crisis Timeline
In April 1961, the U.S. supported an invasion of Cuba by Cuban exiles hoping to overthrow Fidel Castro. The invasion at the Bay of Pigs failed badly, and most of the attackers were captured or killed. The failure embarrassed the U.S. and pushed Cuba closer to the Soviet Union, helping lead to the Cuban Missile Crisis. -
Berlin border is closed
In August 1961, the East German government, backed by the Soviet Union, closed the border between East and West Berlin. This was done to stop East Germans from fleeing to the West. Soon after, construction of the Berlin Wall began, becoming a powerful symbol of the Cold War divide. -
Construction of Berlin Wall begins
In August 1961, East Germany began building the Berlin Wall to stop people from escaping to West Berlin. The wall physically and politically divided the city, separating families and communities. It became one of the most powerful symbols of the Cold War. -
Cuba and the Soviet Union sign a trade agreement.
In 1962, Cuba and the Soviet Union signed a trade agreement that strengthened their political and economic ties. The Soviet Union agreed to buy Cuban sugar and provide oil and other goods in return. This deal deepened Cuba’s alliance with the USSR and increased tensions with the United States. -
John Glenn becomes the first US astronaut to orbit the Earth.
In 1962, John Glenn became the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth aboard the Friendship 7 spacecraft. His successful mission was a major achievement for the U.S. in the Space Race against the Soviet Union. It boosted American pride and confidence in space exploration. -
Kennedy suspends the American naval blockade of Cuba.
During the Cuban Missile Crisis, President Kennedy suspended the U.S. naval blockade of Cuba after the Soviet Union agreed to remove its missiles. This helped reduce the chance of a nuclear war between the two superpowers. The suspension marked a peaceful step toward ending the crisis. -
Cuban leader Fidel Castro begins a visit to the Soviet Union.
In 1963, Cuban leader Fidel Castro visited the Soviet Union to strengthen ties between the two countries. The trip helped secure more Soviet support for Cuba’s communist government. It showed the close relationship between Cuba and the USSR during the Cold War. -
British spy Kim Philby is granted political asylum in the Soviet Union
British spy Kim Philby defected to the Soviet Union and was given political asylum. He was part of a spy ring that passed secret information to the Soviets during the Cold War. His escape embarrassed the West and increased fears about Soviet espionage. -
US president John F. Kennedy is assassinated in the streets of Dallas.
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. His death shocked the nation and the world, leading to a period of mourning and uncertainty. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson quickly became president after the tragic event. -
A military coup in Brazil, possibly supported by the CIA, overthrows left-wing president Joao Goulart
A military coup in Brazil removed left-wing president João Goulart from power. The coup was possibly supported by the CIA as part of U.S. efforts to stop the spread of communism in Latin America. It led to a long period of military rule in Brazil. -
Leonid Brezhnev replaces Khrushchev as Soviet leader.
Leonid Brezhnev took over as leader of the Soviet Union, replacing Nikita Khrushchev. Brezhnev’s leadership marked a period of stability but also increased tensions with the West. His time in power lasted nearly two decades during the Cold War. -
Lyndon Johnson is reelected president of the United States.
President Lyndon B. Johnson was reelected in a landslide victory over Republican challenger Barry Goldwater. Johnson secured 61.1% of the popular vote and 486 electoral votes, the highest percentage since 1820. His campaign emphasized civil rights and social reforms, marking a significant moment in U.S. political history -
US combat troops begin arriving in Vietnam.
The United States sent its first combat troops to Vietnam to support South Vietnam against the communist North. This marked a major increase in U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. The decision led to a long and costly conflict for America. -
US forces invade the Dominican Republic to head off a communist revolution there.
The United States sent troops to the Dominican Republic to stop a communist revolution from taking over. The invasion aimed to protect U.S. interests and keep the country from becoming allied with the Soviet Union. It showed America’s commitment to fighting communism in Latin America during the Cold War. -
The US and Cuban government agree to allow Cubans to resettle in the United States if they wish.
The U.S. and Cuban governments agreed to let Cuban citizens move to the United States if they wanted. This helped many Cubans escape the communist government in Cuba. It also increased the Cuban-American community in the U.S. -
Two Soviet writers, Yuli Daniel and Andrei Sinyavsky, are sentenced to prison terms for criticising the government.
Soviet writers Yuli Daniel and Andrei Sinyavsky were jailed for publishing works that criticized the Soviet government. Their trial was one of the first public cases against writers under strict Soviet censorship. It showed how the USSR controlled free speech and punished dissent during the Cold War. -
French president Charles de Gaulle begins a visit to the Soviet Union.
French President Charles de Gaulle visited the Soviet Union to improve relations between the two countries. The visit showed France’s effort to take an independent role during the Cold War. It also highlighted de Gaulle’s desire to balance power between the U.S. and the USSR. -
A Warsaw Pact conference promises support to North Vietnam.
The Warsaw Pact countries met and promised to support North Vietnam in its fight against South Vietnam and the United States. This showed the communist bloc’s commitment to backing allies during the Vietnam War. It increased Cold War tensions and the global scale of the conflict.