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Cold War 1947-1966
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Truman Doctrine announcement
On March 12, 1947, U.S. President Harry S. Truman announced the Truman Doctrine, pledging American support for countries threatened by communism, particularly Greece and Turkey. This marked the beginning of the U.S. policy of containment during the Cold War. -
Marshall Plan announcement
The Marshall Plan, announced in 1947, gave over $12 billion in U.S. aid to help rebuild European countries after World War II. It was important because it boosted European economies and helped stop the spread of communism. -
C.I.A. being invented
The CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) was created in 1947 by the U.S. government through the National Security Act. It was important because it gathered intelligence and carried out secret missions to protect the U.S. during the Cold War. -
Founding of West Germany
In June 1948, the Western Allies introduced a new currency into their zones of Germany, including West Berlin. This move aimed to stabilize the economy and rebuild Western Germany but was done without Soviet approval. The currency reform was a key step toward establishing a separate West German state, signaling the end of four-power cooperation in Germany. It directly contributed to the Soviet decision to initiate the Berlin Blockade, deepening the division between East and West. -
Communist victory in Czechoslovakia
In February 1948, the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, with Soviet support, seized full control of the government. This marked the end of democracy in Czechoslovakia and brought the country into the Soviet sphere of influence. The event shocked the West, showing that the Soviet Union would use manipulation—not just military force—to expand communism. It also helped boost the U.S. decision to implement the Marshall Plan and pushed Western European countries toward forming defensive alliances. -
Berlin blockade
On June 24, 1948, the Soviet Union began the Berlin Blockade, cutting off all road, rail, and canal access to West Berlin in an effort to force the Western Allies (U.S., U.K., France) out of the city. This marked the first major crisis of the Cold War. In response, the Allies launched the Berlin Airlift, supplying the city entirely by air for almost a year. The blockade's failure was a major political defeat for the Soviet Union and solidified the division of Berlin and Germany. -
Formation of NATO
On April 4, 1949, twelve Western nations—including the U.S., Canada, and several European countries—signed the North Atlantic Treaty, creating NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). It was a military alliance based on collective defense, meaning an attack on one member would be considered an attack on all. NATO was formed to deter Soviet aggression and solidify Western unity during the early Cold War. -
End of Berlin Blockade
On May 12, 1949, the Soviet Union lifted the Berlin Blockade, ending nearly 11 months of restricted land access to West Berlin. The blockade had failed to force the Western Allies out, thanks to the success of the Berlin Airlift, which supplied the city entirely by air. Its end was a major political victory for the West and confirmed that the Allies would not back down under Soviet pressure, reinforcing the division between East and West Berlin. -
Soviet tests its first atomic bomb
On August 29, 1949, the Soviet Union successfully tested its first atomic bomb, RDS-1, at the Semipalatinsk test site in Kazakhstan. This ended the United States’ monopoly on nuclear weapons and marked the beginning of the nuclear arms race. The event shocked the West, especially since it happened earlier than expected, and led to increased tensions, military buildup, and eventually the development of more powerful hydrogen bombs by both sides. -
China exempts themselves from Korean War
In response to UN forces advancing toward its border, China entered the Korean War in October 1950, sending hundreds of thousands of troops. This dramatically escalated the conflict and underscored the broader Cold War struggle between communism and capitalism in Asia. -
Development of the H-Bomb
On January 31, 1950, U.S. President Harry S. Truman announced that the United States would begin developing the hydrogen bomb (H-bomb), a very powerful nuclear weapon more than the atomic bomb. This decision stemmed from the Soviet Union's successful test of an atomic bomb in 1949, which had ended the U.S. nuclear monopoly. The H-bomb, capable of much greater destruction, escalated the nuclear arms race between the U.S. and the USSR, setting the stage for long competition in the Cold War. -
Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship Signed
On February 14, 1950, the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China signed the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, marking a formal alliance between the two largest communist powers. This intensified Western fears of a global communist bloc and increased Cold War tensions. -
Start of Korean War
On June 25, 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, initiating the Korean War. This was the first armed conflict of the Cold War, drawing in the United States and United Nations forces to support South Korea and marking a shift from political rivalry to direct military engagement. -
Korean War reaches stalemate
In the early months of 1951, after fierce battles and China's entry into the Korean War, the fighting settled into a military stalemate near the 38th parallel. This marked the beginning of a prolonged phase of the war with little territorial change, highlighting the frustrating and indecisive nature of Cold War proxy wars. -
Dismissal of General Douglas MacArthur
U.S. President Truman fired General MacArthur for publicly criticizing U.S. policy and suggesting aggressive action against China. This event highlighted tensions over military strategy during the Cold War. -
ANZUS pact
A military alliance between Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S. to cooperate on defense matters in the Pacific, aiming to deter communist expansion. -
Treaty of Sqn Francisco
This treaty officially ended World War II with Japan. It allowed the U.S. to establish military bases in Japan and marked Japan’s shift to becoming a Western ally during the Cold War. -
NATO Expands Military Planning
In 1952, NATO expanded military planning by improving coordination among members and supporting West Germany’s rearmament. This strengthened Western Europe’s defense against potential Soviet threats. -
UK tests its first atomic bomb
Britain became the third nuclear power by successfully testing an atomic bomb, joining the U.S. and USSR in the nuclear club. -
U.S. tests first hydrogen bomb
The U.S. exploded the first hydrogen bomb, a weapon far more powerful than the atomic bomb. This marked a major step in the nuclear arms race. -
Eisenhower elected for president
Eisenhower, a WWII hero, won the presidency. He promised to end the Korean War and take a stronger stance against communism. -
Death of Stalin
Soviet leader Joseph Stalin died of a stroke, ending his long rule over the USSR. His death led to a power struggle and eventually more open policies under new leaders. -
East German uprising
Workers in East Germany protested against poor working conditions and government policies. Soviet tanks crushed the uprising, showing the USSR’s control in Eastern Europe. -
Kruschshev rises to power
Nikita Khrushchev became the head of the Soviet Communist Party. He would later bring some changes, like easing repression and reducing direct conflict with the West. -
Battle of Dien Bien Phu Ends
The French were defeated by Vietnamese forces at Dien Bien Phu, ending French colonial rule in Indochina and boosting communist influence in the region. -
Geneva conference ends
The Geneva Conference aimed to settle conflicts in Korea and Indochina. It led to a temporary peace in Vietnam, dividing the country into North and South. -
Formation of SEATO
The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was created by the U.S. and allies to stop the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. -
West Germany joins NATO
West Germany officially became a member of NATO, boosting Western Europe's defense against the Soviet Union and marking its return to the international community. -
Warsaw Pact formed
The Soviet Union and Eastern European countries created the Warsaw Pact as a military alliance to counter NATO and strengthen their control in Eastern Europe. -
CIA Overthrows Iranian Prime Minister Mossadegh
The CIA helped remove Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister Mossadegh and reinstated the Shah to protect Western oil interests and fight communism. -
Khrushchev’s “Secret Speech”
Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev gave a secret speech criticizing Stalin’s harsh rule and abuses, starting a process called "de-Stalinization" and signaling changes in Soviet leadership. -
Formation of the Warsaw Pact
Though formed in 1955, the Warsaw Pact—an alliance of Soviet and Eastern European communist countries—became a major force in 1956, opposing NATO and tightening Soviet control over Eastern Europe. -
First Soviet Nuclear Test at Novaya Zemlya
The USSR tested a powerful nuclear bomb in the Arctic region, showing their advancing military power during the arms race part of the Cold War. -
Little Rock Nine Integration Crisis
In the US, nine African American students tried to attend a previously all-white high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. The US Army had to intervene to enforce desegregation, reflecting Cold War themes of democracy and civil rights. -
Eisenhower Doctrine announced
U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared that the U.S. would help any Middle Eastern country resist armed communist aggression. This showed America's commitment to stopping Soviet influence in the region. -
Treaty of Rome signed
Six Western European countries signed the Treaty of Rome to create the European Economic Community (EEC), aiming to strengthen their economies and resist Soviet influence in Europe. -
Khrushchev Becomes Premier of the USSR
Nikita Khrushchev took full control of Soviet leadership by becoming Premier, in addition to being Communist Party leader. His leadership shaped much of Cold War policy during this period. -
Lebanon crisis
The U.S. sent troops to Lebanon to support its pro-Western government against internal unrest, fearing that communism might spread in the Middle East. This was part of the Eisenhower Doctrine in action. -
NASA established
The United States created NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) in response to the Soviet space success with Sputnik. This marked the official start of the space race between the U.S. and the USSR. -
Cuban revolution
Fidel Castro overthrew Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista and took control of Cuba. Though not officially communist at first, Cuba began moving closer to the Soviet Union, worrying the U.S. and setting the stage for major Cold War conflicts. -
Fidel Castro becomes prime minister of Cuba
After the revolution, Castro officially became Prime Minister of Cuba, beginning reforms that moved the country toward a socialist system and increased tensions with the United States. -
U.S. Launches First Polaris Missile from Submarine
The U.S. successfully launched a Polaris ballistic missile from a submerged submarine, marking a significant advancement in nuclear weapons delivery systems during the arms race. -
France tests its first nuclear bomb
France conducted its first successful atomic bomb test in the Algerian desert, becoming the fourth nuclear power. This added complexity to Cold War nuclear dynamics, especially within NATO. -
U-2 incident
An American U-2 spy plane piloted by Francis Gary Powers was shot down over the Soviet Union. The U.S. initially denied spying but was exposed when the USSR produced the pilot and wreckage. This incident worsened U.S.-Soviet relations and led to the collapse of a planned peace summit. -
JFK elected president
Kennedy's election set the stage for a more assertive U.S. stance in the Cold War, including future events like the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. -
U.S. breaks diplomatic relations with Cuba
The United States severed formal diplomatic ties with Cuba in response to Fidel Castro’s increasing alignment with the Soviet Union, marking the beginning of open hostility between the two countries. -
Bay of Pigs invasion
A CIA-backed force of Cuban exiles landed in Cuba attempting to overthrow Fidel Castro. The invasion failed disastrously, humiliating the U.S. and strengthening Castro’s alliance with the Soviet Union. -
Construction of Berlin wall begins
East Germany, with Soviet support, began building the Berlin Wall to stop the mass exodus of East Germans to West Berlin. The Wall became the most powerful symbol of the Cold War divide. -
Soviet missiles begin secretly arriving to Cuba
The Soviet Union began secretly installing nuclear missiles in Cuba, aiming to counter U.S. missiles in Turkey and protect the Cuban regime. This marked the buildup to the most dangerous Cold War confrontation. -
Cuban missile crisis
This 13-day confrontation between the U.S. and the USSR brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. After intense negotiations, the Soviets agreed to remove their missiles from Cuba in exchange for a U.S. public pledge not to invade Cuba and a secret agreement to remove U.S. missiles from Turkey. -
Black Saturday
This was the tensest day of the crisis. A U.S. U-2 was shot down over Cuba, and nuclear war seemed imminent. Secret negotiations intensified to defuse the crisis. -
Hotline agreement
The United States and the Soviet Union established the "Moscow–Washington hotline" — a direct communication link between the White House and the Kremlin. This was meant to prevent misunderstandings that could lead to nuclear war, following the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. -
JFK’s “Ich bin ein Berliner” Speech
President John F. Kennedy gave a powerful speech in West Berlin, reaffirming U.S. support for West Germany and opposing communism. His line, “Ich bin ein Berliner,” became a defining moment of Cold War rhetoric. -
Assassination of JFK
U.S. President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. His successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, would go on to dramatically escalate U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. -
Soviet Union leadership changed
Nikita Khrushchev was removed from power by the Communist Party leadership and replaced by Leonid Brezhnev as First Secretary and Alexei Kosygin as Premier. Khrushchev’s erratic policies and failure during the Cuban Missile Crisis were key reasons for his ousting. -
France Recognizes the People's Republic of China
Under President Charles de Gaulle, France became the first major Western nation to formally recognize communist China (PRC), breaking ranks with U.S. policy. This was a major diplomatic win for the PRC and a sign of shifting international alignments. -
China tests first nuclear bomb
The People’s Republic of China successfully detonated its first atomic bomb, becoming the fifth nuclear power. This intensified Cold War tensions and altered the global balance of power, especially in Asia. -
U.S. military aid to Latin America
To counter communist influence in Latin America (especially after the Cuban Revolution), the U.S. expanded aid and military cooperation in the region through the Alliance for Progress and increased CIA activity. -
Operation rolling thunder begins
The United States launched a long-term bombing campaign against North Vietnam to weaken its support for the Viet Cong in South Vietnam. -
U.S. troops deployed to Vietnam
The first combat troops (3,500 U.S. Marines) landed in Da Nang, South Vietnam. This marked the beginning of direct U.S. military involvement on the ground, transforming the conflict into a full-scale war for the U.S -
France withdraws from NATO military command
President Charles de Gaulle announced France would withdraw from NATO’s integrated military command and asked NATO forces to leave French soil. This reflected France's desire for greater independence from U.S. influence during the Cold War. -
Soviet space mission Luna 9 lands on moon
Luna 9 became the first spacecraft to make a soft landing on the Moon and send back photos — a major Soviet victory in the Space Race. -
Cultural revolution begins in China
Chairman Mao Zedong launched the Cultural Revolution to purge “bourgeois” elements and reassert his control. It also served as an ideological challenge to both the capitalist West and the Soviet Union, deepening the Sino-Soviet Split.