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Yalta Conference
Allied leaders Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin met to decide post-WWII Europe's fate. The conference revealed early divisions between the West and the Soviet Union. -
Hiroshima & Nagasaki Bombings / End of WWII – August 6 & 9, 1945 (Japan
The U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, forcing Japan’s surrender. The bombings signaled U.S. military power and sparked fear in the USSR. -
Iron Curtain Speech
Winston Churchill gave a speech in Missouri warning that an "Iron Curtain" had divided Europe. It underscored growing East-West tensions. -
Truman Doctrine Announced
President Truman pledged to help countries resist communism, especially Greece and Turkey. This policy marked the beginning of U.S. containment. -
Marshall Plan Proposed
The U.S. offered $13 billion in aid to rebuild war-torn Europe and prevent communism. The USSR refused and barred Eastern Bloc nations from accepting aid. -
Berlin Blockade Begins
Stalin blocked Allied access to West Berlin. In response, the U.S. and UK began a massive airlift to supply the city. -
NATO Formed
Twelve Western nations signed a mutual defense pact. NATO became a cornerstone of Western military strategy. -
Berlin Airlift Ends
After nearly a year, the USSR lifted the blockade. The successful airlift became a major Cold War victory for the West. -
USSR Tests Atomic Bomb
The Soviet Union successfully tested its first atomic bomb in Kazakhstan. The U.S. lost its monopoly on nuclear weapons. -
People's Republic of China Established
Mao Zedong declared communist victory in China. This spread communism in Asia and worried Western leaders. -
Korean War Begins
North Korea invaded South Korea across the 38th parallel. The U.S. and UN intervened to defend the South. -
Stalin Dies
Joseph Stalin died after ruling the USSR for three decades. His death opened the door to some political changes and reforms. -
Korean Armistice Signed
The Korean War ended in a military stalemate. Korea remained divided, with no peace treaty ever signed. -
Warsaw Pact Signed
The USSR created a military alliance with Eastern Bloc nations in response to NATO. This formalized the division of Europe. -
Hungarian Uprising Begins
Hungarians demanded independence from Soviet control. Soviet troops crushed the revolution in early November. -
Sputnik Launched
The USSR launched the first man-made satellite into orbit. It ignited the Space Race and shocked the West. -
U-2 Incident
A U.S. spy plane was shot down over Soviet territory, and the pilot was captured. The incident wrecked U.S.–Soviet relations and canceled a peace summit. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
CIA-backed Cuban exiles landed in Cuba to overthrow Fidel Castro but were defeated. The failure embarrassed the U.S. and pushed Cuba closer to the USSR. -
Berlin Wall Construction Begins
East Germany, with Soviet backing, began building a wall to stop citizens from fleeing to the West. The wall became a powerful Cold War symbol. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The U.S. discovered Soviet missiles in Cuba, leading to a tense standoff. The crisis ended peacefully, but it brought the world close to nuclear war. -
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Signed
The U.S., USSR, and UK agreed to stop nuclear tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater. It was an early step in arms control. -
U.S. Ground Troops Enter Vietnam
The U.S. escalated its involvement in Vietnam by sending combat troops. The war became a major Cold War conflict and domestic controversy. -
Prague Spring Begins
Czechoslovakia attempted reforms to allow more freedom and democracy. On August 20, Warsaw Pact troops invaded to crush the movement. -
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
The USSR invaded Afghanistan to prop up a communist government. The U.S. supported the Afghan resistance, leading to a lengthy and costly conflict for the Soviets. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
East Germany opened its borders, and Berliners tore down the wall. This event symbolized the collapse of communist regimes and the nearing end of the Cold War.