Cold War Timeline

  • United Nations Formed

    United Nations Formed
    An international organization founded to promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries.
  • Truman Doctrine

    Truman Doctrine
    A policy set forth by President Truman to counter Soviet geopolitical expansion during the Cold War.
  • Marshall Plan

    Marshall Plan
    An American initiative providing aid to Western Europe post-World War II to help rebuild economies.
  • NATO Formed

    NATO Formed
    The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was established as a military alliance among Western nations against Soviet aggression.
  • Korean War

    Korean War
    A conflict between North Korea (with support from China and the Soviet Union) and South Korea (supported by UN forces).
  • Space Race/Sputnik

    Space Race/Sputnik
    The launch of Sputnik by the USSR marked the beginning of the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union.
  • Bay of Pigs

    Bay of Pigs
    A failed invasion of Cuba by Cuban exiles backed by the U.S. government aimed at overthrowing Fidel Castro.
  • Berlin Wall Goes Up

    Berlin Wall Goes Up
    The East German government erected the Berlin Wall to stop the mass emigration from East to West Berlin.
  • US Enters Vietnam War

    US Enters Vietnam War
    The deployment of US combat troops to Vietnam escalated the conflict in Southeast Asia.
  • Soviets Invade Afghanistan

    Soviets Invade Afghanistan
    The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to prop up a communist government, leading to a prolonged conflict.
  • Berlin Wall Comes Down

    Berlin Wall Comes Down
    The fall of the Berlin Wall symbolized the end of the Cold War and led to the reunification of Germany.