Cold War Annotated Timeline

  • United Nations Formed

    United Nations Formed
    After WWII, countries came together to create the United Nations. It is meant to help keep peace and solve problems without war.
  • Truman Doctrine

    Truman Doctrine
    The U.S. promised to help countries stop communism. This became the main U.S. goal during the Cold War.
  • Marshall Plan

    Marshall Plan
    The U.S. gave money to help rebuild Europe after WWII. The idea was that strong countries would not turn to communism.
  • “Hollywood Ten”

    “Hollywood Ten”
    Ten movie writers and directors were sent to jail for refusing to say if they were communists.
  • NATO Formed

    NATO Formed
    The U.S. and Western countries formed NATO, promising to protect each other. It was made to stop Soviet threats.
  • Korean War

    Korean War
    North Korea attacked South Korea. The U.S. and other countries helped the South. Korea stayed split.
  • Space Race / Sputnik

    Space Race / Sputnik
    The Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first satellite.
  • Bay of Pigs Invasion

    Bay of Pigs Invasion
    The U.S. helped Cuban exiles try to remove Fidel Castro from power.
  • Berlin Wall Goes Up

    Berlin Wall Goes Up
    East Germany built a wall to stop people from escaping to the West.
  • U.S. Enters Vietnam War

    U.S. Enters Vietnam War
    The U.S. sent soldiers to Vietnam to stop communism.
  • Soviets Invade Afghanistan

    Soviets Invade Afghanistan
    The Soviet Union sent its army into Afghanistan to support a communist government. The U.S. helped the people fighting against them.
  • Berlin Wall Comes Down

    Berlin Wall Comes Down
    The people of East Germany were finally allowed to cross into West Berlin