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Yalta Conference
During this conference the leaders of America, Britain, and Russia all met to discuss the future of Germany. They decided to split the country into different regions along with splitting Berlin which would later lead to turmoil. -
Arms Race
On this date the first atomic bomb was dropped and tested, thus starting an arms race between the U.S. and Russia. At the height of the Cold War the U.S. had around 7,000 bombs ready at any time to be launched at Russia. -
Truman Doctine
This was the first act that faced the U.S. ideas of a democracy against the Russians communist government. When the British couldn't support Greece and Turkey anymore the U.S. stepped in and gave them support against the Soviet Union. -
Marshall Plan
This plan was for the Americans to loan money to the British. This explains the financial state of Britain after the war and how they couldn't afford to help the U.S. out in the Cold War. -
Berlin Blockade
The blockade was one of the first signs that told the U.S. that Russia was not our friend and we needed to make sure they didn't get out of line. When the Russians deprived their Berlin civilians of food the U.S. decided to help them out by delivering supplies. This clearly set in clear view the two sides that were being formed. -
Korean War
In this war between the Republic of Korea and South Korea the two bodyguards per say the Russians and the U.S. took over the fighting. This act further raised tensions between the two countries and could have resulted in an atomic war. -
Joseph Stalin Dies
With the death of Stalin all of the progress that was made with the Russians to end the war was thrown away. This meant a prolonged period of time of high intensity with the Russians. -
Nikita Khrushchev comes to power
Khrushchev served as the premier of the Soviet Union from 1958-1964. He would be able to place nuclear missiles 90 miles away from the U.S. border on the island of Cuba. He would lead the Soviet Union in what is known as de-Stalinization creating a more peaceful nation. -
Fidel Castro
When Fidel Castro came into power he transformed Cuba into a communist country. He created a strong bond with the Soviets and established a strong hatred against the U.S. which caused for great concern from our end. This relationship between the Soviets and Cuba made for more tensions in the Cold War. -
U-2 Incident
On this day an American spy plane was shot down by the Russians and the pilot named Francis Gary Powers was taken prisoner by the Russians. While trying to create an even trade to rescue him and execute this trade tensions rose between the two countries. -
JFK is elected President of the U.S.
JFK was president during the height of the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. He ordered for the attack at the Bay of Pigs and watched as the United States was humiliated. -
Space Race
When the Russians put the first man into space the world was shocked. More particularly the U.S., the U.S. was worried that if they lost the space race then they would lose the arms race. The determination to not lose and to show that we were the more advanced country led to us putting a man on the moon. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
During the height of the Cold War the island of Cuba was a melting pot for death and destruction. In order to try to contain the island and it's dangerous leader the U.S. attempted and failed in a mission to bomb "The Bay of Pigs". -
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was built in the center of Berlin by the Russians, splitting the city into East and West Berlin. The wall was a symbol for the Russians, saying that they were there to stay and wouldn't be scared by the Americans. By building the wall the Russians increased the already rising tensions by tenfold with the Americans. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
When the Russians made allies with the Cubans the Americans had a reason to worry. The island of Cuba was an advantages place to control, because of it's close proximity to the U.S. we had to raise our ears and start to realize what was happening and how real a threat that the Russians were. -
SALT
The Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty was made in order to draw back and limit the amount of nuclear weapons a country was allowed to have in its possession. -
U.S. Invades Grenada
Ronald Reagan had ordered the Marines to secure the island of Grenada and provide safety to the around 1,000 American citizens living their at the time. The American troops, though taking some loss, seized the island and enforced a suitable government thus taking away some of the communist wave's power. -
Berlin Wall is Taken Down
With the wall coming down it represented the fall of communism and eventually the Soviet Union. The war over ideals was over and the world could return to peace with itself, Berlin, Germany, they could both feel the weight on their shoulders lifted. -
German Reunification
With the reunion of East and West Berlin it marked the end of the Cold War. Russia had been terminated and now Germany and the whole world could return to peace. -
U.S.S.R. Collapse
On this day in history some 11 representatives from Russian states met and decided to not be part of the Soviet Union any longer. This led to Gorbachev resigning and the dismantling of the U.S.S.R.
