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Cold War Begins
The Yalta Conference occurs on February 4-11 in 1945, during which Prime Minister Winston Churchill gives a speech which brings the start of the Cold War.The Cold War was the clash of ideologies between the United States and the Soviet Union. History.com Staff. (2009). Yalta Conference. Retrieved September 16, 2016, from http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/yalta-conference -
Postdam Conference
The Postdam Conference occurs from July 17 to August 2 in 1945. Leaders Joseph Stalin, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and U.S President Harry Truman meet to negotiate the terms for the end of World War II. Germany was divided into four zones ran by the US., France, Britain, and the Soviet Union. Office of the Historian, Bureau of Public Affairs. (2016). The Potsdam Conference, 1945. Retrieved September 16, 2016, from https://history.state.gov/milestones/1937-1945/potsdam-conf -
Nuclear Bombing of Japan
On August 6th, the U.S dropped the first atomic bomb ever used. The target was Hiroshima in Japan. On August 9th, the second atomic bomb is used, this time in Nagasaki, Japan. This accounted for 150,000 deaths in Japan. Lemay, C., & Tibbets, P. (2016). Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - 1945. Retrieved September 16, 2016, from http://www.atomicheritage.org/history/bombings-hiroshima-and-nagasaki-1945 -
End of World War II
After the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japanese forces surrender, bringing the end of World War II. This happened just days after the brutal attacks. Lemay, C., & Tibbets, P. (2016). Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - 1945. Retrieved September 16, 2016, from http://www.atomicheritage.org/history/bombings-hiroshima-and-nagasaki-1945 -
Iron Curtain
Winston Churchill announces the existence of the "Iron Curtain", which was the ideological barrier that separated the Soviet Union and it's allies from the non-communist areas. Iron Curtain. (2016). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/event/Iron-Curtain -
Operation Crossroads
Conducted by the U.S., Operation Crossroads was a series of nuclear weapons tests, the first to be publicly announced. The first test, codenamed ABLE, happened on July 1st. The second test, codenamed BAKER, happened on July 25th. Cowan, G., Cunningham, F., Jones, T. O., & Warren, S. L. (2016). Operation Crossroads. Retrieved September 17, 2016, from http://www.atomicheritage.org/history/operation-crossroads -
Containment Begins
Containment, which began in 1947, was the United States' effort to stop the spread of communism. It was a block against Soviet Union influence. Containment was the United States' strategy for the Cold War. Office of the Historian, Bureau of Public Affairs. (2016). Kennan and Containment, 1947. Retrieved September 16, 2016, from https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/kennan -
Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine was pronounced by United States President Harry Truman. It was established that the United States would provide aid to any democratic nation that was threatened. This came to be when the Greek Government was threatened by communism. Office of the Historian, Bureau of Public Affairs. (2016). The Truman Doctrine, 1947. Retrieved September 16, 2016 from https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/truman-doctrine -
Berlin Blockade and Airlift
The Berlin Blockade was the Soviet Union's attempt to stop Great Britain, France, and the U.S. from traveling to their sectors in Berlin. To prevent the people from starving, the western powers began an airlift to deliver goods to the people. This went on from June 24th, 1948 to May 12, 1949. History.com Staff. (2010). Berlin Blockade. Retrieved September 17, 2016, from http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/berlin-blockade -
NATO
On June 24th 1948, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established by the United States and eleven other nations. It was meant to to prevent Soviet aggression against Western Europe. History.com Staff. (2009). NATO pact signed. Retrieved September 17, 2016, from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nato-pact-signed -
Warsaw Pact
The Soviet Union and seven of its satellites created the Warsaw Pact, which put the Soviets in command of the states' armed forces. This came in response to NATO. The Warsaw Pact was meant to protect anyone under Soviet Influence from the Western enemies. History.com Staff. (2009). The Warsaw Pact is formed. Retrieved September 17, 2016, from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-warsaw-pact-is-formed -
Vietnam War
Communist country North Vietnam declares war against South Vietnam, causing the United States to join in their defense. North Vietnam had been modeled after the Soviet Union. South Vietnam wanted to be more aligned towards the United States. This led to the beginning of the Vietnam War. Vietnam War. (2016). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/event/Vietnam-War -
Sputnik
On October 4th, 1957, the Soviet Union began the "space age" with the launch of their satellite named Sputnik. It transmitted radio signals down to earth. The launch of Sputnik sparked fear in Americans, who believed the Soviet Union had sinister purposes for their space equipment. This began the "Space Race" between the Soviet Union and the United States. History.com Staff. (2009). Sputnik Launched. Retrieved September 17, 2016, from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sputnik-launched -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
On January of 1959 communist Fidel Castro took over Cuba. This alarmed the U.S., who knew he had ties with the Soviet Union. On April 17, 1961, the U.S. decided to invade Cuba and overthrow Fidel Castro. Unfortunately for them, however, they were heavily outnumbered by Cuban forces and had to surrender. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum. (2016). The Bay of Pigs. Retrieved September 17, 2016, from https://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-History/The-Bay-of-Pigs.aspx -
Berlin Wall Rises
On August 13, 1961, the border to Berlin was closed. By the 17th, a wall was beginning to be built on the border. It was meant to keep the Westerners out, but it also forced people in with armed guards, barbed wired, and vicious dogs. This began a struggle for freedom for those who were inside of it. History.com Staff. (2009). Berlin Wall. Retrieved September 17, 2016, from http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/berlin-wall -
Apollo 11
The U.S. had been losing the Space Race against the Soviet Union, The USSR had sent a satellite first, and even a dog. On July 11th, of 1969 the U.S. used it's trump card. The United States became the first country to send a man to the moon, which was a hallmark in space history. “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” -Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon. History.com Staff. (2010). Apollo 11. Retrieved September 17, 2016, from http://www.history.com/topics/apollo-11 -
End of the Vietnam War
The Vietnam War went on for almost twenty years. Ultimately, the U.S. was not able to save South Vietnam, and North Vietnam achieved all of its goals. Although South Vietnam was taken over, the U.S. managed to stop communism from spreading to the surrounding nations. Thompson, S. (2016). Who Won the Vietnam War? Retrieved September 17, 2016, from http://classroom.synonym.com/won-vietnam-war-23644.html -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
November 9th, 1989 marked the day when East Berliners were able to breathe. That was the day the wall was to fall. The Soviet Union was beginning to lose momentum and could not keep its hold in East Berlin. That day was filled with celebration. History.com Staff. (2009). Berlin Wall. Retrieved September 17, 2016, from http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/berlin-wall -
End of the Cold War
The Soviet Union began losing its hold on many nations with the fall of the wall. By 1990 Germany had been reunited and the Soviet presence was gone. One by one communist leaders began to fall. Demands for freedom spread through the USSR. On Dember 8th, 1991, the Soviet Union ceased to exist and the Cold War came to an end.
