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Yalta Conference
The World War II meeting of the heads of government of the United States, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union, represented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Premier Joseph Stalin, respectively, for the purpose of discussing Europe's post-war reorganization. -
U.S. drops an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.
Though the dropping of the atomic bomb on Japan marked the end of World War II, many historians argue that it also ignited the Cold War. -
Communists seize power in Poland.
On 19 January 1947, the first parliamentary elections took place featuring primarily PPR and allied candidates and a potentially politically potent opposition from the Polish People's Party, whose strength and role had already been seriously compromised due to government control and persecution. -
Truman Doctrine announced.
Nations could adopt a way of life “based upon the will of the majority” and governments that provided “guarantees of individual liberty” or they could face a way of life “based upon the will of a minority forcibly imposed upon the majority.” -
Berlin Airlift begins
It was a daunting logistical task to provide food, clothing, water, medicine, and other necessities of life for the over 2 million fearful citizens of the city. -
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) established.
an intergovernmental military alliance based on the North Atlantic Treaty -
Communists win Chinese Civil War.
Mao Zedong proclaimed the establishment of the People's Republic of China. -
U.S. and other U.N. members fight North Korean forces.
North Korean troops unexpectedly attacked South Korea and America wanted the invasion immediately brought before the Security Council. -
Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) formed.
An international organization for collective defense in Southeast Asia created by the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, or Manila Pact, signed in September 1954 in Manila, Philippines. -
Warsaw Pact formed.
a collective defense treaty among eight communist states of Central and Eastern Europe in existence during the Cold War. -
Red Army crushes the Hungarian Revolution.
Soviet tanks rolled into Budapest to stop Hungary’s movement away from the communist bloc. Vicious street fighting broke out, but the Soviets’ greater power insured the doom of the rebels. After the deaths and injuries of thousands of Hungarians, the protests were finally put down. -
Soviets launch first man‑made satellite.
It was a 58 cm diameter polished metal sphere, with four external radio antennas to broadcast radio pulses. The Soviet Union launched it into an elliptical low. -
Fidel Castro becomes premier of Cuba, installs Communist government.
Fidel Castro is sworn in as prime minister of Cuba after leading a guerrilla campaign that forced right-wing dictator Fulgencio Batista into exile. -
East Germany builds Berlin Wall.
they began replacing barbed wire with concrete. The wall, East German authorities declared, would protect their citizens from the pernicious influence of decadent capitalist culture. -
Cuban Missile Crisis.
a 13-day confrontation in October 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet ballistic missiles deployed in Cuba.
