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February Revolution
A series of demonstrations held by the public. These demonstrators demanded the end of Russian autocracy and participation in World War 1. Began the events that would result in the creation of the Soviet Union. -
October Revolution
Series of revolutions that took place in Russia. These gatherings sparked fights between the Bolsheviks and nationalists. The Bolsheviks won the fight and created the Soviet Union lead by Lenin. -
Iron Curtain
The line drawn as separation between the Soviet Union and the west during the Cold War prior to the communist downfall. The Iron Curtain dissipated after the USSR disbanded and European countries became independent. 1945 to 1991. -
Potsdam Conference
Meeting between the major countries after World War 2. These being; the United States, United Kingdom and the Soviet Union. This conference determined the fate of Europe post World War 2 and began the Cold War. July 17th to August 2nd 1945. -
Atomic Bombings - Hiroshima/Nagasaki
The first nuclear weapons used against another country, the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan during World War 2. The first on August 6th 1945 and the second on August 9th. This showed the Soviet Union the power of the U.S. and prompted them to begin work on their own nuclear weapons. August 6th and 9th 1945. -
Truman Doctrine
The American foreign policy that served as a defense against the spread of communism in Europe. It used supplies and currency as a main deterrent against devastated countries turning to communism as a last resort. Furthered the political distance between the U.S. and USSR. March 12th 1947 and July 12, 1948. -
Marshall Plan
Also known as the European Recovery Program, the Marshall Plan was the American aid given to the post-WW2 European countries as a means of preventing further communist countries developing. The plan cost 13 billion dollars at the time, which would equal almost 110 billion dollars today. This plan directly opposed Soviet Union actions. June 3rd 1948 -
Berlin Blockade and Airlift
The Soviet Union blocked western access to Berlin in one of the first major crises in the Cold War. As a result the Allies air dropped supplies to the city in hopes of saving them from starvation. This acted as one of the first non-confrontational conflicts between the U.S. and USSR during the Cold War. Jun 24, 1948 – May 12, 1949 -
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is a multi-country group formed between the allies after WW2 as an opposition to the Soviet Union activities. NATO was formed on April 4th 1949, shortly after World War Two. -
Soviet Bomb Test
The first successful test of nuclear weapons by the Soviet Union. The development of the bomb relied heavily on spy rings within the American Manhattan Project and german scientist knowledge.
The successful testing of the nuclear weapon meant that both world powers now obtained mass destruction capabilities. 29th of August 1949 -
Hollywood 10
The 1950’s film that denounced McCarthyism and blacklisting within the film industry. It was directed by John Berry and created massive controversy. It attempted to decrease the hatred and anger directed toward communism during the Cold War within America. January 15th 1950 -
Korean War
The first major militant conflict within the Cold War. Began when North Korea invaded South Korea and the U.S. became involved. The Korean War has not technically ended but has instead signed an armistice. This conflict started the military engagements between capitalist and communist countries in the Cold War. Jun 25, 1950 – Jul 27, 1953 -
Army-McCarthy Hearings
A set of trials by the United States Senate Subcommittee investigating U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy and the United States Army. These trials settled the controversy of McCarthyism within the country and related to the thought crime of communism. April to June 1954 -
Eisenhower's Massive Retaliation Policy
The policy directs that all nuclear inbound attacks are to be met with a greater retaliation against the aggressor. This concept directly referred to the threat of the Soviet Union launching nuclear missiles against the United States. This demonstrated to the USSR that the U.S. was willing to retaliate against them in case of nuclear threat. -
Warsaw Pact
The communist response to the NATO formation, the Warsaw Pact created a mutual assistance among the Soviet Union and its satellite states. The pact ensured defense between the countries within the group. The assembly also defined the two sides in the Cold War. May 14th 1955 to July 1st 1991 -
Hungarian Revolution
The national uprising against the communist controlled government of Hungary. This destabilized the communist eastern European countries and demonstrated the potential power of the people revolting soviet control.
This took place in 1956 on October 23rd to November 10th. -
U2 Incident
The american spy plane known as the U2 was shot down within Soviet airspace in Kosulio. This served as evidence for the USSR to use as proof of US spying and increased tension within the war. This occured during Dwight D. Eisenhower’s presidency on May 1st 1960. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
The failed CIA driven military operation that planned for the invasion of Cuba. The military landed on the 17th of April 1961 and was initially successful but only had half of the support needed and was quickly overturned. This invasion only increased the potential of full fledged nuclear war between the superpowers. -
Berlin Wall
Built on August 13th of 1961 officially beginning the division of eastern and western Europe for most civilians. The wall also divided Berlin into two sides for each superpower. The wall was eventually tore down in November 1989. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The thirteen day period of confrontation between the U.S. and Cuba over the ballistic missiles placed in Cuba as a response to the U.S. actions. This conflict is regarded as the closest the Cold War got to becoming a full scale nuclear war. The crisis lasted from October 16th 1962 to October 28th 1962. -
Detente Under Nixon
This period of time was Nixon’s attempt to loosen tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. The meetings between Nixon and the Soviets resulted in the SALT treaties being signed and a slight period of better trade and relations with the USSR.
This period lasted from 1967 to 1979 -
The Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was fought against communist north Vietnam by U.S. troops and south Vietnam soldiers. This conflict was also known as the second Indochina War and was an eventual loss for America. While the war was not an official conflict between the U.S. and USSR, the soviets backed North Vietnam and supplied them with weapons and equipment. The war lasted from November 1st 1955 to April 30th 1975. -
The Reagan Doctrine
A strategy developed under Reagan as an attempt to overwhelm the Soviets in an attempt to end the Cold War. This doctrine was the main U.S. policy from the 1980’s all the way until 1991 when the war ended. -
Reagan's Berlin Wall Speech
The speech given by Ronald Reagan at the west Berlin wall to the German people. This speech contained the famous line “Tear down this wall!” that Reagan directed to Mr. Gorbachev the leader of the Soviet Union at the time. The speech also marked the beginning of the thawing of the Cold War -
Fall Of The Berlin Wall
On November 9th 1989 the Berlin Wall fell, signalling the end of the division for Berlin citizens. The citizens of Berlin were officially allowed to cross the border starting at midnight on the 9th.
