Cold War Timeline

By SergioZannino

  • Yalta Conference

    There is an agreement to replace the League of Nations, divide Germany into 4 parts, and require open elections in Germany.

  • Death of Franklin D. Roosevelt

    Deems Truman as the new President of the USA

  • Potsdam Conference

    Truman informs Stalin of the US's nuclear capabilities.

  • Potsdam Agreement Signed

    Among reorganization of Europe, Berlin is split into 4 zones.

  • Japanese Surrender

    The Japanese Surrender to the USA.

  • Chinese Civil War

    Chinese Civil War resumes between Communist and Nationalist forces.

  • The Republic of Austria is reconstituted

    The Republic of Austria is reconstituted, with its 1937 borders, but divided into four zones of control: American, British, French, and Soviet.

  • Jospeh Stalin's Election Speech

    Joseph Stalin makes his Election Speech, in which he states that capitalism and imperialism make future wars inevitable.

  • Iron Curtain Speech

    Winston Churchill warns of the descent of an Iron Curtain across Europe.

  • Clifford-Elsey Report

    Truman is presented with the Clifford-Elsey Report, a document which listed Soviet violations of agreements with the United States.

  • Novikov Telegram

    Nikolai Vasilevich Novikov writes a response to Kennan's Long Telegram, known as the 'Novikov Telegram', in which he states that the United States are "striving for world supremacy".

  • First Indochina War

    French landings in Indochina begin the First Indochina War. They are resisted by the Viet Minh communists fight for national independence.

  • Bizone

    The American and British zones of control in Germany are combined to form the Bizone

  • Truman Doctrine

    President Harry Truman announces the Truman Doctrine, initiating with the transfer of aid to Greece and Turkey in order to prevent them from falling into the Soviet sphere

  • "Cold War"

    Bernard Baruch, in a speech given during the unveiling of his portrait in the South Carolina House of Representatives, coins the term "Cold War" to describe relations between the United States and the Soviet Union

  • Marshall 'Plan

    Secretary of State George Marshall outlines plans for a comprehensive program of economic assistance for the war-ravaged countries of Western Europe. It would become known throughout the world as the Marshall Plan.

  • Free Election In Korea

    The United Nations passes a resolution calling for the withdrawal of foreign soldiers from Korea, free elections in each of the two administrations, and the creation of a UN commission dedicated to the unification of the peninsula.

  • Communism Spreads to Romania

    In Romania, King Michael I of Romania is forced to abdicate by Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej, the monarchy is abolished and the Popular Republic of Romania is instituted instead.

  • Communism spreads to Czechoslavakia

    The Communist Party takes control in Czechoslovakia, after President Edvard Beneš accepts the resignation of all non-communist ministers.

  • Truman signs the Marshall Plan

    Truman signs the Marshall Plan into effect. By the end of the programs, the United States had given $12.4 billion in economic assistance to European countries.

  • Berlin Blockade

    Joseph Stalin orders the blockade of all land routes from West Germany to Berlin, in an attempt to starve out the French, British, and American forces from the city. In response, the three Western powers launch the Berlin Airlift to supply the citizens of Berlin by air.

  • Communism In North Korea

    The Soviet Union declares the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to be the legitimate government of all of Korea, with Kim Il-sung as Prime Minister.

  • NATO

    The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is founded by Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States, in order to resist Communist expansion.

  • Berline Blockade Ends

    The Soviet blockade of Berlin ends with the re-opening of access routes to Berlin. The airlift continues until September, in case the Soviets re-establish the blockade.

  • Red Scare

    By this time, many celebrities had been outed as Communist.

  • Soviets go Nuclear

    The Soviet Union tests its first atomic bomb. The test, known to Americans as Joe 1, succeeds, as the Soviet Union becomes the world's second nuclear power.

  • Communism is contained in Greece

    Nikos Zachariadis, leader of the Communist Party of Greece, declares an end to the armed uprising. The Greek Civil War is contained.

  • China severs relations with UK

    The United Kingdom recognizes the People's Republic of China. The Republic of China severs diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom.

  • Russia and China allign

    The Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China sign a pact of mutual defense.

  • North Korea invades South Korea.

    North Korea invades South Korea.

  • UN fights North Koreans

    United Nations forces engage North Korean forces n Osan. They fail to halt the North Korean advance, and fall south.

  • UN conquers the Capital of North Korea

    Pyongyang falls to United Nations forces.

  • China Intervenes

    China intervenes in Korea with 300,000 soldiers, catching the United Nations offguard. They then withdraw.

  • UN is pushed back

    United Nations forces approach the Yalu River. In response, China intervenes in Korea oncemore with 500,000 troops.The UN is pushed to South Korea.

  • Chinese soldiers capture Seoul.

    Chinese soldiers capture Seoul.

  • UN recapture Seoul

    UN recapture Seoul during Operation Ripper.

  • ANZUS Treaty

    Australia, New Zealand, and the United States sign the ANZUS Treaty. (Consits of matters of defense and security in the Pacific.)

  • Mutual Security Act

    President Harry S. Truman signs the Mutual Security Act, declaring that U.S. was prepared to provide military aid to "free peoples."

  • Greece and Turkey join NATO.

    Greece and Turkey join NATO.

  • Treaty of Taipei

    The Treaty of San Francisco comes into effect, and Japan signs the Treaty of Taipei. Occupation ends.

  • Arms Race: USS Nautilus

    The United States creates the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, USS Nautilus.

  • The Marshall Plan ends

    The Marshall Plan ends, with European industrial output better than that of 1948.

  • Arms Race: Operation Hurricane

    The United Kingdom successfully tests its atomic bomb in Operation Hurricane. The test makes the UK the world's third nuclear power.

  • Arms Race: Ivy Mike

    The United States tests their first thermonuclear bomb, Ivy Mike.

  • Dwight D. Eisenhower

    Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes President of the United States.

  • Joseph Stalin dies

    Joseph Stalin dies, this causes further conflict in Russia

  • Korean Armistice

    An armistice agreement ends fighting in the Korean War.

  • Nikita Khrushchev rises to power

    Nikita Khrushchev becomes leader of the Soviet Communist Party. Lavrentiy Beria is then executed in December.

  • Arms Race: USS Nautilus

    The United States launches the world's first nuclear submarine, USS Nautilus.

  • Establishment of Cambodia, Laos, North Vietnam and South Vietnam.

    The Viet Minh defeat the French at Dien Bien Phu. France withdraws from Indochina. Four independent states are left: Cambodia, Laos, and what became North Vietnam and South Vietnam. The Geneva Accords called for free elections to unite Vietnam, but none of the major Western powers were having it since the Viet Minh (nationalist Communists) would win.

  • McCarthyism

    Senator Joseph McCarthy claims that communists have infiltrated the CIA and the atomic weapons industry.

  • Guatamalan Government is Overthrown

    The elected leftist Guatemalan government is overthrown in a CIA-backed coup. A facsist Regime takes over. Opposition leads to a guerrilla war with Marxist rebels in which major human rights abuses are committed on all sides.

  • SEATO

    Foundation of the South East Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO) by Australia, France, New Zealand, Pakistan, Thailand, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Designed to reisist communist expansion in Philippines and Indochina.

  • Baghdad Pact

    Baghdad Pact is founded: Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. Main purpose is to resist Communist expansion in the Middle East.

  • West Germany joins NATO

    West Germany joins NATO, also begins rearmament.

  • Warsaw Pact

    Warsaw Pact is founded in Eastern Europe and includes East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Albania, Bulgaria, and the Soviet Union. (Communist NATO)

  • Geneva Summit

    Geneva summit, attended by the Big Four and Nikita.

  • Hungarian Revolution

    Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Hungarians revolt against the Communist Russian Government. They are crushed by the Soviet military, which reinstates a Communist government.

  • Suez Crisis

    Suez Crisis: France, Israel, and the United Kingdom attack Egypt with the goal of removing Nasser from power. International diplomatic pressures force the attackers to withdraw. Canadian Lester B. Pearson encourages the United Nations to send a Peacekeeping force to the disputed territory. Lester B. Pearson wins a Nobel Peace Prize for his actions and becomes Canadian Prime Minister.

  • Communism strikes in South Vietnam

    Communist Imperialism begins in South Vietnam, sponsored by North Vietnam.

  • Space Race: Sputnik

    Sputnik satellite launched.

  • Space Race: Sputnik 2

    Sputnik 2 launched, living person on board

  • 14 July Revolution

    Coup in Iraq, the 14 July Revolution, removes the pro-British monarch.

  • NASA

    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA is established

  • Cuban Revolution

    Cuban Revolution. Fidel Castro (Communist) becomes the leader of Cuba.

  • Kitchen Debate

    Nikita and Nixon openly debate the capacities of each Superpower.

  • Space Race: Explorer 6

    Explorer 6 is launched into orbit to photograph Earth.

  • Viet Cong Formation

    Formation of the FNL ( Viet Cong) in North Vietnam.

  • Arms Race: Gerboise Bleue

    France successfully launches first Atomic Bomb, Gerboise Bleue

  • Sino Soviet Split

    Sino-Soviet split: The Chinese declare their version of Communism superior and begin to compete with the Soviets.

  • Pathet Leo Revolt

    Pathet Lao (communist) revolt in Laos begins.

  • US Embassy in Havana Closed

    Eisenhower closes the US embassy in Havana, Diplomacy with Cuba is severed

  • John F Kennedy becomes President

  • Bay Of Pigs Invasion

    CIA funded invasion of Cuba flops.

  • Space Race: Project Mercury

    Kennedy announces intention to put man on the moon

  • Berlin Wall Is built

    The Berlin Wall is built by the Soviets

  • Arms Race: Tsar Bomb

    Soviet Union detonates the Tsar Bomba, the most powerful thermonuclear weapon ever tested

  • Castro declares his Marxism

  • Himalayan War

    Himalayan War: Chinese forces attack India

  • Cuban Missle Crisis

    Kennedy and Russia square off, Russia eventually backs down

  • Ich Ben Ein Berliner Speech

  • South Vietnamese prime minister assassinated

  • John F Kennedy is assassinated, Johnson resumes power

  • Brazilian government overthrown

  • Gulf of Tonkin Incident

  • Brezhnev seizes power in Russia

  • Arms Race: Chinese Go nuclear

  • Sustained US bombing of North Vietnam

  • US invades Dominican Republic

  • South African Border War Begins

  • 6 Day War Begins

  • Nixon Becomes President

  • Gadaffi seizes Libya

  • Bangladesh liberation war began

  • Nixon visits China

  • US backed Chilean coup carried out

  • Gerald ford becomes president

  • North Vietnam conquers south Vietnam

  • Mao Zedong dies

  • Jimmy Carter becomes president

  • Communist regime installed in Afghanistan

  • Margaret thatcher becomes prime minister

  • SALT ll signed

  • USA Boycotts olympics

  • REAGAN ELECTED, IRAN HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION ENDS

  • Argentina invades Falklands, starts Falkland war

  • Reagan delivers Evil Empire Speech

  • Gorbechav seizes power in Russia

  • Gorbachev and Reagan meet in Geneva

  • US bombs Libya (Operation El Dorado)

  • Chernobyl Disaster

  • Iran-Contra Conflict

  • Reagan tells gorbechav to tear down the Berlin Wall

  • INF Treaty ratified

  • Gulf of Sidra Incident

  • George H W Bush elected president

  • Malta Summit

  • Germany is reunified

  • Bush acknowledges End of the Cold War