Cold War Timeline

By Yaya Balde

  • Truman Doctrine (1947)

    Truman Doctrine (1947)
    Cause: U.S. wanted to stop the spread of communism in Greece and Turkey. Effect: U.S. promised to help any country threatened by communism.

  • Korean War (1950–1953)

    Korean War (1950–1953)
    Cause: North Korea (communist) invaded South Korea (non-communist). Effect: Ended in a ceasefire; Korea stayed divided at the 38th parallel.

  • McCarthyism (early 1950s)

    McCarthyism (early 1950s)
    Cause: Fear of communism spreading in the U.S. Effect: Many people were accused without proof and lost jobs.

  • Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

    Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
    Cause: Schools were segregated by race. Effect: Supreme Court said segregation in schools was illegal.

  • Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955–1956)

    Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955–1956)
    Cause: Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving up her bus seat. Effect: Helped start the civil rights movement; buses became integrated.

  • Sputnik (1957)

    Sputnik (1957)
    Cause: Soviet Union launched the first satellite into space. Effect: U.S. started the space race and created NASA.

  • Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

    Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
    Cause: Soviets put nuclear missiles in Cuba. Effect: Almost started a nuclear war; ended with a U.S.-Soviet deal.

  • March on Washington (1963)

    March on Washington (1963)
    Cause: Civil rights leaders wanted jobs and freedom for African Americans. Effect: MLK gave his “I Have a Dream” speech; helped push civil rights laws.

  • JFK Assassinated (1963)

    JFK Assassinated (1963)
    Cause: Shot while riding in a car in Dallas, Texas. Effect: Shocked the nation; Lyndon B. Johnson became president.

  • Civil Rights Act (1964)

    Civil Rights Act (1964)
    Cause: Years of protests and pressure from civil rights leaders. Effect: Ended segregation in public places and banned job discrimination.

  • Vietnam War (U.S. involvement 1965–1973)

    Vietnam War (U.S. involvement 1965–1973)
    Cause: U.S. wanted to stop communism in South Vietnam. Effect: War ended with U.S. withdrawal; North Vietnam won in 1975.

  • MLK Killed (1968)

    MLK Killed (1968)
    Cause: Shot in Memphis while supporting workers’ strike. Effect: Huge riots and mourning; civil rights movement lost its leader.

  • RFK Killed (1968)

    RFK Killed (1968)
    Cause: Shot after winning the California primary for president. Effect: More sadness and unrest during a violent year.

  • Tet Offensive (1968)

    Tet Offensive (1968)
    Cause: North Vietnam attacked U.S. bases during Vietnamese New Year. Effect: Turned American public opinion against the Vietnam War.

  • Moon Landing (1969)

    Moon Landing (1969)
    Cause: U.S. raced to beat the Soviets to the moon. Effect: U.S. landed Apollo 11; big win in space race.

  • Watergate Break-In (1972)

    Watergate Break-In (1972)
    Cause: Nixon’s team tried to spy on political rivals. Effect: Nixon resigned in 1974 to avoid being impeached.

  • Roe v. Wade (1973)

    Roe v. Wade (1973)
    Cause: A woman wanted the right to choose abortion. Effect: Supreme Court made abortion legal across the U.S.

  • Iranian Hostage Crisis (1979–1981)

    Iranian Hostage Crisis (1979–1981)
    Cause: Iran’s new leaders were angry the U.S. helped the old Shah. Effect: 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days; U.S.-Iran relations worsened.