Cold War Timeline

Truman Meets with Ambassador Harriman

Apr 20, 1945

A week after Truman was elected, he met with Ambassador Harriman and discussed the critical stage of the United States and the Soviet Union's relationship.

Truman Reveals His Plan

May 8, 1945

Truman revealed his plan which would incorporate economic pressure to influence Soviet Union compliance.

First Atomic Bomb Goes Off

Jul 16, 1945

The first atomic bomb when off in Alamogordo, New Mexico. When the bomb detonated, the temperature at ground zero was 100 million degrees Fahrenheit.

Bombing of Hiroshima

Aug 6, 1945

The first atomic bomb ever to be dropped in combat hit the Japanese city of Hiroshima. It was estimated that 200,000 people were killed due to the bomb and the after effects of it.

Nagasaki

Aug 9, 1945

The United States drops another atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Nagasaki in an attempt to end the war with Japan.

Japan Surrenders

Aug 14, 1945

After the two nuclear bombs decimated the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan found it fit to surrender.

Military Aid for Greece

1946

Due to Greece's weak military and Britain supposedly preparing to withdraw their troops, the United States began talks of gifting military aid in an attempt to strengthen Greece.

The Long Telegram

Feb 22, 1946

The Long Telegram was an address given by George Kennan that described what he thought the U.S policy should be towards the Soviet Union and their actions.

Iron Curtain Speech

Mar 5, 1946

Winston Churchill gave his Iron Curtain Speech, which compared the Soviet Union's expansion to that of Hitler. Their actions were condemned by Churchill in the speech.

Byrnes' Note

Mar 6, 1946

James Byrnes, past governor of South Carolina, sent a note to Moscow that demanded immediate withdrawal from Russia.

Acheson-Lilienthal Proposal

Mar 16, 1946

This was a plan released by The United States, which wanted a form of international control to be reached in a multitude of series.

National Security Act

1947

The National Security Act replaced three independently run services with a single service called the "Department of Defense."

Truman Doctrine

Mar 12, 1947

President Truman gives the "Truman Doctrine" which was the official announcement requesting $400 million to aid both Turkey and Greece.

Economic Aid for Greece and Turkey

May 15, 1947

Congress decided it to be appropriate to give 400 Million to Greece in Turkey in an attempt to strengthen its economy.

NATO

Apr 4, 1949

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a treaty that "signified the beginning of a new era." NATO was used as a force of reckoning against the Soviet Union during the cold war era.

MacArthur is Relieved of His Command

Apr 11, 1951

President Truman relieved General MacArthur from his command of troops belonging to the United States and the United Nations.

Inauguration of Eisenhower

Jan 20, 1953

Eisenhower is inaugurated, officially becoming the 34th president of the United States of America.

Death of Stalin

Mar 5, 1953

Soviet Russia's leader, Stalin, died due to an intense episode ending with a stomach hemorrhage.

Announcement of Korean Armistice

Jul 26, 1953

Eisenhower announced the armistice with Korea, effectively trying to end the military action within Korea.

Soviet Union Tests Their Hydrogen Bomb

Oct 8, 1953

Possibly the turning point of the entire cold war, the Soviets test their hydrogen bomb (the RDS-6), which measured an impressive 400 kiloton explosion.