Origins of the Cold War

  • The USSR asks for a $6 billion loan from the US

  • Period: to

    The Yalta Conference

    1. Stalin signs the Declaration of Liberated Europe
    2. US, Britain reject revision of Polish border
    3. Inclusion of London Poles into the Lublin Commitee and for free elections to be held in Poland
  • Tito's forces enter Trieste

    Tito's forces enter Trieste
    US equated this with Soviet expansionism
  • Potsdam Conference

    Potsdam Conference
    Truman offers Stalin information of the bomb (atomic diplomacy)
  • Soviet troop enter North Korea to take over from the Japanese

    Soviet troop enter North Korea to take over from the Japanese
  • US troops occupy South Korea in resoonse to Soviet occupation of North Korea

    US troops occupy South Korea in resoonse to Soviet occupation of North Korea
  • 50,000 US Marines sent to North China

    50,000 US Marines sent to North China
    This was in response to Stalin hedging his bets, as he recognised KMT as China's legitimate government but sent Japanese weapons to CCP units. Covert act of Soviet expansionism
  • The USSR fails to join the IMF and World Bank

    The USSR fails to join the IMF and World Bank
    This was due to the conditions imposed by the US, such as the opening of Eastern European markets to US-manufactured products
  • Truman conclude that the US should compromise no longer and he was tired of 'babying the Soviets"

  • Kennan's Long Telegramme

    Kennan's Long Telegramme
  • Deadline for Soviet withdrawal from Iran not met

    Deadline for Soviet withdrawal from Iran not met
  • Churchill's Iron Curtain Speecch

    Hardened the attitude of the American public towards the USSR
  • Soviets evacuate from Iran

  • General Clay stops dispatch of reparations from US to Soviet zone

  • American change in plans for Germany made public

    From the destruction to the reconstruction of Germany
  • Truman Doctrine implemented

    Truman Doctrine implemented
    US military assistance to Greece and Turkey to deal with Soviet aggression
  • Formulation of the Marshall Plan

    To contain Communism, as well as to create a captive European market for American goods
  • Formation of the Brussels Pact

    Predecessor of NATO, the military alliance that would start the military divide in Europe
  • Introduction of the Deutsche Mark

    Introduction of the Deutsche Mark
    Seen by Stalin as the signal for the establishment of a new Germany in the West
  • Start of the Berlin Blockade

    Start of the Berlin Blockade
    The USSR blocks roads and rail routes into Berlin. Represented a point where the Cold War might have turned hot
  • Formation of NATO