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Period: to
The Cold War
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Yalta Conference
Stalin Roosevelt and Churchill meet-Each leader is going to have a very different idea on what to do with the world -
Truman takes Presidency
Stalin Roosevelt and Churchill meet-Each leader is going to have a very different idea on what to do with the world -
UN formation talks begin
With the formation of the UN the world powers now have a say in the affairs of the world, this will create tensions betweens super powers including Russia and the U.S. -
Hiter Dies
The great tyrant has fallen, he is dead and the world will never see another -
Soviets reach Berlin First
Soviets beat Europeans to berlin causing the split of East and West Berlin
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VE Day
Berlin falls and the European front is closed, the U.S. can now focus all its forces on crushing Japan
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Hiroshima
This bomb will shock the world with its power that it contains in such a small package -
Nagasaki
The second to be dropped on Japan, the world will finally know that even the mighty have fallen -
VJ Day
After Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan is crippled and in awe of the sheer devastation its people have faced, Japan pulls out of the war ending WWII -
Harry Tuman speech
President Harry Truman indicates that the US will not recognize future communist governments, since "I'm sick of babying the Soviets" -
Communist Party Congress
Stalin suggests that communism and capitalism were incompatible. -
George Kennan’s Long Telegram
one of the most famous documents of the Cold War, contending that Russian behavior was determined by a "traditional and instinctive Russian sense of insecurity," and that "we have here a political force committed fanatically to the belief that with US there can be no permanent modus vivendi." -
Iron Curtain
Former British prime minister Winston Churchill, at Fulton, Missouri, declares that an "Iron Curtain" has descended on Europe. -
Iron Curtain Video
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Demand of Russia withdraw from Iran
Truman demands Russia withdraw from Iran, which had been jointly occupied by the British and the Red Army during World War II, with no oil concessions and no annexation of Azerbaijan. -
Wallace delivers a speech at Madison Square Garden
Former Vice President Henry Wallace delivers a speech at Madison Square Garden announcing ""the tougher we get with Russia, the tougher they will get with us"; he was forced to resign as Secretary of Commerce September 20. -
Truman Doctrine
President Truman announces the Truman Doctrine, informing Congress, "I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures." -
Marshall Plan
Secretary of State George Marshall, in a commencement address at Harvard University, announces a package of economic assistance to aid in European recovery. Though not "directed not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos," the Marshall Plan further divides Europe into two spheres of influence -
national security act
Congress passed the national security act, which creates a civilian Secretary of Defense (the first was James Forrestal), a National Security Council, a Central Intelligence Agency, but does not call for universal military training. -
India's 'Vivisection'
MAJ SpeechDue to the costs of the war Britain finally left India, unable to bear its financial burden. Being a largely Hindu country, its independence caused fear for the minority Muslims. Muhammad Ali Jinnah led the campaign for Pakistan much to the dismay of Gandhi and Nehru, who wanted just one cultural entity. Even though India was no longer a victim to colonialism, it was now a victim to a new conflict that would keep its hold till even today. -
United Nations War Crimes Commission ends
The United Nations War Crimes Commission was a commission of the United Nations that looked into declarations of war crimes by Nazis and their allies in World War II. The Commission began its work at the demand of the British government and the other Allied nations in 1943. -
Marshall Aid Act
Congress passed the Marshall Aid Act to help rehabilitate war-torn Europe. George Marshall announced the plan for Europe in a Harvard University commencement speech. "Our policy is not directed against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos. Its purpose should be the revival of a working economy in the world so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist." -
Soviet Union begins Berlin Blockade
Video about Berlin Blockade
The Berlin Blockade was made to remove the allies from Berlin. Berlin was located in Soviet controlled territory, later East Germany. A part of the settlement was to divide up Berlin between the allies despite the fact that it was in Soviet territory. -
Bernard M Baruch introduces term "Cold War"
“Cold War” described the chilly relationship between two World War II Allies, the United States and the Soviet Union. Baruch used the phrase in a speech to the South Carolina House of Representatives. The phrase described the bipolar diplomatic and military rivalry between the nuclear superpowers. -
North Atlantic Treaty Organization signed
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was the military alliance formed between 26 nations to enforce the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949. NATO was originally formed to halt the spread of communism, but it has grown since then to provide defense from external threats. -
1st Soviet atomic test
The Soviet Union exploded its first nuclear bomb at its testing range on the Kazakhstan steppe. Many historians considered the test the beginning of the nuclear arms race. It came as a great shock to the US because they were not expecting the Soviet Union to have knowledge of a nuclear weapon so soon. -
Mao Tse-tung created the PRC
The Chinese communist leader Mao Tse-tung created the People's Republic of China. This ended the costly civil war between the Chinese communist Party and the Nationalist Party. The PRC also completed the long process of governmental upheaval in China begun by the Chinese Revolution of 1911. -
The H-Bomb
President S. Truman finally announces his approval for the H-bomb. There was much controversy on the creation of this bomb due to the damage it had done in World War ll. Nevertheless, the pushing factor was the fact that the Soviet Union also knew the details for creating this bomb. As trouble was already brewing between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, Truman did not want the Soviet Union to have the upperhand. -
Domestic Containment
Joseph McCarthy, a U.S. senator, became famous for his communist purges. During this time in the United States everyone was wary of communist spies who would try and rip down the institutions of the U.S. Therefore, Senator McCarthy started these hunts for people who were related to communism. This created the term ‘domestic containment’ which referred to the fact that the U.S. was retreating to their home and family. So at this point many people conformed to the the socially sanctioned life. -
Korean War
At the end of World War II Korea was split along the thirty-eighth parallel by the two major powers. One day, the leader of North Korea and his troops crossed this thirty-eighth parallel and tried to capture South Korea. Convinced that the Soviet Union was behind this, the U.S. turned its attention to South Korea and managed to redeem their mandate. This event hieghtened turmoil and tensions between N. and S. Korea and it made the cold war. global because it also included the Chinese. -
The Federal Civil Defense Administration
In 1949 the Soviet Union exploded an atomic bomb. It caused a lot of fear and and panic because the U.S. realized it lost its monopoly and made it vulnerable. Truman created tthe FCDA in hopes that it would keep America safer by by establishing bomb shelters and etc. This is one of the many instances in where there was obvious fear in one of the major powers fighting in this war. -
The British Atomic Bomb
Bomb Blast The British successfully run their first atomic bomb test. During World War II it was just America that was ahead in the creating of atomic bombs but at this point the whole world is quickly catching up as well. This adds to the tension among the countries as they are all prepare for the first bomb to drop down igniting the war. -
Dwight D. Eisenhower is elected President of the United Sates
He is electd into office at a time of transition wars ad makes significant chnges in bth the US and other countries around him. -
Stalin Dies
The leader of the Soviet Unon, Joseph Satlin, dies in Moscow. While it was a relief to the people, a power struggle begins for who would fill his place. Surprisingly, Eisenhower did not act during this time, because he believes it was wrong to attack the Soviet Union in their time of "vulnerability". Though his predecessors tries to follow his model of power, the people sis not accept it alwasy asking more more leniency. A new Soviet leader would soon be born. -
Khrushchev becomes the new leader of the Soviet Union
After Satlin's death, no one coud hold onto power for very long, then Nikita Khrushchev was picked by a council to be the new head of the Soviet Party. A follower of Stalin, he believed in the same values yet had a more "liberal" approach. Other countries greatly underestimated his power and plan for the Societ Union. Though this rule would be tight, there was a period of "peaceful coexistence" between the Soviet Union and the US, where tension lowered. -
The Rosenburg Executions
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, were both executed for giving away US military secrets to the Soviets. This was an extremely contriversal matter in the US because they were the first US citizens to be executed for espionage. Many thought the trial was unfair because of all the anti-Communist beliefs while some thought that the punishment was just too much for the crime. -
the Korean War Ends
All parties agree to armistice to end the Korean war. Eisenhower was entertaining ideas of nucler material to end the war which might have caused for the countries to come together. They did not use a nuclear bomb in fear of WWIII. The agreement let representatives from neutral parties come in and decide what would happen to the prisoners captured during the war. North Korea and South Korea drew a new border for themselves, which demilitarized the zone and gave South Korea a little more land. -
The Domino Theory
The Domino Theory was coined by Eisenhower was the phrase that described how vulnerable countries are at risk of being taken over by communism. An example of a region like this at the time would be South East Asia. -
Massive Retaliation
Massive Retaliation was a strategy designed to prevent the spread of communism. The plan was to put Russia on the brink of war by almost destroying them entirely while using nuclear weapons against them. The idea was released in s speech mate by John Foster Dulles. -
Dien Bien Phu
Dien Bien Phu is a city in northern Vietnam where a battle took place between the communists and a French military group. This battle was one that basically ended French influence in Vietnam. It caused United States influence to be much more prominent. The battle is relevant to the Cold War because this was European attempt to prevent the spread of communism. -
Warsaw Pact
This was the treaty between Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland and the Soviet Union. It is sometimes referred to as the "Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance". Soviets used the pact to manipulate and take advantage. -
The Vietnam War
he Vietnam war was caused through the attempt to stop the spread of communism. It was the United States and help of the South Vietnamese against the Northern Vietnamese. The war became the epitome of what not to do during foreign conflict because the United States lost incredible amounts of support from the U.S citizens. -
Speech to De-Stalinization
Nikita Khrushchev delivers the speech "On the Personality Cult and its Consequences" at the closed session of the Twentieth Party Congress of the CPSU. The speech marks the beginning of the De-Stalinization. -
Poznań 1956 uprising
In Poznań, Poland, anti-communist protests lead to violence. The Poznań 1956 protests, also known as Poznań 1956 uprising or Poznań June, were the first of several massive protests of the Polish people against the communist dictatorial government of the People's Republic of Poland. Demonstrations by workers demanding better conditions began on June 28, 1956, at Poznań's Cegielski Factories and were met with violent repression. -
Hungarian Revolution of 1956
Hungarian revolt against the Soviet dominated government. They are crushed by the Soviet military, which reinstates a Communist government. -
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, the first of its kind, to the disputed territory. Lester B. Pearson wins a Nobel Peace Prize for his actions, and soon after becomes Canadian Prime Minister. -
Eisenhower reelected
This leads to the doctrine and major changes in America at the time period. -
Eisenhower Doctrine
The Eisenhower doctrine commits the US to defending Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan from Communist influence. -
Eisenhower
The Eisenhower doctrine commits the US to defending Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan from Communist influence. -
Senator Joseph McCarthy dies
Senator Joseph McCarthy succumbs to illness exacerbated by alcoholism and dies. -
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command initiates 24/7 nuclear alert (continuous until termination in 1991) in anticipation of a Soviet ICBM surprise attack capability. -
Launched Sputnik 1
Political Cartoon! Launching of Sputnik 1 It showed the major technology improvement that occured in this time period. -
Launch of Sputnik 2
Sputnik 2 was launched, with the first living being on board, Laika. Another step on the way to a progressing technology efficient future. -
Plan to protect America from Russian technology development
The final report from a special committee called by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to review the nation's defense readiness indicates that the United States is falling far behind the Soviets in missile capabilities, and urges a vigorous campaign to build fallout shelters to protect American citizens. -
Khrushchev challenges America to "shooting match"
Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev claims that the Soviet Union has missile superiority over the United States and challenges America to a missile "shooting match" to prove his assertion. -
First successful test of Atlas ICBM.
ICBM: First successful test of Atlas ICBM. This is yet another technological advance during this era. -
NASA is formed
When Sputnick one was lauched, we could see the US starting to get worried. Known as the "Sputnick Crisis" it caused people to worry for our (the US') national security andhegemony in the world. Creted by Eisenhower, the National Aeronautics and Space Act was created. We had to catch up to the Soviet's space technology. Manned and unmanned spacecrafts were being introduced as well as satellites to put into space. This is a faint beginning of the Space Race between the US and the Soviet Union. -
Berlin Ultimatum
This was one of Khrushchev biggest moves in the West. He gave the Western Powers six months to agree with withdrawing from Berlin. He wanted to cdecriminalize the area of Berlin and felt it couldn't be done with Western soldiers in the area. After the six months, Khrushchev would go into east Germany to control all of the communication with West Berlin, to control the western's hold in Berlin. Even with the consequences, the Western Powers did not pull out because the control was too important. -
Fidel Castro becomes leader of Cuba
Fidel Castro is sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba. HE only accepted when they told him that the powers of Prime Minister would be increased as he felt that Cuba needed more leadership. His policies were questioned by the US and in turn President Eisenhower declined to meet him. His interest in pwer and nuclear ability incresingly strengthened trhoughout his reign as he grew to being the dictator of Cuba and an enemy to the Western Powers. -
The Kitchen Debate
This was a impromptu debate at the opening of the American National Exhibition. These exchnages were between Vic President Nixon and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. In this discussion they debated the advantages of American Capitaism and Soviet Communism. This was broadcasted on TV in both America and the Soviet Union. It showed how difficult it would be to end this silent war that had begun. This was significant because this was the first "high-leveled" meet since the Geneva Conference. -
American U-2 Reconnaissance Plane Shot Down
On May 1, 1960, an American U-2 Reconnaissance Plane, flown by Francis Gary Powers, is shot down by the Soviet Union. The top secret mission of the U-2 Reconnaissance Plane was to over fly and photograph denied territory from his U2 spy plane deep inside Russia. Pilot Gary Powers was held in custody of the Soviet Union. "Cold War Timeline." Cold War Timeline. 09 Apr. 2013 http://edci.uttyl.edu/web/5305/sp04/mv/page_2.htm. -
United States Fires First Ballistic Missile
On July 20, 1960, the United States fires first ballistic missile from a submerged submarine. The first practical submarine-based launch platform was developed by the Germans towards the end of World War II, however, since the war was coming to an end they never had a chance to test it out. Because of that, all the engineers that worked on the design came and worked for the USA. . The United States made their first successful underwater launch of a Polaris A1 on 20 July, 1960. -
John F. Kennedy Elected
On November 8, 1960, John F. Kennedy becomes the youngest man to be elected as president of the United States of America. The United States presidential election of 1960 was the 44th quadrennial presidential election, where the Republican Party nominated Vice President Richard Nixon and the Democratic Party nominated John F. Kennedy. -
Alliance for Progress
On March 13, 1961, John F. Kennedy initiates the Alliance for Progress that aimed to establish economic cooperation between the U.S. and Latin America. Basically the Alliance for Progress was a 10-year plan of economic aid to Latin American. -
United States Attempt to Assault Cuba
On April 17, 1961, the the United States government sponsored an attempt by Cuban exiles to assault Cuba and overthrow Fidel Castro and the communist government he led. The overall invasion failed and led to an increase of Cold War tensions. -
East Germany closes the Brandenburg Gate
On August 13, 1961, East Germany closes the Brandenburg Gate. The Berlin Wall was created to keep people from East Berlin from fleeing into West Berlin, where life was a lot better. Over the course of time, many people were killed as they attempted to cross the border into West Berlin. -
The Cuban Missile Crisis
Kennedy Talks about the Cuban Missile CrisisOn October 23, 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis occurs when the United States began to established air and sea blockades of Cuba in response to photographs of Soviet missile bases under construction in Cuba. In addition, the United States threatens to invade Cuba if the bases are not dismantled and warns that a nuclear attack launched from Cuba would be considered a Soviet attack requiring full retaliation. -
Kennedy Negotiates a Deal
On October 28, 1962, Kennedy and the United Nations Secretary, Khrushchev, agreed that the Soviets would dismantle their offensive weapons in Cuba and return them to the Soviet Union, subject to United Nations verification, in exchange for a US public declaration and agreement never to invade Cuba. -
Independent Kenya
Kenya negotiates independence from Britain. Powerful white settlers and nationalists such as the Kikuyu embarked on a violent campaign asainst one another that brought an uproar of discontent within colonial rule. The British tried to fight these radical activists, but lost after killing many Kikuyu. Kenya remains an independent nation today, and might not have come this far without this uprising. -
Test Ban Treaty
The Test Ban Treaty of 1963 was put into effect to prohibit nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater. France and China refused to sign the treaty, but over 100 other countries did. In 1996 this treaty was replaced by the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty that required all 44 countries with nuclear power plants to sign in order to be implemented. -
Fatah Day
Fatah, the Palestinian guerrilla group founded by Yasser Arafat, made its 1st armed attack against Israel. The annual celebration of this day came to be known as Fatah Day. This attempt at attack shows how heated things are between the Arabs and Zionists, and how far either side is willing to go in order to maintain a state for themselves. The thoughts and feelings towards the matter are still the same nearly 50 years later as the land still remains an object of dispute. -
Goodbye Krushchev
In 1964 Khrushchev was removed from power after his process of de-stalinization didn’t lead to greater liberalization in Russia. “Khrushchev's Thaw” had happened before this, where censorship was relaxed and there was an increase in consumer goods. During his rise to power, Khrushchev gave a speech that discredited Stalin, and badmouthed his tyrannical rule. This speech came as a great shock to public, as Khrushchev was seen as Stalin’s right hand man. His spirit in reform continued to stay with -
U.S. Enters Southern Vietnam
On February 9th the U.S sends troops to South Vietnam for the first time. The world was shocked by the new level of war involvement shown by the U.S. which greatly angered the Soviets and China. Moscow, China, and the Soviets attacked the U.S. embassy in order to force them to end aiding South Vietnam, but all this did was bring Britain and Australia in as an aid to the powers. -
Malcom X Dies
Malcom X, a black nationalist was assinated on Feb. 21st. He was an African American believer of Sunni Islam who believed in unity amongst blacks and whites. He founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity after his return from his pilgrimage to Mecca, but was later assinated by a black muslim who did not share his same values. This is one of many instances of Black Nationalism that becomes apparent more and more in this time.
