The Cold War - 1945-1991

  • US President Harry S Truman tells Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin that the US has nuclear weapons.

    US President Harry S Truman tells Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin that the US has nuclear weapons.
    This is when a subtle threat is given to Joseph Stalin about the power that the US is willing to use against him.
  • US President Harry S Truman gives permission to use nuclear weapons on Hiroshima

    US President Harry S Truman gives permission to use nuclear weapons on Hiroshima
    This is the first time that a nuclear weapon is used. Establishes the United States as a nuclear power in the world.
  • Bernard Baruch coins the term “Cold War” to describe the relations between the US and the Soviet Union

    Bernard Baruch coins the term “Cold War” to describe the relations between the US and the Soviet Union
    This is the first time that this "war" between the Soviet Union and the US is given a name.
  • Stalin orders the blockade of all land routes from West Germany to Berlin and as a response from the three Western powers, they launch the Berlin Airlift to supply the citizens of Berlin by air.

    Stalin orders the blockade of all land routes from West Germany to Berlin and as a response from the three Western powers, they launch the Berlin Airlift to supply the citizens of Berlin by air.
    Stalin attempts to keep West Germany blocked from getting access to food and supplies but instead, hope is given back to the people of West Germany by way of airlifted supplies.
  • NATO is founded to resist the Communist expansion

    NATO is founded to resist the Communist expansion
  • The Soviet Union tests its first atomic bomb (known as Joe 1) and is a success, making the Soviet Union the second nuclear power in the world

    The Soviet Union tests its first atomic bomb (known as Joe 1) and is a success, making the Soviet Union the second nuclear power in the world
    This established the Soviet Union as the second nuclear power and further grows the fears of the American people that the Communists are someone to fear.
  • The UK successfully tested their atomic bomb which makes them the 3rd nuclear power in the world

    The UK successfully tested their atomic bomb which makes them the 3rd nuclear power in the world
    This establishes the UK as teh 3rd nuclear power and now the odds are more in favor of the allies than the USSR.
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes President of the United States

    Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes President of the United States
  • Joseph Stalin dies

    Joseph Stalin dies
    With Stalin now dead, a struggle for the new leader is present in the Soviet Union. They will continue his fight.
  • The US launches the world’s first nuclear submarine.

    The US launches the world’s first nuclear submarine.
    This heavily turns the odds in favor of the US who now has more than one method of delivering a deadly blow.
  • President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Prime Minister Anthony Eden, Premier Nikolai A. Bulganin and Prime Minister Edgar Faure (the Big Four) attend the Geneva Summit.

    President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Prime Minister Anthony Eden, Premier Nikolai A. Bulganin and Prime Minister Edgar Faure (the Big Four) attend the Geneva Summit.
  • Sputnik satellite is launched

    Sputnik satellite is launched
    The first satellite launched into space by the Soviet Union. This pushed the US to be more involved in education and increasing technological advances.
  • US President Reagan tells Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down this wall!”

    US President Reagan tells Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down this wall!”
  • Germany is reunited

    Germany is reunited
    The wall is finally torn down and East and West Germany are reunited. The Cold War is almost at an end.
  • The Soviet Union is no more

    The Soviet Union is no more
    The Soviet Union is dissolved and the Cold War with it.