The Cold War

Yalta Conference

Feb 4, 1945

This was cited as the start of The Cold War. Big Three met to discuss German terms of surrender and post-war occupations.

Arms Race

Aug 1, 1945

The competition between USA and USSR to build more and better weapons and to have a better army than the other. This race was significantly sped up when USSR exploded their first atomic bomb in 1949.

Truman Doctrine

Mar 14, 1947

USA would provide military and economic aid to countries threatened by communism

Marshall Plan

Jun 1, 1947

US economic recovery for war-torn Europe. US gave $13 billion in loans. George Marshall was the US Secretary of State.

Berlin Blockade

Jun 24, 1948

Soviets block entrances to Berlin and cut off Allied supplies to West Berlin leading to the Berlin Air Lift

COMECON

Jan 1, 1949

Council for Mutual Assistance. Soviet plan to aid in rebuilding Soviet block nations

NATO

Apr 1, 1949

"collective security" alliance against the Soviet Union. Allies would provide mutual help if attack. Included USA, Britain, France, Canada, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Norway.

Korean War

Jun 25, 1950

Many nations were involved in the war with Korea. UN forces sent in to stop Communist aggression and expansion. USSR supplied war material to North Korea. Chinese forces entered war on side of North Korea.

Nikita Krushchev

Mar 1, 1953

The Soviet leader after Stalin's death in March of 1953. Led until 1964. Wanted peaceful- coexistence. Acted with the process of de-stalinization which was the removal of the harsh policies of Stalin's government.

Joseph Stalin Dies

Mar 1, 1953

Nikita Khrushchev replaced Stalin after his death.

Warsaw Pact

Jan 1, 1955

Military alliance of Communist Block nations. Included USSR, East Germany, Albania, Czech, Poland, Hungary, and Romania. "Collective Security"

Space Race

Aug 2, 1955

The competition between USA and USSR to have more satellites and missions to space. USSR had first man in space and USA had first man on the moon.

Eisenhower

Jan 5, 1957

Eisenhower Doctrine(a country being threatened by armed aggression could ask for american economic or military forces)

Sputnik

Oct 4, 1957

1st satellite to orbit Earth intentionally. Sent radio signals back to Earth. Started the Space Race between the USSR and US

U-2 Incident

May 1, 1960

U-2 American spy plane shot down by the USSR. Flown by Gary Powers.

Yuri Gagarian

Apr 12, 1961

Gagarian was a cosmonaut. He was the first man to travel in space. The Vostok 1 was his spaceship

Bay of Pigs

Apr 17, 1961

The Bay of Pigs incident would add tension between the US and Soviet Union. The Soviets knew the US had come up with the plan. Cuban exiles would invade and lead revolt against Castro. The invasion failed and led to the Soviets putting missiles on Cuba.

Berlin Wall Built

Aug 4, 1961

Berlin Wall built in August 1961 to keep East Germans from feeing to West Germany. Wall was a symbol of division between two superpowers.

Cuban Missile Crisis

Oct 4, 1962

USSR placed Nuclear missiles in Cuba. President Kennedy ordered blockade. USA and USSR brink of nuclear war. Khrushchev agreed to turn ships around if Kennedy agreed not to invade Cuba.

John F. Kennedy

Oct 4, 1962

President Kennedy ordered USA to blockade Cuban ports during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Kennedy and Khrushchev agreed with terms.

Vietnam War

Nov 1, 1964

Vietnam was divided into two states; North and South. USA helped south but had to retreat with the policy of vietnamization

Vietnamization

Jan 28, 1969

Under the control of President Richard Wilson, the process of slowing taking US troops out of Vietnam while teacher the local troops how to fight. "Peace with honor"

Detente

Jan 1, 1971

French for relaxation. Improvement for US and Soviet relations.

Fidel Castro

Dec 2, 1976

Was a prime minister of Cuba. Communist forces seized control of Cuba and soviet supported government set in Cuba.

Glasnost

Mar 1, 1985

Means "openness". Freedom of expression for Soviet citizens. This eased harsh treatment of opponents of the Soviet system.

Perestroika

Mar 1, 1985

Means "restructuring". Gradual changing of Soviet economy allowing private enterprise and dismantling of national bureaucracy.

INF Treaty

Dec 8, 1987

Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces. Elimination of intermediate-range and shorter range missiles.

Berlin Wall being torn down

Nov 9, 1989

East Germans crossed and met with West Germans in celebration, after many weeks of civil unrest.

Soviet Breakup

Mar 11, 1990

USSR made up of 15 separate republics as many nations proclaimed independence.

German Reunification

Oct 3, 1990

German is united again after the fall of the Berlin Wall, when East Germany is opened to the west.