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Soviet army marches into Berlin
Soviet army marches into Berlin; the German capital city falls. World War II ends. Soviet Union, United States, Great Britain, and France divide Berlin and Germany into four zones of occupation, a decision made during the Yalta conference. -
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill's “Iron Curtain” speech marks beginning of the Cold War.
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill's “Iron Curtain” speech marks beginning of the Cold War. -
U.S. President Harry Truman requests funds to support Greek and Turkish efforts to fight communism. It marks the beginning of the Truman doctrine.
U.S. President Harry Truman requests funds to support Greek and Turkish efforts to fight communism. It marks the beginning of the Truman doctrine. -
The Berlin airlift supplies West Berlin with basic necessities after the Soviet Union blocks off the city in an effort to force the West to give it up.
The Berlin airlift supplies West Berlin with basic necessities after the Soviet Union blocks off the city in an effort to force the West to give it up. -
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is formed by the United States and many western European countries to defend Europe against Soviet aggression.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is formed by the United States and many western European countries to defend Europe against Soviet aggression. Communist forces under Mao Zedong take over mainland China. The United States continues to support the government of Nationalist China, led by Chiang Kai-shek, which is forced to retreat to the island of Taiwan. -
U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy begins his communist witch hunt in the United States.
U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy begins his communist witch hunt in the United States. The Korean War begins, the first armed conflict in the Cold War, the global struggle between communism and democracy. -
More than 300,000 East Germans flee to West Berlin and then to West Germany.
More than 300,000 East Germans flee to West Berlin and then to West Germany. -
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) assists in the overthrow of Guatemala's communist-influenced government.
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) assists in the overthrow of Guatemala's communist-influenced government. -
The Warsaw Pact is formed by the Soviet Union and communist countries in eastern Europe as a military defense organization to counter NATO.
The Warsaw Pact is formed by the Soviet Union and communist countries in eastern Europe as a military defense organization to counter NATO. -
The U.S. orchestrates the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion, an unsuccessful attempt by Cuban exiles to overthrow Fidel Castro's communist regime in Cuba.
The U.S. orchestrates the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion, an unsuccessful attempt by Cuban exiles to overthrow Fidel Castro's communist regime in Cuba. -
The Cuban Missile crisis sparks a major confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union when the U.S. discovers the existence of Soviet missile installations in Cuba.
The Cuban Missile crisis sparks a major confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union when the U.S. discovers the existence of Soviet missile installations in Cuba. -
U.S. President John F. Kennedy tells a crowd of Germans in Berlin that the Wall proves the failure of the Soviet system.
U.S. President John F. Kennedy tells a crowd of Germans in Berlin that the Wall proves the failure of the Soviet system. -
The United States Congress approves the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which grants President Johnson authority to send troops to South Vietnam.
The United States Congress approves the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which grants President Johnson authority to send troops to South Vietnam. -
U.S. President Richard Nixon becomes the first U.S. leader to visit communist China, leading to a thaw in Cold War relations.
U.S. President Richard Nixon becomes the first U.S. leader to visit communist China, leading to a thaw in Cold War relations. -
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) secetly helps overthrow Chile's socialist government under Salvador Allende.
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) secetly helps overthrow Chile's socialist government under Salvador Allende. -
The Soviet Union invades Afghanistan, beginning a decade-long war that ends with their withdrawal in 1988.
The Soviet Union invades Afghanistan, beginning a decade-long war that ends with their withdrawal in 1988. -
Mikhail Gorbachev becomes Soviet leader; he begins to ease away from old communist policies
Mikhail Gorbachev becomes Soviet leader; he begins to ease away from old communist policies -
U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev sign INF treaty, which removes medium and short-range nuclear missiles
U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev sign INF treaty, which removes medium and short-range nuclear missiles -
East and West Germany are reunited.
East and West Germany are reunited. -
The Soviet Union breaks up into independent republics; the Cold War ends
The Strategic Arms Reduction Talk (START) is signed by U.S. President George H. W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, Gorbachev calling for additional disarmament of U.S. and Soviet nuclear weapons. The Soviet Union breaks up into independent republics; the Cold War ends.
