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Germany surrenders
The USSR, the U.S., and the U.K. planned Germany's division after the war. The U.S. sought global influence through international institutions, leading to the creation of the UN in San Francisco with 51 countries. The U.K. aimed to protect its empire and negotiated Balkan influence with the USSR. Churchill and Stalin agreed on Soviet control of Romania and Bulgaria, shared influence in Hungary and Yugoslavia, and British control of Greece. -
The United States drops its first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan
At the Postdam Conference, the new President of the United States, Truman, informs Stalin that his country now possesses an extremely powerful new weapon. On August 6, 1945, the United States drops its first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan -
A second atomic bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, Japan
On August 9, the US drops a second bomb on Nagasaki, Japan. -
Japan surrenders, ending World War II
On September 2, Japan signs its surrender, marking the end of World War II. The USA and the USSR are now the world's two superpowers, while Europe has been ravaged. -
Greece descends into civil war after the British restore a royalist government
The Soviet Union, seeking to secure its borders after a period of isolation, installs pro-Soviet coalition governments in the countries it liberated from German control. Yugoslavia, under Communist leader Tito, who is allied with Stalin, has freed itself from Axis forces and is now aiding Greek Communists in their civil war by supplying them with weapons. -
Churchill declares that Europe is divided by an "iron curtain" separating the Communist camp from the Western camp
On March 5, 1946, Churchill, who is visiting the United States, makes a speech in which he declares that Europe is now divided by an iron curtain separating the Communist camp from the Western camp. -
The Marshall Plan is put forward to help rebuild Europe and contain the spread of communism
In Western Europe, the Marshall Plan is introduced to aid reconstruction, stabilize economies, and expand U.S. influence, addressing concerns about the rise of Communist parties. In the U.S., communists are expelled from government, and the CIA is created to protect national interests globally. In response, Stalin forms the Cominform, an alliance of Communist countries under Soviet control. -
The Soviets support a coup d'état in Czechoslovakia, bringing the country fully into the Eastern bloc
In the heart of Europe, Czechoslovakia is still seen as a bridge between the two blocs. The country remains a democracy with a strong Communist party. But in February 1948, after some tension, the Soviets support a coup d'état, and the country falls entirely into the Eastern bloc. In response, the UK, France, and the Benelux countries form a military alliance to repel any attack from the East, whether Soviet or German.In Germany, the four fail to reunify the country. -
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The Soviets impose a blockade on West Berlin, which is countered by a Western airlift
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NATO is formed as a military alliance between Western countries
On April 4, 1949, Western European countries form a military alliance with the USA and Canada to create NATO. If one member of the alliance is attacked, all of the others agree to defend it. The countries of Western Europe thus find themselves under the protection of the United States, which is still the only country to possess atomic weapons. -
The USSR successfully tests its first atomic bomb
On the Soviet side, on August 29th, 1949, the USSR successfully tests its first atomic bomb. -
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The Korean War takes place, ending in ceasefire and the continued division of Korea
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A ceasefire is signed in Korea, and demilitarized zone becomes the new border between the two Korea
In 1953, a ceasefire is signed in Korea, and a demilitarized zone becomes the new border between the two Koreas. This zone is constantly guarded by over a million soldiers. In the United States, the new President Eisenhower relies on the country's nuclear superiority, and advocates for the installation of atomic weapons in Western Europe to discourage any attack. -
The Suez Canal is nationlized by Egypt, leading to a military intervention by the UK, France and Israel, which is ultimately called off due to pressure from the US and USSR
In Egypt, the new president Nasser, nationalizes the strategic Suez Canal, to the detriment of the French and British, who were controlling it until then. In response, the latter ally themselves with Israel and launch a military offensive to regain control of the canal. The USSR, allied with Egypt, threatens to retaliate with nuclear weapons, forcing the United States to call off the operation.This event marks the end of colonial domination by the United Kingdom and France. -
The USSR launches the first satellite into space
Now that both have developed large nuclear arsenals, and know that war would have devastating consequences. The challenge is now to gain superiority in other areas. In 1957, the USSR surprises and worries the USA by sending the first satellite into space. -
China begins bombing islands controlled by Taiwan, leading to US intervention
China begins bombing islands that are controlled by Taiwan. The United States then deploys a military fleet in the Straits and puts an end to the offensive. But the Soviet Union didn’t intervene on behalf of its Chinese ally, which irritates Mao Zedong. The latter distances himself from the Soviet Union, and launches his own development programs. -
The Cuban Missile Crisis brings the US and USSR to the brink of nuclear war, but is ultimately resolved through negotiations
The Soviet Union, having caught up with the West in industrial and military terms, tests a powerful atomic bomb. They also move closer to Cuba, obtaining authorization to deploy nuclear missiles there, posing a direct threat to the US. Kennedy responds by imposing a quarantine on Cuba, leading to a tense standoff. Eventually, an agreement is reached: Khrushchev withdraws his missiles, and Kennedy promises not to invade Cuba and withdraws US missiles from Turkey and Italy. -
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The US massively bombs North Vietnam and deploys troops, escalating its involvement in the Vietnam War
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The US formalizes its disengagement from Vietnam
Nixon, the new President of the United States, wants to reduce the country's military presence around the world while providing financial and material support to countries fighting communism. The United States formalizes its total disengagement from Vietnam, after failing to find a lasting peace solution. -
A military coup in Chile overthrows the socialist government of Salvador Allende
In Chile, since 1970, the country was governed by Salvador Allende, a democratically-elected socialist who is implementing a program close to communism. The CIA is tasked with secretly organizing his downfall. On September 11, 1973, following a military coup, Augusto Pinochet seizes power, and establishes a violent military dictatorship. -
North Vietnamese forces invade South Vietnam, leading to the reunification of the country under communist rule
In 1975, North Vietnamese forces invade the south of the country. In the United States, Congress blocks any military intervention, and within a few months the Communists win and reunify the country -
Gorbachev comes to power in the USSR and pursues a policy of international appeasement
Gorbachev comes to power in 1985 and pursues a policy of international appeasement. He renews contact with the US, agreeing to reduce military arsenals. He also attempts economic reforms and openness. At a third meeting with Reagan, they agree to withdraw nuclear missiles from Europe, ending the Euromissile crisis. In 1988, the USSR withdraws troops from Afghanistan and announces the withdrawal of many soldiers stationed in Eastern Europe. -
The Berlin Wall is torn down
Gorbachev announces that he will not intervene to protect the Berlin Wall. The Wall is torn down on November 9, 1989 -
The USSR is dissolved
Gorbachev and new US President George Herbert Walker Bush meet in Malta and declare an end to the Cold War. Following the collapse of communist rule in Eastern Europe and German reunification, instability rages within the USSR itself.