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Truman Doctorine
An international relations policy set forth by the U.S. President Harry Truman in a speech on March 12, 1947, in which he stated that the U.S. would support Greece and Turkey with economic and military aid to prevent them from falling to the Soviet's. It is often considered as the start of the Cold War, and the start of the containment policy to stop Soviet expansion. -
Berlin Blockade
After the United States, Britain, and France introduce the Deutsche Mark to serve as a single currency for their three zones of occupation in western Germany, the Soviets impose the Berlin blockade, cutting off rail and road access to the capital city, which is located in the middle of the Soviet zone of eastern Germany, so capitalism doesn't affect them. -
The Berlin Airlift
Under General Lucius Clay, the United States begins Operation Vittles—the 11- month Berlin Airlift—which brings necessary supplies into the city by plane. The airlift represents an immense feat of coordination, with planes landing and being unloaded around the clock for nearly a year. -
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organizations an intergovernmental military alliance based on the North Atlantic Treaty which was signed on 4 April 1949. It includes America, Canada, and several various countries in Europe. -
Warsaw Pact
The Soviet Union forms the Warsaw Pact, a Communist military alliance intended to counter the threat posed by the West's North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). -
Korean War
At the end of World War II, Korea is divided at the 38th Parallel, and two new states are established. North Korea is run by Communist Kim Il-Sung supported by the Soviets, while South Korea is run by anticommunist autocrat Syngman Rhee, supported by the U.S. -
Sputnik I
The first artificial Earth satellite. The Soviet Union launched it into an elliptical low Earth orbit on October 4 1957. It was visible all around the Earth and its radio pulses were detectable. The surprise success precipitated the American Sputnik crisis and triggered the Space Race, a part of the larger Cold War. The launch ushered in new political, military, technological, and scientific developments. -
The Bay of Pigs Invasion
Around 1,200 Cuban exiles, with American weapons and using American supplies landed in Cuba. They hoped that it would rally the Cuban people, who would rise up and overthrow Castro’s government. The plan failed–the landing force was met with rapid counterattacks from Castro’s military, the Cuban air force sank most of the exiles’ supply ships, the United States didn't provide necessary air support, and the uprising never happened. Over 100 people were killed and more than 1,100 were captured. -
The Cuban Missile Crisis
A 13-day confrontation in October 1962 between the Soviet Union and Cuba on one side and the United States on the other side. The crisis is generally regarded as the moment in which the Cold War came closest to turning into a nuclear conflict and is also the first documented instance of mutual assured destruction being discussed as a determining factor in a major international arms agreement. -
Berlin Wall Destroyed
The Berlin Wall represented more than just a concrete wall. It was a symbol of the division of a country and its people. It was also a symbol of the Cold War and of the division in Europe and the world. It was erected at the height of the Cold War in 1961 and its demolition in 1989 was the beginning of the end of the Cold War.