February 4-11, 1945
Yalta Conference
President Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill meet to discuss the plans in a post WWII world. They come to the agreement that they will respect democracy throughout Europe, but also allow Soviet to have influence over it.
Yalta Conference
President Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill meet to discuss the plans in a post WWII world. They come to the agreement that they will respect democracy throughout Europe, but also allow Soviet to have influence over it.
August 6-9, 1945
The Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
Signaling the end of WWII, but the beginning of the Cold War, the deployment of the atomic bombs was and is still to this day one of the most influential decisions made in American history. It would set off a massive arms race with the USSR.
The Dropping of the Atomic Bombs
Signaling the end of WWII, but the beginning of the Cold War, the deployment of the atomic bombs was and is still to this day one of the most influential decisions made in American history. It would set off a massive arms race with the USSR.
September 2, 1945
Ho Chi Minh Declares Independence
The leader of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, declares Vietnam's independent from French rule.
Ho Chi Minh Declares Independence
The leader of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, declares Vietnam's independent from French rule.
February 22, 1946
Containment Policy
George Keenan, an American diplomat, writes that the best war to defeat the USSR is to stop them from spreading Communist ideals, "It is clear that the main element of any United States policy towards the Soviet Union must be that of a long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies.... It is clear that the United States cannot expect in the foreseeable future to enjoy political intimacy with the Soviet regime. It must continue to regard the Soviet Union as a rival, not a partner, in the political arena."
Containment Policy
George Keenan, an American diplomat, writes that the best war to defeat the USSR is to stop them from spreading Communist ideals, "It is clear that the main element of any United States policy towards the Soviet Union must be that of a long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies.... It is clear that the United States cannot expect in the foreseeable future to enjoy political intimacy with the Soviet regime. It must continue to regard the Soviet Union as a rival, not a partner, in the political arena."
Mar 5, 1946
Winston Churchill's Iron Curtain Speech
Winston decided to give a speech about the Iron Curtain in the USSR that was separating countries, saying, "From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent."
Winston Churchill's Iron Curtain Speech
Winston decided to give a speech about the Iron Curtain in the USSR that was separating countries, saying, "From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the Continent."
Mar 12, 1947
Truman Doctrine
Harry S. Truman gives a speech that effectively says America is willing to help any country that is not a communist regime.
Truman Doctrine
Harry S. Truman gives a speech that effectively says America is willing to help any country that is not a communist regime.
Jun 5, 1947
Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan stated that America should give 13 billion dollars to help rebuild struggling European nations post WWII. The hope was that by giving them money they would avoid becoming communist countries.
Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan stated that America should give 13 billion dollars to help rebuild struggling European nations post WWII. The hope was that by giving them money they would avoid becoming communist countries.
Jun 24, 1948
Berlin Blockade
One of the first international crises in the Cold War, the Berlin Blockade was a move by the Soviet Union to cut Berlin off from the rest of the Western World. Without any of the Western countries giving them money, Berlin was forced to rely on the Soviets.
Berlin Blockade
One of the first international crises in the Cold War, the Berlin Blockade was a move by the Soviet Union to cut Berlin off from the rest of the Western World. Without any of the Western countries giving them money, Berlin was forced to rely on the Soviets.
Apr 4, 1949
NATO Formed
A group of Western countries created the NATO as an alliance among them. They all agreed that if any of them was attacked all the others would fight for their side.
NATO Formed
A group of Western countries created the NATO as an alliance among them. They all agreed that if any of them was attacked all the others would fight for their side.
June 25, 1950-July 27, 1953
Korean War
This war was a war between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The Republic of Korea was supported by the United States and the United Nations, while China and the Soviet Union supported the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The Armistice Agreement was signed July 27, 1953, bringing an end to the war.
Korean War
This war was a war between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The Republic of Korea was supported by the United States and the United Nations, while China and the Soviet Union supported the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The Armistice Agreement was signed July 27, 1953, bringing an end to the war.
May 14, 1955
Warsaw Pact Formed
In defense of NATO, the Soviets and some of their allies started the Warsaw Pact to keep those living in the area on their side.
Warsaw Pact Formed
In defense of NATO, the Soviets and some of their allies started the Warsaw Pact to keep those living in the area on their side.
January 1, 1959
Fidel Castro Takes Power In Cuba
After throwing out the original leader America had put into power (Bautista) the Cubans were taken over by the very charismatic Fidel Castro.
Fidel Castro Takes Power In Cuba
After throwing out the original leader America had put into power (Bautista) the Cubans were taken over by the very charismatic Fidel Castro.
17–19 April 1961
Bay Of Pigs Invasion
America's failed military invasion to overthrow Castro's regime. It ended poorly with American deaths and no success.
Bay Of Pigs Invasion
America's failed military invasion to overthrow Castro's regime. It ended poorly with American deaths and no success.
October 14–28, 1962
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Soviet Union placed missiles in Cuba to hold. America, in fear became very aggressive and started to check any ship coming into Cuba's water space.
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Soviet Union placed missiles in Cuba to hold. America, in fear became very aggressive and started to check any ship coming into Cuba's water space.
August 10, 1964
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
This resolution allowed LBJ to add men to the Vietnam war as he saw fit. The resolution is seen as the main reason why escalation in Vietnam continued so quickly,
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
This resolution allowed LBJ to add men to the Vietnam war as he saw fit. The resolution is seen as the main reason why escalation in Vietnam continued so quickly,
March 23, 1983
President Reagan proposes Strategic Defence Initiative
A defense initiative started by Reagan that is still around today, The Strategic Defence Initiative or SDI, was an initiative started with the goal of destroying atom bombs before an attack. The plan would be to shoot them from space to avoid any damage to America.
President Reagan proposes Strategic Defence Initiative
A defense initiative started by Reagan that is still around today, The Strategic Defence Initiative or SDI, was an initiative started with the goal of destroying atom bombs before an attack. The plan would be to shoot them from space to avoid any damage to America.
March 11, 1985
Mikhail Gorbachev Elected Leader of Soviet Union
After becoming the newly appointed leader of the Soviet Union he begins his campaign of openness calling it "glasnost." He also begins a restructuring of the government called "perestroika"
Mikhail Gorbachev Elected Leader of Soviet Union
After becoming the newly appointed leader of the Soviet Union he begins his campaign of openness calling it "glasnost." He also begins a restructuring of the government called "perestroika"
November 9, 1989
Fall of The Berlin Wall
The fall of the wall that separated East and West Germany also represented the fall of the USSR. Thanks to Reagan's skillful diplomacy, the wall was taken down and the Cold War was officially put to an end.
Fall of The Berlin Wall
The fall of the wall that separated East and West Germany also represented the fall of the USSR. Thanks to Reagan's skillful diplomacy, the wall was taken down and the Cold War was officially put to an end.