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World History Cold War Timeline

By 143284
  • Yalta Conference

    The "Big Three" met to discuss Germany's unconditional surrender at the end of World War II.
  • Arms Race

    Arms Race
    The arms race was the competition between the USA and USSR, in regards to who could have the most powerful military. In particular the development of the atomic bomb.
  • Truman Doctrine

    The foreign policy regarding anti-communist nations. It stated that the US would provide military and financial support to any nation defending itself against the spread of communism.
  • Marshall Plan

    Marshall Plan
    A plan devised by the US that allowed the US to help rebuild Europe after the second World War.
  • Berlin Blockade

    Berlin Blockade
    The Berlin Blockade lasted from June 24, 1948 until May 12, 1949. The purpose of the Berlin Blockade was for the Soviets to limit the abilities of other nations to get into their sectors of Berlin.
  • Berlin Airlift

    Berlin Airlift
    The Berlin Airlift is the name of the events that took place from 1948 to 1949 when supplies were dropped from planes into Berlin for those in need who could not cross the border.
  • Korean War

    Korean War
    Began June 25, 1950 and lasted until July 27, 1953. It was fought between North Korea and South Korea, plus their allies. The purpose of the war was to stop the spreading of communism from coming out of North Korea.
  • Joseph Stalin Dies

    Joseph Stalin Dies
    Joseph Stalin, the leader of the USSR, dies on March 5, 1953 in Kuntsevo Dacha, Moscow, Russia.
  • Nikita Khrushcev Comes ot Power

    Nikita Khrushcev Comes ot Power
    Nikita Khrushcev came to power in September, 1953 and was a leader of the Soviet Union for part of the Cold War.
  • Vietnam War

    Vietnam War
    The Vietnam war lasted from 1 November 1955 until 30 April 1975. It was fought to stop the spread of communism (containment).
  • Space Race

    Space Race
    This was the rivalry between the USA and USSR in regards to which nation would be able to surpass the other in spaceflight capablility.
  • U-2 Incident

    U-2 Incident
    An American spy-plane was shot down and captured over Russian land, leading to even further distrust between the US and USSR.
  • Bay of Pigs Invasion

    Bay of Pigs Invasion
    The US armed Cuban exiles and sent them to overthrow Cuba's communist government. The invasion failed.
  • Berlin Wall

    Berlin Wall
    Built in 1961 to by the GDR to "keep out fascists." However, it primarily served to stem mass defections from East to West. It stood until November 9, 1989, when citizens of the GDR were officially allowed free access through the wall.
  • Cuban Missile Crisis

    Cuban Missile Crisis
    The US blockaded Cuba in order to stop Russian ships from delivering nuclear warheads into Cuba.
  • Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

    Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
    A nine year war the lasted from December 1979 until February 1989. Afghan rebels fought against a Soviet invasion.
  • Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty

    Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty
    The INF Treaty required the USA and USSR to permanently eliminate all of their nuclear weapons with ranges of 500 to 5500 kilometers.
  • German Reunification

    German Reunification
    The unification of the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany into one nation: Germany.
  • Mikhail Gorbachev Comes to Power

    Mikhail Gorbachev Comes to Power
    Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in the early 1990s. He served as the last leader of the Communist party of the Soviet Union.
  • U.S.S.R. Breakup

    U.S.S.R. Breakup
    This was the process in which the Soviet Union dissolved due to the declaration no. 142-H of the Soviet of the Republics of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union.