COLD WAR

Yalta Conference
Leaders from the U.S., UK, and
USSR meet to discuss post-war
Europe. They agree on areas of
control, which leads to future
1945
conflicts. This meeting also helps
set up the United Nations.
Truman Doctrine
President Truman announces a policy
to stop the spread of communism,
1947 promising support to countries fighting
against it. This marks the official start
of the Cold War by creating a clear
divide between the West and
communist countries.
Berlin Blockade
The USSR blocks all access to
West Berlin in response to Western
efforts to unify Germany. The Allies
respond with an airlift, supplying
1948
food and fuel to West Berlin for
nearly a year.

Formation of NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty
1949 Organization is created as a military
alliance among Western nations,
including the U.S., Canada, and
several European countries, aimed
at defending against Soviet threats.

Soviet Atomic
Bomb Test
The USSR successfully tests its
first atomic bomb, ending the U.S. 1949
monopoly on nuclear weapons and
increasing tensions between the
superpowers.
Korean War
A war starts when North Korea
1950 invades South Korea, leading to U.S.
- involvement under United Nations
support. The conflict ends in a
1953 stalemate, dividing Korea along the
38th parallel.

Hungarian
Revolution
A revolt against Soviet control in
Hungary is violently crushed by
Soviet forces, showing Moscow's
1956
determination to keep control over
Eastern Europe.
Construction of
the Berlin Wall
East Germany builds the Berlin
1961 Wall to stop East Germans from
escaping to West Berlin,
symbolizing the division between
East and West during the Cold
War.
 Cuban Missile Crisis
The U.S. discovers Soviet missiles
in Cuba, leading to a tense
standoff that nearly results in
nuclear war. The crisis ends with
1962
an agreement for both sides to
withdraw their missiles.

Vietnam War
1964 The U.S. increases its military
involvement in Vietnam to prevent
- communism from spreading in
South Vietnam, leading to
1974 significant casualties and protests
back home.

SALT I Treaty
The U.S. and USSR agree to limit
nuclear arms production,
marking a step toward reducing
tensions between the two
1972
superpowers.

Soviet Invasion of
Afghanistan
The USSR invades Afghanistan to
1979 support a communist government
facing opposition, leading to a long
conflict that draws in U.S. support
for Afghan resistance fighters.
Gorbachev Comes
to Power
Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader
of the USSR and introduces reforms
aimed at modernizing the economy 1985
and increasing openness, which
eventually lead to demands for more
freedom across Eastern Europe.
Fall of the Berlin
Wall
1989 The Berlin Wall is torn down on
November 9, symbolizing the end of
communist control in Eastern
Europe and marking a key moment
in ending the Cold War.

Dissolution of the
Soviet Union
The USSR officially breaks apart
into independent republics on
December 26, marking the end of
1991
the Cold War era and leading to
major changes in global politics as
former Soviet states move away
from communism.

The Cold War was a time of strong tension between