Truman Doctrine Announced
President Harry S. Truman announced the Truman Doctrine, pledging support for countries resisting communism, marking the start of the Cold War.
1947
1948
Berlin Blockade and Airlift
The Soviet Union blockaded West Berlin, prompting the United States and its allies to supply the city by air in what became known as the Berlin Airlift.
1949
Formation of NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established as a collective defense pact against the Soviet Union and its allies, solidifying the Western Bloc.
1950
Start of the Korean War
The Korean War began as North Korea, supported by the Soviet Union and China, invaded South Korea, leading to a United Nations-backed intervention led by the United States.
1953
Death of Joseph Stalin
Soviet leader Joseph Stalin died, leading to a power struggle in the Soviet Union and eventually the rise of Nikita Khrushchev.
1955
Warsaw Pact Established
In response to NATO, the Soviet Union and seven Eastern European countries formed the Warsaw Pact, a collective defense treaty among communist states.
1957
Sputnik Launched
The Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial Earth satellite, marking the beginning of the space race between the superpowers.
1961
Construction of the Berlin Wall
East Germany, backed by the Soviet Union, began building the Berlin Wall to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West, becoming a symbol of the Cold War.
1962
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear war when the United States discovered Soviet missiles in Cuba, leading to a tense 13-day standoff.
1968
Prague Spring and Soviet Invasion of Czechoslovakia
The Prague Spring, a period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia, was crushed by a Soviet-led invasion, reinforcing the Soviet grip on Eastern Europe.
1972
SALT I Treaty Signed
The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I) treaty was signed by the United States and the Soviet Union, limiting the number of strategic ballistic missile launchers.
1979
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, leading to a prolonged conflict with Afghan guerrilla fighters, heavily supported by the United States.
1983
Strategic Defense Initiative Announced
President Ronald Reagan announced the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), a proposed missile defense system intended to protect the United States from nuclear attack.
1989
Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall fell, symbolizing the collapse of communist control in Eastern Europe and the nearing end of the Cold War.
1991
Dissolution of the Soviet Union
The Soviet Union dissolved, marking the official end of the Cold War and resulting in the independence of its constituent republics.
