-
Nazi Germany surrenders
On May 8, 1945, Nazi Germany officially surrendered, marking the end of World War 2 after years of fighting.
- The National WWII Museum. “The End of World War II 1945.” The National WWII Museum | New Orleans, www.nationalww2museum.org/war/topics/end-world-war-ii-1945. -
George Orwell coins the term 'cold war'
In an article published in the latter half of 1945, prolific author George Orwell considers the subject of the atomic bomb and coins the term 'cold war' to reference an extended state of a "peace that is no peace".
- Orwell, George. “You and the Atom Bomb.” The Orwell Foundation, 19 Oct. 1945, www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/orwell/essays-and-other-works/you-and-the-atom-bomb/. -
Period: to
The Cold War
The Cold War was a period of intense political rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union following World War 2. After Nazi Germany's surrender, the Soviet Union began organizing left-wing governments across Eastern Europe, and the USA worried that this domination may become permanent.
- Britannica. “Cold War | Causes, Facts, & Summary.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 19 Jan. 2024, www.britannica.com/event/Cold-War. -
The USA and UK introduce the Deuschtmark
In June of 1948, the USA and Britain introduced a new currency to their portions of Berlin, intending to use it to take back control over the economy of Berlin from Russia.
- Lange, Katie. “The Berlin Airlift: What It Was, Its Importance in the Cold War.” U.S. Department of Defense, 24 June 2022, www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/3072635/the-berlin-airlift-what-it-was-its-importance-in-the-cold-war/. -
The Soviet Union blocks aid access to the Allied portions of Berlin
In response to the USA and UK, the Soviet Union took advantage of its superior troop numbers to block off supply and aid routes via road, rail, and water. The Allies were forced to take to the skies in order to deliver vital supplies.
- Lange, Katie. “The Berlin Airlift: What It Was, Its Importance in the Cold War.” U.S. Department of Defense, 24 June 2022, www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/3072635/the-berlin-airlift-what-it-was-its-importance-in-the-cold-war/. -
The Soviet Union lifts the blockade
On May 11, 1949, the Soviet Union lifted the blockade, as it was evident that the Allies could keep up their airlifting of supplies indefinitely, and it was no longer of any use to keep going.
- Lange, Katie. “The Berlin Airlift: What It Was, Its Importance in the Cold War.” U.S. Department of Defense, 24 June 2022, www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/3072635/the-berlin-airlift-what-it-was-its-importance-in-the-cold-war/. -
The Soviet Union's first atomic bomb
In August 1949, the Soviet Union tested it's first successful nuclear bomb, demonstrating that the USA no longer held a monopoly on the atom bomb. The Soviets having a nuclear arsenal of their own meant the Cold War only intensified.
- Atomic Heritage Foundation. “Soviet Atomic Program - 1946 - Nuclear Museum.” Https://Ahf.nuclearmuseum.org/, 5 June 2014, ahf.nuclearmuseum.org/ahf/history/soviet-atomic-program-1946/. -
Joseph Stalin dies
In March of 1953, Joseph Stalin, the Soviet dictator since 1924, died of a brain hemorrhage. The death of a massive political figure somewhat offset the rising tensions of the intense last few years, easing the war momentarily.
- History.com Editors. “Joseph Stalin Dies.” HISTORY, 29 July 2019, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/joseph-stalin-dies. -
The Cuban missile crisis
In 1962, the Soviets attempted to set up sites in Cuba that could be used to launch attacks on the USA using ballistic missiles. When the USA discovered this, the two countries teetered dangerously on the brink of turning the Cold War into an actual war.
- Britannica. “Cold War | Causes, Facts, & Summary.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 19 Jan. 2024, www.britannica.com/event/Cold-War. -
The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
In 1963, after the intense time of the missile crisis, the USA and the Soviet Union finally came to an agreement to limit nuclear testing to underground sites, banning testing above ground or underwater. This helped limit the previously uninhibited nuclear arms race.
- JFK Library. “Nuclear Test Ban Treaty | JFK Library.” Jfklibrary.org, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, 2019, www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/nuclear-test-ban-treaty. -
Period: to
Strategic Arms Limitation Talks
In the late 1960s to 1970s, the USA and Soviet Union held various conferences and signed treaties to agree to limit their nuclear arsenals and ballistic missiles. These limitations helped to further settle tensions, lowering the stakes of the Cold War, though neither party considered it officially at rest.
- “Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum.” Www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov, www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/exhibits/salt/salt.asp. -
Period: to
Attempts to democratize the Soviet Union
In the late 80s, Mikhail Gorbachev became the general secretary of the Soviet Union. He used his position to attempt to democratize the country, lessening many restrictions and adding economic reforms.
- The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Mikhail Gorbachev | Biography & Facts.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 26 Feb. 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/Mikhail-Gorbachev. -
The Soviet Union collapses
In 1991, fueled by Gorbachev's continuous changes and reforms, and with other political revolutions occurring across Europe, the Soviet Union destabilized. Gorbachev officially resigned on Christmas of 1991, and the Soviet Union collapsed on December 31, 1991. With it's collapse, the Cold War finally came to a close.
- History.com Editors. “Soviet Union.” HISTORY, A&E Television Networks, 1 Sept. 2017, www.history.com/topics/european-history/history-of-the-soviet-union.