http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-cold-war/timeline.html
Feb 4, 1945
Yalta
The "Big Three" allied leaders—American president Franklin Roosevelt, Soviet leader Josef Stalin, and British
Prime Minister Winston Churchill—meet at the Yalta Conference to make arrangements for the postwar world
order. Their contradictory agreements include a declaration to respect democracy throughout Europe, but also the
recognition of a Soviet sphere of influence in Eastern Europe. At Yalta the Allies also finalize plans to divide
Germany into separate zones of occupation.
Apr 12, 1945
Roosevelt Dies
Harry Truman assumes the presidency. Truman has only been vice president for 82 days, and has had little
communication with Roosevelt about the administration's policies. After taking his oath of office, Truman tells
reporters, "Boys, if you ever pray, pray for me now."
8 May 1945
VE Day – Victory in Europe Day
Jun 26, 1945
United Nations Founded in San Francisco (League of Nations 2.0)
The United Nations Charter is adopted in San Francisco, California, by representatives of 51 countries.
This marks the founding of the UN.
Jul 16, 1945
First Atomic Bomb
American scientists successfully test the first atomic bomb in New Mexico.
Jul 17, 1945
Potsdam
The "Big Three" leaders of the United States, Soviet Union, and Great Britain meet at the Potsdam Conference.
President Harry Truman, Soviet leader Josef Stalin, and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill continue the
work begun at Yalta to determine the future of postwar Europe. Churchill is replaced midway through the
negotiations by new Prime Minister Clement Attlee after Churchill's party loses elections in Britain. The
conference establishes a military administration for Germany and agrees to put Nazi leaders on trial for war
crimes.
Aug 6, 1945
Hiroshima
The American bomber Enola Gay drops an atomic bomb nicknamed "Little Boy" on the Japanese city of
Hiroshima. The instant devastation unleashed on Hiroshima shocks the world and ushers in the nuclear age.
Aug 8, 1945
Nagasaki
The American plane Bockscar drops an atomic bomb nicknamed "Fat Man" on the Japanese city of Nagasaki.
August 14, 1945
VJ Day – Victory in Japan Day
September 5, 1945
Gouzenko Affair – Russian man flees Soviet embassy in Ottawa and reveals Soviet spy ring to Canadian
press.
Jul 1, 1946
Bikini Atoll Tests
Idyllic Bikini Atoll, in the South Pacific, becomes the site of a series of giant nuclear weapons tests. Codenamed
Operation Crossroads, these tests are part of a study of radiological effects and are also shown to the Soviets as a
demonstration of the weapons' power.
Feb 22, 1946
George Kennan and Containment
Diplomat George Kennan writes his "Long Telegram" from the US Embassy in Moscow, advocating a policy of
containment: "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
Iron Curtain
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill gives his famous "Iron Curtain" speech at a college graduation in
Fulton, Missouri: "From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the
Continent. Behind that line lie all the capitals of the ancient states of Central and Eastern Europe. Warsaw, Berlin,
Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest and Sofia; all these famous cities and the populations around them
lie in what I must call the Soviet sphere, and all are subject, in one form or another, not only to Soviet influence
but to a very high and in some cases increasing measure of control from Moscow."
Dec 2, 1946
German Zones Merge
The United States and Great Britain agree to merge their respective German zones of occupation.
Mar 12, 1947
Truman Doctrine
In a speech later remembered as the "Truman Doctrine," President Harry S. Truman pledges American assistance
to any nation in the world threatened by Communism, officially establishing the worldwide containment of
Communism as a vital American national security interest.
Jun 24, 1948
Berlin Blockade
After the United States, Britain, and France introduce the Deutsche Mark to serve as a single currency for their
three zones of occupation in western Germany, the Soviets impose the Berlin blockade, cutting off rail and road
access to the capital city, which is located in the middle of the Soviet zone of eastern Germany.
Jun 24, 1948
The Berlin Airlift
Under General Lucius Clay, the United States begins Operation Vittles—the 11- month Berlin Airlift—which
brings necessary supplies into the city by plane. The airlift represents an immense feat of coordination, with
planes landing and being unloaded around the clock for nearly a year.
November 15, 1948
Louis St. Laurent becomes Canada’s new Prime Minister
Apr 4, 1949
NATO Formed
Ten Western European nations join the United States and Canada to form the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO), an anti-Soviet military alliance that extends the deterrent threat of America's
nuclear weapons to cover Western Europe.
May 14, 1949
Warsaw Pact
The Soviet Union forms the Warsaw Pact, a Communist military alliance intended to counter the threat posed by
the West's North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
May 24, 1949
West Germany Forms with Basic Law
The former zones of British, French, and American occupation officially become the state of West Germany after
the adoption of a new German constitution known as the Basic Law. Elections are held and Konrad Adenauer
becomes chancellor, a position he will hold until 1963.
Aug 29, 1949
Soviet Atomic Bomb`
The Soviet Union detonates its first atomic bomb, causing shock and fear in the United States.
Oct 7, 1949
East Germany Founded
In response to the founding of West Germany, the Soviets declare the establishment of East Germany under the
leadership of Communist Walter Ulbricht.
Jun 25, 1950
North Attacks South Korea
The Korean War begins as North Korean (with Soviet support) troops attack across the 38th parallel in an effort to
"liberate" South Korea.
Jun 27, 1950
U.S. Aids South Korea
President Harry Truman orders American forces to assist South Korea, which is being overrun by Communist
North Korean troops.
Jul 10, 1951
Negotiations Begin in Korea
Peace negotiations begin in Korea, but will drag on for two more years. Combat continues.
May 26, 1952
German Border
The Soviets close the border between East and West Germany, but not between East and West Berlin. The capital
city becomes a gateway for people wishing to cross between the two Germanys, mainly fleeing from the
Communist East to the more prosperous West.
Nov 1, 1952
Hydrogen Bomb
The United States explodes its first hydrogen bomb—a weapon hundreds of times more powerful than the atomic
bombs dropped on Japan in 1945—at Enewetak in the South Pacific.
Jun 17, 1953
East Germans Riot
In East Berlin, a general strike devolves into rioting as demonstrators begin to demand free elections from the
Communist government. These demonstrations represent the first signs of violent discontent in the Soviet bloc.
Moscow responds by sending in Red Army troops to crush the demonstrators.
Aug 12, 1953
Soviets Develop Hydrogen Bomb
The Soviets explode their first hydrogen bomb, a mere nine months after the United States accomplished the same
feat. The Soviets' determination to keep up with American technological developments signals their commitment
to the arms race.
Mar 5, 1953
Stalin Dies
Soviet leader Josef Stalin dies, ending his 30-year stranglehold on power within the Soviet Union.
Jul 27, 1953
Korean Armistice Signed
An armistice is signed, ending the Korean War and creating a demilitarized zone (DMZ) at the border between
North and South.
Sep 7, 1953
Khrushchev Leads Soviets
Nikita Khrushchev becomes Soviet Communist Party leader after triumphing in the intra-party power struggles
that follow Josef Stalin's death.
May 5, 1955
West Germany Sovereign
West Germany is declared "fully sovereign," no longer under any form of Allied occupation.
May 9, 1955
West Germany in NATO
West Germany is admitted to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Western military alliance.
May 12, 1958
North American Defense
The United States and Canada join together to form the North American Aerospace Defense Command
(NORAD) to monitor the skies for Soviet nuclear attack.