Cold War Timeline

(1947 - 1991)

The Cold War was a period of political tension and military rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II. It lasted from 1947 to 1991. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Cold War Conflicts

Berlin Blockade

Jun 24, 1948 - May 12, 1949

The Soviet Union imposed a blockade on West Berlin, cutting off access to vital supplies. In response, the United States and its allies initiated the Berlin Airlift, delivering food, fuel, and other necessities by air, ultimately forcing the Soviets to lift the blockade.

Image source: Berlin Blockade

Korean War begins

Jun 25, 1950 - Jul 27, 1953

North Korea, supported by the Soviet Union and China, invaded South Korea. The United Nations, led by the United States, intervened to defend South Korea, resulting in a protracted conflict that ended in an armistice, with the two Koreas remaining divided.

Image source: Korean War

Cuban Revolution

Jul 26, 1953 - Jan 1, 1959

Fidel Castro led a successful revolution against Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista, establishing a communist government aligned with the Soviet Union and sparking tensions with the United States.

Image source: Cuban Revolution

Vietnam War begins

Nov 1, 1955 - Apr 30, 1975

The United States intervened in Vietnam to prevent the spread of communism, leading to a protracted and divisive conflict that resulted in heavy casualties and ultimately ended in defeat for the U.S.

Image source: Vietnam War

Hungarian Revolution

Oct 23, 1956 - Nov 10, 1956

Hungarians rose up against Soviet control, demanding political reforms and greater freedom. The Soviet Union brutally suppressed the rebellion, leading to international condemnation.

Image source: Hungarian Revolution of 1956

Suez Crisis

Oct 29, 1956 - Nov 7, 1956

Egypt's President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, prompting military intervention by Israel, the United Kingdom, and France. Pressure from the United States and the Soviet Union forced the withdrawal of the invading forces.

Image source: Suez Crisis

Cuban Missile Crisis

Oct 16, 1962 - Oct 28, 1962

The United States discovered Soviet missile installations in Cuba, triggering a tense standoff that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. Through diplomatic negotiations, a crisis was averted, with the removal of missiles from Cuba and a secret agreement to remove U.S. missiles from Turkey.

Image source: Cuban Missile Crisis

Prague Spring

Jan 5, 1968 - Aug 21, 1968

Czechoslovakia embarked on a period of political liberalization, challenging Soviet control. In response, the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies invaded Czechoslovakia, suppressing the reforms and reinforcing Soviet dominance.

Image source: Prague Spring

Yom Kippur War

Oct 6, 1973 - Oct 25, 1973

Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel during the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. The conflict escalated tensions between the superpowers, with the United States supporting Israel and the Soviet Union backing the Arab states.

Image source: Yom Kippur War

Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

Dec 24, 1979 - Feb 15, 1989

The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to support a communist government facing insurgency. The conflict became a quagmire for the Soviets, leading to heavy casualties and international condemnation.

Image source: Soviet–Afghan War

Solidarity Movement in Poland

Aug 31, 1980 - Dec 13, 1981

Workers in Poland formed the independent trade union Solidarity, challenging Soviet influence and advocating for political and labor reforms. The movement was suppressed by the Polish government, but it laid the groundwork for future changes.

Key Political Developments

Warsaw Pact

May 14, 1955 - Jul 1, 1991

The Soviet Union formed a military alliance with several Eastern European countries in response to the creation of NATO, solidifying the division between Eastern and Western Europe.

Image source: Warsaw Pact

Fall of the Berlin Wall

Nov 9, 1989

The Berlin Wall, symbolizing the division between East and West, was opened, allowing free movement between East and West Germany. This event marked a turning point in the Cold War and the eventual reunification of Germany.

Image source: Berlin Wall

Dissolution of the Soviet Union

Dec 26, 1991

The Soviet Union officially dissolved, leading to the independence of its constituent republics and the end of the Cold War era.

Image source: Dissolution of the Soviet Union

Diplomatic Negotiations

Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

Aug 5, 1963

The United States, Soviet Union, and United Kingdom signed a treaty banning the testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater, easing Cold War tensions and promoting disarmament efforts.

Image source: Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I)

Nov 17, 1969 - May 26, 1972

The United States and Soviet Union engaged in negotiations to limit the growth of their strategic nuclear arsenals, resulting in the signing of the SALT I treaty, which aimed to reduce the risk of nuclear war.

Image source: Strategic Arms Limitation Talks

Helsinki Accords

Aug 1, 1975

The United States, Soviet Union, and other European countries signed an agreement aimed at improving relations and promoting human rights, marking a significant step toward détente.

Image source: Helsinki Accords

Technological Advancements

Apollo 11 Moon Landing

Jul 20, 1969

The United States achieved a major milestone in space exploration as astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the moon, showcasing American technological prowess during the Cold War.

Image source: Apollo 11

Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) announced

Mar 23, 1983

U.S. President Ronald Reagan proposed a missile defense system to protect against Soviet nuclear attacks, sparking controversy and escalating tensions between the superpowers.

Image source: Strategic Defense Initiative

Key Facts

The Cold War was rooted in ideological differences between the capitalist United States and the communist Soviet Union.
The Soviet Union's blockade of West Berlin in 1948 led to the Berlin Airlift, in which the United States and its allies airlifted supplies to the city for over a year.
The Korean War (1950-1953) marked the first major military conflict of the Cold War, with the United States supporting South Korea and the Soviet Union supporting North Korea.
The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 was a tense standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union over the presence of nuclear missiles in Cuba.
The Cold War ended in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union, signaling the victory of the United States and the end of the bipolar world order.

Source

This Cold War timeline was generated with the help of AI using information found on the internet.

We strive to make these timelines as accurate as possible, but occasionally inaccurates slip in. If you notice anything amiss, let us know at [email protected] and we'll correct it for future visitors.

Create a timeline like this one for free

Preceden lets you create stunning timelines using AI or manually.

Try it For Free