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WORLD HISTORY 2

COLD WAR: THE IRON CURTAIN ERA (1947-1991)

ABSTRACT

The Cold War (1945–1991, approximately 46 years) was a geopolitical, ideological, and
economic struggle between the United States (and its Western allies) and the Soviet Union
(USSR) (and its Eastern Bloc allies). It was marked by proxy wars, nuclear arms races,
espionage, propaganda, and the division of the world into two opposing spheres—
democracy and capitalism vs. communism. To solidify their influence, the U.S. and its allies
formed NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) in 1949, while the USSR responded with
the creation of the Warsaw Pact in 1955, a military alliance of communist states. The Cold
War saw significant events such as the Korean War, Vietnam War, Cuban Missile Crisis,
Space Race, and the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall. Though the two superpowers never
engaged in direct warfare, their rivalry shaped global politics for decades. The Cold War
ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, leading to the dissolution of the Warsaw
Pact and leaving NATO as the dominant military alliance.

WHO CALLED IT A “COLD WAR” FIRST?

• In 1945, British author and journalist George Orwell called a world living in the
shadow of a nuclear war “a peace that is no peace” and referred to it as a “cold
war.”

COLD WAR
• The Cold War was an ongoing political rivalry between the United States and
Soviet Union and their respective allies that developed after World War II.
• These was no direct military engagement between the United States and the
Soviet Union.
• An Ideological and Political rivalry between the United States and Soviet Union
gave way to start of the Cold War ( Immediate Cause of the Cold War ).

Why is the Cold War Also Called the "Battle of the Superpowers"?

1. Definition of "Superpowers"
• A superpower is a nation that has: 2. Nature of Their Conflict
o Global influence • Instead of fighting a direct war
(economically, (which would have likely destroyed
politically, militarily) the world due to nuclear weapons),
o Advanced technology, they fought an indirect battle:
especially nuclear o Arms Race: Competing
weapons to build the most and
o The ability to shape best weapons
international events (especially nuclear
almost anywhere in the bombs).
world. o Space Race: Competing
to dominate space
• After World War II, only two
exploration.
countries fit this description:
o 🇺🇸 The United States o Proxy Wars: Supporting
opposing sides in wars
(capitalist democracy)
around the world (e.g.,
o 🇷🇺 The Soviet Union Korea, Vietnam,
(communist dictatorship) Afghanistan).
 o Economic Competition: Key Wars South Korea, North Korea,
Spreading capitalism vs. Supported South North
communism. Vietnam, Vietnam,
o Political Influence: Afghanistan Afghan
Forming alliances like rebels communists
NATO (U.S. and friends) Nuclear First to Second but
and the Warsaw Pact Power develop developed
(Soviet Union and allies). atomic hydrogen
bomb (1945) bomb too
3. Why "Battle" Without Fighting? Space Sent first Launched
Race man to the first satellite
• Though no direct war (no "hot war")
Moon (1969) (Sputnik,
happened between the U.S. and
1957)
the USSR, the tension, rivalry, and
competition were so intense that it
5. Simple Summary:
felt like a global battle.
• It was a "battle of ideologies"
• It was a global power struggle
(freedom vs. control, capitalism vs. between the two mightiest nations
communism). after WWII.

• The world was basically divided into • They competed militarily,

two camps, and almost every economically, politically, and
country was forced to pick a side. culturally.
• The world was polarized into two
4. Major Features That Made It a "Battle of rival camps led by these
Superpowers" superpowers.
Feature USA 🇺🇸 USSR 🇷🇺 • Although they avoided direct
Political Capitalism + Communism war, the Cold War was still a high-
System Democracy + stakes "battle" that could have
Dictatorship ended humanity.
Military NATO (1949) Warsaw Pact
Alliance (1955)

FROM ALLIES TO ADVERSARIES

• The Soviet Union and Unites States had fought as allies against Nazi Germany
during World War II. But the alliance began to crumble as soon as the war in
Europe ended in May 1945.

UNITED STATES VS SOVIET UNION

UNITED STATES SOVIET UNION
Capitalist Democracy Communist Dictatorship

• The United States and the Soviet Union represented starkly contrasting political
and economic systems during the Cold War era.
• The US was a capitalist, free-market democracy that promoted individual rights
and liberties.
• The Soviet Union was a communist, centrally-planned dictatorship that prioritized
state control over the economy and limited personal freedoms.

CAUSES OF COLD WAR

SUMMARY TABLE Expansion of After World War II, the

Cause Key Insights Communism Soviet Union sought
to expand its
communist ideology
 and influence across maintain a strategic
Europe and Asia. advantage over the
Iron Curtain The term “Iron other.
Curtain” was used to
describe the political, EXPANSION OF COMMUNISM
military, and
• Countries Brought Under Soviet
ideological barrier
Influence:
that divided Europe
o Poland
into two distinct
o East Germany
spheres of influence
the communist East
o Czechoslovakia
and the capitalist
o Hungary
West.
o Romania
Truman In 1947, President
o Bulgaria
Doctrine Harry S. Truman
o Albania
announced the o Baltic States (Estonia,
Truman Doctrine, Latvia, Lithuania)
which pledged o North Korea
American support for o China
countries threatened o Vietnam (North)
by communist o Cuba
expansion. o Mongolia
Marshall Plan The Marshall Plan, o Afghanistan
named after U.S. • Global Consequence:
Secretary of State o Sparked fears of a
George C. Marshall, "domino effect" —
was an economic aid one country falling to
program launched in communism would
1947 to help rebuild cause others to
the economies of follow.
Western European DOMINO THEORY
countries that had The Domino Theory was a Cold War idea that
been devastated by said if one country fell to communism,
neighboring countries would quickly fall too —
World War II.
like a row of dominoes tipping over.
Ideological The United States, Here’s a full explanation:
Differences with its democratic
• Origin: U.S. President Dwight D.
and free-market Eisenhower formally introduced the
system, was theory in 1954, during a speech
diametrically about the situation in Southeast
opposed to the Asia (especially Vietnam).
Soviet Union’s • Meaning: If one country (like
authoritarian, Vietnam) became communist, it
centrally planned would trigger a chain reaction,
communist ideology. causing nearby countries (like Laos,
Cambodia, Thailand, and others) to
Nuclear The development
also fall to communism.
Arms Race and stockpiling of
nuclear weapons by • Impact: It justified major U.S.
interventions in Asia (like the
both the United
Vietnam War, Korean War, and aid
States and the Soviet to countries like Thailand and the
Union fueled a fierce Philippines) to “stop the first
arms race, as each domino” from falling.
side sought to
 • Context: It reflected Cold War fears • Betrayal of Wartime Promises:
that communism was spreading Western allies felt betrayed
aggressively, backed by the Soviet because Stalin had promised free
Union and China, and that the U.S. elections but installed communists
had to contain it. instead.
• Criticism: Over time, many
historians said the theory 3. Quick Summary Points
oversimplified complex political • Location: Based in Lublin, Poland
situations. After Vietnam fell to (Soviet-liberated area)
communism in 1975, the entire • Purpose: Set up a pro-communist
Southeast Asia region didn’t all turn government under Soviet control.
communist as the theory predicted.
Summary memory aid: • Impact: Ignited Cold War
"Domino Theory = Fall of one → Fall of many" tensions by showing the Soviet plan
for Eastern Europe.
LUBLIN COMMITTEE • Broken Promises: Violated Yalta
1. Role in the Cold War Conference agreements about
free elections.
• The Lublin Committee is very
significant because it shows how • Result: Poland became a
Stalin expanded Soviet influence in communist state by 1947.
Eastern Europe:
o After liberating Poland In One Line:
from Nazi control, The Lublin Committee was the Soviet
instead of restoring Polish Union's tool to control Poland, marking the
democracy, the USSR beginning of communist domination in Eastern
installed a communist- Europe and the deepening Cold War.
friendly government
through the Lublin IRON CURTAIN
Committee.
o This was one of the first • Origin of the Term:
major signs that the o Winston Churchill
Soviet Union was not famously talked about
going to allow free the "Iron Curtain" in a
elections in Eastern speech delivered on
Europe — breaking the March 5, 1946, at
agreements made with
Westminster College in
the Allies (USA and UK).
Fulton, Missouri. The most
o It was a direct cause of
rising distrust between famous part of his
the Western Allies and statement is:
the USSR, fueling the o "From Stettin in the Baltic
early Cold War tensions. to Trieste in the Adriatic,
an iron curtain has
2. Why Is the Lublin Committee Important? descended across the
• Symbol of Soviet Control: It showed Continent."
that the USSR would create o This meant that Europe was
communist regimes across Eastern divided into two parts after
Europe. World War II:
• Trigger for Western Alarm: It helped ▪ Western Europe (free,
convince leaders like Churchill, democratic countries
Truman, and others that Stalin could aligned with the U.S.
not be trusted. and Britain),
• Start of the "Iron Curtain": Poland ▪ Eastern Europe
became one of the first countries (countries under
behind the Iron Curtain — the Soviet control,
division between the communist communist
East and capitalist West. dictatorships).
 o Churchill's "Iron Curtain"
speech warned that the MARSHALL PLAN
Soviet Union was expanding
its influence and creating a • Reason for the Plan:
strong barrier (not physical, o Prevent economic
but political and collapse → prevent
ideological) that separated communist
the communist East from the takeovers.
capitalist West.
• Details:
• What It Represented:
o $13 billion in aid
o Severe political, military, (1948–1952).
and ideological divide.
o Open to all European
• Physical Manifestations: nations, though USSR
o Watchtowers, rejected it.
minefields, barbed wire
• Countries Benefiting:
fencing along borders.
The 17 countries that
• Countries Behind the Curtain: accepted Marshall Plan aid
o Soviet Union, East were:
Germany, Poland, Country
Czechoslovakia, 1. United Kingdom
Hungary, Romania, 2. France
Bulgaria, Albania.
3. West Germany (Federal
• Consequences: Republic of Germany)
o Escalation of spying, 4. Italy
propaganda wars, arms 5. Netherlands
buildup. 6. Belgium
7. Luxembourg
TRUMAN DOCTRINE 8. Austria
• Historical Context: 9. Denmark
o Greece: Communist 10. Norway
insurgency 11. Sweden
threatened 12. Ireland
democratic rule. 13. Portugal
o Turkey: Soviet 14. Greece
pressure to control 15. Turkey
the Dardanelles. 16. Switzerland
• Main Principles: 17. Iceland
o Support for free • Soviet Reaction:
peoples resisting
o Rejected the Marshall
authoritarianism.
Plan and forbade
• First Applications: Eastern Bloc nations
o $400 million in aid to from participating.
Greece and Turkey.
• Outcomes:
• Effects: o Revived Western
o Launched U.S. Cold Europe's economy.
War interventionism. o Strengthened
• Significance: political stability and
o Shifted U.S. from democratic
passive observer to institutions.
active global leader o Limited communist
against communism. appeal in Europe.
 o Soviet atomic bomb
IDEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES (1949).
• Political Systems: • Hydrogen Bomb Race:
o USA: Multi-party o U.S. (1952) and USSR
democracy. (1953) developed
o USSR: One-party thermonuclear
dictatorship. weapons.
• Economic Systems: • Key Concepts:
o USA: Capitalism, o MAD: Mutually
private ownership, Assured Destruction
free markets. — ensured neither
o USSR: State side could win a
ownership, planned nuclear war.
economy. o Deterrence became
the main defense
• Human Rights:
strategy.
o USA: Emphasized civil
liberties. • Weapons Systems:
o USSR: Prioritized o ICBMs, SLBMs,
collective good over strategic bombers.
individuals. • Nuclear Crises:
• World Visions: o Cuban Missile Crisis
o USA: Democratic, (1962): Near breakout
capitalist of nuclear war.
international order. • Later Treaties:
o USSR: Global socialist o Partial Test Ban Treaty
revolution. (1963).
• Result: o Nuclear Non-
o Deep ideological Proliferation Treaty
confrontation (NPT, 1968).
affecting all • Cultural Impact:
international o Atomic age pop
relations. culture: "Duck and
Cover," fallout
NUCLEAR ARMS AND RACE shelters, dystopian
films.
• Early Developments:
o U.S. atomic bombs
(1945).

SIGNIFICANT PEOPLE IN COLD WAR:

Name Country Role Major Contribution

Joseph 🇷🇺 Soviet Soviet Leader Dictator of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
Stalin Union (USSR) from 1929 to 1953. Puppet Government in
Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, and
Bulgaria.
Harry S. 🇺🇸 United U.S. President • He asked the American Congress for
Truman States funds to send troops and supplies to
oppose the communists in Greece and
Turkey.
 • The United States uses its economic
power to oppose the further spread of
Communism.
Winston 🇬🇧 United British Prime Prime Minister of Great Britain “Iron Curtain” - this
Churchill Kingdom Minister was a result of the strict restriction of Western trade,
travel, and communication in the entire area.
George 🇺🇸 United U.S. Secretary of America’s foremost soldier during World War II,
Marshall States State served as chief of staff from 1939 to 1945, building
and directing the largest army in history. European
Recovery Program (ERP) under "Marshall Plan.
Fidel Castro 🇨🇺 Cuba Cuban • Cuban communist revolutionary who
Revolutionary served as the Prime Minister of Cuba
Leader from 1959 to 1976 and president from
1976 to 2008.
• Cuban Missile Crisis
Vasili 🇷🇺 Soviet Soviet Naval Brigade Chief of Staff on submarine B-59, who
Arkhipov Union Officer refused to fire a nuclear missile and saved the world
from World War III and nuclear disaster.
Nikita 🇷🇺 Soviet Soviet Leader • First Secretary of the Communist Party of
Khrushchev Union the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964 and
chairman of the country's Council of
Ministers from 1958 to 1964
• In July 1962, he reached a secret
agreement with Fidel Castro to place
Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba to deter
any future invasion attempt.

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

PHASES OF COLD WAR:

FIRST PHASE (1946-1949) • Construction of Berlin Wall

• The Soviet Union created the • Cuban Missiles Crisis
Eastern Bloc FIFTH PHASE (1962-1967)
• Iron Curtain • Nuclear Ban Treaty
• Truman Doctrine SIXTH PHASE (1969-1978)
• Marshall Plan • Détente
• Berlin Blockade • SALT I of 1972
SECOND PHASE (1949-1953) SEVENTH PHASE (1979-1989)
• NATO - North Atlantic Treaty • Collapse of Soviet Union
Organization • Policies of Mikhail Perestroika
• Testing of Atomic Bomb and Glasnost
• ANZUS Treaty • Fall of Wall of Berlin
• Korean War - Games of Power LAST PHASE (1990-1991)
Politics • Independency of Soviet Allies
THIRD PHASE (1953 -1957) • Lithuania becomes
• SEATO and MEDO was independent
created • Boris Yeltsin elected as
• Warsaw Pact President of Russia
• Nuclear Proliferation Treat • Germany reunited
FOURTH PHASE (1957-1962) • End of Soviet Union and the
• Principles of Coexistence Cold War End
• U-2 Airplane
BEFORE THE COLD WAR:

YALTA CONFERENCE (FEBRUARY 4–11, future Soviet domination

1945) over Eastern Europe.
Background: 4. War Against Japan:

• The Yalta Conference took place

o Stalin agreed that the
Soviet Union would enter
toward the end of World War II, with
the war against Japan
Germany near defeat.
three months after
• The "Big Three" Allied leaders — Germany's surrender.
Franklin D. Roosevelt (U.S.), Winston o In return, the Soviets
Churchill (U.K.), and Joseph Stalin would gain territory in
(Soviet Union) — met in Yalta, Asia, such as southern
Crimea (then part of the Soviet Sakhalin and the Kuril
Union). Islands.
• The purpose was to discuss the 5. Poland’s Borders and Government:
postwar reorganization of Europe, o It was decided that
particularly Germany and the Poland’s borders would
liberated nations. move westward (losing
• Growing mutual distrust was land to the USSR, gaining
already apparent, especially land from Germany).
between the Western Allies and the o A Provisional
Soviet Union. Government of National
Unity was to be formed,
• It set the stage for the tensions that
with promises of
would lead to the Cold War.
democratic elections
Key Details:
(which were later
1. Division of Germany and Berlin:
manipulated by the
o Germany would be Soviets).
divided into four
Conclusion:
occupation zones
controlled by the U.S., • The Yalta Conference achieved
U.K., Soviet Union, and temporary unity among the Allies
France. but sowed deep seeds of mistrust
o Berlin, though located in that would later explode into the
the Soviet zone, would Cold War.
also be divided into four • While it successfully planned the
sectors. end stages of World War II and set
2. United Nations Formation: frameworks for peacekeeping
o Agreement was (United Nations), many agreements
reached to establish the — especially about Eastern Europe
United Nations as a new — were either broken or
international body for manipulated, leading to Soviet
maintaining peace. expansionism.
o Stalin agreed to • Historians often view Yalta as a
participate, provided moment of pragmatic compromise
that Soviet republics but also a harbinger of the East-
Ukraine and Belarus West divide that would dominate
would also have world politics for the next several
individual UN seats. decades.
3. Free Elections in Eastern Europe:
o Stalin promised free THE POTSDAM CONFERENCE (JULY–
elections in Eastern AUGUST 1945)
European countries Background:
liberated by Soviet With Germany defeated, Allied leaders—Harry
forces. Truman (USA), Joseph Stalin (USSR), and
o However, the vague Clement Attlee (UK)—met in Potsdam,
wording allowed for Germany, to finalize post-war settlements.
However, tensions were already growing permanent division of Germany into West
between the U.S. and USSR. Germany (FRG) and East Germany (GDR).
Key Details: Key Details:
• The Allies confirmed Germany’s • Berlin was also divided, despite
division into four occupation zones. being inside the Soviet zone.
• The Potsdam Declaration • The Western Allies united their zones
demanded Japan’s unconditional in 1948, forming West Germany.
surrender. • The USSR controlled East Germany,
• Stalin refused to withdraw Soviet imposing a communist
troops from Eastern Europe, government.
alarming the West. • The Berlin Blockade (1948–49)
• Truman hinted at the U.S.'s nuclear deepened Cold War tensions.
capability, worsening Soviet • The Berlin Airlift (1948–49)
mistrust. successfully countered Stalin’s
• The conference deepened blockade.
ideological rifts, signaling the Cold Conclusion:
War’s beginning. Germany became a battleground of Cold War
Conclusion: politics, with West Germany aligned with NATO
Potsdam made it clear that cooperation and East Germany under Soviet control. This
between the Allies was breaking down. Stalin’s division remained until 1990, symbolizing Cold
refusal to allow free elections in Eastern Europe War rivalries.
led to the formation of the Eastern Bloc,
worsening Cold War divisions. SOVIET UNION CREATED THE EASTERN
BLOC
THE FORMATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Introduction:
(OCTOBER 24, 1945) After World War II, the Soviet Union, under
Background: Joseph Stalin, sought to protect itself from
After the failure of the League of Nations, world future Western attacks by dominating the
leaders created the United Nations (UN) to countries of Eastern Europe. This led to the
prevent future global conflicts. creation of the Eastern Bloc, a group of
Key Details: communist states loyal to Moscow.
Key Details:
• The UN Charter was signed in San
Francisco in June 1945. • Expansion of Soviet Influence: Right
after 1945, Soviet troops occupied
• 51 countries were founding
much of Eastern Europe. Stalin used
members.
military presence and political
• The Security Council (USA, USSR, UK, pressure to install pro-Soviet
France, China) had veto power. communist governments in
• The General Assembly was created countries like Poland, East
for global diplomacy. Germany, Hungary, Romania,
Bulgaria, and Czechoslovakia.
• The Universal Declaration of Human
Rights (1948) established • Communist Takeovers: Free
international human rights norms. elections were often promised but
Conclusion: manipulated or canceled. In
The UN replaced the League of Nations and places like Czechoslovakia (1948),
became the world’s primary peacekeeping communists seized power through
body. However, the US-Soviet rivalry often coups and eliminated opposition
paralyzed decision-making, limiting its parties.
effectiveness in Cold War conflicts. • Economic Ties: The Soviets
launched COMECON (Council for
THE OCCUPATION AND DIVISION OF Mutual Economic Assistance) in
GERMANY (1945–1949) 1949 to tie Eastern Bloc economies
Background: to the Soviet economy, keeping
Germany was divided into four occupation them dependent and isolated from
zones controlled by the U.S., UK, USSR, and the West.
France. Over time, tensions led to the • Military Control: In 1955, the Soviet
Union created the Warsaw Pact, a
 military alliance of communist Conclusion:
nations, as a counterbalance to The Iron Curtain became a powerful symbol of
NATO. Cold War division, mistrust, and ideological
• Suppressing Revolts: Any signs of conflict, defining the political landscape of
independence (e.g., Hungarian Europe until the Cold War's final years.
Revolution 1956, Prague Spring
1968) were crushed by Soviet THE TRUMAN DOCTRINE (MARCH 1947)
military intervention to maintain the Background:
bloc’s unity. As communist influence grew in Europe, U.S.
Conclusion: President Harry Truman announced the Truman
The creation of the Eastern Bloc deepened the Doctrine, which committed the U.S. to contain
divide between East and West, fueling Cold communism worldwide.
War tensions for decades. It became a symbol Key Details:
of Soviet control and repression across Eastern • Greece and Turkey were the first to
Europe. receive U.S. aid to resist
communism.
IRON CURTAIN • The doctrine marked a shift from
Introduction: isolationism to active U.S. global
The "Iron Curtain" was a metaphor used by involvement.
Winston Churchill to describe the growing
division between Western Europe (democratic • It laid the foundation for the
and capitalist) and Eastern Europe (communist Marshall Plan (1947) and NATO
and controlled by the Soviet Union) after World (1949).
War II. • The doctrine was used to justify U.S.
Key Details: interventions in Cold War conflicts.
• Churchill's Speech (1946): • The USSR condemned it as
Churchill’s famous "Iron Curtain" "American imperialism", increasing
speech in Fulton, Missouri warned tensions.
that Soviet influence had spread Conclusion:
across Eastern Europe, isolating it The Truman Doctrine solidified the U.S.-Soviet
from the free world. divide, directly leading to the Cold War’s
• Physical and Political Barrier: containment policy. It was one of the first steps
Though the Iron Curtain wasn’t a toward U.S.-Soviet confrontation.
literal wall (except for the Berlin Wall
built later in 1961), it symbolized THE MARSHALL PLAN (1947–1952)
strict border controls, censorship, Background:
propaganda, and limited After World War II, Europe was in ruins—cities
movement between East and West. were destroyed, economies collapsed, and
• Countries Behind the Curtain: food shortages threatened millions. The fear of
Nations like Poland, East Germany, communism grew as economic hardship
Hungary, and Bulgaria were cut off made many countries vulnerable to Soviet
from Western political and influence. In response, the United States
economic systems and forced into introduced the Marshall Plan (officially the
communist alignment with European Recovery Program) in 1947 to
Moscow. rebuild war-torn Europe and prevent
communism from spreading.
• Impact on Foreign Policy: The idea
of the Iron Curtain shaped U.S. and What Happened?
Western strategies, leading to
containment policy, Truman • Proposed by U.S. Secretary of State
Doctrine aid to anti-communist George Marshall on June 5, 1947.
governments, and NATO's • The U.S. provided $13 billion in
formation. economic aid to Western European
• End of the Iron Curtain: The division countries.
lasted until the late 1980s, when • Countries that accepted the aid
democratic revolutions in Eastern had to commit to free-market
Europe, symbolized by the fall of the economies.
Berlin Wall in 1989, began to tear • The Soviet Union and its satellite
down the Curtain. states refused the aid, viewing it as
 an American strategy to dominate preventing food, fuel, and supplies
Europe. from reaching 2.5 million people.
• The plan helped revitalize European • The U.S. and U.K. launched the
economies, boosting industrial Berlin Airlift, flying over 277,000
production by 35% by 1952. flights to deliver supplies.
• The operation lasted 11 months,
Conclusion: delivering over 2.3 million tons of
The Marshall Plan successfully rebuilt Western supplies to West Berliners.
Europe, preventing economic collapse and
strengthening U.S. influence. However, it also • Stalin failed to break West Berlin,
deepened the Cold War divide, as the USSR and on May 12, 1949, he lifted the
saw it as an anti-Soviet move. This led to Stalin blockade.
tightening control over Eastern Europe, • This event led to the formal division
marking a clear separation between the of Germany into West Germany
capitalist West and communist East. (Federal Republic of Germany) and
East Germany (German
THE BERLIN BLOCKADE (1948–1949) Democratic Republic) in 1949.
Background:
After World War II, Germany was divided into Conclusion:
four occupation zones controlled by the U.S., The Berlin Blockade was the first major Cold
U.K., France, and the Soviet Union. Berlin, War crisis. The U.S. and its allies proved they
though deep in Soviet-controlled East would resist Soviet aggression, and the
Germany, was also divided. In 1948, the success of the Berlin Airlift boosted Western
Western Allies introduced a new currency (the morale. It also led to the formation of NATO in
Deutsche Mark) in West Germany, angering 1949, strengthening military alliances against
Stalin, who feared that a strong West Germany the USSR. Meanwhile, Stalin realized that
would challenge Soviet influence. In response, economic and military pressure alone
Stalin cut off all road, rail, and canal access to wouldn't break the West, setting the stage for
West Berlin, attempting to force the Allies out future Cold War confrontations.
of the city.

What Happened?
• On June 24, 1948, the USSR blocked
all land routes into West Berlin,

DURING THE WW2:

FORMATION OF NATO (1949) • The formation of NATO marked a

Background: significant step in the militarization
In response to growing Soviet influence in of the Cold War.
Eastern Europe and the fear of Communist
expansion, Western nations formed the North
• Over time, NATO expanded to
include more countries, particularly
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in April
those in Eastern Europe.
1949 as a collective security alliance to
counter the threat posed by the USSR. • The creation of NATO spurred the
Soviet Union to establish the
• NATO was initially composed of 12
Warsaw Pact in 1955.
member states, including the U.S.,
Conclusion:
Canada, and several Western
NATO remains a powerful military alliance
European nations.
today, with 30 member states as of 2020. Its
• It was designed to promote mutual establishment solidified the Western bloc and
defense, with the principle that an deepened the divide between East and West
attack on one member would be during the Cold War. It played a central role in
considered an attack on all. the deterrence of Soviet aggression.
 Country Year • The event led to a heightened
Joined sense of fear in the U.S., contributing
Belgium 1949 to the rise of anti-communist
Canada 1949 sentiments.
Denmark 1949 Conclusion:
France 1949 The test marked the beginning of a nuclear
Iceland 1949 arms race between the U.S. and the Soviet
Italy 1949 Union. While no immediate casualties
Luxembourg 1949 occurred, the test had long-term effects on
Netherlands 1949 global security, leading to the proliferation of
Norway 1949 nuclear weapons and the eventual formation
Portugal 1949 of treaties like the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
United Kingdom 1949
United States 1949 ANZUS TREATY (SEPTEMBER 1, 1951)
Greece 1952 Introduction:
Türkiye (Turkey) 1952 The ANZUS Treaty (Australia, New Zealand,
Germany (West Germany 1955 United States Security Treaty) was signed on
initially) September 1, 1951, during the early Cold War.
Spain 1982 It was a military alliance to ensure mutual
protection against potential threats, especially
Czech Republic 1999
the spread of communism in the Pacific region
Hungary 1999
after World War II.
Poland 1999
Key Details:
Bulgaria 2004
Estonia 2004 • Background Context: After World
Latvia 2004 War II, fears about communist
expansion (especially from China
Lithuania 2004
and the Soviet Union) and concerns
Romania 2004
about Japan’s future led the United
Slovakia 2004
States to seek strong Pacific
Slovenia 2004
alliances. Australia and New
Albania 2009 Zealand also wanted U.S.
Croatia 2009 protection.
Montenegro 2017
North Macedonia 2020
• Treaty Provisions: The treaty stated
that an armed attack on any one
Finland 2023
of the three members in the Pacific
Sweden 2024
would be considered a danger to
the others. They agreed to consult
SOVIET ATOMIC BOMB TEST (1949) each other and act to meet the
Background: common threat.
The Soviet Union successfully tested its first
atomic bomb on August 29, 1949, known as
• Strategic Importance: It gave the
U.S. two strong allies in the Southern
"First Lightning" or "Joe 1". This marked the end
Pacific, helping it project military
of the U.S. monopoly on nuclear weapons and
strength and contain communism.
intensified the Cold War arms race between
For Australia and New Zealand, it
the two superpowers.
meant a guarantee of American
• The test took place in the military support.
Semipalatinsk Test Site in
• Impact on Relations: It deepened
Kazakhstan.
U.S.-Australia-New Zealand
• The Soviet bomb was based on the cooperation. However, tensions
same design as the U.S. atomic emerged later, particularly when
bomb dropped on Hiroshima. New Zealand adopted a nuclear-
• The test shocked the U.S. and free policy in the 1980s, straining its
triggered immediate concerns over ties with the U.S.
Soviet military capabilities. • Modern Status: While formal ANZUS
• The U.S. accelerated its own operations with New Zealand were
nuclear weapons program, leading suspended after 1986 (due to the
to a rapid arms race. nuclear dispute), Australia and the
United States continue to maintain
 very close defense ties, and the • July 10, 1951: Peace talks began at
ANZUS spirit still influences regional Kaesong and eventually continued
security. at Panmunjom.
Conclusion: • July 27, 1953: The Armistice
The ANZUS Treaty became a cornerstone of Agreement was signed at
U.S. security policy in the Pacific and a symbol Panmunjom, temporarily ending all
of trust between Australia, New Zealand, and fighting. A permanent peace treaty
the United States. Even with some changes has never been signed.
over time, it remains historically significant in
Pacific and Cold War alliances. 🕊️ United Nations Resolution 83 (1950)

KOREAN WAR (1950-1953) 1. What Is UN Resolution 83?

Background: • UN Security Council Resolution 83 was
The Korean War began in June 1950, when passed on June 27, 1950, just two days
North Korean forces, backed by the Soviet after the start of the Korean War (June 25,
1950).
Union and China, invaded South Korea, which
was supported by the U.S. and United Nations • The resolution called upon United Nations
forces. The war was one of the first significant member states to provide military
assistance to South Korea after North
proxy conflicts in the Cold War.
Korea invaded it.
• North Korean forces, led by Kim Il-
• In simple terms, it authorized military
sung, quickly captured Seoul and intervention under the United Nations flag
much of South Korea. to repel the North Korean aggression.
• U.N. forces, under U.S. command, 2. Background Context
counterattacked, pushing North • After World War II, Korea was divided
Korean forces back. along the 38th parallel:

• China intervened on behalf of o North Korea: Communist,

supported by the Soviet
North Korea, resulting in a Union and later China.
prolonged stalemate.
o South Korea: Capitalist,
• The war ended in 1953 with an supported by the United
armistice agreement, restoring the States and Western
border at the 38th parallel. countries.

• Both sides suffered immense • On June 25, 1950, North Korean forces
(backed secretly by Stalin) launched a
casualties, but no peace treaty was full-scale invasion into South Korea.
signed, leaving the Korean
Peninsula divided to this day. • The sudden attack was seen by the U.S.
and its allies as a test case for communist
Conclusion: expansion — a part of the global Cold
The war resulted in over 3 million casualties War struggle.
and led to the division of Korea into North and 3. Key Provisions of Resolution 83
South, a division that remains to this day. The
war also solidified the U.S.'s commitment to
• 🚨 Declared that the invasion of South
Korea by North Korea was a breach of
containing communism in Asia and the international peace.
broader Cold War rivalry.
• ⚔️ Recommended that member states
furnish assistance to South Korea to repel
TIMELINE the attack and restore peace.
• June 25, 1950: North Korea invades
South Korea and captures its
• 🛡️ Led to the formation of a United Nations
Command (UNC) — a coalition mainly led
capital, Seoul. by the United States, but involving troops
• June 27, 1950: UNSC adopts from many countries.
Resolution 83 September 16 - 22,
1950: UN forces broke out of the
• 🌍 Legitimized international involvement
in Korea under a UN mission, not just a U.S.
Busan Perimeter, recaptured Seoul, action, giving it global authority.
and advanced north into North 4. Cold War Significance
Korea. • 🔥 First military conflict of the Cold War
• January - April 1951: Chinese where the United Nations intervened
People’s Volunteer Army pushed militarily.
UNC forces back across the 38th
Parallel and recaptured Seoul.
• 🇺🇸 Strengthened U.S. leadership and
justified American military expansion in
Asia under the flag of the UN.
 • ❄️ Worsened tensions between the U.S. especially after China became
and Soviet Union: communist and after the Korean
o The USSR boycotted the War.
Security Council at that • Protect Southeast Asia: Aimed to
moment (protesting the defend countries vulnerable to
exclusion of Communist
communist insurgencies (Vietnam,
China), so they could not
veto the resolution. Laos, Cambodia).
o Later, the Soviet Union and
China directly supported 3. Activities and Weaknesses
North Korea in the war. • No standing army; relied on
• ✍️ Set a precedent for collective security national military forces.
during the Cold War: if one country was
attacked, others would respond
• Focused on military training, aid,
together. and economic support.
• Weak unity: Different member
countries had different priorities.
5. Quick Timeline Around Resolution 83
Date Event • Failed to prevent communist
June 25, North Korea invades South Korea. victories in Southeast Asia.
1950
June 27, UN Security Council passes Resolution • Officially dissolved on June 30,
1950 83. 1977.
July 7, UN establishes United Nations
1950 Command (UNC) to direct military 4. Cold War Significance
operations.
July 1950 Korean War fought under UN banner,
• Spread the Cold War rivalry into
– 1953 ending in a ceasefire. Southeast Asia.
6. In Simple Summary: • 🇺🇸 Strengthened U.S. commitment
• 📜 UN Resolution 83 = UN’s official call for to fight communism globally.
military action against North Korea’s
invasion.
• Despite efforts, SEATO could not
prevent the spread of communism
• 🎖️ It marked the first-ever UN-led military in Indochina (Vietnam, Laos,
intervention.
Cambodia).
• 🌍 It was a major turning point that
globalized Cold War conflicts — small MEDO (MIDDLE EAST DEFENSE
wars became big global battlegrounds
between capitalism and communism. ORGANIZATION, EARLY 1950S -
🧠💬 In One Line: PROPOSED)
👉 UN Resolution 83 was the world’s first organized 1. What Was MEDO?
military response to communist aggression, making
the Korean War the first armed Cold War conflict. • MEDO stands for Middle East
Defense Organization.
SEATO (SOUTHEAST ASIA TREATY • Proposed in the early 1950s
ORGANIZATION, 1954) (especially around 1951-1952) by
1. What Was SEATO? the United States and Britain.
• SEATO stands for Southeast Asia • Purpose: To create a military
Treaty Organization. alliance in the Middle East to block
Soviet expansion.
• It was an international defense
alliance created to prevent the
2. Why Was MEDO Proposed?
spread of communism in Southeast
Asia. • Middle East was a strategic
region due to its oil reserves and
• Formed on September 8, 1954, in
location between Europe, Africa,
Manila, Philippines.
and Asia.
2. Purpose of SEATO • U.S. and Britain feared Soviet
influence might take over key Arab
• Collective Defense: If one
states.
member was attacked, others
would consult and defend. • Aimed to unify Arab nations, Iran,
and Israel into a defense pact,
• Cold War Tool: Designed to
similar to NATO.
contain communist expansion
 • Soviet Control: Although it was
3. What Happened to MEDO? called an alliance, the Soviet Union
• Failed — MEDO was never had overwhelming control over
established. decision-making and military
• Arab countries, especially Egypt, operations within the pact.
rejected it due to: • Military Actions: The Warsaw Pact
o Fear of becoming pawns was used to justify military
of Western powers. interventions, like the invasion of
o Rising Arab nationalism Czechoslovakia in 1968 (to crush
(especially under Egypt's the Prague Spring reform
Gamal Abdel Nasser). movement).

• Alternative: Baghdad Pact was • End of the Pact: After the collapse
formed in 1955 (later called of communist governments across
CENTO), but it was weaker and Eastern Europe in 1989–1990, the
excluded Egypt. Warsaw Pact became irrelevant
and was officially dissolved on July
4. Cold War Significance 1, 1991.
Conclusion:
• Showed that Cold War strategies The Warsaw Pact symbolized the Soviet Union’s
could fail when they clashed with dominance over Eastern Europe and the
local nationalism. military division of Europe during the Cold War.
• The Middle East became a Its creation intensified the East-West rivalry and
battleground of Cold War rivalries, maintained the Iron Curtain for decades.
seen in later crises like the Suez Crisis
(1956). CUBAN REVOLUTION (1959)
• Boosted the Non-Aligned Background:
Movement, as more countries tried The Cuban Revolution was a successful armed
to stay neutral. revolt led by Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, and
others against the corrupt government of
Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. The
WARSAW PACT (MAY 14, 1955)
revolution culminated in the overthrow of
Background:
Batista and the establishment of a communist
The Warsaw Pact was established by the Soviet
government in Cuba.
Union and its Eastern European allies as a
response to the formation of NATO (North • On January 1, 1959, Batista fled
Atlantic Treaty Organization) and the Cuba, and the revolutionary forces
rearmament of West Germany. The Soviets took control.
wanted to strengthen their control over • Castro's government aligned with
Eastern Europe and create a military alliance the Soviet Union, making Cuba a
that could counter Western influence during focal point of the Cold War in the
the Cold War. Western Hemisphere.
Key Details:
• The U.S. initially attempted
• Purpose: The Warsaw Pact was a diplomatic engagement, but
collective defense treaty, meaning relations soured as Castro's policies
that if one member was attacked, became more radical.
all others would defend it — similar
to NATO.
• U.S. economic sanctions and the
Bay of Pigs invasion were attempts
• Founding Members (1955): to remove Castro from power.
o Soviet Union (USSR) • Castro's government implemented
o Albania (withdrew in widespread land reforms and
1968) nationalized key industries.
o Poland Conclusion:
o East Germany The revolution fundamentally transformed
o Czechoslovakia Cuba, making it a one-party communist state
o Hungary under Castro's rule. The Cuban Revolution
heightened tensions between the U.S. and the
o Romania Soviet Union, leading to events such as the
o Bulgaria Cuban Missile Crisis and the long-lasting
embargo against Cuba.
 • Thousands of East Germans tried to
BAY OF PIGS INVASION (1961) escape, resulting in tragic deaths as
Background: they attempted to cross the border.
The Bay of Pigs Invasion was a failed CIA-
backed operation in which Cuban exiles,
• The construction of the wall
solidified the division of Germany,
trained by the U.S., attempted to overthrow
which lasted until the fall of the
Fidel Castro's regime. The invasion took place
Berlin Wall in 1989.
in April 1961 but ended in disaster and
Conclusion:
strengthened Castro’s position.
The Berlin Wall remained a symbol of Cold War
• The invasion took place on the division for nearly three decades, separating
south coast of Cuba, near the Bay families and creating a permanent barrier
of Pigs. between East and West. It was a stark
• The exiles faced a far stronger reminder of the ideological divide of the Cold
Cuban defense force, including War. The Wall fell in 1989, symbolizing the end
Soviet-backed troops and artillery. of Soviet control in Eastern Europe.
• The U.S. government, led by
President John F. Kennedy, denied CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS (1962)
direct involvement, but it was Background:
revealed that U.S. air support was The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day
not forthcoming. confrontation between the U.S. and the Soviet
Union over Soviet missiles placed in Cuba. It is
• The exiles were either killed or
considered the closest the Cold War ever
captured, and the invasion
came to escalating into full-scale nuclear war.
significantly damaged U.S.
credibility. • In October 1962, U.S. intelligence
discovered Soviet nuclear missiles
• The invasion ultimately pushed
in Cuba, just 90 miles from the U.S.
Castro closer to the Soviet Union,
coast.
laying the groundwork for the
Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. • President Kennedy ordered a naval
Conclusion: blockade of Cuba and demanded
The Bay of Pigs Invasion was a significant the removal of the missiles.
embarrassment for the U.S., strengthening • Tensions reached a peak, with both
Castro’s rule and propelling Cuba into closer superpowers on the brink of nuclear
ties with the Soviet Union. The failure also war.
demonstrated the limits of U.S. influence in the
region during the Cold War, while fueling anti-
• After intense negotiations, Soviet
Premier Nikita Khrushchev agreed
American sentiment in Latin America.
to remove the missiles in exchange
for a U.S. non-invasion pledge and
BERLIN WALL CONSTRUCTION (1961) the removal of U.S. missiles from
Background: Turkey.
The Berlin Wall was constructed in August 1961
by the German Democratic Republic (East
• The crisis highlighted the dangers of
nuclear warfare and prompted
Germany), with Soviet support, to prevent East
efforts for better communication
Berliners from fleeing to West Berlin. The Wall
between the U.S. and the USSR.
symbolized the stark division of East and West
Conclusion:
during the Cold War and became a powerful
The Cuban Missile Crisis ended peacefully, but
symbol of the ideological divide between
it had profound effects on U.S.-Soviet relations.
communism and democracy.
It led to the establishment of the hotline
• The wall was built overnight, and it between Washington and Moscow and the
physically separated families and Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in 1963, both efforts to
communities. reduce the risk of nuclear conflict.
• Tensions in Berlin had been rising as
increasing numbers of East TIMELINE
Germans fled to the West, seeking • October 14, 1962: A U.S. U-2 spy
freedom and opportunities. plane piloted by Maj. Richard
Heyser takes hundreds of photos of
• The Wall became a powerful
newly built installations in the
symbol of Soviet oppression and
Cuban countryside.
the Iron Curtain.
 • October 16, 1962: ExComm between the communist North Vietnam,
meeting with President John F. backed by the Soviet Union and China, and
Kennedy the anti-communist South Vietnam, supported
• October 22, 1962: JFK’s speech to by the U.S. The war escalated in the 1960s as
the public the U.S. sought to prevent the spread of
• October 23, 1962: Soviet’s response communism in Southeast Asia.
• October 26, 1962: Russia continues • The war began as a civil conflict
construction on the Cuban missile between the North and South but
bases. Kennedy considers an expanded when the U.S. entered
invasion of Cuba. the conflict in 1965.
• October 27, 1962: Kennedy sends
Khrushchev a letter offering to end • The U.S. deployed over 500,000
the blockade and not invade Cuba troops, but the war became
if the Soviets remove the missile increasingly unpopular due to high
bases. casualties and media coverage.
• October 28, 1962: Confrontation • The Tet Offensive of 1968, launched
over by North Vietnamese forces, was a
pivotal moment that shifted U.S.
NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY (1963) public opinion against the war.
Background: • The U.S. began withdrawing troops
The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, signed on August in 1969, and by 1973, the Paris
5, 1963, was a landmark international Peace Accords officially ended
agreement aimed at curbing the spread of American involvement.
nuclear weapons. It banned nuclear tests in
the atmosphere, outer space, and under
• North Vietnam eventually won,
leading to the reunification of
water.
Vietnam under communist control
• The treaty was signed by the U.S., in 1975.
Soviet Union, and United Kingdom, Conclusion:
marking a significant diplomatic The Vietnam War resulted in 58,000 American
breakthrough in the Cold War. and approximately 2 million Vietnamese
• The treaty did not include a ban on deaths. The war had profound political and
underground nuclear testing, but it cultural effects on the U.S. and Vietnam, and
was a step toward limiting nuclear its outcome reinforced the global struggle
proliferation. between communism and democracy during
the Cold War.
• It was a response to fears about the
environmental effects of TIMELINE
atmospheric nuclear testing and
• July 1954: Geneva Accords -
the need for arms control.
divided Vietnam into two.
• The treaty opened the door for o North Vietnam led by Ho
future arms control agreements, Chi Minh and South
including the Nuclear Non- Vietnam led by Emperor
Proliferation Treaty. Bao Dai
• Despite its success, some countries, • 1955: President Dwight D.
including China and France, Eisenhower had pledged his firm
refused to sign the treaty and support to Diem and South
continued nuclear testing. Vietnam.
Conclusion: • May 1961: President John F.
The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was a significant Kennedy sends helicopters and 400
step toward arms control during the Cold War, Green Berets to South Vietnam and
demonstrating the U.S. and Soviet Union's authorizes secret operations
willingness to prevent nuclear escalation. It against the Viet Cong.
also set the stage for subsequent treaties • January 1969: Vietnamization
aimed at nuclear non-proliferation and o By the late 1960s, the
reducing global nuclear threats. United States was heavily
involved in the Vietnam
War, trying to prevent a
VIETNAM WAR (1955-1975) communist takeover of
Background:
South Vietnam.
The Vietnam War was a prolonged conflict
However, the war had
 become deeply o While promoting
unpopular at home due peaceful coexistence,
to high American Khrushchev still
casualties, rising costs, supported revolutionary
and increasing public movements in the Third
protests. World (e.g., Africa, Asia,
o When Richard Nixon Latin America).
became U.S. president in o Major crises still occurred
1969, he introduced a (e.g., Hungarian
new strategy called Revolution, 1956; Berlin
Vietnamization to Crisis, 1961; Cuban
gradually reduce U.S. Missile Crisis, 1962)
involvement in the war. showing that real
• Jan. 27, 1973: Cease-fire tensions remained.
agreement
• April 30, 1975: Saigon falls. • Impact on Cold War: Khrushchev’s
approach led to brief periods of
reduced tensions (called "thaws")
PRINCIPLE OF COEXISTENCE (NIKITA
but also set the stage for continued
KHRUSHCHEV, 1950S–1960S) Cold War rivalry through non-
Background: military competition.
During the height of the Cold War, Soviet Conclusion:
leader Nikita Khrushchev introduced the idea The principle of peaceful coexistence under
of "Peaceful Coexistence". After the death of Khrushchev was a major shift from earlier
Stalin (1953), Khrushchev wanted to shift Soviet Soviet policy, offering a way to manage Cold
foreign policy. Instead of inevitable war War tensions without direct war. Although not
between communism and capitalism, always successful, it introduced diplomacy
Khrushchev proposed that both systems could and competition without immediate
coexist peacefully while still competing confrontation as key features of the Cold War.
politically, economically, and ideologically.
Key Details:
U-2 INCIDENT (1960)
• Definition: Peaceful coexistence Background:
meant that communist and The U-2 Incident involved the shooting down
capitalist countries could exist side of an American U-2 spy plane over the Soviet
by side without needing to engage Union on May 1, 1960. The incident led to a
in direct military conflict, especially major diplomatic crisis and worsened U.S.-
nuclear war. Soviet relations during the Cold War.
• Policy Goals: Khrushchev wanted • The U-2 plane was piloted by
to reduce the risk of nuclear war, Francis Gary Powers, and it was on
ease tensions with the West, and a surveillance mission over Soviet
focus on internal development, like territory.
improving Soviet living standards
and technological advancements
• The plane was shot down by Soviet
missiles, and Powers was captured
(e.g., the Space Race).
by the Soviet government.
• Practical Actions:
• U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower
o Attended high-profile initially denied the mission but was
international meetings later forced to admit the plane was
(e.g., the Geneva on a reconnaissance flight.
Summit, 1955).
o Proposed nuclear arms • The incident occurred just before
the Paris Summit, where U.S. and
control talks (led to early
Soviet leaders were set to discuss
discussions on limiting
nuclear arms control.
nuclear testing).
o Initiated more cultural, • The crisis led to the cancellation of
educational, and the summit and a further
scientific exchanges deterioration in U.S.-Soviet relations.
between East and West. Conclusion:
The U-2 Incident was a major embarrassment
• Limitations and Contradictions:
for the U.S. and intensified Cold War tensions.
The incident marked a significant moment in
the history of espionage and diplomacy orbit Earth aboard
during the Cold War, demonstrating the high- Sputnik 2 (Animal
stakes nature of the ideological struggle. Cruelty).
January Explorer First U.S. satellite
SPACE RACE (1957-1969) 31, 1958 I successfully
Background: launched, marking
The Space Race was a period of intense America's entry into
competition between the United States and space
the Soviet Union to achieve significant
milestones in space exploration. It was a key NASA (NATIONAL
aspect of the Cold War, as both superpowers AERONAUTICS AND
sought to demonstrate their technological SPACE
superiority and political ideologies through ADMINISTRATION).
space exploration.
In response to the
• The race began with the Soviet
Soviet Union's
Union's launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957,
launch of Sputnik I
the first artificial satellite to orbit the
in 1957, the United
Earth.
States recognized
• In 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri the urgent need to
Gagarin became the first human to strengthen its space
orbit the Earth, further heightening exploration efforts.
the competition.
• The U.S. responded with the President Dwight D.
Mercury and Gemini programs, Eisenhower signed
and President John F. Kennedy set the National
a national goal to land a man on Aeronautics and
the Moon by the end of the 1960s. Space Act on July
29, 1958, officially
• The Apollo 11 mission successfully
creating NASA
landed astronauts Neil Armstrong
(National
and Buzz Aldrin on the Moon in
Aeronautics and
1969, marking a major victory for
Space
the U.S. in the Space Race.
Administration).
• The space race had significant
technological and scientific NASA formally
impacts, leading to advancements began operations
in communication, computing, and on October 1, 1958,
other fields. taking over from the
Conclusion: earlier U.S. space
The Space Race was not just a contest for agency, NACA
space dominance but also a battle of (National Advisory
ideologies. While the Soviet Union initially led Committee for
with early achievements, the U.S. ultimately Aeronautics).
triumphed with the Apollo 11 Moon landing. It
showcased the importance of space Its mission was to
exploration in the Cold War, with lasting lead American
impacts on global technology and activities in space
geopolitics. science,
exploration, and
Date Description technology,
Event emphasizing
October Sputnik First artificial satellite peaceful
4, 1957 I launched by the applications of
Soviet Union, outer space.
starting the Space
Race. The creation of
Novem Laika Soviet dog Laika NASA marked the
ber 3, became the first beginning of the
1957 living creature to U.S. commitment to
 the Space Race, giant leap for
eventually leading mankind."
to historic - Armstrong, 1969
achievements like April 19, Salyut I First space station
the Apollo Moon 1971 launched by the
landings. Soviet Union.
April 12, Yuri Soviet cosmonaut May 14, Skylab First U.S. space
1961 Gagari became the first 1973 station launched by
n human to travel into NASA.
space and orbit 1975 Apollo– First joint U.S.-Soviet
Earth. Soyuz space mission,
Test symbolizing
"Poyekhali!" — Project détente during the
meaning "Let's go!" Cold War.
in Russian — was
famously shouted
NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY
by Yuri Gagarin on
April 12, 1961, as his
(NPT) (SIGNED JULY 1, 1968; EFFECTIVE
spacecraft Vostok 1 MARCH 5, 1970)
launched, making Background:
him the first human During the Cold War, the spread of nuclear
to journey into outer weapons became a major global concern.
space. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was
negotiated to prevent the increase of
The phrase countries possessing nuclear weapons,
became a symbol promote peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and
of the beginning of work towards nuclear disarmament.
human space Key Details:
exploration and • Three Main Goals (often called the
Soviet pride during "Three Pillars"):
the Space Race. 1. Non-Proliferation:
Decem Apollo First manned Countries that did not
ber 21, 8 spacecraft to orbit have nuclear weapons
1968 the Moon and agreed not to acquire
return safely to them.
Earth (USA). 2. Disarmament: Nuclear-
• Frank armed countries (at the
Borman time: U.S., Soviet Union,
(Comma U.K., France, China)
nder) promised to move
• James toward reducing and
Lovell eventually eliminating
(Comma their nuclear arsenals.
nd 3. Peaceful Use of Nuclear
Module Energy: All countries had
Pilot) the right to access
• William nuclear technology for
Anders peaceful purposes, like
(Lunar energy production,
Module under strict monitoring
Pilot) by the International
July 20, Armstro Neil Armstrong and Atomic Energy Agency
1969 ng and Buzz Aldrin became (IAEA).
Buzz the first humans to • Recognition of Nuclear-Weapon
walk on the Moon States: Only countries that tested
(Apollo 11). nuclear weapons before 1967 (U.S.,
U.S.S.R., U.K., France, and China)
"That's one small were recognized as official nuclear-
step for man, one weapon states.
 • Membership: As of today, 191 way for future arms control agreements and
countries are parties to the treaty, fostered a more cooperative period between
making it one of the most widely the superpowers, although tensions remained
supported arms control high.
agreements.
• Challenges: Some countries, like
DÉTENTE (1970S)
Background:
India, Pakistan, and Israel, never
Détente was the period during the 1970s when
signed the treaty and have
the U.S. and the Soviet Union sought to ease
developed nuclear weapons. North
Cold War tensions and improve diplomatic
Korea withdrew from the NPT in
and economic relations. This period followed
2003 and conducted nuclear tests
the height of the Cold War and the nuclear
afterward.
arms race, and both superpowers recognized
• Review Conferences: Every five the need for a more stable world order.
years, countries meet to review the
NPT’s implementation and progress.
• Détente was marked by several
diplomatic initiatives, including the
Conclusion:
signing of the SALT I treaty and the
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty remains a
Helsinki Accords.
cornerstone of global security efforts to
prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and • The U.S. and the Soviet Union
promote nuclear disarmament. Although it engaged in more frequent
has faced challenges, it has largely diplomatic talks, and there was
succeeded in limiting the number of nuclear- greater cooperation in areas like
armed states and providing a framework for trade and cultural exchange.
nuclear diplomacy. • President Richard Nixon's visit to
China in 1972 helped open relations
SALT I TREATY (1972) with the People's Republic of China,
Background: further isolating the Soviet Union.
The Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I) • Despite the thaw in relations, both
was a major arms control agreement signed sides continued to maintain their
by the United States and the Soviet Union in military capabilities, and tensions
1972. It aimed to curb the nuclear arms race remained over issues such as the
and promote détente between the two Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
superpowers.
• Détente ended in the late 1970s,
• The treaty led to the freeze on the largely due to the Soviet Union's
number of intercontinental ballistic actions in Afghanistan and
missiles (ICBMs) and submarine- renewed tensions.
launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) Conclusion:
possessed by each country. Détente was a period of reduced tensions,
• It marked the first time the U.S. and though it did not end the Cold War. It provided
Soviet Union had agreed to limit the a brief respite from the arms race and hostilities
size of their nuclear arsenals. but ultimately gave way to renewed
• SALT I was negotiated under the confrontation, especially after the Soviet
leadership of U.S. President Richard invasion of Afghanistan.
Nixon and Soviet Premier Leonid
Brezhnev. SOVIET INVASION OF AFGHANISTAN
• The treaty also included a (1979-1989)
framework for missile defense Background:
systems, though the actual The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979
reductions in weapons were limited. marked a significant turning point in the Cold
War, as it led to the United States' re-escalation
• The SALT I talks were part of a of tensions with the Soviet Union. The invasion
broader policy of détente aimed at was prompted by the need to support the
reducing tensions between the U.S. Communist government of Afghanistan, which
and Soviet Union. was facing a growing insurgency.
Conclusion:
SALT I was a significant step in reducing the risk • The Soviet Union sent troops into
of nuclear war during the Cold War. While it Afghanistan to help prop up the
did not end the arms race, it helped pave the communist government, which was
struggling against the Mujahideen,
 Islamic rebels supported by the U.S., a strategic arms limitation treaty between the
Pakistan, and other countries. United States and the Soviet Union aimed at
• The U.S. responded by boycotting curbing the nuclear arms race. The treaty was
the 1980 Moscow Olympics and negotiated by U.S. President Jimmy Carter and
increasing military aid to the Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev.
Afghan resistance. • The treaty sought to limit the
• The Soviet forces faced significant number of nuclear weapons that
challenges due to the difficult both countries could deploy,
terrain and widespread resistance, specifically focusing on
making the conflict a costly and intercontinental ballistic missiles
unpopular war for the USSR. (ICBMs) and submarine-launched
ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
• The invasion further strained Soviet
relations with the U.S. and triggered • SALT II was seen as a step toward
a broader proxy war in the region. reducing nuclear tensions and
promoting arms control, though it
• The war contributed to the did not achieve the comprehensive
weakening of the Soviet economy limits many had hoped for.
and morale, and it is often cited as
one of the factors that led to the • Despite being signed, the treaty
eventual collapse of the Soviet was never ratified by the U.S.
Union. Senate due to the Soviet invasion of
Conclusion: Afghanistan later that year.
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan had • Both countries continued to adhere
significant long-term consequences for the to the terms of the treaty, though it
USSR, which suffered heavy casualties and a remained unofficial after the U.S.
growing sense of defeat. It also solidified U.S.- withdrawal from the ratification
backed insurgencies in the region and process.
intensified the Cold War, culminating in the • SALT II set the stage for future arms
eventual withdrawal of Soviet forces in 1989. control agreements, including the
The conflict played a major role in weakening START treaties in the 1990s.
Soviet power and hastening the decline of the Conclusion:
USSR. The SALT II Treaty represented a significant
effort to limit nuclear arms and reduce Cold
TIMELINE War tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet
• December 1979: Soviet invaded Union, but its lack of ratification prevented it
Afghanistan from fully achieving its goals. Despite this, it laid
• 1987: The Mujahideen are receiving the groundwork for future arms control
arms from the United States, Britain agreements and demonstrated the
and China via Pakistan continuing importance of diplomacy in
• Project Cyclone managing nuclear risks.
o A secret CIA program
(1979–1989) designed to
train, arm, and fund PERESTROIKA AND GLASNOST (1985)
Afghan insurgents Background:
fighting against the Perestroika and Glasnost were major political
Soviet-backed and economic reforms introduced by Soviet
government. leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1985, aimed at
o Initial funding started restructuring the Soviet Union's economy and
modestly under promoting greater political openness. These
President Jimmy Carter, reforms eventually contributed to the end of
but greatly expanded the Cold War and the dissolution of the USSR.
under President Ronald • Perestroika ("restructuring") focused
Reagan. on economic reforms,
• Feb. 15, 1989: The last Soviet soldier decentralizing control, and
leaves Afghanistan, ending 10 introducing market-like elements to
years of occupation the Soviet economy.
• Glasnost ("openness") promoted
SALT II TREATY (1979) political transparency and freedom
Background: of expression, allowing more public
The SALT II Treaty, signed on June 18, 1979, was
 debate and criticism of the Communist Party's grip on power
government. and accelerated demands for
• Gorbachev sought to modernize independence in Eastern Europe.
the Soviet system, reduce military Conclusion:
spending, and ease Cold War Perestroika and Glasnost marked a turning
tensions with the West. point in the Cold War, as they set in motion the
processes that would ultimately lead to the
• The reforms led to increased end of Soviet dominance. These reforms had
political instability, as many Soviet far-reaching consequences, both within the
citizens began to demand greater Soviet Union and internationally, as they led to
freedoms, and nationalist the end of communist rule in Eastern Europe
movements gained momentum in and the dissolution of the USSR in 1991.
Soviet republics.
• The policies also played a key role
in the eventual collapse of the
Soviet Union, as they weakened the

AFTER THE COLD WAR:

FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL (1989) GERMAN REUNIFICATION (1990)

Background: Background:
The Berlin Wall, which had divided East and Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989,
West Berlin since 1961, fell on November 9, Germany was officially reunified on October 3,
1989, symbolizing the end of the Cold War and 1990, after more than four decades of division.
the beginning of the reunification of Germany. This was a direct consequence of the end of
The event came after months of political the Cold War and the weakening of Soviet
unrest and pressure from reform movements in control over Eastern Europe.
Eastern Europe. • The reunification was made
• The fall of the wall was triggered by possible by the collapse of the East
mass protests in East Germany and German regime and the growing
the pressure for more freedom and momentum for democratic reforms
democratic reforms. across Eastern Europe.
• On that night, thousands of East • The process of reunification
Berliners crossed into West Berlin, as involved complex negotiations
the East German government between the East and West
announced that citizens could German governments, with the
travel freely. involvement of the United States,
• The event was a key turning point in the Soviet Union, and other Western
the collapse of Communist rule in powers.
Eastern Europe and the broader • The reunification of Germany
Soviet sphere of influence. required significant economic and
• The fall of the wall was widely social adjustments, as the East
celebrated, and it led to the German economy was far behind
eventual reunification of Germany that of the West.
in 1990. • The event was celebrated by
• The Berlin Wall's fall marked the end millions of Germans, symbolizing the
of the division of Europe and triumph of democracy and
symbolized the defeat of freedom over communism.
communism in Eastern Europe. • Germany's reunification also led to
Conclusion: the eventual expansion of NATO
The fall of the Berlin Wall marked the symbolic and the European Union to include
end of the Cold War, signaling the collapse of the former Eastern Bloc countries.
communist regimes across Eastern Europe. It Conclusion:
was a momentous event that led to the The German Reunification of 1990 was a
reunification of Germany and the dissolution monumental event that marked the official
of the Soviet Union, significantly changing the end of the division of Europe and the Cold
political landscape of Europe. War. It allowed Germany to become a unified
democratic state and led to the strengthening the USSR officially dissolved on December 26,
of European integration, while also 1991, leading to the creation of 15
contributing to the weakening and eventual independent republics.
collapse of the Soviet Union. • The dissolution was a result of
political reforms introduced by
LITHUANIA BECAME INDEPENDENT Mikhail Gorbachev, including
(MARCH 11, 1990) Perestroika and Glasnost, which
Background: inadvertently weakened the
Lithuania, along with Estonia and Latvia, was central power of the Communist
forcibly annexed by the Soviet Union during Party.
World War II. As the Soviet Union began to
• The 1991 August Coup, in which
weaken in the late 1980s (especially under
hardline communists attempted to
Mikhail Gorbachev’s reforms like glasnost and
overthrow Gorbachev, further
perestroika), nationalist movements in the
accelerated the collapse of the
Baltic states gained momentum.
Soviet Union.
Key Details:
• Historic Declaration: On March 11,
• Nationalist movements within Soviet
republics, particularly in the Baltics
1990, Lithuania’s newly elected
and Ukraine, pushed for
parliament declared the country's
independence, leading to a formal
independence from the Soviet
declaration of independence by
Union, becoming the first Soviet
many republics.
republic to do so.
• On December 25, 1991, Gorbachev
• Soviet Response: The Soviet
resigned, and the Soviet Union was
government, led by Gorbachev,
officially dissolved the following
declared Lithuania’s action illegal
day.
and imposed an economic
blockade to pressure the country • The collapse of the USSR led to the
into reversing its decision. emergence of new independent
states and the end of Soviet-style
• Violent Crackdown: In January
communism.
1991, Soviet forces attempted to
Conclusion:
crush Lithuanian independence in
The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991
what became known as Bloody
marked the definitive end of the Cold War and
Sunday (Vilnius massacre), killing 14
the dissolution of the Soviet system. The event
civilians and injuring hundreds.
resulted in the creation of 15 independent
• International Support: Gradually, republics and shifted the global political
Lithuania gained support from balance, as the U.S. became the sole
Western countries, and after the superpower. The breakup of the USSR had
failed Soviet coup in August 1991, profound social, economic, and geopolitical
full international recognition of consequences for the former Soviet states and
Lithuanian independence the world at large.
followed.
• Formal Recognition: The Soviet Country Capital City
Union officially recognized Russia Moscow
Lithuania's independence on Ukraine Kyiv (Kiev)
September 6, 1991. Belarus Minsk
Conclusion: Moldova Chișinău
Lithuania’s declaration of independence Estonia Tallinn
marked the beginning of the Soviet Union’s Latvia Riga
collapse and inspired other republics to seek Lithuania Vilnius
freedom, making it a crucial event in ending Georgia Tbilisi
the Cold War.
Armenia Yerevan
Azerbaijan Baku
COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION (1991) Kazakhstan Astana (formerly
Background:
Nur-Sultan)
The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991
Uzbekistan Tashkent
marked the definitive end of the Cold War.
Turkmenistan Ashgabat
After years of economic stagnation, political
Kyrgyzstan Bishkek
reforms, and mounting nationalist movements,
Tajikistan Dushanbe
 ESTABLISHMENT OF THE RUSSIAN
BORIS YELTSIN ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF FEDERATION (DECEMBER 25, 1991)
RUSSIA (JUNE 12, 1991) Background:
Background: By 1991, the Soviet Union was unraveling.
As Soviet authority weakened, Russia moved Many Soviet republics had declared
toward greater political independence. Boris independence, and internal political struggles
Yeltsin, a former Communist Party official between reformers and hardliners weakened
turned reformer, gained popular support for his central authority. Russia, the largest and most
criticism of Gorbachev and the centralized powerful republic, played a decisive role.
Soviet system. Key Details:
Key Details: • Role of Boris Yeltsin: As President of
• First Democratic Election: On June the Russian Soviet Federative
12, 1991, Boris Yeltsin won the first- Socialist Republic (RSFSR), Yeltsin
ever direct presidential election in pushed for more autonomy from
Russian history, gaining about 57% Soviet central power and
of the vote. encouraged the independence of
• Platform: Yeltsin campaigned on other republics.
promises of democracy, economic • Belavezha Accords: In December
reforms, and reducing Moscow’s 1991, leaders from Russia, Ukraine,
control over Russia’s affairs. and Belarus signed the Belavezha
• Impact on the USSR: Yeltsin’s victory Accords, declaring the Soviet Union
further weakened Gorbachev's effectively dissolved and replacing
authority, as Russia, the largest it with the Commonwealth of
Soviet republic, was now led by a Independent States (CIS).
president seeking sovereignty and • Gorbachev’s Resignation: On
reforms separate from Soviet December 25, 1991, Mikhail
control. Gorbachev resigned as President of
• Symbolic Acts: Yeltsin famously the USSR, and the Soviet flag was
stood atop a tank in August 1991 lowered for the last time over the
during the failed coup attempt by Kremlin.
Soviet hardliners, becoming a • New State: The Russian Federation
symbol of resistance and courage. formally emerged as the legal
• Transition to Power: After the successor to the Soviet Union,
collapse of the Soviet Union, Yeltsin inheriting its U.N. Security Council
became the first President of the seat and nuclear arsenal.
Russian Federation, leading Russia • Constitutional Changes: A new
through difficult early years of Russian constitution would later be
political and economic transition. adopted in 1993, establishing Russia
Conclusion: as a federal semi-presidential
Boris Yeltsin’s election as President of Russia republic.
symbolized the people's desire for democracy Conclusion:
and change, accelerating the disintegration The establishment of the Russian Federation
of the Soviet Union and setting the stage for officially ended the Soviet era and marked the
Russia’s turbulent post-Soviet transformation. beginning of a new, often unstable, post-
Soviet Russia, redefining its place in the world.