Cold War Overview & Key Events

An economic organization established in 1949 for communist states in Eastern Europe with the goal of promoting economic independence from capitalist influences.

COMECON was set up as a countermeasure to the Marshall Plan, aimed at preventing western influence in Eastern Europe.

COMECON discouraged trade with the West and promoted economic cooperation among its member states.

The division of Germany into 4 zones of occupation by the Allied powers: Soviet Union, the USA, Britain, and France.

The temporary division of Germany into four zones, meant to be temporary, ultimately lasted for many years.

The Soviet Union blocked access to West Berlin, hoping to force the Western Allies to abandon their sectors.

The Western Allies, led by the USA, responded by airlifting supplies into West Berlin, defying the Soviet blockade.

The Berlin Blockade deepened the Cold War division between the East and West, contributing to the formation of East and West Germany.

The Iron Curtain speech, delivered by Winston Churchill in 1946, marked a significant shift in post-war international relations, highlighting a clear division between the West and the East. Churchill described a symbolic barrier separating free democratic states in the West from countries under Soviet domination and communist rule in the East.

The Red Army, after liberating Eastern Europe from Nazi control, stayed in occupation, paving the way for the establishment of communist governments under Moscow's control. These nations, known as Soviet satellite states, experienced a similar pattern, with communist parties seizing control of key institutions like the civil service, media, and security.

After liberating Eastern Europe from Nazi control, the Red Army remained in occupation, and the Soviet Union established communist governments closely controlled from Moscow.

The Yalta Conference represented a key turning point, leading to the establishment of Soviet-backed governments in Eastern Europe, contributing to tensions with the West. The agreement to hold free elections in Eastern Europe failed to materialize, fueling the ideological divide between East and West.

Stalin viewed Churchill's speech as an attempt to incite the world against the Soviet Union, further escalating the Cold War tensions.

The division of Europe into two separate spheres of influence, one democratic and the other communist, with a clear separation between the West and the East.

The Potsdam Conference marked a crucial moment in the early stages of the Cold War, furthering the division between the superpowers. The conference witnessed growing tensions, especially over the future of Germany, showcasing the ideological differences between the West and the East.

The Potsdam Conference, held between the USA, UK, and the Soviet Union, aimed to establish a new order for postwar Europe. The conference was marked by tensions, particularly concerning the management of Germany and the conflicting visions of the Western powers and Soviet Union regarding the postwar order.

Hungary's failed attempt to break free from Soviet control in 1956.

It demonstrated that even though the USSR claimed to support peaceful coexistence, it would not tolerate challenges to its authority.

The U2 incident exposed this limitation, as the West backed down from confronting the USSR's actions in Eastern Europe.

It was a high-altitude spy plane designed to gather intelligence on Soviet military capabilities, particularly their long-range bombers and missile sites.

The dramatic event leading to increased tensions between the US and USSR.

The U2's downing led to a demand for an apology, which the US refused, causing the summit's collapse, signifying a setback in US-USSR relations.

It served as a visible symbol of the growing divide between the East and West, contributing to the deepening of the Cold War.

It highlighted the USSR's resolve to stand its ground against the West, projecting its strength to other communist countries while portraying the US as weak and defensive.

The Berlin Wall was erected by the Soviet Union to prevent East Berliners from escaping to West Berlin.

The West Berlin was considered a beacon of capitalism, attracting East Berliners seeking opportunities and freedom.

The Soviet Union wanted to retain control of East Germany and prevent the loss of skilled workers who were fleeing to the West.

The Western powers aimed to prevent the USSR from gaining permanent control of East Germany and hoped for a united, democratic Germany.

Nikita Khrushchev, the Soviet leader, made a series of demands on the Western powers, including withdrawal of troops and recognition of East Germany.

The Berlin Wall became a symbol of the Cold War division and suppression, with tragic consequences for those trying to cross.

The construction of the Berlin Wall was a propaganda victory for the USA, but also put pressure on President Kennedy to act.

The drastic move of building the wall, despite the international repercussions, aimed to secure the Soviet Union's control over East Germany.

The Brezhnev Doctrine asserted that if a communist country attempted to shift towards capitalism, other communist nations had a responsibility to intervene.

The period between 1963 and 1971 saw a relaxation of tensions between the US and the USSR, marked by improved relations and diplomatic efforts.

One key reason for Détente was the breakdown of relations between the USSR and China, making it crucial for the Soviets to reduce tensions with the US.

The US public pressured their government to reduce the risk of nuclear war, contributing to the shift towards Détente.

Both superpowers aimed to reduce the risk of nuclear war, acknowledging the devastating potential of such conflict.

Both the US and USSR were concerned about rising inflation and the cost of the Cold War, contributing to their pursuit of Détente.

The Soviet Union wanted to increase trade with the West, a factor driving their pursuit of Détente.

The failure in Vietnam led President Nixon to change American foreign policy, pushing for improved relations with both the USSR and China.

The Soviet Union's invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 marked a decisive moment in the Cold War, demonstrating their willingness to suppress any challenge to their control over Eastern Europe.

The Berlin Wall, built in 1961, was a physical manifestation of the Cold War division between East and West Germany, severely restricting movement and freedom for those living behind it.

The Cuban Missile Crisis, a 13-day standoff in 1962, involved the deployment of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, bringing the world to the brink of nuclear war and highlighting the intense tensions of the Cold War.

The US involvement in Cuban affairs dated back to the early 20th century, involving economic investments, a naval base at Guantanamo Bay, and even supporting a military dictatorship, making the Cuban Revolution in 1959 a significant turning point that fueled tensions with the Soviet Union.

Fidel Castro, a revolutionary leader, overthrew the Batista regime in 1959, leading to Cuba's communist leanings and its close ties with the Soviet Union, significantly impacting US-Cuba relations.

The 1963 visit by President John F. Kennedy to Berlin, where he declared 'Ich bin ein Berliner,' solidified the US commitment to defending West Berlin against Soviet aggression, raising tensions further during the Cold War.

The Czech people, under Soviet control, wished for significant changes, including freedom of speech, political participation, the end of secret police rule, and greater economic autonomy, reflecting the desire for change in Soviet satellite states.

The Soviet Union controlled Czech economy, prioritizing resources for their own needs and leading to low living standards for Czechs, fueling their desire for change and self-determination.