Cold War Timeline: Key Events and Dates
Ever wondered how two former allies became bitter enemies? The Cold War didn't happen overnight - it was a series of escalating events that gradually divided the world into two opposing camps.
The wartime conferences set the stage for future tensions. The Tehran Conference (1943), Yalta Conference (1945), and Potsdam Conference (1945) showed growing disagreements between Stalin and Western leaders about post-war Europe. These meetings revealed fundamental differences about democracy, communism, and territorial control.
By 1946, the battle lines were being drawn. Churchill's Iron Curtain speech (March 1946) and the Long Telegram (February 1946) warned the West about Soviet expansion. The Novikov Telegram (September 1946) showed that the Soviets were equally suspicious of American intentions.
The Truman Doctrine (March 1947) and Marshall Plan (June 1947) marked America's commitment to containing communism through military aid and economic support. These policies fundamentally changed US foreign policy from isolation to global involvement.
Quick Tip: Remember the pattern - each action by one superpower triggered a reaction from the other, creating an escalating cycle of tension.