AP World History - Unit 8: Cold War and Decolonization (copy)

Cold War

A period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States from 1945 to the early 1990s.

1945: End of World War II

This year marked the beginning of the Cold War as the US and the Soviet Union emerged as the two dominant world powers with conflicting ideologies.

1948: Berlin Blockade

Soviet attempt to cut off access to Berlin from the Western side, leading to the Berlin Airlift by the US, highlighting tensions and the divide between East and West.

1949: Formation of NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was established as a military alliance to counter Soviet expansion during the Cold War.

1955: Formation of the Warsaw Pact

A military alliance of communist nations in Eastern Europe formed in response to NATO, further solidifying the divide between East and West.

1961: Construction of the Berlin Wall

A physical barrier that symbolized the division between East and West Berlin, representing the Iron Curtain and the tensions of the Cold War.

1962: Cuban Missile Crisis

A 13-day confrontation between the US and the USSR over Soviet ballistic missiles in Cuba, marking a peak in Cold War tensions.

1989: Fall of the Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall's collapse symbolized the end of the Cold War and the liberalization of Eastern European countries.

1991: Dissolution of the Soviet Union

The formal end of the Cold War occurred when the Soviet Union dissolved, leading to the emergence of independent countries and a new world order.

Apartheid in South Africa (1948-1994)

While occurring during the Cold War, the struggle against apartheid involved global Cold War dynamics, with different superpowers supporting various factions.

Cultural Revolution (1966-1976)

Initiated by Mao Zedong, this sociopolitical movement was part of China's internal dynamics during the Cold War, impacting relations with the US and USSR.

Vietnam War (1955-1975)

This conflict illustrated Cold War tensions, with the US supporting South Vietnam to prevent the spread of communism, resulting in significant geopolitical repercussions.

Iranian Revolution (1979)

The overthrow of the Pahlavi monarchy led to the establishment of an Islamic Republic, altering US relations with Iran and exacerbating tensions in the Middle East.

Middle East Conflict (1948-Present)

The ongoing tensions between Jewish and Arab populations highlight the Cold War's global impact, with various powers supporting differing sides.

Mikhail Gorbachev's policies (1980s)

Reforms of glasnost and perestroika aimed at restructuring the Soviet economy and society contributed to the end of the Cold War.