US and USSR Cold War Timeline

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the American Presidents, USSR leaders, and significant Cold War events from 1917 to 1991.

Bolshevik revolution

A 1917 event marking the rise of the Bolsheviks in Russia.

Red scare

(1917-1920) A period of anti-communist fear following the Bolshevik revolution.

Truman Doctrine

Announced in March 1947, this policy marked the start of the Cold War (CW).

Marshall Plan

A US economic aid program for Europe initiated in June 1947.

Molotov Plan

A Soviet response to the Marshall Plan, established in July 1947.

Kennan’s Long Telegram

Sent in Feb 1946 and later edited and publicised in July 1946, it influenced US policy toward the Soviet Union.

Iron Curtain speech

A March 1946 speech by Churchill that highlighted the division of Europe

Iranian Crisis

March 1946

Baruch Plan

A June 1946 proposal described as "atomic diplomacy."

Greek Civil War resurgence

March 1946

Novikov’s telegram

A September 1946 communication sent to Moscow from the Soviet ambassador in Washington.

Salami tactics

late 1940s

Bizonia

The formation of combined economic zones in Germany in Jan 1947.

McCarthyism

An era lasting from 1947-1959 characterized by anti-communist pursuits.

Cominform

Information Bureau of the Communist and Workers' Parties established in Sept 1947

National Security Act

A US law passed in Sept 1947.

Berlin Blockade

An event starting in June 1948 that led to the Berlin airlift and ended in 1949.

Deutschmark

Currency introduced in West Germany in June 1948 during the Berlin Blockade.

Trizonia

The political formation of US, British, and French occupation zones in Aug 1948.

Comecon

Council for Mutual Economic Assistance established in Jan 1949.

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization formed in April 1949.

Dean Acherson’s Defense Perimeter speech

A January 1950 address detailing US strategic interests in the Pacific.

NSC-68

A National Security Council report issued in April 1950.

Warsaw Pact

A collective defense treaty among the Soviet Union and satellite states formed in May 1955.

Ospolitik

An initiative by West Germany in the 1960s-1970s used to normalize relations with East Germany.

Brezhnev doctrine

Announced in Sept 1968, it justified Soviet intervention in socialist countries.

SALT I

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks initiated in 1970.

Helsinki Accords

Agreements signed in 1975 to improve relations between the West and the Communist bloc.

Carter Doctrine

Policy announced in Jan 1980 following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

SDI/ “Star Wars”

Strategic Defense Initiative introduced by Reagan in March 1983.

Able Archer “War Scare”

A period of high tension in November 1983.

Reagan Doctrine

A US foreign policy strategy announced in Feb 1985.

INF Treaty

Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty signed during the Washington Summit in Dec 1987.

Sinatra Doctrine

Policy introduced in Oct 1989 allowing Warsaw Pact nations to determine their own internal affairs.

Malta Summit

Meeting between George Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev in December 1989.

Tehran conference

1943 meeting between the Big Three leaders (Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill).

Churchill-Stalin percentages agreement

October 1944 agreement dividing influence in Southeastern Europe.

Communist govts established in Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia respectively

Oct 1946, Nov 1946, Feb 1947, 1948, Feb 1948

Zhandov’s Two Camp speech

Sept 1947