Cold War
Between 1945 and 1991, Europe was divided between two superpowers and their allies: US led NATO in Western Europe and USSR led Warsaw Pact in the East. The war was ‘cold’ because there was never a direct military engagement between them, due partly to the presence of nuclear weapons on both sides.
Cold War in Europe 101
An introduction to the Cold War in Europe, a 'conflict' which dominated the second half of the twentieth century.
An introduction to the Cold War in Europe, a 'conflict' which dominated the second half of the twentieth century.
Cold War Timeline
This timeline breaks the Cold War down into a series of key dates.
This timeline breaks the Cold War down into a series of key dates.
The Berlin Wall
A profile of the Berlin Wall which physically divided East and West Berlin from 1961 to 1989.
A profile of the Berlin Wall which physically divided East and West Berlin from 1961 to 1989.
Berlin Blockade / Berlin Airlift
Learn more about the Berlin Blockade of the US, UK and French zones of Berlin by the Soviet Union, intended to force negotiations over the division and future of Germany.
Learn more about the Berlin Blockade of the US, UK and French zones of Berlin by the Soviet Union, intended to force negotiations over the division and future of Germany.
Origins of the Cold War in Europe
A guide to the origins of the Cold War in Europe.
A guide to the origins of the Cold War in Europe.
Marshall Plan
An introduction to the Marshall Plan of economic aid to Europe.
An introduction to the Marshall Plan of economic aid to Europe.
Biographies
This site has plenty of information on the Cold War, but it lies beneath the first screen, which is filled with the site’s strength: biographies of Cold War figures, and lots of them.
This site has plenty of information on the Cold War, but it lies beneath the first screen, which is filled with the site’s strength: biographies of Cold War figures, and lots of them.
Cold War International History Project Archive
The Cold War International History Project archive contains a mass of official documentation on many different aspects of the Cold War. It’s too specialist for younger readers, but older ones may find something interesting.
The Cold War International History Project archive contains a mass of official documentation on many different aspects of the Cold War. It’s too specialist for younger readers, but older ones may find something interesting.
The Origins of the Cold War
Steven Kreis’ good length essay tackles the often complicated question of how the Cold War started in a chatty and easy to read style. There is a companion article on ‘1989: The Walls Came Tumbling Down’.
Steven Kreis’ good length essay tackles the often complicated question of how the Cold War started in a chatty and easy to read style. There is a companion article on ‘1989: The Walls Came Tumbling Down’.
Timeline and Information
The Cold War Museum has provided an eclectic mix of information via a loose timeline, divided across several pages by decade.
The Cold War Museum has provided an eclectic mix of information via a loose timeline, divided across several pages by decade.