1
Cold War Dates and Events| GCSE
History| Updated Revision 2025/2026|
Questions and Answers
What happened at the Tehran Conference in 1943 that shaped the Cold War?
The Big Three (Stalin, Roosevelt, Churchill) agreed on stuff like opening a second front in
Europe and how to deal with Germany after the war, but tensions started as Stalin wanted more
control over Eastern Europe.
Why did the Berlin Blockade start in 1948?
Stalin was angry that the West introduced a new currency in their zones of Germany without
asking. He blocked access to West Berlin to push the Allies out and stop them uniting Germany.
How did the Truman Doctrine change US foreign policy in 1947?
Before, the US stayed out of stuff, but now they promised to help any country fighting
communism. It was the start of the USA getting really involved in the Cold War.
What was the main aim of the Marshall Plan in 1947?
To give money to European countries so they could rebuild after WWII and not turn to
communism. It was about fighting poverty and spreading capitalism.
, 2
Why did NATO form in 1949?
The West wanted to stick together in case the USSR tried anything. NATO was a military
alliance where an attack on one meant an attack on all.
What kicked off the Korean War in 1950?
North Korea (backed by USSR and China) invaded South Korea. The US and UN got
involved to stop communism spreading. It became a Cold War conflict with no direct fight
between the superpowers.
What did Khrushchev do in 1956 that worried some Soviet allies?
He gave the “Secret Speech” saying Stalin was too harsh and that the USSR would try a
softer approach. It made countries like Hungary think they could change things – but they were
wrong.
What was the significance of the Hungarian Uprising in 1956?
Hungarians wanted more freedom and less Soviet control, but the USSR sent tanks and
crushed the revolt. It showed the Soviets wouldn’t let Eastern Europe break away.
Why was the Berlin Wall built in 1961?
East Germans were leaving to the West through Berlin, which embarrassed the USSR. The
wall stopped people escaping and became a symbol of Cold War division.
, 3
How did the Cuban Missile Crisis end in 1962?
The USSR agreed to remove missiles from Cuba if the US didn’t invade Cuba and secretly
removed missiles from Turkey. It was super tense, but war was avoided.
Why was the hotline set up after the Cuban Missile Crisis?
So the US and USSR could talk quickly during a crisis and avoid nuclear war. It was a direct
phone line between Washington and Moscow.
What made the Prague Spring in 1968 different from other uprisings?
It was more about reforming communism, not getting rid of it. Dubček wanted "socialism
with a human face", but the USSR still invaded to stop it.
What was the Brezhnev Doctrine introduced in 1968?
It said the USSR could use force to keep communist countries in line. It was used to justify
crushing the Prague Spring and stopping reforms.
What was SALT 1 in 1972 and why was it important?
It was the first real agreement between the USA and USSR to limit nuclear weapons. It
didn’t end the arms race, but it showed they could negotiate.
What kicked off the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979?
The USSR wanted to protect the communist government there after a rebellion. The US saw
it as the USSR trying to spread communism in the Middle East.
, 4
Why did the USA boycott the 1980 Moscow Olympics?
As a protest against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. It was a Cold War move to embarrass
the USSR on the world stage.
What did Reagan mean by calling the USSR the “evil empire” in 1983?
He was going back to a tough anti-communist stance after détente had cooled off. It showed
the Cold War was heating up again.
Why was Gorbachev's policy of glasnost a big deal in the 1980s?
It meant more openness – people could criticise the government and access more info. It
made people demand even more change and helped weaken Soviet control.
How did the INF Treaty in 1987 change the arms race?
Both sides agreed to get rid of some nuclear missiles. It was the first treaty where weapons
were actually destroyed, not just limited.
What was the significance of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989?
It showed communist control in Eastern Europe was collapsing. Germany soon reunited, and
it basically marked the beginning of the end of the Cold War.
Cold War Dates and Events| GCSE
History| Updated Revision 2025/2026|
Questions and Answers
What happened at the Tehran Conference in 1943 that shaped the Cold War?
The Big Three (Stalin, Roosevelt, Churchill) agreed on stuff like opening a second front in
Europe and how to deal with Germany after the war, but tensions started as Stalin wanted more
control over Eastern Europe.
Why did the Berlin Blockade start in 1948?
Stalin was angry that the West introduced a new currency in their zones of Germany without
asking. He blocked access to West Berlin to push the Allies out and stop them uniting Germany.
How did the Truman Doctrine change US foreign policy in 1947?
Before, the US stayed out of stuff, but now they promised to help any country fighting
communism. It was the start of the USA getting really involved in the Cold War.
What was the main aim of the Marshall Plan in 1947?
To give money to European countries so they could rebuild after WWII and not turn to
communism. It was about fighting poverty and spreading capitalism.
, 2
Why did NATO form in 1949?
The West wanted to stick together in case the USSR tried anything. NATO was a military
alliance where an attack on one meant an attack on all.
What kicked off the Korean War in 1950?
North Korea (backed by USSR and China) invaded South Korea. The US and UN got
involved to stop communism spreading. It became a Cold War conflict with no direct fight
between the superpowers.
What did Khrushchev do in 1956 that worried some Soviet allies?
He gave the “Secret Speech” saying Stalin was too harsh and that the USSR would try a
softer approach. It made countries like Hungary think they could change things – but they were
wrong.
What was the significance of the Hungarian Uprising in 1956?
Hungarians wanted more freedom and less Soviet control, but the USSR sent tanks and
crushed the revolt. It showed the Soviets wouldn’t let Eastern Europe break away.
Why was the Berlin Wall built in 1961?
East Germans were leaving to the West through Berlin, which embarrassed the USSR. The
wall stopped people escaping and became a symbol of Cold War division.
, 3
How did the Cuban Missile Crisis end in 1962?
The USSR agreed to remove missiles from Cuba if the US didn’t invade Cuba and secretly
removed missiles from Turkey. It was super tense, but war was avoided.
Why was the hotline set up after the Cuban Missile Crisis?
So the US and USSR could talk quickly during a crisis and avoid nuclear war. It was a direct
phone line between Washington and Moscow.
What made the Prague Spring in 1968 different from other uprisings?
It was more about reforming communism, not getting rid of it. Dubček wanted "socialism
with a human face", but the USSR still invaded to stop it.
What was the Brezhnev Doctrine introduced in 1968?
It said the USSR could use force to keep communist countries in line. It was used to justify
crushing the Prague Spring and stopping reforms.
What was SALT 1 in 1972 and why was it important?
It was the first real agreement between the USA and USSR to limit nuclear weapons. It
didn’t end the arms race, but it showed they could negotiate.
What kicked off the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979?
The USSR wanted to protect the communist government there after a rebellion. The US saw
it as the USSR trying to spread communism in the Middle East.
, 4
Why did the USA boycott the 1980 Moscow Olympics?
As a protest against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. It was a Cold War move to embarrass
the USSR on the world stage.
What did Reagan mean by calling the USSR the “evil empire” in 1983?
He was going back to a tough anti-communist stance after détente had cooled off. It showed
the Cold War was heating up again.
Why was Gorbachev's policy of glasnost a big deal in the 1980s?
It meant more openness – people could criticise the government and access more info. It
made people demand even more change and helped weaken Soviet control.
How did the INF Treaty in 1987 change the arms race?
Both sides agreed to get rid of some nuclear missiles. It was the first treaty where weapons
were actually destroyed, not just limited.
What was the significance of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989?
It showed communist control in Eastern Europe was collapsing. Germany soon reunited, and
it basically marked the beginning of the end of the Cold War.
