The Cold War Takes Shape

Truman

This flow traces Truman’s gradual shift from hopes for wartime cooperation to a policy of containment and alliance.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Wartime Commitments Wartime Commitments from "Truman". Wartime Commitments Continuity Truman entered office pledging to honor agreements made by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Wartime Commitments from "Truman". Wartime Commitments Continuity Truman entered office pledging to honor agreements made by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Wartime Commitments Continuity Truman entered office pledging to honor agreements made by Franklin D. Roosevelt. He hoped that frank personal diplomacy could preserve cooperation with Joseph Stalin. Emerging Friction Disputes over Poland and Soviet conduct quickly put those hopes under pressure.

The Molotov Confrontation The Molotov Confrontation from "Truman". The Molotov Confrontation A Direct Warning Truman told Vyacheslav Molotov that the Soviet Union must honor its agreements on Poland.

The Molotov Confrontation from "Truman". The Molotov Confrontation A Direct Warning Truman told Vyacheslav Molotov that the Soviet Union must honor its agreements on Poland.

The Molotov Confrontation A Direct Warning Truman told Vyacheslav Molotov that the Soviet Union must honor its agreements on Poland. His direct language startled officials but reflected a decision to speak plainly. Consequence The episode marked a tougher tone, though Truman continued to seek cooperation.

Berlin and the Airlift Berlin and the Airlift from "Truman". Berlin and the Airlift Blockade The Soviet blockade threatened the Western sectors of Berlin.

Berlin and the Airlift from "Truman". Berlin and the Airlift Blockade The Soviet blockade threatened the Western sectors of Berlin.

Berlin and the Airlift Blockade The Soviet blockade threatened the Western sectors of Berlin. Truman rejected armed confrontation and chose to supply the city by air. Outcome The airlift sustained the population and demonstrated that the United States would remain in Berlin without starting a war.

A Global Doctrine A Global Doctrine from "Truman". A Global Doctrine Public Commitment Truman asked Congress to help Greece and Turkey resist armed pressure, framing support for free peoples as American policy.

A Global Doctrine from "Truman". A Global Doctrine Public Commitment Truman asked Congress to help Greece and Turkey resist armed pressure, framing support for free peoples as American policy.

A Global Doctrine Public Commitment Truman asked Congress to help Greece and Turkey resist armed pressure, framing support for free peoples as American policy. Later alliances extended that commitment. Debate The policy helped contain Soviet influence but raised questions about its reach and the risk of confrontation.

Nuclear Anxiety Nuclear Anxiety from "Truman". Nuclear Anxiety New Balance The Soviet atomic test ended the American monopoly and intensified fears of a nuclear arms race.

Nuclear Anxiety from "Truman". Nuclear Anxiety New Balance The Soviet atomic test ended the American monopoly and intensified fears of a nuclear arms race.

Nuclear Anxiety New Balance The Soviet atomic test ended the American monopoly and intensified fears of a nuclear arms race. Truman authorized development of the hydrogen bomb. Cost The new weapons strengthened deterrence while making the consequences of political failure more catastrophic.

1945

April 1945

June 1948–May 1949

March 1947–1949

1949–1952