Key Events of the Cold War and Franco’s Spain

Posted on Dec 21, 2025 in History

Franco’s Dictatorship (1939-1975)

  • Two Periods:

    1. 1939–1959: Autarky and Isolationism

      1. April 1, 1939: Franco ends the war. Spain remained neutral in WWII.
      2. 1946: The UN condemned Spain.
      3. 1952: End of rationing.
      4. 1953: Military and economic agreements between Spain and the United States.
      5. 1955: Spain becomes a member of the UN.

    2. 1959–1975: Development and Opening

      1. 1959: Stabilization plan; development of industry and consumption. ETA is founded.
      2. 1966: Press law: Censorship remained, but it was more flexible.
      3. 1969: Juan Carlos named successor.
      4. 1973: ETA kills President Carrero Blanco.
      5. 1975: Last executions ordered.
      6. November 20, 1975: Franco’s death.

Vietnam War (1955–1975)

  • When and Where: In the Vietnamese peninsula, between November 1, 1955, and April 30, 1975.

  • Why: Tension between the USSR and the USA over global ideological dominance.

  • Combatants: North Vietnam (supported by the USSR) versus South Vietnam (supported by the USA).

  • Conclusion: North Vietnam (communists) defeated South Vietnam (capitalists).

  • Victor: North Vietnam.

  • Consequences: North Vietnam began ruling all over Vietnam as a communist state.

  • Significance: It was the bloodiest conflict of the Cold War.

The Berlin Blockade (1948–1949)

  • When and Where: In Berlin from June 1948 to May 1949.

  • Reasons:

    • The United States and Britain created the Bizone.
    • They established the Marshall Plan to improve the German economy.
    • The USSR disagreed.
    • Stalin created another currency for East Berlin.
    • Stalin enforced an isolation of West Berlin via a land blockade.

  • Combatants: Soviet Union against the capitalists (United States, France, Britain, etc.).

  • Conclusion: On May 12, 1949, after the humiliation of the airlift, the Soviet Union lifted its 11-month blockade against West Berlin.

  • Victor: Capitalists.

  • Consequences: Solidified the division of Europe.

    • The Western Allies created the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

  • Significance: The separation of Germany.

The Berlin Wall (1961–1989)

  • When and Where: In Berlin from August 13, 1961, to November 9, 1989.

  • Why: Poor relations between communists and allies caused the division of Germany.

    • The USSR wanted to prevent the population from escaping Soviet-controlled East Berlin to West Berlin.

  • Combatants: West Berlin (Federal Republic of Germany) versus East Berlin (Socialist German Democratic Republic).

  • Conclusion: Until November 9, 1989.

    • Opening of the borders between Austria and Hungary.
    • The East German Communist Party announced that citizens of the GDR could cross the border.

  • Victor: Capitalists.

  • Consequences: Separation of families during the 28 years the wall stood.

Significance: Symbolizes the ideological division throughout the Cold War between the USSR and the capitalist countries.

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (1979–1989)

  • When and Where: December 24, 1979 – February 15, 1989, on the Afghanistan border with the USSR.

  • Why: The Soviets supposedly wanted to uphold the Soviet-Afghan Friend Treaty of 1978.

  • Combatants: USSR against Afghanistan.

  • Conclusion: The Soviet Union withdrew on February 15, 1989, and Afghanistan returned to non-aligned status.

  • Victor: Afghanistan.

  • Consequences:

    • The Soviets suffered some 15,000 dead.
    • They never recovered from public relations damage.
    • They never recovered from financial problems.
    • This led to the fall of the Iron Curtain.
    • The Afghans suffered between 562,000 and 2,000,000 deaths.

  • Significance:

    • There were many deaths.
    • The USSR had to withdraw for the first time.
    • Last conflict of the Cold War.

Cuban Missile Crisis (October 1962)

  • When and Where: In October of 1962, in Cuba, in the Caribbean Sea.

  • Why: (Details missing in original structure, implied context is missile placement).

  • Combatants: USA versus USSR.

  • Conclusion: USA discovered the USSR’s base.

    • USSR removed its missile base.
    • USSR returned home.

  • Victor: USA.

  • Consequences:

    • The Soviets removed their missiles from Cuba.
    • America promised that they would not invade Cuba.
    • America secretly removed their missiles from Turkey in 1963.

Significance: The hottest moment of the Cold War; it was near a nuclear bomb.

Korean War (1950–1953)

  • 1950–1953, Korea.

  • Caused by different ideologies and the struggle to win power.

  • North Korea (Communist) versus South Korea (Capitalist).

  • Ended in the division of the country.

  • No winner; the division continues today.

  • The first major war after WWII; the conflict remains technically ongoing.

Reasons for the Cold War Timeline

  • March 1946: Churchill speech about the Iron Curtain.

  • 1947: Truman develops his doctrine.

  • June 1947: Marshall Plan.

  • August 1945: Atomic bombs dropped by the USA on Japan.

  • 1948: Czechoslovakia becomes communist.

  • 1948–1949: Berlin Blockade.

  • 1949: NATO is created.

  • 1949: USSR first test of an atomic bomb.

  • 1955: Warsaw Pact established.

  • 1955: Allies decide the end of the war (Note: This date seems misplaced contextually for the *start* of the Cold War timeline).