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During the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, Czechoslovaks carry their national flag past a burning tank in Prague. Photo by The Central Intelligence Agency –

10 Chilling Conflicts That Happened During The Cold War

The Cold War culminated as a result of tensions boiling over between the United States and the Soviet Union after the end of the Second World War. The abundance of nuclear weapons, propaganda, and unresolved issues from the Second World War exacerbated tension levels that came about during this period.

Unlike the First World War and the Second World War, the Cold War was an open and controlled rivalry that escalated tensions and fears of a third world war. It was ideological. While the United States was interested in spreading the economic ideology of capitalism across the globe, the Soviet Union was opposed to this. On the contrary, the Soviet Union propagated communist economic and social policies across the globe. It was focused on increasing the number of countries that supported its course.

Learn about other causes of Cold War here. 

1. The Korean War (1950-1953)

Montage of images from the Korean War. Photo By United States federal government –

The Korean War was one of the most significant conflicts that occurred during the Cold War. The conflict began as a civil war between the communist North and the democratic South.

In due time, the conflict escalated into a larger one. Different world powers joined the sides that aligned with their economic, social and political ideologies. It involved the United States and its allies on one side, and China and the Soviet Union on the other.

The war eventually ended in a ceasefire and tensions between North and South Korea remain to date.

2. The Vietnam War (1955-1975)

The Vietnam War was also a critical conflict during the Cold War. This conflict began as a civil war between communist and nationalist factions in Vietnam. However, the war became more intense as communist and capitalist world powers scrambled to provide support to their respective sides.

The war became a larger conflict involving the United States and the proponents of capitalism, communist North Vietnam, and other parties. The war had numerous instances that propelled Cold War tensions and threatened the breakout of another world war.

In 1975, a victory for the communist forces marked the end of the war. It resulted in Vietnam being reunified under a single communist government.

3. The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

The relative ranges of the Il-28, SS-4, and SS-5 based on Cuba in nautical miles (NM). Photo By Defense Intelligence Agency –

The Cuban missile crisis has been recognized as one of the conflicts that threatened armed war during the period of the Cold War. The crisis brought the United States and the Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war, threatening world peace and stability during the period.

The altercation began when the Soviet Union placed nuclear missiles in Cuba, a location that was situated just 90 miles off the coast of Florida. The United States was prompted to respond swiftly considering that it felt that there was a threat to national security. The United States responded by implementing a naval blockade of Cuba and demanding the removal of the missiles.

The crisis was eventually resolved when the Soviet Union agreed to remove the missiles on condition that the United States promised not to invade Cuba.

4. The Prague Spring (1968)

During the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, Czechoslovaks carry their national flag past a burning tank in Prague. Photo by The Central Intelligence Agency –

Czechoslovakia was a key member of the Soviet Union. A move to join the capitalist side brewed one of the most significant conflicts of the Cold War period. It was marred by political liberalization and reform in the country.

The reform that favored capitalist systems as opposed to communist policies and structures was met with resistance from the Soviet Union. Other Eastern European countries that were members of the Soviet Union also expressed their disappointment and disapproval of the reforms.

As a result, Czechoslovakia was invaded by communist countries with a mission to end the reforms and restore communist systems.

5. The Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989)

The 10-year conflict between the Soviet Union and Afghanistan began when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to support a pro-Soviet government. The war was intense and involved the use of conventional weapons.

The war was a hallmark of capitalist success. The Soviet Union withdrew its forces and shortly after, it collapsed.

6. The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)

Iran-Iraq war-gallery. Photo source

The Iran-Iraq war was among the longest conflicts of the Cold War period. It began as a border dispute between Iraq and Iran which later morphed into a full-scale battle.

The war involved the use of chemical missiles, advanced weapons of mass destruction, explosives, and other forms of unconventional warfare. It ended in a ceasefire and both sides ended up suffering heavy losses even though the root cause was not resolved.

7. The 1982 Lebanon War

The Lebanon War of 1982 initially began as a civil war. It became a larger conflict that involved Israel and its allies fighting against various Arab and Palestinian groups.

The war resulted from territorial conflicts between the two sides and grew into a full-blown conflict. It concluded in a ceasefire. Lebanon is still rocked by conflicts and war to date.

The effects of the Cold War are still evident today. Read more intel on this here.

8. The 1985-1991 Angola Civil War

Portuguese Army soldiers operating in the Angolan jungle, in the early 1960s. Photo By Joaquim Coelho –

During the course of the Cold War, tensions continued to rise within other regions across the globe: one of the significant conflicts being the Angola Civil War. The conflict began as a civil war between the communist government of Angola and various anti-communist rebel groups.

In the course of time, the conflict escalated into a larger conflict involving the United States, the Soviet Union, and other countries. The war ended in a victory for the government against the insurgence and rebel forces. However, just like Lebanon, the Angola continues to experience turmoil and violence.

9. The 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre

The Tiananmen Square Massacre was one of the most controversial events to occur during the course of the Cold War. During this conflict, a group of protestors organized protests in support of democracy in China.

The Chinese government forces met the protestors with weapons and violently suppressed the protest in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. This was widely criticized by world governments and civil society organizations.

The result of the conflict was a temporary freeze in relations between China and many Western countries.

10. The 1991 Gulf War

Gulf War photo collage for use in the infobox. Photo Source

The 1991 Gulf War occurred as a result of Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. Despite starting as a small conflict, it grew into a full-scale war between the warring parties as international actors began to join sides and offer their support.

The conflict involved the United States and its allies on one side, and Iraq on the other. The war ended in a victory for the United States and its allies leading to tensions between the United States and Iraq.

The dissolution of the Soviet Union was a sigh of relief worldwide. It marked the end of the proxy wars between the two superpowers and more so, the end of a potential World War three. However, the tension of a Third War still looms in the air as the 2022 Ukraine-Russia war continues.

Learn other important days in the Cold War here.