World History Timeline

Related events

April 4, 1949★★★★★

NATO founded

Twelve North American and Western European countries sign the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, creating the NATO collective defence alliance.

TreatyPolitics· United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy, Portugal, Norway, Denmark, Iceland
May 23, 1949 – October 7, 1949★★★★★

Germany divided: West and East Germany founded

The Federal Republic of Germany is founded in the Western occupation zones, followed by the German Democratic Republic in the Soviet zone.

Politics· Germany
December 27, 1949★★★★★

Netherlands transfers sovereignty to Indonesia

Following the Hague Round Table Conference, the Netherlands formally transfers sovereignty to the United States of Indonesia, ending the Indonesian National Revolution.

TreatyPolitics· Indonesia, Netherlands
January 4, 1948★★★★★

Independence of Burma

The Union of Burma becomes independent from Britain, choosing not to join the Commonwealth.

Politics· Myanmar, United Kingdom
April 3, 1948★★★★★

Marshall Plan

The United States enacts a large-scale economic aid programme to rebuild Western European economies after the Second World War.

EconomyPolitics· United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands
June 24, 1948 – May 12, 1949★★★★★

Berlin Blockade and Airlift

The Soviet Union blocks road and rail access to West Berlin; the Western Allies respond by supplying the city through an airlift for almost a year.

Politics· Germany, Russia, United States, United Kingdom, France