19601963

1960–1963 was a period of rapid geopolitical change, marked by Cold War tensions, decolonization, and notable advances in science and civil rights. The era saw oil politics reshaped by the founding of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in 1960, alongside ongoing geopolitical friction that included the United States and the Soviet Union competing for influence around the world. The year 1960 also featured the U-2 spy plane incident, exposing espionage and mistrust at the highest levels of the superpowers.

In Europe and the Americas, the period was defined by dramatic symbols of division and confrontation. The Berlin Wall was erected in 1961, crystallizing the division of the continent. The same era included the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961 and the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, which brought the world close to nuclear conflict before a resolution was reached. The hotline between Washington and Moscow was established in 1963 to reduce the risk of such escalations. The global landscape also saw ongoing conflicts and decolonization, including Algeria gaining independence in 1962 and continued upheavals in Africa and Asia, with the Sino-Indian War in 1962 marking a notable regional flashpoint.

Civil rights, science, and culture featured prominently as well. In the United States, the civil rights movement gained momentum with sit-ins starting in 1960 and culminating in the August 1963 March on Washington. Space exploration achieved historic milestones: Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space in 1961, John Glenn orbited the Earth in 1962, and Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space in 1963. The year also saw the Partial Test Ban Treaty and the establishment of the Washington–Moscow hotline, reflecting a commitment to limiting nuclear risk.

Overall, 1960–1963 set the stage for major political, scientific, and social shifts that shaped the decade.