...drastically since 1945, so much so that there are entire classes dedicated to the change brought about by the end of World War II. Between 1945 and 2018, the world has seen the rise and fall of communism governments, has witnessed countries formed and others torn apart. The world has seen empires fall and superpowers rise to take their place, only to become locked in the ideological Cold War that left all in fear of nuclear war. No country remained unaffected by the conflict of the United States (US) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Consequently, Cold War politics continue to affect modern the actions and reputations of countries globally even long after its end in 1989. The Cold War refers to the...
Words: 1675 - Pages: 7
...were allies, together victorious in World War II, which ended with total victory for Soviet and American forces over Adolf Hitler's Nazi empire in Europe. Within just a few years, however, wartime allies became mortal enemies, locked in a global struggle, military, political, economic, ideological to prevail in a new "Cold War." (Causes of the Cold War Summary & Analysis) The name of the Cold War derive from the blameless and approachable relationship the United States and Russia had dating back from World War II. The war occurred from 1945 to 1980 and is considered the longest war America has ever fought. One of the most important aspects of the Cold War era that I have analyzed is the role the Bahamas played. The reason for this is the Bahamas is geographically located between the United States of America and Cuba. Throughout my interviews, I have found that the U.S. has use the Bahamas as a curtain to defend them from Cuba. They strategically setup missile and submarine bases on key islands located in the Bahamas. All in an effort to monitor soviet submarines heading to and from Cuba. One interviewer said as a child they enjoyed watching U.S. helicopters perform different operations performed on the island in preparation if Cuba was to strike. In my interviews account they recall key events such as the Korean War, the Cuban Crises, Creeping Socialism, and John F. Kennedy being newly elected President of the United States of America. They vividly described the newly elected...
Words: 723 - Pages: 3
...of America. Those two countries have been known to be the most powerful for decades, but also, the most conflicting. Russia and America have changed the course of history in many ways, as well as played a great role in the world’s economy, have discovered many resources, and played a key role in shaping politics worldwide. Although, the tension between those two countries was always present, is the situation now worse than ever before? How did we get here? Examining the past conflicts between the Russian government and the American, we may come closer to the heart of the modern conflict between two powerful countries; how these countries usually present international affairs and/or other political positions, and what they demand from the other side. International trade, resources, economic and military power, all come into play when it derives to international relationships between leaders and the country itself. Though, for the past several years, the conflict...
Words: 549 - Pages: 3
...The Cold War and the United States Diplomacy Name: Institution: The Cold War and the United States Diplomacy The Cold War was the state of military and political tension between Western countries, especially the United States, its NATO allies, and the communist nations, particularly the Soviet Union and other satellite states. The war began after World War II had got to an end. The Cold War was named so since it did not feature any form of military action. The countries in this war possessed nuclear weapons and any form of war would have led to serious destructions on both divides. The relative calm between these countries was sometimes followed by high tensions, which would have emanated into a war but did not (Gottfried & Reim, 2003). The following essay will look at what the U.S. did during that time, as well as summarize the situation that required U.S. diplomatic efforts during the president’s time in office. In addition, the essay will describe the effect of these diplomatic efforts for the U.S. and other countries as well as assess, in conclusion, the advantages and disadvantages of the particular doctrine that was followed. What the President Did During That Time During the cold war, the president was Ronald Reagan. He, together with members of his administration, came up with a strategy designed to oppose the influence that the Soviet Union had in the world. It came to be referred to as the Reagan Doctrine. This also came to...
Words: 2401 - Pages: 10
...development of the cold war between the USA and the Soviet Union between 1945-53 was primarily due to traditional great power rivalry The USA and the Soviet Union worked together to defeat Hitler in WW2. Towards the end of the war relationships between them began to break down, although in 1945 there remained possibility of continued cooperation. By 1947, this prospect had disappeared and tensions between the two powers continued to increase for the rest of this period. Some historians, including those belonging to the economic revisionist school of thought, argue that traditional great power rivalry was primarily responsible for this development. This is defined as developing power through trade in order to achieve financial dominance. Undoubtedly, this factor was a major contributor to cold war tensions, however other factors such as ideology, individuals and WW2- many of which are invariably linked to economic influence- also played a large part. Great power rivalry can be seen as the main cause of increased cold war tensions between 1945 and 1953 as both powers sought to increase their relationships with other countries to obtain economic dominance. America, although benefitting economically from the war, feared the possibility of a recession, both as demand for arms fell and poverty in Europe threatened an insufficient international demand for US goods. They believed free trade would prevent this from happening, as well as increasing interdependence between countries, making...
Words: 1461 - Pages: 6
...in Peace and Conflict > The Cold War 1945-1991 > Overview of US-Soviet relations and the Cold War The Cold War 1945-1991 Overview of US-Soviet relations and the Cold War David Mclean Charles Sturt University Principal Focus: Students investigate key features and issues in the history of the Cold War 1945 - 1991 Outcomes Students: H1.1 describe the role of key features, issues, individuals, groups and events of select twentieth-century studies (Extract from Modern History Stage 6 Syllabus Board of Studies NSW 2004.) Key features and issues: • origins and development of the Cold War • influence of ideologies on the Cold War • impact of crises on changing superpower relations • the arms race • reasons for the end of the Cold War This is the transcript of a talk given at a seminar co-sponsored by the History Teachers’ Association of New South Wales and the US Information Service in Sydney on 2 September 1995. From this tutorial you will learn about: • influence of ideologies that led resulted in the division of the world into two opposed camps from 1945 • emerging differences between the superpowers Contents 1. US – Soviet relations were not synonymous with the Cold War 2. Chronology of the Cold War 3. Influence of ideologies of communism and capitalism on the Cold War 4. Soviet Objectives 5. American objectives 6. The Arms Race 7. The Third World was important for the Cold War 8. Why did the Cold War not end earlier? 9. Did the...
Words: 4442 - Pages: 18
...How far do you agree that the origins of the Cold War in 1945 and 1946 owed much to the ideological differences and little to personalities and conflicting national interests? The origins of the Cold War cannot be denied as being most obviously and most forefront due to the great ideological differences between the USSR’s communism and the USA’s capitalism, such as their complete opposing beliefs over nationalisation and system of government. However National interests, such as the fight over Poland and leaders personalities, such as Truman’s lack of experience in foreign policy cannot be overlooked as important reasons for growing hostilities between superpowers. The vast difference in ideologies is clearly the underlying factor which caused tensions for the superpowers of the world during the Cold War and the years 1945 to 46; however it cannot be denied that personalities of the leaders running these countries, were a contributing reason for the ever growing hostilities between them. Joseph Stalin, leader of the USSR and communist regime, was a figure known for being shrewd, manipulative and ruthless, instantly suggesting that relations with other countries, so different from his, were to be quite strained. Though he was known for these negative traits, he was also commended for his sense of practicality and his skills as an administrator, this suggesting that perhaps his ability to put aside differences, may be better than necessarily believed. It was common knowledge...
Words: 2497 - Pages: 10
...The Cold War marked a period of hostility between superpowers: that of the USA (and by extension, the West) and the USSR and the East. This hostility began after the Second World War, despite the supposed camaraderie between the two superpowers during the war as allies against Hitler and Fascism. Whether the schism between the superpowers was caused by their differing ideologies (the capitalist West and the communist East) or a clash between national interests and strong personalities is a matter for debate. Winston Churchill could be said to have helped cause the Cold War because of his ideological differences with Stalin. His 1946 ‘Iron Curtain’ speech certainly caused tension: it unveiled to the world Stalin’s increasing “Soviet sphere” and “increasing measure of control from Moscow”, strongly showing his disapproval of Stalin’s swooping over Eastern Europe and inferring his strongly anti-communist stance. However, this speech was given in 1946, and Churchill was no longer the Prime Minister; that role had passed to Clement Attlee, inferring that he felt he was only able to make such a blunt statement of his views once he was out of power. Conversely, when he was in high office, Churchill was able to work well with Stalin – he called him “Uncle Joe”, inferring they were more than just cordial allies working purely against Stalin. In fact, the Iron Curtain speech could be seen as hypocritical as Churchill made an agreement with Stalin which allowed him to have 75% of influence...
Words: 1833 - Pages: 8
...How far do you agree that the origins of the Cold War in 1945-6 owed much to ideological differences and little to personalities and conflicting national interests? There is a significant and complex argument into which aspects were the most important in the origins and sowing the seeds that led to the Cold War in the years 1945 and 1946. It is widely perceived that the variances in philosophy was the focal reason, because America and the Soviet Union had virtually polar opposite understandings on how their country should be run and consequently capitalist and communist countries could not co-exist lacking any strain. Nonetheless, it is similarly claimed that the traits of the leaders of the three countries are a substantial influence to the Cold war conflict; Roosevelt and Truman of the United States, Stalin of the USSR and Churchill of the United Kingdom. This is because the attitudes of the three regularly clashed. It is furthermore disputed that national interests of the separate nations throughout and post-World War II formed strains among the countries of the USA and the USSR, since they both saw the others objectives as a danger to their individual national security. To assist the Cold War from occurring, it is said Winston Churchill is the crucial individual due to his ideological differences with Stalin. Churchill’s 1946 ‘Iron Curtain’ speech certainly caused tension: it unveiled to the world Stalin’s increasing “Soviet sphere” and “increasing measure of control...
Words: 1953 - Pages: 8
...During World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union were once allies to defeat the axis powers once and for all. After the war had ended there was much tension between the two nations. Their political differences made the world a hostile environment and an overwhelming sense of mutual distrust grew amongst the nations. Historians throughout these years have debated the issue of who was most responsible for what the Cold War. Based on my studies, readings and work I have concluded that Soviet Union was more to blame for the Cold War because they initiated the construction of the Iron Curtain, created an environment that was oppressive and harsh for the people the living in Communist nations and were committed to having the most weapons at their disposal....
Words: 620 - Pages: 3
... The Reagan Doctrine was no different. Presupposing a world of evil and good, it operated on the theory that evil, was in the form of the USSR, and was getting the upper hand. To Reagan and his advisers, examples of Soviet treachery, including support for Marxist movements around the globe, were numerous; moreover, Soviet adventurism, from the Horn of Africa in the 1970s to Central America in the 1980s, showed no signs of lessening. Reagan was intent on stopping that trend—a trend, he believed, that President Carter had done little to reverse. Therefore, he adopted the vocabulary of the early Cold War, advocating policies equally aggressive and bold in range (Foreign Affairs). Reagan presented his vision at his State of the Union Address on February 6, 1985. "We must not break faith," he declared, "with those who are risking their lives—on every continent from Afghanistan to Nicaragua—to defy Soviet-supported aggression and secure rights which have been ours from birth." The president went on to compare anticommunist forces with American colonists who had fought the revolutionary war, relating those early patriots as "freedom fighters" for democracy. Providing aid to those groups was not only ethically just but geopolitically sensible. "Support for freedom fighters," Reagan declared, "is self-defense." It would be months before those declarations would take form as a permanent statement of policy. In the short-term, a further promise to support "freedom fighters," made...
Words: 3080 - Pages: 13
...The Cold War period lasted for nearly 45 years, from 1945 to 1991. It began at the end of the Second World War and with the collapse of the Soviet Union. The war was the stage for the West's struggle against communist ideas and changes. This long wearing conflict brought to pass an increase in production and trade of arms and an appearance of a new world order formed by America. The main principle of the cold war can be seen as the East-West competition in ideas, arms and spheres of influence. (REF) After Afghan terrorists dramatically attacked the United States on September 11, 2001; America declared a war on terror and flew its troops into Afghanistan in pursuit of avenging their nation and capturing al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Again America found itself in opposition to the East, nevertheless this time a different region. And Again the East was fighting against this new world order and America's quest for world domination in a globalising world. The aim of the essay is to explore the relationship between the cold war and the ‘war on terror' in Afghanistan and to find similarities in political patterns and warfare, in order to answer the question Main Body - History Main question - Relationship The cold war marked the struggle between America and the USSR after the Second World War. The war influenced international affairs majorly. It influenced the way conflicts were handled, the way countries were divided up and the increasing growth in weaponry production...
Words: 3840 - Pages: 16
...iconic presidents, many come to mind. Washington, Lincoln, Kennedy, Teddy Roosevelt, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. But Why? FDR got America through one of its most trying times and through one of its greatest wars. There were trials and tribulations, but America and Roosevelt stuck through. Though Roosevelt did not achieve his primary goal, ending the Great Depression, his commitment to the American people, his New Deals, and his leadership, in both the depression and war, all prove admirable and give him a well-earned score of 8 out of 10. It was like Roosevelt was sitting in your living room when you heard his regular Fireside Chats. Through his inspirational chats he found a way to connect with Americans on an informal level like no president had ever done...
Words: 1409 - Pages: 6
...of having the stress to perform the best for parents or fans, a player has to be the best for the sake of their government. In 2015, Gabe Polsky released Red Army a documentary analyzing how the Soviet Union Olympic hockey team’s success was directly connected to politics during the Cold War. Therefore targeting people that lived in the time of the Cold War to explain what the Soviet’s hockey program experienced. The film was in the perspective of the Soviet’s Red Army hockey team to expose...
Words: 1166 - Pages: 5
...Throughout the history United Stated and Russia have had multiple touching points. US and Russia had been competing for economic and political influence for decades, even centuries. In 19th century US and Russia even shared a land border when Russia had a settlement at Fort Ross. Russia's relations with US date all the way back to mid 19th century when Russia sold Alaska to the US. Also, Russia support of US during the Civil War was of great value. As the 20th century roled on US and Russia had seen some tension with US not recognizing Soviet Union until 1933. Nevertheless two countries still deiced to help and aid each other especially humanitarian assistance during the famine in 1921. In 1991, after the breakup of the Soviet union and the...
Words: 736 - Pages: 3
