The Cold War
Gabrielle Hyrny
Background
The time leading up to the Cold War was one of unrest and war. Various events demonstrated the mutual distrust and suspicion between Western powers and the Soviet Union. Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union at this time, viewed the Soviet Union as a “socialist island” and believed the “capitalist encirclement” must be replaced by a socialist one. Even with the support of the Allies during World War II, Stalin remained highly suspicious of the West, which left a strong undercurrent of tension and hostility between the Allied powers. Much disagreement was still present concerning the post-war power balance in Europe. The release of the “Long Telegram” in 1946 stated the United State’s position regarding the Soviet Union; there was no possibility for long-term, peaceful coexistence with the capitalist world because the Soviet Union’s aim was to advance the socialist cause at any cost. A few weeks after the telegram release, former Prime Minister Winston Churchill delivered the “Iron Curtain” speech; this called for an alliance against the Soviets who had established an iron curtain over Europe.[1]
The Cold War was one of the most unique wars in that the basis for controversy remained solely in the difference of ideologies and actual combat encounters were rare; this battle was fought mostly by scientists in laboratories. The inability of humans to coexist in this situation led to the creation of weapons with the capacity to destroy humanity. The human desire to learn more as a result of competition, led us in the direction of destruction. This is an example of how human curiosity can lead us astray; for during this time the fear for the life of humanity became a threat experienced in people’s daily lives[2]. However, the attempts made to establish peace through treaties did show that disagreements do not always result in direct violent and military action.
Turning Point
The Cold War was the post-World War II struggle between the competing superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union. This conflict lasted from the mid-1940s to the early 1990s.[3] At the end of the World War II, communist takeovers by Stalin in Europe began to frighten democratic nations, including the United States. President Truman introduced to Congress the Truman Doctrine in 1947. This was a program designed to provide U.S. assistance to the non-Communist side in the Greek Civil War that was occurring.[4] Truman spoke to Congress and said “This is no more than a frank recognition that totalitarian regimes imposed on free peoples, by direct or indirect aggression, undermine the foundations of international peace and hence the security of the United States.”[5] This made it clear that the U.S. was determined to enforce the Charter of the United Nations that was in place, and would come to the aid of those being forced under Communist rule. Subsequently, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established by the U.S., Canada, Britain, and several other western European countries.[6]
The importance of science and technology had never been so great from a political standpoint. The Cold War became a race in technology for the Soviet Union and the United States. Both countries poured funding into research that resulted in the development of radar, computers, jet airplanes, short-range missiles, and eventually the atom bomb. The Soviet Union tested its first atomic bomb in 1949 and the U.S. answered with a hydrogen bomb detonation in 1952. The presence of nuclear weapons in opposing nations where tension was high resulted in a standoff based on mutually assured destruction (MAD). Both powers obtained the ability to annihilate the other, and this is the reason that neither attacked the other directly. The open-air testing of these bombs led to concerns about radiation accumulation and the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed in 1963. Later, in 1972, the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty was signed thus prohibiting the development of defensive missiles to shoot down incoming nuclear missiles. This would have undermined MAD and possibly led to all-out warfare.[7]
The “Space Race” was another competition based on technology that occurred as a result of the Cold War. The Soviet Union began with the launching of Sputnik I in 1957, and putting the first animal, man, and woman into orbit. However, the Apollo project under President John F. Kennedy, the United States landed a man on the moon in 1969 which became a monumental step in history. These newfound abilities in space actually stabilized the war by allowing both nations to set-up spy satellites to keep watch on one another. In 1983 Reagan proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative, the creation of an orbiting system of satellites to shoot down incoming missiles. This was short-lived as this original ambition became limited in actual conception. Eventually all of this spending bankrupted the Soviet Union causing economic and political collapse. In November 1989 the Berlin Wall was breached and their Eastern European allies fell away. The Soviet Union dissolved as a result, ending the Cold War officially in 1991.[8]
Effect
To this day the Cold War has left its mark on history. Most notably, the creation of nuclear weapons has established a world in which several countries possess the ability to wipe out the human race.[9] The earth became a space for military strategy and the conception and practice of science and social science for the uses of national defense developed. This changed the purpose and focus of research not just for the gain of knowledge, but to produce technology to serve the specific purpose of improving weapons, and methods of obtaining intelligence.[10]
Also, the fall of the Soviet Union led to the establishment of the European Union in Western Europe.[11] This led to changes in the world economic structure that now focused around capitalism since the Soviet Union and communism had failed. Also, Third World countries such as Vietnam and Korea entered into civil wars as an indirect result of the Cold War. The realization that oppression was not inevitable, rebellions began to occur throughout the Third World to gain upward social, political, and economic mobility.[12] All regions of the world were impacted. Australia remained noncommittal in its Cold War posture, which made it the safest overseas capital for investment and exploitation. Stock prices swelled here but by the end of the Cold War a large percentage of their industry was owned by foreign companies. A diplomatic revolution occurred in Australia as a result.[13] In Italy, it was made clear that they could not remain isolated from the West during the Cold War. The United States was financing their economic recovery following WWII and Italy in turn joined NATO, establishing their position in the world order.[14]
By the end of the Cold War, the world experienced a change in the roles of nations on a wide scale. Domestic and international politics have become intertwined to an unprecedented degree, forcing foreign affairs to come up with solutions that will satisfy multiple demands. The U.S. has developed a deeply entrenched impulse to export democracy.[15] This impulse has had implications in recent history that the effects are not experienced yet. The Cold War had an effect on all aspects of society in not only the United States and former Soviet Union, but also in countries spread far and wide.
[1] Barnes, Trevor, and Farish, Matthew. Annals of the Association of American Geographers. 2006. p.807.
[2] Hanhimäki, Jussi, and Westad, Odd. The Cold War: A History in Documents and Eyewitness Accounts. 2003. p. 274.
[3] “Cold War”. 2005. p.1
[4] Hanhimäki, Jussi, and Westad, Odd. The Cold War: A History in Documents and Eyewitness Accounts. 2003. p.106.
[5] Truman, Harry S. “Truman Doctrine.” 1947.
[6] Hanhimäki, Jussi, and Westad, Odd. The Cold War: A History in Documents and Eyewitness Accounts. 2003. p.105.
[7] “Cold War”. 2005. p.1
[8] “Cold War”. 2005. p.1
[9] Barnes, Trevor, and Farish, Matthew. Annals of the Association of American Geographers. 2006. p. 808.
[10] Barnes, Trevor, and Farish, Matthew. Annals of the Association of American Geographers. 2006. p.809-811.[11] Hanhimäki, Jussi, and Westad, Odd. The Cold War: A History in Documents and Eyewitness Accounts. 2003. p. 312.
[12] Barclay, Glen St. John, and Siracusa, Joseph. The Impact of the Cold War: Reconsiderations.1977. p.100.
[13] Barclay, Glen St. John, and Siracusa, Joseph. The Impact of the Cold War: Reconsiderations.1977. p. 24-25.
[14] Barclay, Glen St. John, and Siracusa, Joseph. The Impact of the Cold War: Reconsiderations.1977. p.38-39.
[15] Downes, Richard. “The impact of the end of the cold war on inter-American relations: The search for paradigm and principle.” 1997. p.198-213.
Bibliography
“Cold War.” Science in the Contemporary World: An Encyclopedia. Santa Barbara. 2005. Credo Reference.
Hanhimäki, Jussi, and Westad, Odd. The Cold War: A History in Documents and Eyewitness Accounts. Oxford University Press. New York.
2003.
Barclay, Glen St. John, and Siracusa, Joseph. The Impact of the Cold War: Reconsiderations. Kemikat Press Corp. New York. 1977.
Truman, Harry S. “Truman Doctrine.” 1947. http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/trudoc.asp.
Downes, Richard. “The impact of the end of the cold war on inter-American relations: The search for paradigm and principle.” University of
Miami. Beverly Hills. 1997. p.197-216.
Barnes, Trevor, and Farish, Matthew. Annals of the Association of American Geographers. Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 2006. p.807-826.
Gabrielle Hyrny
Background
The time leading up to the Cold War was one of unrest and war. Various events demonstrated the mutual distrust and suspicion between Western powers and the Soviet Union. Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union at this time, viewed the Soviet Union as a “socialist island” and believed the “capitalist encirclement” must be replaced by a socialist one. Even with the support of the Allies during World War II, Stalin remained highly suspicious of the West, which left a strong undercurrent of tension and hostility between the Allied powers. Much disagreement was still present concerning the post-war power balance in Europe. The release of the “Long Telegram” in 1946 stated the United State’s position regarding the Soviet Union; there was no possibility for long-term, peaceful coexistence with the capitalist world because the Soviet Union’s aim was to advance the socialist cause at any cost. A few weeks after the telegram release, former Prime Minister Winston Churchill delivered the “Iron Curtain” speech; this called for an alliance against the Soviets who had established an iron curtain over Europe.[1]
The Cold War was one of the most unique wars in that the basis for controversy remained solely in the difference of ideologies and actual combat encounters were rare; this battle was fought mostly by scientists in laboratories. The inability of humans to coexist in this situation led to the creation of weapons with the capacity to destroy humanity. The human desire to learn more as a result of competition, led us in the direction of destruction. This is an example of how human curiosity can lead us astray; for during this time the fear for the life of humanity became a threat experienced in people’s daily lives[2]. However, the attempts made to establish peace through treaties did show that disagreements do not always result in direct violent and military action.
Turning Point
The Cold War was the post-World War II struggle between the competing superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union. This conflict lasted from the mid-1940s to the early 1990s.[3] At the end of the World War II, communist takeovers by Stalin in Europe began to frighten democratic nations, including the United States. President Truman introduced to Congress the Truman Doctrine in 1947. This was a program designed to provide U.S. assistance to the non-Communist side in the Greek Civil War that was occurring.[4] Truman spoke to Congress and said “This is no more than a frank recognition that totalitarian regimes imposed on free peoples, by direct or indirect aggression, undermine the foundations of international peace and hence the security of the United States.”[5] This made it clear that the U.S. was determined to enforce the Charter of the United Nations that was in place, and would come to the aid of those being forced under Communist rule. Subsequently, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established by the U.S., Canada, Britain, and several other western European countries.[6]
The importance of science and technology had never been so great from a political standpoint. The Cold War became a race in technology for the Soviet Union and the United States. Both countries poured funding into research that resulted in the development of radar, computers, jet airplanes, short-range missiles, and eventually the atom bomb. The Soviet Union tested its first atomic bomb in 1949 and the U.S. answered with a hydrogen bomb detonation in 1952. The presence of nuclear weapons in opposing nations where tension was high resulted in a standoff based on mutually assured destruction (MAD). Both powers obtained the ability to annihilate the other, and this is the reason that neither attacked the other directly. The open-air testing of these bombs led to concerns about radiation accumulation and the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed in 1963. Later, in 1972, the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty was signed thus prohibiting the development of defensive missiles to shoot down incoming nuclear missiles. This would have undermined MAD and possibly led to all-out warfare.[7]
The “Space Race” was another competition based on technology that occurred as a result of the Cold War. The Soviet Union began with the launching of Sputnik I in 1957, and putting the first animal, man, and woman into orbit. However, the Apollo project under President John F. Kennedy, the United States landed a man on the moon in 1969 which became a monumental step in history. These newfound abilities in space actually stabilized the war by allowing both nations to set-up spy satellites to keep watch on one another. In 1983 Reagan proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative, the creation of an orbiting system of satellites to shoot down incoming missiles. This was short-lived as this original ambition became limited in actual conception. Eventually all of this spending bankrupted the Soviet Union causing economic and political collapse. In November 1989 the Berlin Wall was breached and their Eastern European allies fell away. The Soviet Union dissolved as a result, ending the Cold War officially in 1991.[8]
Effect
To this day the Cold War has left its mark on history. Most notably, the creation of nuclear weapons has established a world in which several countries possess the ability to wipe out the human race.[9] The earth became a space for military strategy and the conception and practice of science and social science for the uses of national defense developed. This changed the purpose and focus of research not just for the gain of knowledge, but to produce technology to serve the specific purpose of improving weapons, and methods of obtaining intelligence.[10]
Also, the fall of the Soviet Union led to the establishment of the European Union in Western Europe.[11] This led to changes in the world economic structure that now focused around capitalism since the Soviet Union and communism had failed. Also, Third World countries such as Vietnam and Korea entered into civil wars as an indirect result of the Cold War. The realization that oppression was not inevitable, rebellions began to occur throughout the Third World to gain upward social, political, and economic mobility.[12] All regions of the world were impacted. Australia remained noncommittal in its Cold War posture, which made it the safest overseas capital for investment and exploitation. Stock prices swelled here but by the end of the Cold War a large percentage of their industry was owned by foreign companies. A diplomatic revolution occurred in Australia as a result.[13] In Italy, it was made clear that they could not remain isolated from the West during the Cold War. The United States was financing their economic recovery following WWII and Italy in turn joined NATO, establishing their position in the world order.[14]
By the end of the Cold War, the world experienced a change in the roles of nations on a wide scale. Domestic and international politics have become intertwined to an unprecedented degree, forcing foreign affairs to come up with solutions that will satisfy multiple demands. The U.S. has developed a deeply entrenched impulse to export democracy.[15] This impulse has had implications in recent history that the effects are not experienced yet. The Cold War had an effect on all aspects of society in not only the United States and former Soviet Union, but also in countries spread far and wide.
[1] Barnes, Trevor, and Farish, Matthew. Annals of the Association of American Geographers. 2006. p.807.
[2] Hanhimäki, Jussi, and Westad, Odd. The Cold War: A History in Documents and Eyewitness Accounts. 2003. p. 274.
[3] “Cold War”. 2005. p.1
[4] Hanhimäki, Jussi, and Westad, Odd. The Cold War: A History in Documents and Eyewitness Accounts. 2003. p.106.
[5] Truman, Harry S. “Truman Doctrine.” 1947.
[6] Hanhimäki, Jussi, and Westad, Odd. The Cold War: A History in Documents and Eyewitness Accounts. 2003. p.105.
[7] “Cold War”. 2005. p.1
[8] “Cold War”. 2005. p.1
[9] Barnes, Trevor, and Farish, Matthew. Annals of the Association of American Geographers. 2006. p. 808.
[10] Barnes, Trevor, and Farish, Matthew. Annals of the Association of American Geographers. 2006. p.809-811.[11] Hanhimäki, Jussi, and Westad, Odd. The Cold War: A History in Documents and Eyewitness Accounts. 2003. p. 312.
[12] Barclay, Glen St. John, and Siracusa, Joseph. The Impact of the Cold War: Reconsiderations.1977. p.100.
[13] Barclay, Glen St. John, and Siracusa, Joseph. The Impact of the Cold War: Reconsiderations.1977. p. 24-25.
[14] Barclay, Glen St. John, and Siracusa, Joseph. The Impact of the Cold War: Reconsiderations.1977. p.38-39.
[15] Downes, Richard. “The impact of the end of the cold war on inter-American relations: The search for paradigm and principle.” 1997. p.198-213.
Bibliography
“Cold War.” Science in the Contemporary World: An Encyclopedia. Santa Barbara. 2005. Credo Reference.
Hanhimäki, Jussi, and Westad, Odd. The Cold War: A History in Documents and Eyewitness Accounts. Oxford University Press. New York.
2003.
Barclay, Glen St. John, and Siracusa, Joseph. The Impact of the Cold War: Reconsiderations. Kemikat Press Corp. New York. 1977.
Truman, Harry S. “Truman Doctrine.” 1947. http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/trudoc.asp.
Downes, Richard. “The impact of the end of the cold war on inter-American relations: The search for paradigm and principle.” University of
Miami. Beverly Hills. 1997. p.197-216.
Barnes, Trevor, and Farish, Matthew. Annals of the Association of American Geographers. Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 2006. p.807-826.