Cold War was a military, economic, and political confrontation between communism and capitalism. It kicked off in 1945 and ended in 1991. Western European countries and the United States were involved in the war alongside their allies against the Soviet Union and China. Therefore, the research paper will focus on the origin, key events, and outcome of the Cold War. Besides, the effect of the war on American culture, politics, and society at home will be significant. Finally, a reflection of the war on the expanding roles in the United States will reveal the War contribution in the USA.
- Origins
The origin of the Cold War, was initiated when Nazi Germany surrendered in May 1945 towards the end of World War II. Uneasy wartime started to unravel when alliances started to moot against each other. For example, Great Britain and the Soviet Union allied against the Soviet Union (Schaller, et al., 2020). The Soviet Union installed government in the Eastern European countries, which worried Britain and America over the dominance of the Soviet Union on the European territories in 1948.
Initially, Eastern Europe had been liberated by Red Army. The act of the Soviet Union prompted communist parties to collaborate for the democracy of Western Europe. The Soviet Union strengthened its efforts in safeguarding Eastern Europe in fear of Germany’s threats for ideological purposes through communism approaches. The Cold War intensified from 1947 to 1948 when the Marshal Plan of the USA aid to Western Europe.
- Key Events
German surrendered in 1945 by losing to the Russian Army. The Potsdam conference of 1945 divided German and Australia into four zones. The U.S. released Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bomb and Second World War ended in 1945. Marshall Plan of 1947 offered economic support to West Europe, which resulted in the formation of NATO in 1949. Space race intensified Cold War in 1957. In 1961, Berlin Wall was built, sealing East and West Germany and destroyed in 1989. The Chernobyl disaster of 1989 was destructive (Schaller, et al., 2020). Velvet Revolution overthrew the Communist government in 1989, and the Romanian revolution led to the execution of Ceausescu. Strategic arms reduction treaty (START) was signed in 1991, and East and West Germany united as one state. Warsaw Pact against communist was ended, hammer and sickle flag was lowered after the resignation of Gorbachev, and end of the Soviet Union was actualized on 26th December 1991 by Russia declaring the end of Soviet Union.
- The outcome of the war
The Cold War brought about radiation legacies, military legacies, security legacies, institutional legacies, and economic legacies. Radiation legacies were brought about by Nagasaki and Hiroshima atomic bombings (Kalinovsky & Daigle, 2014). Security legacies have been initiated to prevent nuclear weapons in the wake of promoting nuclear stability and confidence. Military legacies were established to reduce arsenals, thus promoting nuclear weapon stability. Institution legacies protect human rights and promote peace treaties among states and economic legacies.
Effect of Cold war in America
Cultural battles have impacted the current American Civilians as the Cold war was used as propaganda (Schaller, et al., 2020). Unending racism in America dates back to the production of anticommunist movies. Politically, U.S. developed a containment policy to prevent further expansions. American society realized the state’s values were in contrast to societal norms leading to establishing humanitarian movements and organizations.
Reflection of the Cold War
Cold War has expanded U.S. space exploration, making America invest hugely in NASA. The U.S. has remained the most influential superpower due to its contribution to the Cold war (Kalinovsky & Daigle, 2014). Finally, U.S. has remained at the forefront in preventing the use of nuclear weapons.
Overall, Cold War started in 1945, and series of events took place. The outcome of the war was political, economic, military, security, institution, and radiation legacies. Finally, the war shaped American culture, politics, and society in diversified ways.
References #
Kalinovsky, A., & Daigle, C. (2014). The Routledge Handbook of the Cold War. Milton Park: Routledge.
Schaller, M., Greenwood, J. T., Kirk, A., Sheehan-Dean, A., Purcell, S., & Snyder, C. (2020). American Horizons: US History in a Global Context, Volume One: To 1877. Oxford : Oxford University Press.
