AMSCO 8.2 The Cold War Notes

📍Topic 8.2: The Cold War

📖 AMSCO p.554 - p.558

Main Idea

Key Timeline

Image Courtesy of Riya

Things to Know

Establishing a New International Organization

• Allies were committed to creating a new organization post-World War II for peace and prosperity. Additionally wanting to replace the ineffective League of Nations.
• League of Nations failed due to the lack of support from key countries, notably the United States, and the absence of a mechanism for swift intervention.
• In 1943, leaders of the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and China discussed the concept of the United Nations (UN).
• The United Nations was officially established in 1945.

Rivalry in Economics and Politics

• Growing Tensions Post-United Nations (1946)
  • The existence of the United Nations did not prevent worsening tensions between the Soviet Union and the West.
  • Churchill's March 1946 speech marked the symbolic beginning of the Cold War.
• Economic Contrasts: Capitalism vs. Communism
  • United States and Capitalist Countries:
    • Economic assets were mostly privately owned, with private interests guiding economic decisions, and a strong emphasis on the freedom to act in self-interest.
  • Soviet Union and Communist Countries:
    • Economic assets were owned by the government, reflecting a system that emphasized equality and fairness.
• Political System Variations: Democracy vs. Authoritarianism
  • United States and Capitalist Countries:
    • People freely voted in elections, relying on independent news, and various parties competed.
  • Soviet Union and Communist Countries:
    • Elections had little impact, the government controlled the news, and a single party ruled.
• Criticisms and Mutual Accusations
  • United States:
    • Criticisms of Soviet system for restricting rights and inefficient business operations.
  • Soviet Union:
    • Accusations of giving poor people the "freedom to starve" and discriminating against minorities.
• Analysts' Emphasis on Similarities
  • Despite differences, some analysts highlighted similarities.
  • They both controlled a significant number of economic decisions in the hands of groups.
  • Both countries had a powerful military, as they acted out of fear of each other.

Conflicts in International Affairs

• Ideological Battle for Global Influence
  • Both superpowers sought to spread their ideas globally, engaging in a prolonged struggle to influence public opinions and forge alliances with governments worldwide.
• USSR and Satellite Countries
  • Soviets sought to align Eastern European governments with the Soviet model.
  • They imposed five-year economic plans emphasizing industry and collective agriculture.
  • Outlawed all political parties other than the Communists.
  • Exploited satellite countries for Soviet benefit, forcing them to trade exclusively with the Soviet Union.
• World Revolution and Soviet Interference
  • Soviet Union saw capitalism as a threat, tying it to the world revolution.
  • Soviet support for revolutions raised Western suspicions, fueled Cold War tensions.
  • Post-World War II revolutionary sentiments posed a serious threat to Western powers.
• Containment Policy
  • U.S. diplomat George Kennan advocated containment to prevent further spread of communism.
  • The policy focused on preventing Soviet expansion and influence abroad.
• Truman Doctrine (1947)
  • Truman, following Kennan's advice, pledged to stop communism in Greece and Turkey by providing economic and military aid.
• Marshall Plan (1947)
  • U.S. concern about rebuilding Europe after World War II.
  • $12 billion aid was given for all European nations, including Germany.
  • Aimed at modernizing industry, reducing trade barriers, and rebuilding infrastructure.
  • Successfully increased economic output in aided countries by 35% in 1951.
  • Soviet Union and Eastern European satellites refused to participate, creating the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (COMECON) in 1949 with limited impact compared to the Marshall Plan.

The Space Race and the Arms Race

• Space Race (1957-1969)
  • In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, marking the beginning of the Space Race.
  • The United States launched its first satellite in January 1958.
  • Competition focused on achieving milestones like the first manned satellite orbit and landing a human on the moon.
• Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) (1959-present)
  • Soviets tested the first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in 1959.
  • The United States conducted a similar ICBM test later in the same year.
  • Realization of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD): Both superpowers reached a point where starting a nuclear war meant mutual obliteration.
  • The arms race continued as both nations improved their technology, maintaining a balance of terror in the hope of keeping the peace.

The Non-Aligned Movement

• Desire for Neutrality
  • Many new African and Asian countries sought to distance themselves from the U.S.-Soviet Cold War.
  • Aspired for an alternative framework in international economic, political, and social order, avoiding dominance by the two superpowers.
• Bandung Conference (1955)
  • Indonesia hosted a conference known as the Bandung Conference.
  • Delegates from China, India, and 27 other countries, representing over half the world's population, passed resolutions condemning colonialism.
• Formation of the Non-Aligned Movement (1961)
  • The Bandung Conference's momentum led to the formal organization of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961.
• Balancing Act
  • Member states attempted to blend support for stronger international institutions with advancing their interests.
    • Example: Jawaharlal Nehru, leader of India, advocated for a stronger UN but opposed its intervention in the India-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir.
• Alignment Tensions
  • Member states often found themselves leaning towards alignment with one superpower or the other.
    • Example: The war between Somalia and Ethiopia in 1977 prompted the Soviet Union to aid Ethiopia, leading the United States to support Somalia.

Terms to Remember