After WW2 tensions between the United State and the Soviet Union tightened resulting in what is known as the Cold War. Although the seeds of this rivalry were planted nearly a quarter of a century before its actual commencement with the Revolution of 1918 in Russia, the tension was also driven through occasions such as the Yalta Conference and resulted in proxy wars throughout the world and a Second Red scare in America. This period was full of tension and fear that the United States and the USSR would destroy each other and the world with their arsenals of atomic weapons. During the Yalta conference the US, Russia, Britain and France agreed on the splitting of central Europe. This Split ultimately divided Europe into two spheres of influence.
The Cold War HIS/135 Assignment The Cold War Before World War II Britain, France and the United States allied with Russia to combine forces against Germany. The war had a devastating effect on the land and people outside the western hemisphere. After the war the United States and Soviet Union emerged as the world’s superpowers replacing Germany, France and England (Davidson, 2005). The United States power was supported by a growing economy, large military and the atomic bomb. In contrast the war took a toll on the Soviet Union, their lands were in ruin but they still had a formidable military (Davidson, 2005).
Along with fears of the past came the difference of politics as the Soviet Union, also known as the USSR was a communist country and the United States was a capitalist society. These two nations became very dominant over each other and chose to start a nuclear arms race that would make both countries continue to fight in a form of competition. Unlike other countries, America made a decision to remain allies with the Soviet Union. This decision is one that haunted them for the next 46 years. David Halberstam, in “The Fifties” speaks strongly about the drastic changes that our society dealt with as a result of these hard times, and the ways in which the average individual worked with struggles in society.
There has been a long-standing disagreement as to the origin of the Cold War. Since the Eastern Bloc was established by the Soviet Union in the latter stages of World War II, the remaining Allies (the United States, Great Britain, France), particularly Great Britain (Churchill), was highly concerned for the economic and political stability of the world given close proximity and size of the Soviet forces deployed in those occupied countries. Due to these uneasy feelings (Churchill did not trust either the Soviet Union or Stalin, in particular), something called “Operation Unthinkable” (a plan to push the United States’ and Great Britain’s will on the Soviet Union) was developed by the British War Cabinet’s Joint Planning Staff Committee; Operation Unthinkable was never implemented as the British Chiefs of Staff Committee viewed this plan as unlikely to succeed. (Retrieved 10/2/2011 from: http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/operation_unthinkable.htm) I believe Winston Churchill was extremely cautious in his dealings with the Soviets toward the end of, and after, World War II. His paranoia (my opinion), which was the foundation for Project Unthinkable, that Soviet’s
Thirteen Days The whole World was in a state of unrest for thirteen days. Everyone especially in the United States was afraid of what could become one of the worst and bloodiest Wars people had ever seen. The worst part was it could all erupt with the click of a button and nuclear bombs would hit the United States in no time. This all happened in the midst of the cold war. The cold war which was continuing state of political and military tension between the powers of the Western world, led by the United States and its NATO allies, and the communist world, led by the Soviet Union, its satellite states and allies.
U.S. History Between 1950 through 1990 many important historical events occurred. The years succeeding WW II resulted in a tense military, political, and ideological rivalry between The United Sates and the Soviet Union who became the key players in the cold war. The Cold War involved democracy and capitalism in an attempt to vanish communism. Another major event that also took place during this time period is the Vietnam War. As if this weren’t enough, to make matters worse the civil rights movement intensified the standing of this time period.
The Cold War changed American culture in a number of important ways. Fear of communism greatly increased due to rising tensions with the Soviet Union. Politicians of both parties often tapped into that fear and ran for office based on how strong they would be against communists. And fighting communism always involved the threat of nuclear war since both the U.S. and Soviet Union had nuclear weapons trained on each other. President Dwight Eisenhower's military plan relied on nuclear stockpiles rather than land forces.
what does propaganda in the 1950s teach you about the time and the cold war fears of americans? As stated in the Websters Dictionary the Cold War is “the name given to the relationship that developed primarily between the USA and the USSR after World War Two”. The Cold War was to dominate international affairs for decades and many major crises that occurred. For many the growth in weapons of mass destruction was the most worrying issue. Propaganda was used by both the allies and axis to shape the peoples perseptions.
Ashley Ross History II Dr. Moon 17 June 2012 Chapters 43-51: Cold War During the Cold War many Americans were on edge due to threats about the Soviet Union creating a nuclear war, and also about the Communists having a major influence on the government and schools. Because of the Russians launching the first satellite, the number of students taking science courses increased dramatically. In addition, it help keep the United States ahead of the Soviets in the Space Race. Schools were where many people believed conflict began.
The Decision When Harry Truman learned of the success of the creation of nuclear weapons, he was faced with the most difficult decision in history. The capacity to end the war with Japan was in his hands, but it would involve unleashing the most terrible weapon ever known. Truman ultimately had to decide if the gains from ending the war would outweigh the destruction from ordering the bombs and leading the world into the nuclear age. After very careful deliberation Truman made the right decision on ordering the use of the atomic bomb. The decision prevented millions of American casualties, millions of Japanese casualties, and served as a deterrent to the USSR expansion.