THE COLD WAR
The cold war was a geopolitical, ideological and economic struggle between the two world
superpowers, the USA and USSSR (also known as Soviet Union).
It is also refers to the hostility or struggle between the communist nations (led by the USSR)
and the capitalist nations (led by the USA.) Between 1945-1990.
The USA and her Allies formed the Western Block and adopted Capitalism. Capitalism
means the system of production and trade based on private ownership of wealth, free trade
while the government has no role in production or prices. On the other hand
The USSR and its allies also formed Eastern Block and adopted Communism.
Communism means private ownership should be abolished and the means of production
belonging to the community.
Capitalism countries are: The United States of America, Canada, Chile, German, The United
Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Switzerland,
Australia, and Ireland and so on.
Communist countries are: Russia, China, Cuba, Korea, Vietnam etc.
THE WEAPONS THAT WERE USED DURING THE COLD WAR.
Unlike the first and second world wars, the cold war did not necessarily involve firing of guns and
killing of people. The main weapons used in it were:
Propaganda
Economic sanctions
Financial aids to the enemies of the opposite side.
Military support to the allies against the enemy.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COLD WAR
Mutual suspicion between the powers.
Economic alliances.
Military alliances
CAUSES OF THE COLD WAR
Ideological differences
The disagreement over disarmament between the USA and USSR.
Europe conflicts in the late 1948.
The formation of north Atlantic treaty Organization (NATO).
Iron curtain policy adopted by the USSR.
The soviet feared that American would use Western Europe as a base to attack it.
The USA president (Roosevelt) had a personal dislike of the soviet leader Joseph Stalin.
The Soviet Union wanted to spread its ideology of communism world-wide, which alarmed
the Americans who followed democracy.
Both countries (USA and USSR) feared an attack from each other adhering to mutual mass
destructions.
The soviet unions of taking control over eastern was a major factor for USA suspicions.
The acquisition of atomic weapons by America caused fear in the soviet.
Post war agreements:
The Yalta conference in February in 1945
This was held in Crimea (Russia) and was attend by the three allied leaders, since Stalin of Russia,
Roosevelt of USA and Churchill of Britain. They were to agree and plan what would happen
when the war ended. At the time of Yalta conference seemed a success, as agreement had been
reached on several points:
A new organization to be called the United Nations should be set up to replace the League
of Nations.
Germany was to be divided into zones American, British, Russian and a French zone was
added later, while Berlin would also be split into corresponding zones, similar
arrangements were to be made for Austria.
Free elections would be allowed in the states of Eastern Europe.
Stalin promised to join the war against Japan on condition that Russia should receive the
whole of Sakhalin Island and some territory in Manchuria.
How The Cold War Developed:
The Cold War in Europe
The war was caused mainly by ideological differences and ambitions of the USA and the Soviet
Union Europe. In 1946 the Soviet Union contributed to the overthrow of the Greek post-war
government. The spreading soviet influence prompted the USA president Truman to introduce the
famous Truman doctrine in March 1947. This doctrine stated that the USA would support free
people who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressure.
Declaration widely considered as the official eruption of the cold war. Turkey and other countries
where the Soviet Union was trying to spread communism intervened.
To counter- further spread of communism the USA felt that improved economic conditions of
Europe were necessary. Europe in particular needed financial aid and material aid for
reconstruction. To achieve this aim USA in 1947 put forward Europe Recovery Programme (ERP)
which later became known as MARSHALL PLAN. It was named secretary general of USA
general Marshall.
Allied powers took control of the west which they named West Germany and they formed
an anti-Soviet military organization called Atlantic treaty organization (NATO). In 1949.
Def.: NATO: was an international military alliance that consists of 29 members or countries from
North America and Europe. It was established at the signing of North Atlantic treaty on 4 th April
1949. The Soviet Union’s response to the Marshall Aid or plan was the formation of the Council
for Mutual Economic Assistance called “COMECON”. Similarly the Soviet Union’s answer to
the NATO was to the formation of WARSAW PACT in 14th May 1955 which brought all the
soviet satellites into military union. From 1950s Europe remained a divided continent and the
major theatre of the cold war.
Spread of Communism
The cold war increased hostility between USA and the Soviet Union, because these two
super powers were competing over political and economic dominance in the world.
August 1988 December 1979 dramatic events took place in Eastern Europe. Communism
was destroyed by arise tide popular opposition groups and mass demonstration.
Hungary was communism government to allow free elections, in which communists were
defeated.
The first communism government was established in Europe, particularly in Russia.
Communism expanded beyond Europe and even crossed to Asia where other communism
state appeared.
In 1921 the Chinese communist party (CCP) was formed.
The soviet helped a communist army in china to spread communism in china.
The biggest nations of the world communism were USA and USSR
Effects of the cold war
Mistrust suspicion and accusation from both opposing powers created international in
security and disruptions resulting to arms race.
The cold war in some cases developed into real war like in Korea and Vietnam.
Communism collapsed world-wide.
American became the sole super power of the world.
The military blocks NATO and Warsaw pact were formed.
Both the USA and USSR built up huge arsenals of atomic weapons and ballistic missiles.
The berlin wall was demolished and the two German nations were unified.
Difference between capitalism and Communism:
Def.: Communism: is an ideology of economic equality through the elimination of private
property. The beliefs of communism, most famously expressed by Karl Marx.
Def.: Capitalism: is an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of
production and their operation for profit.
Communism Capitalism
System of government is totalitarian System of government is democratic
Property is owned by the state Property is privately owned
No free enterprise is allowed Driven by free enterprise
Wealth distributed equally Wealth distributed unevenly
Education and health care provided by the Education and health care provided by private
state entities
Press controlled and owned by the state Freedom of the press
Classless society: all members of society are Class distinctions: upper class, middle class
considered to be equal and working class
Focus is on the progress of the community as Focus is on the individual and his/her own
a whole progress in life
Exercise:
1. Explain
a. The meaning of the term “cold war”.
b. Explain four causes of the cold war.
2. Explain three events which contributed to the development of the cold war?
3. Trace the spread of the cold war across the world?
4. Demonstrate five steps which facilitated the collapse of the cold war?
5. Discuss five effects of the cold war?
