Cold War

What is it?

• The Cold War was a period of intense geopolitical tension between the United States and its allies, representing capitalist democracies, and the Soviet Union and its allies, representing communist states,

Features

• The Cold War involved a series of proxy wars, arms races, political maneuvering, espionage, and propaganda efforts. 
• It was characterized by ideological conflict, military rivalry, and competition for influence worldwide.

Origins of the Cold War

1. Ideological Rivalry 
   • After World War II the Soviet Union and the United States emerged as the world’s two dominant superpowers, each with differing ideologies:
     • The U.S. favored capitalism and democracy.
     • The USSR promoted communism and totalitarian governance.
2. Division of Germany
   • The U.S. and its European allies controlled the Western portion, and the Soviet Union controlled the East.

Timeline of Cold War

• 1945 – End of World War II; U.S. and USSR emerge as superpowers.
• 1947 – Truman Doctrine: U.S. vows to contain communism.
• 1948-1949 – Berlin Blockade & Airlift: First major Cold War crisis.
• 1949 – NATO formed; USSR tests its first atomic bomb.
• 1950-1953 – Korean War: First major proxy war.
• 1955 – Warsaw Pact: USSR’s military alliance to counter NATO.
• 1957 – Space Race begins; USSR launches Sputnik.
• 1961 – Berlin Wall built, physically dividing East and West Berlin.
• 1962 – Cuban Missile Crisis: Closest moment to nuclear war.
• 1965-1973 – Vietnam War: U.S. fights communism in Southeast Asia.
• 1969 – U.S. lands on the Moon (Apollo 11).
• 1972 – SALT I Treaty: First major arms limitation agreement.
• 1979-1989 – Soviet-Afghan War: USSR’s costly conflict.
• 1983 – U.S. proposes “Star Wars” missile defense system.
• 1989 – Fall of the Berlin Wall, symbolizing communism’s decline.
• 1991 – Soviet Union collapses; Cold War officially ends.

Impact of the Cold War

• Global Polarization: The world was largely divided into two blocs, the Eastern Bloc (led by the USSR) and the Western Bloc (led by the U.S.), influencing international diplomacy, alliances, and conflicts.
• Proxy Wars: The Cold War was characterized by numerous proxy wars, where the superpowers backed different sides in regional conflicts to avoid direct confrontation.
• Creation of Military Alliances: NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was established by the U.S. and Western European nations, while the Warsaw Pact formed as a counter-alliance by the Soviet Union and its allies.
• Economic and Military Aid: The U.S. implemented the Marshall Plan to aid Western European reconstruction, while the Sov