8.2 - The Cold War

Comparison to the League of Nations:

• United Nations Formation: Despite ideological differences, the Allies were committed to creating a new organization to promote peace and prosperity. They aimed to replace the League of Nations, which had failed for two significant reasons:

  • Lack of Support: The League lacked support from all powerful countries, especially the United States.

  • Ineffectiveness: It lacked mechanisms to act quickly, preventing small conflicts from escalating.

• United Nations Established: In 1945, leaders of the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and China established the United Nations (UN) to address these shortcomings.

Rivalry in Economics and Politics

Ideological Differences:

• Capitalism vs. Communism:

  • Capitalist Economies: In the U.S., Western Europe, and other capitalist countries, economic assets were privately owned, and private interests determined economic decisions.

  • Communist Economies: In the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, economic assets were government-owned, emphasizing equality and fairness.

• Democracy vs. Authoritarianism:

  • Democratic Systems: In the U.S., leaders were elected through free elections, an independent press provided information, and political parties competed for votes.

  • Authoritarian Systems: In the Soviet Union, elections were insignificant, the press was government-operated, and a single party dominated politics.

Criticisms and Similarities:

• Criticisms: The U.S. criticized the Soviet system for restricting freedoms, while the Soviets accused the U.S. of economic inequality and racial discrimination.

• Similarities: Both countries had central control over economic decisions and a powerful military.

Expansion and Containment

Soviet Influence in Eastern Europe:

• Satellite Countries: The USSR directed Bulgaria, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Romania to adopt Soviet-style economic plans and political systems, creating satellite countries dependent on the Soviet Union.

Containment Strategy:

• Kennan's Policy: U.S. diplomat George Kennan advocated containment to prevent the spread of communism.

• Truman Doctrine: In 1947, President Harry Truman pledged U.S. support to stop communist influence, particularly in Greece and Turkey.

• Marshall Plan: Enacted in 1948, it offered $12 billion in aid to rebuild Europe, modernize industry, reduce trade barriers, and rebuild infrastructure. The Soviet Union and Eastern European countries refused to participate.

The Space Race and Arms Race

Space Race:

• Sputnik: In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, starting the Space Race. The U.S. launched its first satellite in 1958.

• Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD): Both countries developed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of delivering nuclear warheads, leading to a state of mutual assured destruction where neither side had an incentive to start a nuclear war.

The Non-Aligned Movement

Non-Aligned Countries:

• Bandung Conference: In 1955, Indonesia hosted the Bandung Conference for African and Asian countries seeking to stay out of the U.S.-Soviet Cold War. The conference condemned colonialism and led to the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961.

• Challenges: Member states faced difficulties balancing support for international institutions with advancing their own interests, and often aligned more closely with one superpower or the other.