The Cold War Addie Molisee

What is a Cold War? What Countries were Involved? The term “cold war” was first used in 1947 by Bernard Baruch, senior advisor to Harry Truman. Called a cold war because the United States and Soviet Russia, the main enemies, were too fearful of nuclear retaliation to attack directly. Attacked indirectly, becoming involved in each other's conflicts around the world and used words as weapons.

Causes of the Cold War There is said to be two possible reasons for the Cold War: The first being that it was caused over the disagreement of distributing land in Europe to the Allied countries after WWII. The second that the Cold War was a fight between democracy and Communism; in which case, it started in 1917 after the Russian Revolution. In fact, the U.S.A. was involved in an effort to pacify the revolutionary regime, creating hostility even before WWII.

Major Conflicts of the Cold War Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam, and the Berlin Wall

Cuban Missile Crisis The U.S. attempts to overthrow Fidel Castro and his communist regime and fails. Nikita Khrushchev, leader of Russia, uses this to convince Castro to allow him to place Russian missiles in Cuba. U.S.A. finds the missiles, leading to a period of intensity and nuclear threats. Although the Cuban Missile Crisis only lasted a week, it was one of the most serious confrontations of the war and resulted in a trade embargo and diplomatic isolation between the U.S. and Cuba that is still active today.

Vietnam In 1954 Ho Chi Minh and his communist Viet Minh gained control of North Korea. The South was anti-communist and led by Ngo Dinh Diem. China and the Soviet Union provide assistance to North Korea, and the U.S. allies with South Korea. U.S. is used as support for S. Korea as it feared escalating conflict would lead to military involvement from N. Korea’s allies. Vietnam War has profound impact on American culture due to strong disapproval for the war.

Berlin Wall After World War II, East and West Germany was divided by the allies, the eastside falling under control of the Soviet Union. Dissatisfied by the socialist government, East Germans begin fleeing into western Berlin. In response, the government of East Germany, backed with Soviet tanks and weapons, sets up a wall, a Todesstreifen (death strip), dividing east and west Berlin. Wall did not come down until November 9, 1989.

Cultural Impact of the Cold War The Cold War created a feeling of intense fear of communism, the red scare, that resonated in American culture: – Intense feelings of nationalism and anti-communism in Americans – Hollywood actors suspected of being sympathetic to communists were blacklisted and unable to work in the entertainment business. – Installation of preventative measures in case of a nuclear attack, including secret nuclear testing and school drills. – Feelings of distrust in Americans and American politicians when dealing with those whom associate with communists.

Sources 1. old_war.htm 2. relations/p11113#p2http:// relations/p11113#p2 3. the_Cold_War