Global and National developings resulting from the Cold War Essay Example

divided Berlin, where the city was partitioned into occupation zones following Germany's surrender. West Berlin was under Russian control, while the northwest belonged to Britain, and the southwest to America. At the time, Stalin aimed to seize West Berlin, being the leader of Russia.

West Berlin was situated in an awkward position, completely surrounded by East Germany and isolated as an island of democracy that Stalin sought to eliminate. In 1948, Josef Stalin ordered a blockade on the roads and railways leading to West Berlin, effectively cutting off land transportation to the city. The only means of access was through a 20-mile wide air corridor. Thus, a siege of Berlin commenced. However, America made the decision not to abandon West Berlin and, as part of the Marshall Plan, initiated the Berlin Airlift. Over the course of 320 days, the airlift successfully delivered enough goods to sustain the city's economy in its entirety.

Airplanes were continuously landing every three minutes during the siege, despite Soviet annoyances like balloons and spotlights. The West's efforts to support West Berlin did not end with the Marshall Plan. The supplies provided through the Berlin Airlift were crucial for the 2.5 million citizens of West Berlin. On May 12, 1949, Stalin retreated and West Berlin remained allied with the West until the unification of 1989. The formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949 further deepened divisions, with the Warsaw Pact serving as the Soviet counterpart.

The NATO treaty aimed to strengthen Western allies and divide Eastern nations, similar to the alliance system that caused devastation in Europe during World War One. On the other hand, the Warsaw Pact was of lesser

importance since its member countries were already considered puppets of Russia, and their alliance was presumed. The second conflict emerged in Korea, where Mao Tzedong, China's Communist leader since 1949, sought to expand Communist influence southwards. While Mao persistently urged Stalin for support during the Berlin Airlift, Stalin was reluctant to provoke an armed conflict in Berlin.

In 1950, the siege of Berlin concluded and Stalin approved China's decision to relocate to the south. Communist North Korea received assistance from China and Russia in their assault on South Korea. The United States promptly reacted to the threat posed against a democratic South Korea. Ultimately, the war ended without a clear triumph as North Korea eventually withdrew from the southern state and the US returned home. The veterans of the Korean war did not receive much recognition for their endeavors, and numerous individuals experienced psychological traumas linked to combat. The war primarily aimed to contain the spread of communism.

The American government was hesitant to invade a Communist country because they were concerned about possible retaliation from the Soviets or Chinese. At the same time, the American people were disappointed that America did not actively pursue the goal of eliminating Communism. The nation had hoped to achieve victory over Communism during the Korean war, but this objective was not achieved. In 1955, Nikita Khrushchev became leader of the Soviet Union and introduced a policy known as liberalization or "de-Stalinization." This policy aimed to bring significant changes to the Communist Party by replacing older high-ranking members with newer Communists.

Relaxation of controls over workers in the U. S. S. R led to an economic improvement and Khrushchev's advocacy for peaceful

co-existence with capitalist nations temporarily eased tensions during the cold war, resulting in Austria gaining true independence in 1955 and Hungary successfully revolting against Russian occupation in 1956, holding a free election for a new government.

However, Khrushchev's determination to maintain control over Berlin led to the construction of a large wall in 1961 that divided the city into eastern and western halves. This heavily guarded wall with barbed wire and machine guns created a fortified no-man's land.

East Berlin became a prison with mines on the ground and automatic machine gun turrets near the wall to prevent any movement. This led to several well-known escape attempts from the East, but Berlin remained divided until 1989 when reunification occurred.

In 1954, the CIA formed a task force of 450 men to invade Guatemala and overthrow its Communist Party. The operation succeeded in completely dismantling the Party, which made both the CIA and the United States aware that they had the capability to forcefully eradicate Communism in their neighboring regions.

In 1960, President Eisenhower approved a plan to train Cuban-born Americans and send them undercover into Castro's regime in order to overthrow the government. He also authorized a large-scale invasion force, which was delayed until bases in Guatemala were prepared. As a result, the plan progressed to the next spring. In January 1961, John F. Kennedy became president and promised to address the Communist threat in Cuba. Consequently, he decided not to abandon the invasion plan.

At 2:00 AM on April 17th, 1961, the secret invasion of Cuba commenced with American forces led by Dulles' CIA. The group consisted of 1500 men. Yet, Castro promptly retaliated with a powerful

resistance, compelling the American troops to retreat in defeat. Merely two days after the unsuccessful invasion, The New York Times began covering the Cuban operation. This lack of secrecy raised suspicions that both Cuba and the Soviets were already cognizant of the forthcoming invasion.

Dulles had to take responsibility and resign from his position as head of the CIA in November 1961 due to the fiasco. Despite subsequent smaller attempts by the CIA to remove his power, Fidel Castro remains in power up to the time this web page is published. It is believed that the world narrowly avoided a nuclear war. In 1962, Cuba regained attention when JFK found out on October 16 that offensive nuclear missile sites were being established by Khrushchev in Cuba. These missiles had the capability to destroy targets in America with minimal warning.

A naval blockade was established around Cuba, informing the Soviets that all Soviet ships heading towards Cuba would be prohibited until the missile sites were dismantled. Thus, Khrushchev was given the responsibility of making a choice: to either back down or challenge Kennedy's determination by breaking through the blockade. In order to avoid the risk of nuclear attack, the Soviets instructed their ships to retreat. However, due to a breakdown in communication, the Russian vessels proceeded with their previous orders to attack any aggressors. Luckily, the Soviet boats managed to pass between the American blockade ships without being detected.

The crisis in Cuba was resolved when the missile silos were removed. Surprisingly, JFK agreed to Khrushchev's demand of removing U.S. missiles in Turkey and Greece, though this agreement was kept secret. Essentially, both Russia and the U.S. eliminated their

missile placements near each other's territories. However, for a brief period of time, the outcome of Khrushchev's actions remained uncertain. Additionally, the Truman Doctrine stated that the United States had dominance in the Western hemisphere and would not tolerate communism beyond Europe. Consequently, the Soviets were left to compete for control over the Eastern half of the world.

In 1968, Leonid Brezhnev issued a declaration called the Brezhnev Doctrine, which was similar to Truman's. The doctrine stated that no Communist state in the Eastern Bloc could ever undergo change. This policy was put to the test in Prague, Czechoslovakia when an attempt for democratic shift occurred. To show his dedication to the Doctrine, Brezhnev sent a significant number of Soviet tanks to suppress the government. Tragically, riots broke out and the Soviets were instructed to use live ammunition. As a result, over one thousand residents were killed and tens of thousands were arrested, including communist supporters who advocated certain reforms.

The majority of the victims were college students who had faith in democracy. The Brezhnev Doctrine, the Soviet counterpart to the Truman Doctrine, was more brutal in various aspects. Brezhnev endorsed a policy of re-Stalinization and announced that Stalin's concepts would be reintroduced, once again subjecting the people of Russia and the Eastern Bloc to government control. As a consequence, tensions flared up again in the Cold War and the advancements made in the late 1950s were wiped out.

The invasion of South Vietnam by North Vietnam was a relatively minor conflict in south Asia. The United States got involved because of its commitment to containing Communism. This conflict became the longest in American history and had great

political significance for many American politicians. It was a war that the country couldn't abandon but also didn't want to actively pursue. These conflicting interests led to the war being considered a failure, as Communist forces ultimately conquered South Vietnam, exposing the lack of wholeheartedness in the containment policy.

The Vietnam War showcased the United States' growing uncertainty regarding its identity and foreign policies. It appeared that America no longer desired to engage in global affairs, but instead concentrated on enhancing its domestic situation. This isolationist mindset resulted in a heightened focus on self-improvement rather than containing Communism. In the midst of the Cold War, both countries prioritized an arms race by heavily investing in costly and extensive military efforts. Consequently, a new mentality emerged known as Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), which posited that both nations possessed the capability to entirely annihilate each other if provoked or attacked.

The concept of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) is rooted in three principles: the possession of sufficient weapons by both countries to annihilate each other, the ability to detect an impending first strike, and the capability to retaliate effectively prior to being attacked. The emergence and improvement of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) technology, facilitated by the Space Race, greatly influenced the inception of MAD. The aim was to reduce response time for nuclear defense systems, with the most successful approach involving positioning missiles as near as feasible to enemy territory.

The United States deployed nuclear missiles in Turkey and the Soviets attempted to station missiles in Cuba. Despite being temporary, these locations offered a strategic advantage by reducing response time. The invention of the SLBM (submarine launched ballistic missile) presented an

alternative option. This weapon could launch a nuclear missile from an unseen position near the enemy's coast, reaching its destination within minutes and potentially preventing any retaliatory action. The presence of SLBMs posed a substantial danger as they provided the opportunity for attaining a nuclear triumph.

To tackle the problem of response time, two approaches were implemented. Initially, spy planes were utilized to fly over Russia and gather images of missile sites. However, this method faced a setback during World War Two when an American U-2 spy plane was shot down while taking photographs in the Soviet Union. The pilot was captured and the plane was disassembled to aid Soviet technology advancement. To overcome this issue, the U-2 was eventually replaced by the SR-71 in the late 1960s. The SR-71 was an advanced spy plane capable of flying at higher altitudes and faster speeds than any missile.

Officially, the plane's purpose was to fly near Russia's borders at a high altitude and capture images within the country using powerful photography equipment. Meanwhile, Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, orbited the Earth and emitted a continuous beeping sound that was audible on radios globally. However, unbeknownst to listeners, Sputnik also acted as a spy satellite. The advancements in technology made spy planes obsolete as satellite equipment could even decipher license plate numbers on cars. Undoubtedly, these technological advancements were remarkable.

In the end, the technology evolved into a positive force as it made its way to the scientific community. Nowadays, NASA utilizes the retired SR-71 spy plane for research in the upper atmosphere. The idea of deterrence, also known as MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction), proved to be effective. Despite the

Cold War coming dangerously close to escalating into actual warfare, it never reached that point because it was not feasible. No issue was worth any country sacrificing itself for. The danger lay not in the deployment of nuclear missiles, but in their mishandling or disposal. The true concern surrounding nuclear weapons was the potential for accidental launch or their utilization in times of confusion.

During this time, there were significant advancements in conventional warfare. The development of fast-attack submarines enabled the search and destruction of large nuclear missile subs that concealed themselves in the ocean. Combatant planes were constructed and refined to counter enemy bombers. Efforts were made to build and test anti-missile systems like the Star Wars laser concept to minimize the number of missiles reaching Ground Zero. The military received a substantial budget to enhance preparedness for combating the enemy.

During the Vietnam War, conventional weapons were created to address situations where nuclear warfare was not suitable or for anti-nuclear objectives, like the development of fast-attack submarines. The militarization of both countries stemmed from their shared fear, as there was a constant apprehension of a sudden attack. There were even individuals who advocated for the implementation of surprise attacks. Bomb shelters were constructed in basements, and schools conducted drills to prepare for emergencies. The persistent fear of an enemy's presence was a draining experience for people. They defined themselves by their nationalities and drew clear distinctions between themselves and the perceived enemies.

Nationalism, a concept that inflamed both World War One and World War Two, formed the foundation of identity. Being identified through nationalism served as a treacherous method and fuelled militarization. Protecting the nation from

any attacks was of utmost importance for patriotic Americans. To accomplish this, the government utilized all existing technological resources. Consequently, this period was fraught with danger. The Cold War persisted beyond foreign policy and infiltrated the souls of both America and the Soviet Union. In America, there was a widespread fear of subversion, espionage, and individuals sympathetic to Communism.

The United States is a country that experienced a period of distrust, which Senator Joseph McCarthy from Wisconsin embodied and took advantage of. The nation went through a series of Communist "witch hunts" that resulted in baseless accusations against innocent individuals in various industries. The House Committee for Un-American Activities was assigned the task of investigating citizens suspected of being subversive within the country. Many famous figures underwent televised trials that convinced the public that internal sedition was a genuine issue in America. Despite often violating the Bill of Rights, these attacks persisted unchallenged due to a prevailing fear of Communism.

Alger Hiss fell victim to McCarthy's Committee when he was working for the State Department in 1938. Whittaker Chambers, a Communist Party member and editor for Time Magazine, accused Hiss of sympathizing with Communism. According to Chambers, Hiss provided him with documents from the State Department to be delivered to Russia. Chambers presented numerous pieces of evidence, including secret documents stored in a pumpkin at his farm, which he showed to Senator Richard Nixon. Hiss faced perjury charges for denying any knowledge of Chambers.

After being convicted, he served 44 months out of a 5-year prison sentence. He claimed that all the evidence presented by Chambers had been falsified, leading McCarthy to strongly criticize the State Department.

However, none of his accusations against the Department were proven true. The allegations centered around Julius and Ethel Rosenberg supposedly revealing information about the atomic bomb to the Russians. Julius allegedly obtained this information from his brother-in-law, David Greenglass, who was involved in the Manhattan Project. As a member of the Communist Party, Julius was executed for espionage along with his wife on June 19, 1953.

Following a 15-year prison sentence, Greenglass's case sparked global protests as many believed the punishment was unjust and that the Rosenbergs had been unfairly convicted. However, it is important to note that Senator Joseph McCarthy's accusations were sometimes valid. Among these accusations was German-born physicist Klaus Fuchs, who worked on the Manhattan Project. Fuchs eventually fled to Great Britain where he disclosed atomic bomb information to the Russians. As a result, Fuchs served time in prison before escaping to East Germany, where he remained until 1988 - just one year before the Berlin Wall fell.

In 1950, the McCarren Act was signed, mandating that organizations linked to Communism must register with the US attorney general. It also denied US passports to individuals associated with these organizations and barred them from government or defense contractor positions. They were also at risk of potential detention. In emergency situations, the act allowed for the creation of detention camps similar to Nazi concentration camps to confine Communist sympathizers. Even though Eisenhower vetoed it as a violation of the Bill of Rights, Congress overruled his veto and passed the bill.

Following the decline of McCarthyism in the 1970s, the bill was ignored and taken apart. Under Eisenhower's presidency, McCarthy achieved substantial influence and public recognition by heading

both the Government Operations Committee and its subcommittee for permanent investigations. As a result, McCarthyism gained an overwhelming amount of power that permeated American society. Consequently, individuals started accusing their neighbors of being Communists and many were asked the widely known question "are you, or have you ever been, a member of the Communist Party?" Several people refused to endorse unconstitutional measures and were subsequently blacklisted.

McCarthy's accusations against individuals and administrations may have contradicted the principles of the Bill of Rights, which is somewhat ironic. Additionally, there is a possibility that McCarthy himself had elements of fascism and was not a true American. One specific target of McCarthy was General George Marshall, known for his humanitarian efforts in Europe through the Marshall Plan. McCarthy's continuous accusations against Roosevelt, Truman, and Eisenhower administrations raised suspicions about his motives. In 1954, McCarthy shifted his focus towards the army and during the Army-McCarthy hearings failed to provide substantial evidence of Communist influence within the armed forces.

After McCarthy's credibility plummeted due to his discovery as an alcoholic, McCarthyism rapidly declined. The nation realized it had been deceived by McCarthy and his House Committee for Un-American Activities. While the fear of Communism persisted until the end of the Cold War, the hunt for subversive individuals was confined to reasonable suspects. Besides foreign policies, the rivalry with Russia also encompassed missile technology, which captivated scientists in both countries as they embarked on space exploration.