The Cold War | By Dr. Mahipal Singh Rathore

What was the cold war?

The Cold War was a state of geopolitical tension after the second World War between powers in the Eastern Bloc (the Soviet Union and its satellite states) and Western Bloc (the United States, its NATO allies.

When was the cold war ‘fought’?

From 1947 to 1989/1991 *no fixed beginning and end, it was an ‘era’.

Why was it COLD?

No direct combat or fight betweenthe USSR + allies and USA + allies Lots of proxy wars though Korea, Vietnam ,Afghanistan

Characteristics of the cold war

Ideological differences
Atmosphere of Political distrust
Arms Race – High military spending
Espionage
Psychological warfare
Brinkmanship
NUCLEAR CAPABILITY to destroy the entire earth many times over!

The beginnings of Cold war

1917- Russian revolution
The ‘whites ‘ in Russian civil war were supported by USA France and UK
1922 – USSR established
1933-Diplomatic relations between USA and USSR Both were allies against Axis powers in WW2 After 1945 USSR tried to exert communist influence throughout central and eastern Europe as a buffer against Germany – various communist govts were propped up USA tried to exert its influence in war torn France, West Germany , Japan and Korea and tried to set up capitalism supporting leaders.

‘’An Iron Curtain has descended over the continent’’ – Winston Churchill
USA’s Policies to combat USSR’s growing influence ‘’Containment policy’’ Marshall Plan for reconstruction Truman doctrine,1947 – to support other nations against communism USA propped up many anti communist regimes throughout the world

The Berlin Blockade,1948

USSR wanted control over entire Berlin Stalin stopped the supply route to west Berlin USA UK air dropped supplies to break the blockade Germany officially split into two countries in 1949

1949

Formation of NATO
China fell under communist power [PRC vs RoC]
USSR detonated its first nuclear weapon
Many communist govts came up in east and central Europe
The contours are clear
By 1950,it had become clear that the two sides were at war without open conflict. Ideological war – capitalism/consumerism/democracy vs. Communism/socialism/totalitarianism

The Nuclear Angle

First time in human history, a weapon so potent.
‘’DETERRANT’’ – ‘cold’ war didn’t turn ‘hot’.
Annihilation – extinction of human race.
Ballistic missiles that could carry nuclear bombs over thousands of kilometres.
Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)
Korean war 1950-53

USSR and PRC backed North Korea attacked South Korea. USA and allies came to the aid of south and a stalemate ensued
1950s- Escalation
1953- Stalin died. Nikita Khrushchev – USSR Eisenhower – USA 1955 – WARSAW pact signed SPACE RACE begins USSR backed groups try to overthrow colonial govts in Asia, Latin America and Africa USA backed many undemocratic govts and dictators to stop this. (Iran,Guatemala,Dominica,Chile,Brazil etc) 1956 – Hungarian revolution crushed by soviets 1956 – Suez crisis 1950s- War in Indochina raged on

The Non-Aligned countries

1960s

1960 -U2 plane incident
1960 – Paris summit – failed
1961 – Berlin wall construction begins
1962- Cuban missile crisis

Cuban Missile crisis

1962 Cuba underwent a revolution in 1959 bringing communist Fidel Castro to power USSR positioned ballistic nuclear missiles there in 1962 threatening the entire continental USA High moments of tension as world watched with bated breath. Nuclear war averted in the knick of time. 1962- Sino Soviet split due to ideological§ differences 1968 – Prague spring (reforms) crushed by§ USSR The Vietnam war carried on at a brutal§ scale . Finally the USSR backed north Vietnam§ won in 1975 1970s
: De-escalation
USA China relations – In 1972 Nixon visited§ China Détente between USA and USSR§ Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) 1973 o Reducing nuclear missiles o Reducing anti ballistic missiles 1979 – USSR send troops to Afghanistan to help the newly formed Communist govt USA supported Mujaheedin against USSR End of détente(co-operation)

1980s
1980 Moscow & 1984 Los Angeles Olympics boycotts. Ronald Reagan increased military spending immensely while USSR could not keep up due to its failing economy Strategic Defence Initiative Plan by USA to equip satellites with nuclear missiles (STAR WARS) 1983- Large NATO military exercise again brought the world on the brink of nuclear annihilation 1983- South Korean civilian plane shot down by USSR 1985 – Mikhail Gorbachev becomes Gen. Sec. of Communist party of USSR

The end of Cold war

Main reason- reforms brought by Gorbachev and economy.
The communist economy simply could not keep up with the high growth rates of capitalist ones.
Why did Gorbachev bring in reforms ??
The Iron Curtain is raised
All over Europe (the satellite states), reforms led to demand of independence and change in communist govt. 1989- Peaceful revolutions in most countries (except Romania) No military suppression by Soviet union. 1989- Berlin wall fell 1990- East and West Germany united again 1985 TO 1991 – In response to Gorbachev’s reforms, USA started talks for de escalation, limiting nuclear weapons and removal of army from Afghanistan Dec.1991- USSR is dissolved and all 15 sub national soviets form their sovereign countries.

Aftermath

Unipolar world- USA the only Superpower
Russian economy suffered badly(severe recession).
Conflicts in Balkan states- Yugoslavia.
The threat of nuclear war still present (though very much less than the cold war period)