Cold war

INTRODUCTION

 The Cold War was a period (1945-1991) of geopolitical tension between the Soviet
Union and its satellite states (the Eastern European countries), and the United
States with its allies (the Western European countries) after World War II.
 Post World War II, the world got divided into two power blocs dominated by two
superpowers viz. the Soviet Union and the US.
The two superpowers were primarily engaged in an ideological war between the capitalist
USA and the communist Soviet Union.
The term "Cold" is used because there was no large-scale fighting directly between the
two sides.
Cold War
Basically cold war means the war of nerves. It means not directly collision or war. ‘No War, No
Peace' situation.

Defining Cold War

Cold war was the psychological (democratic Vs. Communist) and ideological (Capitalist vs.
Socialist) conflict since the end of the Second World War between the great powers USA and
USSR. In fact, Cold War is a Verbal War which is fought through newspaper, magazines, radio
and other propaganda methods

Origin of Cold War

There is no unanimity amongst scholars regarding the origin of the Cold War. In 1941 when
Hitler invaded Russia, Roosevelt the President of USA sent armaments to Russia. It is only
because the relationship between Roosevelt and Stalin was very good. But after the defeat of
Germany, when Stalin wanted to implement Communist ideology in Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria
and Rumania, at that time England and America suspected Stalin.
Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of England in his ‘Fulton Speech’ on 5 March 1946 said
that Soviet Russia was covered by an Iron Curtain. It led Stalin to think deeply. As a result of
which suspicion became wider between Soviet Russia and western countries and thus the Cold
War took birth.

Causes of the Cold War

Various causes are responsible for the outbreak of the Cold War. At first, the difference between
Soviet Russia and USA led to the Cold War. The United States of America could not tolerate the
Communist ideology of Soviet Russia. On the other hand, Russia could not accept the
dominance of United States of America upon the other European Countries.
Secondly, the Race of Armament between the two super powers served another cause for the
Cold War. After the Second World War, Soviet Russia had increased its military strength which
was a threat to the Western Countries. So America started to manufacture the Atom bomb,
Hydrogen bomb and other deadly weapons. The other European Countries also participated in
this race. So, the whole world was divided into two power blocs and paved the way for the Cold
War.
Thirdly, the Ideological Difference was another cause for the Cold War. When Soviet Russia
spread Communism, at that time America propagated Capitalism. This propaganda ultimately
accelerated the Cold War.
Fourthly, Russian Declaration made another cause for the Cold War. Soviet Russia highlighted
Communism in mass-media and encouraged the labour revolution. On the other hand, America
helped the Capitalists against the Communism. So it helped to the growth of Cold War.
Fifthly, the Nuclear Programme of America was responsible for another cause for the Cold
War. After the bombardment of America on Hiroshima and Nagasaki Soviet Russia got afraid for
her existence. So, it also followed the same path to combat America. This led to the growth of
Cold War.
Lastly, the Enforcement of Veto by Soviet Russia against the western countries made them to
hate Russia. When the western countries put forth any view in the Security Council of the UNO,
Soviet Russia immediately opposed it through veto. So western countries became annoyed in
Soviet Russia which gave birth to the Cold War.

Different Stages of Cold War:

The Cold War did not occur in a day. It passed through several phases.
First Phase (1946-1949):
In this phase America and Soviet Union disbelieved each other. America always tried to control
the Red Regime in Russia. Without any hesitation Soviet Russia established Communism by
destroying democracy in the Poland, Bulgaria, Rumania, Hungary, Yugoslavia and other
Eastern European Countries
Second Phase (1949-1953):ANZUS (1951):
In this phase a treaty was organized between Australia, New Zeeland and America in
September1951. Korean War: At this time North Korea declared war against South Korea. North
Korea was USSR dominated and South Korea was USA dominated. Then with the help of UNO,
America sent military aid to South Korea. However, both North Korea and South Korea signed
peace treaty in 1953 and ended the war
Third Phase (1953-1957): USA formed SEATO in 1954 in order to reduce Russia's influence
In 1955 America formed MEDO in Middle East . In 1953 Stalin died and Khrushchev
became the President of Russia. In 1956 an agreement was signed between America and
Russia regarding the Suez Crisis. America agreed not to help her allies.
Fourth phase (1957-1962):Berlin Wall:
In 1959 the Russian President Khrushchev went on a historical tour to America. Both countries
were annoyed for U-2 accident and for Berlin Crisis. In 13 August 1961, Soviet Russia made a
Berlin Wall of 25 Kilometers in order to check the immigration from Eastern Berlin to Western
Berlin. In 1962, Cuba's Missile Crisis contributed a lot to the cold war. This incident created an
atmosphere of conversation between American President Kennedy and Russian President
Khrushchev. America assured Russia that she would not attack Cuba and Russia also withdraw
missile station from Cuba.
Fifth Phase (1962-1969) The fifth phase which began from 1962 also marked a mutual suspicion
between USA and USSR. There was a worldwide concern demanding ban on nuclear
weapons. In this period Hot Line was established between the White House and Kremlin. This
compelled both the parties to refrain from nuclear war. Inspire of that the Vietnam problem and
the problem in Germany kept Cold war between USA and USSR in fact.
Last Phase (1979-1991): New Cold War: In this phase certain changes were noticed in
the Cold War. That is why call this phase as New Cold War. In 1979, the American President
Carter and Russian President Brezhnev signed SALT2. But in 1979 the prospects of mitigating
Cold War were marred by sudden development in Afghanistan. Vietnam (1975), Angola (1976),
Ethiopia (1972) and Afghanistan (1979) issues bought success to Russia which was unbearable
for America. In 1980 America boycotted the Olympic held at Moscow. In 1984, Russia boycotted
the Olympic game held at Los-Angeles. At that time many East European Countries declared
themselves as democratic and in 1991 USSR was dissolved and WARSAW PACT also
disrupted.
Conclusion:
At last we can say that the situation of Cold War was not started within a day. It was the result of
many years of conflict and the result of Cold War had far-reaching implications in the
international affairs.