Notes by M
 

COLD WAR(1945-1990)
(ORIGIN, CAUSES AND IMPACTS)

INTRODUCTION:
• The new international system emerged after the painful event of World War-II that was characterized by the domination of two super powers; the US and the USSR and the rise of the newly independent states as a result of rapid decolonization
• Two super powers divided the world into two blocs, East consisted of the communist nations in general especially the Soviet Union and its political and military allies in Eastern Europe, West comprised of non-communist nations led by the US
• Each had its ideological mission, i.e. capitalist democracy versus communism
• The Soviet Union claimed that its Government is democratic in real sense of the word and opposed the USA
• The United States on the other hand held that Soviet Union wishes to spread communism all over the world
• The very formation of two rival blocs has given rise to tensions and this tension was named as cold war
• Europe was divided with the massive military forces of the US and its NATO allies on one side and massive forces of the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies on the other
• Through the policy of Containment the USA sought to halt the expansion of Soviet influence globally on several levels at once like military, economic, ideological and political
• All of US foreign policy in subsequent decades from foreign aid to military intervention and diplomacy came to serve the goal of containment