Cold War essay
The term Cold War refers to a state of great unfriendliness prevailing between countries, particularly countries that subscribe to divergent political systems, which does not necessarily express itself through fighting rather through political threats and pressures. The term is normally used to refer to the relationship between the Soviet Union and the US after World War II (WWII). According to CVCE (3), the US and the Soviet Union gradually created their own spheres of influence and divided the world into two opposite camps. Therefore, the Cold War was not solely a struggle between the Soviet Union and the US rather a global conflict that impacted many countries, especially in the European continent, which became one of the key theatres of the struggle. Europe was divided into two opposing blocks and the countries in Western Europe aligned with the US, while Eastern European countries became satellites of the Soviet Union (CVCE, 3).
Although the two main opposing powers never went to war directly, they engaged in lengthy ideological and strategic conflicts with occasional crises that varied in intensity. The two powers also drove the world to the edge of nuclear was on various occasions. Additionally, the two powers were involved in some proxy wars that involved actual fighting in some countries. For instance, from 1947, the Cold War caused localised conflicts opposing camps devoid of triggering actual war between the Soviet Union and the US. During Greece’s civil war in 1946, the US intervened and actively supported the anti-Communist Forces. The US also provided aid to the Nationalist Chang Kai-Shek in China with the aim of stopping the advancing Communists that were being supported by the Soviet Union. In the 1950s, the war moved to South-East Asia when Communist troops from North Korea invaded the south (CVCE, 12).
The US had several complaints against the Soviet Union. The first concern was the growing influence of the Soviet Union in global or international politics. The other concern was related to ideological differences, and the third concern was the increasing influence of Socialism or Communism. Additionally, the US was concerned about the Soviet’s refusal to withdraw its troops from Northern Iran. The US was also concerned about Soviet pressure on Greece, Turkey, Germany, as well as the violation of the Postdam Agreement and the Yalta Agreement. There were also differences over peace treaties, the control of Berlin, and the increasing use of veto power by the Soviets in the Security Council.
On the other hand, the Soviet Union had grievances against the Western powers with regard to the move by the Western powers to contain the Soviets’ role at the international level. Secondly, the Soviets were apprehensive about delays in opening a second front in Germany and support to Fascist Italy by the Western powers. Additionally, the soviets were not happy with the propaganda that was being fuelled by Western powers against the Soviet Union. The Soviets were also uneasy with the Truman Doctrine and its consequences or impacts.
In a sense, it is safe to argue that this was not an irrepressible conflict, but a case of misapprehensions, over-reactions, and exaggerated responses by both opposing powers. Moreover, it is prudent to suggest that the Cold War was also a case of mutual mistrust, mutual antagonism, ideological incompatibility, and economic interests. Lastly, the Cold War was also a case of differences among the opposing forces with regard to the distribution or sharing the spoils of war. Hard geo-political interests had a role to play in fostering the rivalries, tensions and open conflicts that prevailed. For instance, the US was worried about the expanding territory of the Soviet Union in Europe along with the growing influence of communism. On the other hand, soft ideological forces had a role to play in fostering the tensions and rivalries. For instance, the Soviets were concerned about the Truman Doctrine and its impact, while the US was concerned about the growing influence of Communism and Socialism across various parts of the world.