Cold War (Coursework Sample)

COLD WAR
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Cold War
The Cold War era began after the end of WWII. United States viewed the growing influence of Soviet Union as a threat to its national security. The Cold War occurred due to the difference in ideologies of America, its allies and the Soviet Union. This led to hostile situations such as Cuban missile crisis, and ground combats in Vietnam and Korea in 1950s and 1980s. The global political order became bipolar with America as leader of the Capitalist Western World and USSR as the champion of Communist Regimes. The conflict between these Super Powers led to a series of aggressive situations in the decades that succeeded the commencement of Cold War.
The Presidential Administrations from Truman to Nixon handled the Cold War crises in different ways. Truman and Eisenhower were in favor of the policy of containment of Communism, Kennedy supported their agenda. According to this policy, United States and its allies used all means necessary to stop the spread of Communism in all parts of the world. This involved competition with them in terms of technological warfare as well as acquisition of support in geo-strategic locations.
The American foreign policy stemmed out of the deep rooted fear of spread of Communism. Accordingly, the Cold War with USSR remained a major determinant of the foreign policy during the latter half of 20th century. The primary doctrine sought to grant freedom to people living under dictatorships and Communist Regimes. Polarization of Europe into heavily guarded Eastern and Western Europe, formation of NATO, establishment of military basis around the world and nuclear armament are important consequences of the American foreign policy in the Cold War period.
The Cold War tactics impacted the American society greatly. The fear that Communist USSR will take over United States ran rampant among the masses. There was fear of Communism, and breakout of a nuclear war between US and USSR. It resulted in mass attitude of protection from possible nuclear strikes, drills, bomb shelters and so on. To sum up, the American society became frenzied with the idea of a nuclear apocalypse.
References
Isbouts, J., & Johnson, B. D. (Writers), & Johnson, B. D. (Director). (1999). Super Powers Collide&n...