Economics of the Cold War - 3530 Words

The decade preceding World War II is most notably remembered for the Great Depression, a world wide economic period of decline on a scale never before seen. Obviously it affected every country differently and as a result the international political system was multi-polar and divided among two groups, the Axis and the Allies. The destruction of World War II left only two countries economically viable enough to be considered a world power, the United States and the Soviet Union. This unprecedented bi-polar international system would lead to a four decade long period of political unrest, which would come to be known as the Cold War. When most people hear Cold War, they think of the arms or space race, proxy wars, and powerful political†¦show more content†¦By the end of the war the Soviet Union had liberated and occupied a large portion of Eastern Europe. The Soviet Union annexed these countries, on the grounds that they were the land given to them by Germany in a secret pre-war agreement, laying the foundation for what would become known as the Eastern Bloc. This spread of Soviet influence was made even more alarming by their lack of cooperation at the post war peace conferences. Stalin followed the conferences up by using his influence in these newly acquired Eastern Bloc countries, to establish pro-Soviet regimes and communist economies. With the spread of communist influence into Europe growing the West was quick to respond. In his famous â€Å"Sinews of Peace† speech in 1946, Winston Churchill claimed that Stalin had built an â€Å"iron curtain† through Europe and the countries that were behind it were now in the communist sphere of influence. It had a tremendous impact, in the U.S. and Western Europe, on the public opinion of the Soviet Union. Many Russian historians point to the speech as the beginning of the Cold War (Winston Churchill). With the battle lines drawn, the Cold War was upon us. In 1947, upon hearing that Gr eat Britain could no longer afford to aid Greece in its civil war against communist influence, President Truman delivered his Truman doctrine to congress. Fearing that if Greece fell Turkey would not be far behind Truman, â€Å"asked the Congress to provide authorityShow MoreRelatedThe Cold War and the Economic Decline of the USSR1491 Words   |  6 PagesApart from the two great wars, the Cold War was the most remarkable feature of twentieth century, a period of extreme hostility without actual war. By the end of the Great War, Soviet Union emerged as a powerful revolutionary state that gradually evolved into an empire over the course of following decades. It served as an ideological model for one third of the world and was considered as a secure and stable society by the rest. During this period the world was divided into two distinct blocs, theRead MoreCold War Influences on American Culture, Politics, and Economics2221 Words   |  9 PagesFollowing World War II, Europe was in ruins. Between bomb damage, economic downturn, and natural disasters such as droughts and blizzards it seemed nearly impossible to restore Europe to its prior greatness. America facilitated the recovery of Europe with military and financial aid and helped prevent the spread of communism. This aid crushed the Soviet dream of a communist Europe and started the Cold War. Over the next 45 years, the United States and the Soviet Union would resemble two angry womenRead MoreCold War Politics: Shaped By The Global Economic Crises of the USA and USSR 1563 Words   |  7 PagesSecond World War also known as Cold War. The Cold War began in 1945, leaving the door open for the search of the world dominance between the two most powerful countries at that time: The United States of America (USA) and the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). This struggle for power had to be developed under the fluctuating economic conditions of the age. Even though, the world economy was facing a cr itical stage due to the variable price of the oil and other economic effects such asRead MoreA Cold War Relic : Should The United States Seek Tighten The Economic Grip On Cuba? If So900 Words   |  4 PagesA Cold War Relic Should the United States seek to tighten the economic grip on Cuba? If so, why? In looking at the situation with common sense and practicality, a continued economic grip on Cuba, and more importantly the Cuban people, is relatively useless without the cooperation from a large number of other countries. It makes even less sense when you consider that the United States trades with countries with similar political ideologies such as China and Vietnam, China now a part of the WorldRead MoreEssay on Examining the Possible Causes of the Cold War1309 Words   |  6 Pagesof the Cold War and how it developed into one of the largest unarmed struggles in history have been subject to much debate and consequently a number of schools of thought have developed as to the origins of the Cold War. These proposed explanations to the causes of the Cold War have consisted of the orthodox, revisionist and post-revisionist theories. Each theory demonstrates a different viewpoint as to how a variety of political, economic and militaristic factors instigated the Cold War TheRead MoreThe Cold War During World War II970 Words   |  4 PagesThe Cold War was a period of 44 years of both military and political tension after World War II. There were many ideals and events that lead to the Cold War. Nationalism, poor economic conditions, and a strong desire for democracy and human rights are the primary reasons that many believe the Cold War started. However, these are just a few of the reasons for the Cold War. Events such as the Yalta Conference, Truman Doctrine, Potsdam Conference, and the Marshall Plan also greatly influenced the startRead MoreThe Cold War And The Collapse Of The Soviet Union987 Words   |  4 Pagesdifferent political theories that try to explain the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Two prominent political theories which I will explore throughout this essay are the Realist and Idealist theory. No one theory is completely correct, as many different factors must be considered regarding the collapse of the Sovi et Union and end of the Cold War. For example, one essential influence to the end of the Cold War was the role of nuclear weapons and how they were used. I believeRead MoreBone, Ambria . English 11 B. April 17, 2017. The United1272 Words   |  6 Pageseach other; the Cold War was separated into three groups (Jerylin Watson). The nation’s economy is a very difficult balancing act. Cold War confrontations nearly always conducted through surrogates or economic pressure (David Painter). This is what happened when the tensions of the Cold War affected the United States and the world (Robert H. Dugger). The United States became the global consumer of last resort for Germany, Japan, USSR, and China. The Cold War began after World War II which had twoRead MoreThe Cold War And The Soviet Union995 Words   |  4 Pagesfascinating events known in history includes the Cold War. This essay will explore the fierce, overpowering, and chaotic Cold War describing its purpose, summary and analysis of events, and how it came to a complete end. The Purpose of The Cold War The Cold War was solely a shape of political and military pressure beginning in Europe during the time era of 1945-1990. It occurred after the phenomenon of World War II between powers in the United States andRead MoreThe Cold War And Soviet Union840 Words   |  4 PagesThere are many theories and opinions of how the cold war started. Some believe that the cold war was the result of the belligerence of Joseph Stalin and the insecurity it caused in the United States and the West. Others believe the primary responsibility for the cold war derives from the hardline policies of the United States. (Viewpoints Article: the Soviet Union Start the Cold War) I believe The Cold War was triggered by the theory of two superpower countries in a race for dominance in the world