THE Cold War it was characterized by an ideological dispute between Soviet Union communism and US capitalism.
Although both countries never faced each other directly, there were a number of conflicts that were supported by these two powers.
Cold War Characteristics
The Cold War begins in 1947, just after the end of World War II.
The Cold War is characterized by an intense ideological polarization in the world. There were countries that adopted capitalism to be their economic system, while others chose socialism.
An expectation was also created between both powers that one day they would face each other. Then came the arms race, where a lot of money was invested in weapons research and construction.
Finally, we can highlight foreign interference as one of the hallmarks of the Cold War. Any opposition movement in capitalist countries was labeled "communist" by the United States and opposed. In turn, the same was true in socialist countries, where dissidents were censored and demonstrations repressed.
Cold War Phases
The Cold War is divided into three phases for study purposes:
1. maximum tension (1947-1953): at this time, the USA and the USSR dispute the occupation of territories in Europe, through financial aid plans such as the Marshall Plan or the Comecon. Likewise, the Korean War takes place, where the world was on the brink of a nuclear dispute.
2. peaceful coexistence (1953-1977): despite there being conflicts in Vietnam, Cuba and the African continent, this phase is called that way because all these confrontations were under control. At no time did the two powers show interest in using atomic weapons in their battles.
3. Recrudescence and end of the Cold War (1977-1991): the Afghan War is the last armed conflict of the Cold War. The socialist system could not compete with the capitalist and the USSR could not help its allies financially and it itself has to borrow from the West.
It is important to note that there is no consensus among scholars about the number of phases in the Cold War. Some point to four stages, while others consider up to five stages.
Main combats of the Cold War
Let us now look at the main conflicts waged during the Cold War.
Korean War (1950-1953)
The Korean War dates back to World War II, when the Korean Peninsula was invaded by Soviets and Chinese, who settled in the north; and Americans, who occupied the south. The boundary between both countries was the 38th parallel.
After the end of World War II, the Soviets claimed that the Westerners had crossed the dividing mark and invaded the south. Faced with this aggression, the UN authorized the use of an international force that would be captained by the United States.
This conflict was used by both world powers to show their power and the advantages of their respective political systems. The Americans justified their intervention based on the Truman doctrine which provided for US aid to countries fighting communism.
In reality, the Korean War is an unfinished confrontation, as the rivals only signed an armistice and not a peace treaty.
Vietnam War (1955-1975)
The Vietnam War was also born with the end of World War II.
The country was occupied by France, but Japan took advantage of the weakness of the European metropolis to seize Vietnam.
With the end of the European conflict, the Vietnamese rose against France and in 1950, proclaimed the Republic of North Vietnam, with a socialist regime, supported by the USSR. The south would remain capitalist.
In 1954, a plebiscite is held to unify the country, and faced with the possibility of socialism winning, the US intervenes, supporting South Vietnam.
The Vietnam War would last twenty years and would be the biggest armed conflict after World War II. The United States was defeated, nearly two million people fled the country, and countless civilians and military personnel lost their lives.
War in Afghanistan (1979-1988)
Until 1978, Afghanistan was a monarchy where countless tribes coexisted. King Zahir is dethroned by his cousin, Prince Mohamed Daud, who proclaimed the republic and was its first president. However, corruption continued and he was murdered.
With the rise of the communists to power, several reforms were carried out such as mass schooling. However, the communist regime failed in trying to ban the religion or carry out agrarian reform in the country. As the different factions began to fight each other, the USSR offers military aid to support the communist government.
On the other hand, the United States begins to arm and train opponents. one of them would be osama bin laden, who would transform from an ally to an American enemy in two decades.
The Soviets withdraw defeated from Afghanistan in 1988 and civil wars continue until the takeover of power by the Taliban.
End of the Cold War
The end of the Cold War lasts about two years, if we consider two main facts: the fall of the Berlin Wall, in 1989, and the end of the Soviet Union, in 1991.
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was experiencing serious financial difficulties and could no longer help its partners. Thus, East Germany (German Democratic Republic) decides to make a series of concessions to the population in order to solve its economic problems. One of them was the announcement of the opening of borders, from East to West Germany. Thousands of people then rush in and the Wall falls on November 9, 1989.
Likewise, the USSR tries to remedy its adversities by applying the policies of Mikhail Gobartchov: perestroika (construction) and glasnot (opening).
One of the measures was the creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States, on December 8, 1991. The new political entity was short-lived and days later, on December 25, Gorbachev resigns and the Soviet Union disappears.
With the end of the Soviet Union, the Cold War loses its reason to exist, because all countries in the world (except North Korea and Cuba) became capitalists.
We have more texts on the subject for you:
- Korean War
- Vietnam War
- afghan war
- Marshall Plan
- Cold War Questions
