The Cold War

The Cold War.

- The Cold War was the continuing state of political conflict and military tension between the USA and the USSR from 1945 - 1991.

- Although it is referred to as a war, there never actually was any physical conflict.

- Although there were times of high, international tension there were also times of relative calm.

Nuclear War.

- The USA and the USSR were the two Nuclear armed-superpowers at the time.

- They knew the effects of a nuclear war and so avoided any physical conflict.

- Instead, the two countries fought Proxy Wars, where third parties were hired to fight as substitutes.

Competition.

- There was lot of competition between the USA and the USSR.

- A nuclear arms race was ongoing (A verbal contest for Nuclear superiority), the "Race-to-Space" was also a major competition too.

World War II.

- The world was recovering from the recent World War II and the difference in ideaologies between the Soviet Union and Western countries sparked the confrontation deemed as "The Cold War".

- Having said this, tensions between Russia and European countries have been dated back to the 19th century.

Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.

- In 1939, the Soviet Union and Germany signed a secret pact that spilt Poland and Eastern Europe between the two states.

- This took effect in September 1939 and the countries were invaded and divided in accordance to the pact.

- Until 1941 the two countries engaged into an extensive economic relationship, trading vital war materials.

- This remained until Germany broke the pact with Operation Barbarbossa and invaded the Soviet union's land.

Russia.

- A soviet Russia found itself isolated in international diplomacy since its withdrawal from World War I.

- When Josef Stalin took over the USSR, he stated that he wanted to conquer the capitalist countries and change them into soviet ones like Russia.

- It was this clash of ideologies that led to the "Cold War"

Communism (left wing).

• Dictatorship
• No votes
• Authoritatian
• One state party
• State run economy
• State owns land
• State controlls media
• Restricted speech and movement

Capitalism (right wing).

• Democracy
• By Vote
• Free elections
• Private business'
• Land ownership
• Individuality
• Independant Media
• Relative freedom of speech and movement