Cold War Causes and Impact

The Cold War, lasting from 1945 to 1991, was a period of intense rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, marked by ideological, military, and geopolitical tensions without direct military conflict, ending with the collapse of the Soviet Union.

In this article, we will look into the background, causes, timeline, and impact of the Cold War.

What is Cold War?

The United States and the Soviet Union engaged in geopolitical conflict throughout the Cold War. The Cold War from 1945 to 1991, the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in intense geopolitical rivalry, featuring proxy wars and competition in nuclear weapons, technology, and diplomacy, ultimately leading to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Origin of the Cold War

The Cold War started in the late 1940s soon after World War II. It began with tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union, escalating around events like the division of Germany and the blockade of West Berlin in 1948. The Cold War began after World War II, around 1945. It resulted in victory over Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan in 1945.

Cold War Background

The Yalta Conference of February 1945, involving leaders like Franklin D. Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin, and Winston Churchill, aimed to reorganize post-war Europe but encountered tensions over the fate of Eastern European countries, leading to suspicions.

Yalta Conference (1945):

• The Yalta Conference took place in February 1945 and included leaders such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin, and Winston Churchill.
• Its main goal was to discuss the reorganization of Europe after the war.

Potsdam Conference (1945):

• The Potsdam Conference occurred in July 1945 following Germany’s surrender.
• It aimed to address the post-war order with leaders of the Allied powers in attendance.

Ideological Differences:

• The United States supported democracy and capitalism, while the Soviet Union backed communism, placing them on opposite ends of the political spectrum.
• This ideological divide heightened as both superpowers aimed to expand their influence and mold the post-war world in line with their own systems.

Truman Doctrine (1947):

• In 1947, President Harry S. Truman introduced the Truman Doctrine in reaction to what was seen as Soviet expansionism.
• The doctrine focused on containment to stop the spread of communism, leading to U.S. intervention in different areas to counter Soviet influence.

Marshall Plan (1948):

• The United States initiated the Marshall Plan, a large-scale economic assistance program, to assist in rebuilding Western Europe after the war.
• Besides promoting economic recovery, the plan also aimed to prevent communism from spreading by establishing stable and prosperous countries.

Berlin Airlift (1948-1949):

• The Soviet blockade of West Berlin in 1948 was a major crisis.
• In retaliation, the United States and its allies arranged a large-scale airlift to deliver essential supplies to the trapped city.

Formation of NATO (1949):

• NATO was formed in 1949, with the U.S. and its Western allies joining forces to address the perceived threat from the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc.
• By this time, tensions had already risen between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union.

Causes of Cold War

The Cold War, which lasted from the late 1940s to the early 1990s, was a period of political tension and military rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. Lets explore some of the key causes that contributed to the start of the Cold War.

• The Second World War marked the establishment of the United States as a superpower. The USSR had the second-highest extent of power. In the war, it was essential to oppose Germany.
• Most of the countries in Eastern Europe had communist governments in place. Their preference was for the communist government.
• The world was divided into two groups – those who supported the communist powers and those who opposed them.
• The United States began to assess each development and consider whether to support or oppose communism.
• After political space was created, national movements in Eastern Europe emerged, increasing pressure within the USSR.
• The Communist government in Central and Eastern Europe was peacefully overthrown in 1989 due to a series of uprisings caused by the Soviet Union’s diminishing influence over the region.
• Gorbachev left his post as the Communist Party’s general secretary in 1991.

How Did the Cold War Start?

The Cold War, characterized by political tension and military competition between the United States and the Soviet Union, wasn’t sparked by one event but rather by various factors.

After World War II, the Soviet Union and the United States emerged as the two superpowers, leading to a division of power.

This division resulted in a “polarization” of power, as described by US President Harry Truman, with each side striving to promote its political ideology.

It led to the escalation of proxy wars, including:

• Angolan Civil War (1975–2002)
• Soviet War in Afghanistan (1979–1989)
• Vietnam War (1955–1975)
• Korean War (1950–1953)

In April 1947, during his speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, Truman announced the Truman Doctrine, pledging support to democratic nations defending against autocratic forces through political, military, and economic means.

The Truman Doctrine aimed to aid countries resisting communist invasion or subversion to curb Soviet expansion.

During the Cold War, tensions between the USSR and the US were high, and political leaders were uncertain whether their actions would be effective.

Cold War Dates

The Cold War, spanning from the late 1940s to the early 1990s, was a period of political tension and military rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. There are 7 phases of the Cold War. Lets discuss a brief timeline of some key events during this era.

• First Phase (1946-1949)
• Second Phase (1949-1953)
• Third Phase (1953-1957)
• Fourth Phase (1957-1962)
• Fifth Phase (1962-1969)
• Sixth Phase (1969-1978)
• Seventh Phase (1979-1991)

Cold War Timeline

First Phase

• The Soviet Union created satellite states by invading many nations in Eastern Europe following the end of World War II.
• In these republics, it brought Communism to power and demolished democracy.
• America and Soviet Russia distrusted each other during the Cold War.
• America aimed to control the Communist Red Regime in Russia.
• Soviet Russia imposed Communism in Eastern European countries, destroying democracy.
• Truman Doctrine helped Greece and Turkey against Russian influence.
• Marshall Plan provided financial aid to Western European countries.
• Soviet actions in Iran, Berlin blockade intensified the Cold War.
• Formation of NATO in 1949 marked a pause in the Cold War.

Second Phase

• ANZUS between Australia, New Zealand, and America in September 1957.
• Japan treaty: America signed a treaty with Japan on September 8, 1951.
• North Korea declared war on South Korea, leading to UN-backed American military aid.
• The Peace treaty signed in 1953 and that ended the conflict.
• U.S. countered Soviet Communism with anti-Communist propaganda; Soviet Russia tested an atomic bomb to compete with the U.S.

Third Phase

• Two other US-sponsored treaties came into existence: the Middle East Defense Organization and the South-East Asia Treaty Organization.
• Specific agreements were made to stop Communism from taking over certain areas.
• USA forms SEATO to counter Soviet influence.
• USA forms MEDO in the Middle East.
• Rapid military assistance to 43 countries, establishment of 3300 military bases.
• Vietnam War begins.
• USSR forms WARSAW PACT to counter USA.
• USSR signs defense pact with 12 countries.
• Germany divided into Federal Republic (under American control) and German Democratic Republic (under Soviet control).
• USSR includes Sputnik in defense program.
• Stalin dies, Khrushchev becomes President of Russia.
• USA-Russia agreement on Suez Crisis, USA agrees not to help allies like England and France.

Fourth Phase

• Washington and Moscow were tense after the U2 plane incident.
• The Berlin Wall was built by the Soviet Union in 1961.
• Russian President Khrushchev’s historic tour to America.
• Tensions over U-2 incident and Berlin Crisis.
• Soviet Russia builds 25 km Berlin Wall to prevent immigration from East to West Berlin.
• Cuban Missile Crisis intensifies Cold War.
• Negotiations between Presidents Kennedy and Khrushchev.
• US won’t attack Cuba, and Russia withdraws missile stations from Cuba.

Fifth Phase

• The two nations took precautions to avoid going to nuclear war.
• Fifth Phase (1962) of Cold War marked mutual suspicion between USA and USSR.
• Global concern for banning nuclear weapons emerged.
• Hot Line established between White House and Kremlin to prevent nuclear conflict.
• Vietnam and Germany issues persisted, maintaining Cold War tensions.

Sixth Phase

• The US and Soviet Union’s hatred for one another lessened to some extent.
• Richard Nixon had a friendly stance toward the USSR.
• DETENTE between USA and USSR.
• Nixon and Brezhnev pivotal in ending Cold War.
• SALT agreement in 1972.
• Helsinki Summit Conference in 1975.
• Belgrade Conference of 1978 strengthened US-Russia ties.
• Kissinger’s secret visit to China for reapproachment.
• Diego Garcia converted to a military base to counter Soviet presence in the Indian Ocean.
• Superpowers supported opposite sides in Bangladesh crisis (1971) and Egypt-Israel War (1973).

Seventh Phase

• Phase called New Cold War due to changes in Cold War dynamics.
• 1979: SALT II signed by Carter and Brezhnev.
• Afghan development in 1979 marred Cold War prospects.
• Success in Vietnam, Angola, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan for Russia.
• Carter’s Human Rights and Open Diplomacy criticized by Russia.
• SALT II not ratified by US Senate.
• 1980: US boycotts Moscow Olympics.
• 1983: Russia withdraws from missile talks with America.
• 1984: Russia boycotts Los Angeles Olympics.
• Reagan’s Star Wars program annoys Russia.
• The Afghan War’s financial ruin led to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
• The Cold War has ended.

Impact of the Cold War

The Cold War, a long-lasting rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, had a big impact on the world. The following are the consequences or impact of Cold War:

The Race for Weapons

As the desire to accumulate more weapons grew, so did the competition. The rush for nuclear weapons was one aspect of the rise in arms production. To protect key locations, both sides desired the expansion of military installations and intelligence networks across the globe.

Space Conflicts

The rivalry for technology and space conflicts took an extreme turn. Stalin was the USSR’s leader at the time that this war began. Yuri Gagarin, the Russian astronaut, was in control of the space program that he had started.

Ideological Disagreements

Ideological disagreements were the root cause of many conflicts around the world. The fight between the ideologies of capitalism and communism not only split countries into opposing camps, but it also generated several major international disputes. Among these were the 1961 Berlin Crisis and the 1962 Cuban Crisis.

End of the USSR

Gorbachev, the USSR’s leader, ended the country’s cold war with the West, which also caused the USSR to decline and leave the USA as the only superpower in the world. The Cold War increased pressure on the countries to emerge victorious, and by the end of the 1980s, the USA had done so.

Cold War and India’s Foreign Policy

India adopted a policy of non-alignment throughout the Cold War, meaning it did not align itself with the US or the USSR. Having recently gained its independence, India joined the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM). Also, India’s foreign policy was characterized by two primary goals: avoiding military alliances and convincing other recently decolonized nations to avoid joining any such alliances. Pandit Nehru admitted that neutrality was the foundation for the non-alignment strategy. India was thereby able to advance disarmament and peace on the global stage.

How did the Cold War end?

The Soviet Union fell apart with the conclusion of the Cold War. On December 26, 1991, Russia formally acknowledged the collapse of the Soviet Union. A few important events in history, like the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, which represented the end of Soviet hegemony in Eastern Europe, were also used as markers for the end. Also, the end of the Cold War had far-reaching effects, such as the globalization of market capitalism and democracy, the growth of NATO, and the rise of the United States of America as the only superpower.

Cold War – Important Events

The Cold War spanned several decades and was marked by numerous significant events that shaped the geopolitical landscape and global relations. Here are some of the important events & results of the Cold War.

• Cold War led to a global arms race, fostering fear and the development of sophisticated weapons.
• Formation of alliances like NATO, SEATO, WARSAW PACT heightened world tension.
• UNO became ineffective as superpowers opposed each other, evident in events like the Korean Crisis and Cuban Missile Crisis.
• Third World nations emerged, opting for non-alignment to avoid superpower alliances.
• Cold War hindered global progress with excessive armament expenditure.
• The war shattered the idea of the “Whole World as a Family,” dividing nations and creating distrust.
• An atmosphere of disbelief and insecurity arose among countries under the influence of either superpower.
• Despite superpowers attempting to solve crises, Cold War disrupted world peace, with alliances contributing to a disturbing global atmosphere.

Conclusion – Cold War

During the Cold War, a geopolitical conflict emerged between communist nations and Western democracies, notably the US. Despite initially fighting together against Nazi Germany in World War II, strained relations arose due to concerns over Soviet communism and delayed involvement in the war. Historians debate whether the Cold War was inevitable or if responsibility should be shared among various parties.

Cold War – FAQs

What was Cold War and why?

The US and the Soviet Union became rivals after WWII, fighting an “indirect war” through politics, economics, and propaganda.

Why is it called as Cold War?

The Cold War was called “cold” because even though the USA and the Soviet Union were big rivals, they never actually fought each other in a real war.

Who first called Cold War?

The first person to use the term “Cold War” was an American financier named Bernard Baruch. A “War of Words” and a “War of Ideologies” broke out between the Soviet and American blocs.

Who fought the Cold War?

The Cold War was a lengthy battle for domination that occurred between the Soviet Union and its satellite governments, the United governments and its allies, and the Soviet Union itself after World War II.

When did Cold War start and end?

The Cold War began after World War II, around the late 1940s, and it ended when the Soviet Union broke up in 1991.

Who won Cold War?

As the Soviet Union fell apart, many of the other republics became fully sovereign post-Soviet organizations, with the Russian Federation emerging as the new state. That left the United States as the only superpower in the globe.

How did the Cold War end?

The Cold War ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall. Communist regimes across Eastern Europe went down by free elections in 1989 and 1990 when the Berlin Wall fell. The Soviet Union broke up into its constituent republics at the end of 1991.

What is another name for Cold War?

The East-West Conflict and the Global Cold War are other names for the Cold War. Since it was a worldwide battle involving multiple countries and did not feature direct military combat between the US and the USSR, some historians also refer to it as the Third World War.