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- WHAT IS THE COLD WAR?
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- CAUSES OF THE COLD WAR
- THE "IRON CURTAIN"
- CONTAINMENT & TRUMAN DOCTRINE
- MARSHALL PLAN
- BERLIN AIRLIFT
- WARSAW PACT
- BRINKMANSHIP
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- CHINESE CIVIL WAR
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- THIRD WORLD
- REBELLION IN EASTERN EUROPE: HUNGARY & CZECHOSLOVAKIA
- THAWING OF THE COLD WAR
- END OF THE COLD WAR
- SOURCES
CAUSES OF THE COLD WAR
American perspectiveCAPITALIST, Economic powerhouse, advocate of free marketsAt the end of World War II, the United State's main focus, amongst stopping the spread of communism, was to the free elections of governments throughout Eastern Europe in hopes that they would refrain from socialist/communist ideals and lean towards democratic nations. Although, this was partly due to the United State's belief of democracy and their current "anti-imperialistic" standpoint, this was also due to the fact that communist based governments would most likely avoid purchasing American made goods. The United States, guided by the aspirations of becoming the industrial powerhouse of the world, and generating a source of income to replace funds that were lost in World War II, made it its' duty to promote the reestablishment of stable governments that would purchase American made goods.
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Soviet perspectivecOMMUNIST, LOOKING TO CREATE BUFFER STATES BETWEEN GERMANYAt the end of World War II, swayed by the constant invasions led by German Forces in an attempt to dominate Soviet Russia, Russia became focused on creating buffer states between Germany and themselves in an attempt to provide Russia with warning in case of a possible German invasion. Because of the many Russian casualties of war, Russia was trying to avoid any form of large scale conflict between Germany. In addition to trying to create buffer states, the Soviet Union had strong beliefs towards American industrialism and the possible global reliance of American made goods and technologies throughout the developed world.
The technological advancements of World War II and shortly after only made the Cold War more inevitable. With the United States having nuclear weaponry, the need to prove Soviet Russia's global superiority lead to the urge to advance their technological capabilities. This tension lead to a battle between the United State's and Russia to create the most effective (nuclear) weaponry, send satellites to space, and overall show one another their destructive capabilities.
Isael Tejada |