4.12  Cold War—Escalation and Reducing Tensions

The Cold War 1945-1990


The Cold War had its origins in the communist Russian Revolution in Russia, 1917. Then, the totalitarian domestic policies of Stalin, leader of the USSR (1926-1953), during the late 1920s and early 1930s (policies of forced collectivization and industrialization) resulted in hardships and loss of freedom for the Soviet people. This had increased the West's fear of communism.

With the onset of communism in eastern Europe after WWII, came the promotion of Marxist ideology throughout the world. This movement was seen by the United States and many western European nations as a threat to democracy and capitalism. This resulted in a mistrust and fear of the Soviet Union. On the other side, the Soviet Union saw the West's mistrust as aggressively anti-Soviet and a threat to communism.

The United States and the Soviet Union emerged from World War II as major superpowers. Soon afterward, these two nations and their allies, were caught up in an ideological war between capitalism and communism. Instead of entering into a shooting or "hot" war, each nation attacked the other using methods such as propaganda, the arms race, and political and economic beliefs as their weapons.

Please watch the following video explaining the Cold War:

 
 
However, communist expansion was spreading throughout the world, further strengthening the West's fear of a communist takeover. The spread of communism is shown in red on these maps:









The two superpowers feared each other primarily because of political, economic, and social differences. Because of their suspicions, they often threatened each other, but at the same time avoided direct confrontations. Both sides recognized that because of the huge nuclear weapons stockpiles that eventually each possessed, a direct confrontation would have been disastrous for the entire world.

Methods of Fighting the Cold War


The Cold War was fought using the following basic methods or strategies. Read the following section in your textbook for explanations.


Read "Escalating International Tensions" on pages 196-206 of your textbook, Understandings of Ideologies. These pages will further your understanding of the concept of ideological conflict with liberalism.

You should make notes, either on paper or on your computer, about what you have read. You may want to read the tutorial How to Make Notes. When you are finished the tutorial, return here to continue this unit.

The Cold War Events
Explained in Short Videos


Click on the tabs above to watch the videos and move through the events of the Cold War

Korean War 1950-53

Introduction of the Korean War

Refugees flee Attacking China

American War Crimes

80 years later



Click on images to watch the video
Vietnam War 1959- 1975

History Brief: The Vietnam War
Conflict

Vietnam War-Common Tactics


The My Lai Massacre is retold by Only Survivor


Click on images to view videos
Berlin Wall 1961-1981

The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall -Konrad H Jarausch


Maueropfer- Wall Victims-In a Berlin Minute


The Berlin Wall Falls 1989 NBC Coverage Pt1



Cuban Missile Crisis 1962

The History of the Cuban Missile Crisis
-Matthew A. Jordan

History Brief: Public Reaction to the Cuban Missile Crisis


The Terrifying True Scale of Nuclear Weapons




Soviet War in Afghanistan 1979-1989

Soviet-Afghan War- In 2 Minutes


Resistance, Casualties & Sanctions-ABC NEWS January 11,1980

War & Aid: Soviet Legacy Mixed in Afghanistan 30 years from Invasion




Other Cold War Events on a Timeline


August 1945 June 1948-May 1949 November 1956 June-August 1968 1972 and 1979 1980
Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
 Berlin Air Drop Hungarian Revolution
SALT 1 and SALTII



Canadian Events during the Cold War



Forced Relocation of the Inuit
1972 Summit Series (hockey)
Tommy Douglas & RCMP

Canadian Caper/Iranian Hostage Crisis     

Cold War Peacekeeping
1980 Olympic Boycott

Click on event titles to watch short videos