Introduction

After the Second World War, the USA and USSR became two Super Powers. One nation tried to reduce the power of other. Indirectly the competition between the Super Powers led to the Cold War. Then America took the leadership of all the Capitalist Countries. Soviet Russia took the leadership of all the Communist Countries. As a result of which both stood as rivals to each other.

In the graphic language of Hartman, “Cold War is a state of tension between countries in whicheach side adopts policies designed to strengthen it and weaken the other by falling short by actualwar”.

In fact, Cold War is a kind of verbal war which is fought through newspapers, magazines, radio and other propaganda methods. It is a propaganda to which a great power resorts against the other power. It is a sort of diplomatic war.

All about Cold War in details For UPSC IAS Current Affairs Preparation

Background of the Cold War

The term “Cold War” denotes the absence of large-scale military operations fighting between the two opponents despite major regional wars, termed proxy wars, supported by both sides. The USSR and the USA were left as two superpowers with political and economic differences as a result of the Cold War that split the temporary wartime alliance against Nazi Germany

The seeds of future hostility were sown towards the closing years of World War 2. After the crossing of the Rhine in March 1945, the fall of Nazi Germany was inevitable. As such the Allies began drawing up the map of post-war Europe. The problem was each faction had their own idea about post-war Europe.

Each side held dissimilar ideas regarding the establishment and maintenance of post-war security. Foreign policy experts believed that while the Western Allies, who would go to form the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), favoured a democratic system of governments with fair elections as a measure to resolve any issues that might arise in the future, the Soviet Union was insistent on installing communist governments in countries under its influence. Even the Allies were divided on the issue of how best to deal with the now-belligerent Soviet Union. The Americans were more than happy to let the Soviet Union do as it pleased as their goal mainly to achieve American economic supremacy that would undo the legacy of old colonial entities like the British Empire, while the French and the British favoured complete independence of Eastern European countries, especially Poland, over whose independence both nations had declared the war over Nazi Germany in the first place. Additional and independent and strong Central Europe would act as a buffer between the Soviets and Western Europe. 

In April 1945, President Roosevelt died and was succeeded by Harry S. Truman. This caused a remarkable change in US-Soviet relations. Truman distrusted Stalin and opposed many of the changes that Stalin brought to the geopolitical landscape of Central and Eastern Europe, especially with regards to the “Polish Question”. The Soviets had installed the communist government based out of Lublin, who were rivals to the Polish government-in-exile in London, whose relations with the Soviets had been severed following the discovery of the Katyn Massacre in 1943.

The 1945 Allied conference in San Francisco established the multi-national United Nations (UN) for the maintenance of world peace, but the enforcement capacity of its security wing the United Nations Security Council was effectively paralyzed by the ability of individual members to exercise veto power. Accordingly, the UN was essentially converted into an inactive forum for exchanging polemical rhetoric, and the Soviets regarded it almost exclusively as a propaganda tribune. Thus the stage was set for the longest period of geopolitical tensions of the 20th century, whose effects last to this day.

Article In Depth For UPSC IAS Current Affairs Preparation

Causes of the Cold War

  • During World War 2 the United Kingdom, France and the United States aligned another in order to defeat Nazi Germany.
    • The USSR would join this alliance following Operation Barbarossa – the invasion of Russia by Nazi Germany.
    • There were promises that the alliance would continue well after the war.
  • After the war, however,  tensions started rising up.
    • The USA was the strongest power that emerged after the war.
    • It was a superpower in economic and military strengths.
  • The USSR was the second most powerful country and it had played a key role in Germany’s defeat in the war.
    • This increased its prestige in the world.
  • After the war, in eastern Europe, many countries had communist governments.
    • These nations saw the USSR with favourable eyes.
    • Those that did not, were replaced by governments that looked at the USSR in a similar way
  • The USA, as also the western European countries saw communism as a threat to its way of life and towards freedom also.
  • The world was polarised into two blocs – the communist powers led by the USSR and the powers opposed to communism led by the USA.
    • The former group comprised mostly eastern European nations while the latter by the western European countries.
  • The USA began to view every development in the world as either supportive of or against the rise of communism. It even went to the extent of supporting colonial powers in their subjugation of the people if it meant curbing communism.
    • This was their reasoning behind supporting the colonial domination of France in Indo-China. 
  • The arms race by the two powers also was a factor in rising tensions between them. It even extended beyond the far reaches of the Earth itself, when both the superpowers developed technology that would put their respective nations on higher technological footing than its rivals.

All about Cold War in details For UPSC IAS Current Affairs Preparation

Military Blocs

During the height of the Cold War, the world was divided into the major military blocs created by the warring superpowers they are as follows:

  1. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) – led by the USA
    1. Canada
    2. Denmark
    3. Norway
    4. Portugal
    5. Iceland
    6. Britain
    7. France
    8. Belgium
    9. Luxembourg
    10. Holland
    11. Greece
    12. Turkey
    13. Spain
    14. Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany)
Member States of NATO in Europe

2. South-East Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) – led by the USA

  1. Britain
  2. France
  3. Australia
  4. New Zealand
  5. Thailand
  6. The Philippines
  7. Pakistan
Member States of SEATO

3. Baghdad Pact – led by USA (name changed to Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) in 1958)

  1. Britain
  2. Turkey
  3. Iraq (withdrew after a revolution in Iraq in 1958)
  4. Pakistan
  5. Iran
Member States of CENTO

4. Warsaw Pact – led by the Soviet Union

  1. Poland
  2. Czechoslovakia
  3. Hungary
  4. Romania
  5. Bulgaria
  6. German Democratic Republic (East Germany)
Members of Warsaw Pact

Article In Depth For UPSC IAS Current Affairs Preparation

Various Phases of the Cold War

The Cold War did not occur in a day. It passed through several phases.

First Phase (1946-1949)

In this phase America and Soviet Russia disbelieved each other. America always tried to control the Red Regime in Russia. Without any hesitation Soviet Russia established Communism by destroying democracy in the Poland, Bulgaria, Rumania, Hungery, Yugoslavia and other Eastern European Countries.

In order to reduce Russia’s hegemony, America helped Greece and Turkey by following Truman Doctrine which came into force on 12 March 1947. According to Marshall Plan which was declared on 5 June, 1947 America gave financial assistance to Western European Countries. In this phase, non withdrawal of army from Iran by Soviet Russia, Berlin blaockade etc. made the cold was more furious. After the formation of NATO in 1949, the Cold War took a halt.

Second Phase (1949-1953)

In this phase a treaty was signed between Australia, New Zeland and America in September, 1957 which was known as ANZUS. America also signed a treaty with Japan on 8 September, 1951. At that time by taking armaments from Russia and army from China, North Korea declared war against South Korea. Then with the help of UNO, America sent military aid to South Korea. However, both North Korea and South Korea signed peace treaty in 1953 and ended the war. In order to reduce the impact of Soviet Communism, America spent a huge amount of dollar in propaganda against Communism. On the other hand, Soviet Russia tried to be equal with America by testing atom bomb.

Third Phase (1953-1957)

Now United States of America formed SEATO in 1954 in order to reduce Soviet Russia’s influence. In 1955 America formed MEDO in Middle East. Within a short span of time, America gave military assistance to 43 countries and formed 3300 military bases around Soviet Russia. At that time, the Vietnamese War started on 1955. To reduce the American Power, Russia signed WARSAW PACT in 1955. Russia also signed a defence pact with 12 Countries. Germany was divided into Federal Republic of Germany which was under the American control where as German Democratic Republic was under Soviet Russia. In 1957 Soviet Russia included Sphutnick in her defence programme.

In 1953 Stalin died and Khrushchev became the President of Russia. In 1956 an agreement was signed between America and Russia regarding the Suez Crisis. America agreed not to help her allies like England and France. In fact West Asia was saved from a great danger.

Fourth Phase (1957-1962)

In 1959 the Russian President Khrushchev went on a historical tour to America. Both the countries were annoyed for U-2 accident and for Berlin Crisis. In 13 August 1961, Soviet Russia made a Berlin Wall of 25 Kilometres in order to check the immigration from eastern Berlin to Western Berlin. In 1962, Cuba’s Missile Crisis contributed a lot to the cold war. This incident created an atmosphere of conversation between American President Kenedy and Russian President Khrushchev. America assured Russia that she would not attack Cuba and Russia also withdrew missile station from Cuba.

Fifth Phase (1962-1969)

The Fifth Phase which began from 1962 also marked a mutual suspicion between USA and USSR. There was a worldwide concern demanding ban on nuclear weapons. In this period Hot Line was established between the White House and Kremlin. This compelled both the parties to refrain from nuclear war. Inspite of that the Vietnam problem and the Problem in Germany kept Cold War between USA and USSR in fact.

Sixth Phase (1969-1978)

This phase commencing from 1969 was marked by DETENTE between USA and USSR- the American President Nixon and Russian President Brezhnev played a vital role for putting an end to the Cold War. The SALT of 1972, the summit Conference on Security’ of 1975 in Helsinki and Belgrade Conference of 1978 brought America and Russia closer.

In 1971, American Foreign Secretary Henry Kissinger paid a secret visit to China to explore the possibilities of reapproachment with China. The American move to convert Diego Garcia into a military base was primarily designed to check the Soviet presence in the Indian Ocean. During the Bangladesh crisis of 1971 and the Egypt-Israel War of 1973 the two super powers extended support to the opposite sides.

Last Phase (1979-1987)

In this phase certain changes were noticed in the Cold War. That is why historians call this phase as New Cold War. In 1979, the American President Carter and Russian President Brezhnev signed SALT II. But in 1979 the prospects of mitigating Cold War were marred by sudden development in Afghanistan. Vietnam (1975), Angola (1976), Ethiopia (1972) and Afghanistan (1979) issues brought success to Russia which was unbearable for America. American President Carter’s Human Rights and Open Diplomacy were criticised by Russia. The SALT II was not ratified by the US Senate. In 1980 America boycotted the Olympic held at Moscow.

In 1983, Russia withdrew from a talk on missile with America. In 1984 Russia boycotted the Olympic game held at Los-Angeles. The Star War of the American President Ronald Regan annoyed Russia. In this way the ‘New Cold War’ between America and Russia continued till 1987.

All about Cold War in details For UPSC IAS Current Affairs Preparation

Important Events of the Cold War

Some of the important developments in the cold war period are given below:

Korean War

  • In the first major conflict since the end of World War 2, a crisis occurred in the Korean peninsula when Communist North Korea invaded democratic South Korea.
  • This was the first test for the newly-formed United Nations to stop escalation between the two superpowers who were using their proxies to fight for them.
  • A United Nations Army under the command of American General Douglas Mac Arthur pushed back North Koreans following the decisive battle of Inchon. 
  • However, the push into North Korea and China threatened to escalate matters when the Soviet Union pledged to support its allies for what they saw as a fight “against capitalist tyranny”.
  • The war began on 25th June 1950 and ended on 27th July 1953 with the establishment of the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Tensions between North and South Korea persists to this day despite decades after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Cuban Missile Crisis

  • The USSR deployed nuclear missiles in Cuba which were ready to be launched onto the cities of the USA.
  • The USA responded with a naval blockade of Cuba and both superpowers are on the verge of war.
  • The standoff ended after 13 days when the USSR withdrew the missiles.

Vietnam War

  • The US intervened in the Vietnam crisis in 1965 by sending troops to aid South Vietnam in its fight against communist North Vietnam.
  • North Vietnam was supported by the USSR and China.
  • The Vietnam war (Which ended on April 30, 1975) proved very costly for the US where they lost about 58000 men.
  • The losses and anti-war sentiment by its own people forced the US to withdraw its troops from Vietnam.
  • In 1975, the Vietnam war ended with the fall of Saigon, the capital of the South Vietnamese government, with a decisive victory for communists.

Prague Spring

  • This occurred in 1968. The communist government of Czechoslovakia tried to bring in reforms such as multiparty democracy and more freedom for the media.
  • This alarmed the powers that be in Moscow. They feared this would cause a domino effect in Eastern Europe with every other nation asking for more concessions if the Czechoslovak government was allowed to continue its present course.
  • The USSR sent in troops on the pretext of restoring order, leading to the collapse of the Prague spring was thwarted by the USSR which intervened with troops.

Afghan Invasion

  • Tensions between the US and the Soviet Union were abating in the seventies. But the situation in Afghanistan reversed this trend.
  • The Afghanistan crisis further escalated when the Soviet army invaded Afghanistan to help the communist government there fight the insurgents called Mujahideen.
  • The United States responded by supporting the Mujahideen elements in a war that lasted ten years there.
  • The Taliban emerged directly as a result of this war. The US-funded the Mujahideen through Pakistan’s ISI.
  • The Afghan war ended in 1989 when Soviet troops withdrew from there. This had long-lasting consequences for South Asia itself.
  • The fighters from the Afghan-Soviet war were funnelled into Kashmir, leading to a rise in the insurgency in the state.

Mikhail Gorbachev

  • In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev rose to become the leader of the USSR. He initiates capitalist reforms known as perestroika and glasnost. He also let the Berlin Wall crumbled on October 30, 1989.
  • Finally, in 1991, the Soviet Union was disbanded and new countries Russia and others emerged as independent nations.
  • Most of the eastern European countries have popular uprisings against communist governments.

Article In Depth For UPSC IAS Current Affairs Preparation

Result of the Cold War

The Cold War had far-reaching implications in the international affairs. At first, it gave rise to a fear psychosis which resulted in a mad race for the manufacture of more sophisticated armaments. Various alliances like NATO, SEATO, WARSAW PACT, CENTO, ANZUS etc. were formed only to increase world tension.

Secondly, Cold War rendered the UNO ineffective because both super powers tried to oppose the actions proposed by the opponent. The Korean Crisis, Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam War etc. were the bright examples in this direction.

Thirdly, due to the Cold War, a Third World was created. A large number of nations of Africa, Asia and Latin America decided to keep away from the military alliances of the two super  powers. They liked to remain neutral. So, Non-Alignments Movement became the direct, outcome of the Cold War.

Fourthly, Cold War was designed against mankind. The unnecessary expenditure in the armament production created a barrier against the progress of the world and adversely affected a country and prevented improvement in the living standards of the people.

Fifthly, the principle ‘Whole World as a Family’, was shattered on the rock of frustration due to the Cold War. It divided the world into two groups which was not a healthy sign for mankind.

Sixthly, The Cold War created an atmosphere of disbelief among the countries. They questioned among themselves how unsafe were they under Russia or America.

Finally, The Cold War disturbed the World Peace. The alliances and counter-alliances created a disturbing atmosphere. It was a curse for the world. Though Russia and America, being super powers, came forward to solve the international crisis, yet they could not be able to establish a perpetual peace in the world.

All about Cold War in details For UPSC IAS Current Affairs Preparation

Non-Aligned Movement

Another outcome of the cold war is the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). When the cold war emerged, there were many newly independent countries in the continents of Asia and Africa. Most of them including India did not want to be aligned with either the USA or the USSR. This led to the development of the NAM which played a huge role in curbing the spread of the cold war to cover the entire globe. NAM was opposed to military blocs like NATO. The major leaders of the NAM countries who played a significant role in it were India’s Jawaharlal Nehru, Indonesia’s Sukarno, Egypt’s Gamal Abdel Nasser and Yugoslavia’s President Tito.

Similar Posts