The Cold War
The Cold War had a major impact on United States history and the histories of many other nations worldwide. The war was made up of many different things to include the United States and the Soviet Unions’ goals, major U.S. policies, major events that evolved in Asia, and the affects the war had on American life. This war helped shape history and many of the different societies that were involved. The Cold War contributed to the shaping of our nation and the world.
A Cold War is defined as a continuing state of resentful antagonism between two parties short of open hostility or violence. This exact state of hatred occurred between the United States and the Soviet Union in a continuous six year battle. After World War II ended, the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. had several basic, but conflicting goals that they hoped to achieve. As Stalin began to spread his idea of communism, Truman started working on his idea of containment. Truman wanted to contain the Soviet Union and stop the spread of communism. Some other goals that Truman had were an improved U.S. economy, greater sales abroad of U.S. goods, more military alliances, extended price controls, and a bigger defense budget. Truman did quite well in achieving these very goals. The Soviet Union also had demanding goals that they set out to accomplish. The Soviets wanted to control Eastern Europe and spread the idea of communism. Stalin wanted total dominance and, to show he had the power, he put a strangle hold on Eastern Europe. He barred free elections in Poland and greatly suppressed the Polish democratic parties. He also created a buffer zone of friendly nations that was essential to Russian security. Both countries had many goals, but they shared a common one: they both wanted to beat each other in the armed races. This was war. It was Truman versus Stalin and democracy versus communism. The world had to wait to see who would come out on top.
The United States introduced many new policies that...