The Cold War in Europe
Introduction
Defining the Concept
USA The Soviet Union
Democratic Fascist, totalitarian, autocratic
Believe in free elections One party system
Elections were held but all
candidates belong to the Communist
Party
Capitalist Communist
Businesses and property were Everything was state owned and
privately owned state controlled
Western Eastern
Liberal Conservative, rigid
Individual rights and freedom were given No civil liberties- the strength of society was
important, not individual people
World’s wealthiest country but there were Rapid industrialisation but the standard of
extremes living was generally lower than the USA
Hot vs Cold Warfare
Cold War:
o Political war in which violence is not employed.
Violence does exist but it takes form in indirect, proxy wars
Actual fight does not take place between the armies or
soldiers of two countries.
o Indirect, unconventional means are used to achieve their objectives
Dollar Diplomacy vs Rouble Diplomacy: money handouts
Propoganda (radio, press, television)
Used to undermine the position and prestige of the
other
The Soviet Union used its control of Communist parties in
Western Europe and regimes in Eastern Europe
Espionage
Hot War:
o Hot war is a real war in which both opponents are directly in front
of each other.
Conventional techniques of war/ weapons are directly used
upon each other.
Soldiers or armies of both countries directly face each other
o Fought for physical possession of land and resources
What is the Cold War?
, A period of extreme tension between the superpowers of the time – the
USA and Soviet Union- stopping short of all-out war
It can be characterised by mutual hostility and involvement in secret and
proxy warfare as a means of upholding the interests of one against the
other
When did the Cold War begin?
Roots of Tension
o From the 1917 Russian Revolution onwards
1945
o End of WW2
1947
o First time the term ‘Cold War’ was used by Bernard Baruch
Close advisor to President Truman
o Truman Doctrine
When did the Cold War end?
1989
o Fall of the Berlin wall
1991
o Collapse of the Soviet Union
Why did the Cold War remain cold?
The development of WMDs/ MAD made the resort to war a suicidal
enterprise
o Both sides would have been destroyed if war were to have broken
out
Therefore the struggle between the two sides was carried
out through indirect means
This resulted in tension and made sure both sides
maintained a high and continuous state of readiness for war
Massive amounts of money was spent on research
and the development of nucleur weapons led to the
arms race which could have meant global
destruction
Origins of the Cold War
Between WW1 and WW2
1917: Russia Pulls Out WW1 and Communism Begins
This was the beginning of the ideological divide between Russia and the
USA
o The West distrusted the Bolsheviks
Russia withdrew from WW1 and established the
Commintern
Introduction
Defining the Concept
USA The Soviet Union
Democratic Fascist, totalitarian, autocratic
Believe in free elections One party system
Elections were held but all
candidates belong to the Communist
Party
Capitalist Communist
Businesses and property were Everything was state owned and
privately owned state controlled
Western Eastern
Liberal Conservative, rigid
Individual rights and freedom were given No civil liberties- the strength of society was
important, not individual people
World’s wealthiest country but there were Rapid industrialisation but the standard of
extremes living was generally lower than the USA
Hot vs Cold Warfare
Cold War:
o Political war in which violence is not employed.
Violence does exist but it takes form in indirect, proxy wars
Actual fight does not take place between the armies or
soldiers of two countries.
o Indirect, unconventional means are used to achieve their objectives
Dollar Diplomacy vs Rouble Diplomacy: money handouts
Propoganda (radio, press, television)
Used to undermine the position and prestige of the
other
The Soviet Union used its control of Communist parties in
Western Europe and regimes in Eastern Europe
Espionage
Hot War:
o Hot war is a real war in which both opponents are directly in front
of each other.
Conventional techniques of war/ weapons are directly used
upon each other.
Soldiers or armies of both countries directly face each other
o Fought for physical possession of land and resources
What is the Cold War?
, A period of extreme tension between the superpowers of the time – the
USA and Soviet Union- stopping short of all-out war
It can be characterised by mutual hostility and involvement in secret and
proxy warfare as a means of upholding the interests of one against the
other
When did the Cold War begin?
Roots of Tension
o From the 1917 Russian Revolution onwards
1945
o End of WW2
1947
o First time the term ‘Cold War’ was used by Bernard Baruch
Close advisor to President Truman
o Truman Doctrine
When did the Cold War end?
1989
o Fall of the Berlin wall
1991
o Collapse of the Soviet Union
Why did the Cold War remain cold?
The development of WMDs/ MAD made the resort to war a suicidal
enterprise
o Both sides would have been destroyed if war were to have broken
out
Therefore the struggle between the two sides was carried
out through indirect means
This resulted in tension and made sure both sides
maintained a high and continuous state of readiness for war
Massive amounts of money was spent on research
and the development of nucleur weapons led to the
arms race which could have meant global
destruction
Origins of the Cold War
Between WW1 and WW2
1917: Russia Pulls Out WW1 and Communism Begins
This was the beginning of the ideological divide between Russia and the
USA
o The West distrusted the Bolsheviks
Russia withdrew from WW1 and established the
Commintern
