United States View on the Cold War - Research Paper Example

? United s View on the Cold War Introduction There were various reasons that led the Americans into the cold war. TheCold War is approximated to have occurred between the periods of 1945 to 19911. The war reflected continuing tension between various powers of the western world and the communist world. One of these powers representing the western world involved in the war was America. The country engaged in the war together with its NATO allies. The communists were led by the Soviet Union2. The Soviet Union engaged in the war together with its satellite states. However, the war reflected a competition between two superpowers that were the America and Soviet Union. This paper illustrates various view of the America concerning the occurrence of the cold war. Causes of the Cold War The United States saw the Cold War as a war between itself and the Soviet Union3. Moreover, the American saw the war as a global confrontation between itself and the Soviet Union. According to the Americans, the war occurred because of having different views regarding a number of world issues with the Soviet Union. Moreover, the Americans viewed the cause of the war to be various political differences that existed between the country and the Soviet Union. The other possible factor that contributed to the development of the Cold War was the Americans fear that the communists might attack them. This contributed to the Americas want to show that it could not be defeated by any other nation in the whole world. The other significant issue that led Americans to engage in the war was the bad blood between Truman and Stalin. However, other issues contributed to the development of the Cold War were those from the side of the communists. For example, the Russians feared that the American would cause a great trouble if it managed to release the atomic bomb. Another major factor that contributed to the development of the war was that the Russians disliked the concept of capitalism4. How the Cold War reflected Americans in the world Most of the countries that were involved and those that were not involved in the cold viewed America as one of the biggest enemy of Soviet Union. The rivalry between the two powers existed from as early as 1917. At first, both of the two powers were fighting against the Axis powers. Some of the Axis powers that were great enemies of America during the cold war include Germany and Japan. However, even though the two nations were fighting together, their relationship was tense. This means that they did not believe in one another on various issues concerning the war. This is because the Americans saw the Soviet Union as a major threat regarding to how they wished various issues would go concerning the war. The Americas started to mistrust the Soviet Union when it managed to gain control of the Eastern Europe. The Soviet Union on the other hand, started to view the American as a threat especially when it managed to make a move on the development of the atomic weapon. It is believed that one of presidents who contributed to the occurrence of the strong relationship was Woodrow Wilson. Under the leadership of Wilson, America had dedicated itself to maintain democracy. Wilson also managed to promote the country in enacting the free enterprise system. However, the communists were emphasizing on the issue of the excellent revolution. With the world class, the communists believed that most of the countries under its leadership would bring socialization in future. Through the contribution of Wilson in trying to promote democracy, many parts in the world viewed America as peaceful although there were others with different views. However, even with the contribution of Wilson to promote democracy, he did not succeed. Even the Soviet Union did not succeed in its contribution of promoting peace. Damage of America’s Reputation America damaged its reputation after engaging on the war against Vietnam. Most of the countries in the world viewed that America had not made the right decision on engaging in this particular war. America tarnished its reputation because it did not support the Vietnamese as it was expected. However, the country contributed in making more difficulties and hardships unto the lives of many people in Vietnam5. The main reason that contributed in America’s involvement on the Vietnam war was the fact that it was worried that the later were supporting communists they could win. How cold war Influenced developments in the United States Various developments emerged in America because of the Cold War. The developments were of significance importance to the Americans during the war and after. The following are some of major development that America experienced during the Cold War era. Containment The strategy of containment was one of the developments that the Americans managed to make during the Cold War era6. This strategy was viewed as one of the significant methods that was to be used by the Americans in order to defeat and get secure of the Soviet threat. The containment was a policy that was introduced by the diplomat George Kennan. Through this policy, Kennan demonstrated that America would have a positive change regarding its foreign policy. The containment developed a strategy of which America and its allies believed it was more consistent and effective. The strategy was also viewed as morally justifiable of which America and its allies would use to defeat the enemies during the Cold War7. Development of Atomic Weapons Most of the American atomic weapons developed during the Cold War era. There is a connection between the containment strategy and the development of the Cold War. For example, the strategy provided the rationale of which the Americans managed to build up various arms during the war. Most of the American officials recommended the development of various atomic weapons8. The officials viewed that America would manage to win the war if only there were more atomic weapons compared to those of its enemies. Some of the American officials stated World War II ended because of using atomic weapons. Therefore, they indicated that it was necessary for the country to begin making the weapons in order to defeat all the enemies. After making this move, President Truman authorized the construction of a hydrogen bomb. America managed to test its first atomic bomb during the Cold War period. However, testing of the atomic bomb created negative impact to the livelihood of the Americans. This is because people could inhale many chemicals from the bombs although some of them managed to build bomb shelters in their home yards9. The other development that America managed to achieve in relation to weapons during the Cold War period was an expansion of the country’s military knowledge and equipments. America’s airpower became firm during and after the Cold War. Airpower means that the country managed to develop a collection of various unique capabilities whereby it could control the air and space. With effective airpower, the country managed to be in a more advantage position in terms of awareness concerning various security issues. Moreover, the American government managed to buy military equipment because of the Cold War. This was a significant development on the country’s security sector. For example, the military managed to buy jet fighters, which were expected to be used during the war. All of this military equipment became an advantage to the American government because the Cold War did not experience much of the ground or military fight. Economic Development The American government experienced significant economic development during the Cold War period. There was much prosperity concerning the living hood of the American citizens. America managed to claim economic supremacy that gave the country a huge degree of power during the Cold War. It is believed that economic strength contributed much in the Americans win on the war10. Extension to space Extension to space is another form of development that America managed to achieve during the Cold War era. For example, during the year 1958, America managed to launch its own satellite11. The improvements in technology especially on extension to space contributed much in the development of the American securities. The American Amy designed the first satellite, Explorer 112. Even though there was minimal knowledge concerning the issue of the space power system during this period, America managed to make a significant move on this sector. However, many people did not understand the benefits of the nuclear space powers or the risks that were involved. Conclusion The above information indicates that Cold War contributed to the development of various significant issues. One of these issues is that the war reflected a different picture of the American community. For example, the war contributed in damaging the American reputation. Damaging of the reputation occurred especially when America fought the Vietnamese during the war. The above information also indicates that America experienced various significant developments because of the occurrence of the war. Some of these developments include the issue of containment. The other development that America experienced is making of atomic weapons. Moreover, the country experienced significant economic development during this period. Another development that the country experienced was an extension to space. All the information indicates that Cold War had both advantages and disadvantages to the American society. Bibliography Cowans, Jon. "A Deepening Disbelief: The American Movie Hero in Vietnam, 1958-1968." Journal Of American-East Asian Relations 17, no. 4 (2010): 324-351. Gaddis, John Lewis. "After Containment." New Republic 232, no. 15 (2005): 27-31. Haas, Mark L. "The United States and the End of the Cold War: Reactions to Shifts in Soviet Power, Policies, or Domestic Politics?" International Organization 61, no. 1 (2007): 145-179. Killmeier, Matthew. "America(n) abroad: The Third Man, international audiences and the Cold War." Radio Journal: International Studies In Broadcast & Audio Media 8, no. 2 (2010): 105-119. Morrison, Kevin M. "As the World Bank Turns: Determinants of IDA Lending in the Cold War and After." Business & Politics 13, no. 2 (2011): 1-27. Renner, R. A. "America's Asymmetric Advantage: The Utility of Airpower in the New Strategic Environment." 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