A Role in the Development of Cold War - Term Paper Example

Global issues - Was the Cold War inevitable Introduction Usually, the Cold War is related with the conflict between USA and Russia regarding the control over the international community. However, it should be stated that such a suggestion could be characterized as false. In fact, the conflicts that have been developed between the above countries are just part of their external policy, with no particular effect on the relationships of states worldwide. On the other hand it has been extensively supported (see also Fleming, 1961) that the Cold War has its origins in Asia and more specifically to China where the fall of Communism (started approximately at 1927) led to the development of severe conflicts between the country’s population and the military authorities. The relationship of the country with the other states globally was also negatively affected. The above phenomenon can be regarded as the first signs of Cold War internationally. Through the years other events intervene and had a role in the development of Cold War in which many states finally involved. The two World wars are considered by many historians as the main parts of the Cold War developed all around the world (including Asia and Africa). The response of West to the appearance and the development of the Cold War through the actions of specific politicians like Hitler and Stalin was not appropriate. As a result, the two wars were not avoided finally and the international community passed through a series of extremely difficult events that cost the lives of millions around the world. The events related with the Cold War are analytically presented in the Table 1 (Appendix). However, in order to understand the relevant events it is necessary to identify the reasons that led many politicians worldwide to choose a series of specific policies and military actions. 2. The Cold War as part of the modern history Generally, it could be stated that the Cold War has been a fundamental part of modern history expanding in many aspects of political and social life in states around the world. In fact, it has been proved that several countries have been involved in the Cold War – which has been considered to be an issue between Russia and USA. Regarding specifically, the above two countries and the beginning of the Cold War between them, Hinds et al. (1991, 4) stated that ‘the cold war led each nation to identify the other as a rival and created a mutual animosity that transcended their previously shared contempt for the Old European World; identifying one another as the primary enemy came gradually through the "frustrated expectations of postwar collaboration" and through analogies and associations drawn from their mutual wartime enemy, Germany’. In other words, Cold War between Russia and Germany should be considered as the result of a general political effort that targeted the relations of these two countries as former allies. On the other hand, it is noticed that politicians in both Russia and USA have been involved in the development of the Cold War. It is not made clear at which point exactly the politicians of the two countries became responsible for the development of the Cold War as its appearance was rather the result of the intervention of third parties (as stated above). In this context, it is noticed by Siracusa (2001, 149) that ‘for while they thought and talked in terms of moral principles they acted in terms of power, the language of the Kremlin and the Soviet system of government; in doing so, they also laid the basis of the alliance diplomacy and conventional and nuclear deterrence that would ultimately win the Cold War with the Soviets in 1991, seventy-four years after Lenins coup d etat’. The above researcher refers especially to the politicians of the two countries, Russia and USA, who had – in accordance with Siracusa – a major responsibility for the appearance and the development of the Cold War. From another point of view, it is stated by Levine (2001, 302) that – referring to the more widely accepted dates of the beginning of the Cold War - ‘some hold that it began with the Bolshevik Revolution, some others that it really started during World War II as soon as the Soviet government was certain that Russia would win the war; many say that it developed during 1945--46, started at some distinct point during those two years, or began as late as 1947’. In accordance with the above comments the Cold War cannot be related with specific dates; in fact it could be regarded as developed gradually and involved in many countries. For this reason it would be more appropriate to accept the following explanations given by Levine (2001) regarding the beginning and the development of Cold War: in broad political terms, it may be suggested, there are two different conceptions of the Cold War in the West; the first--and, it may be suggested, the original conception of the Cold War, for it was held by those who were involved in Western policymaking in the 1940s--saw it primarily as a struggle between the great powers for the freedom or control of the worlds advanced countries; by contrast, the second view, necessarily a later development, was more truly "global" and encompassed much greater political extremes’ (Levine, 2001, 302). Under these terms, the Cold War cannot be regarded as related with a particular country. It is proved to be rather a phenomenon of political conflicts (also military ones – like in the case of the two World Wars) developed across modern states in all continents. Today, the Cold War is considered as ended although this fact is not accepted by many historians. If the Cold War is regarded as having reached its end a series of assumptions could be made. In this context, it could be stated that ‘the West did not, as is widely believed, win the Cold War through geopolitical containment and military deterrence; still less was the Cold War won by the Reagan military buildup and the Reagan Doctrine, as some have suggested; instead, "victory" came when a new generation of Soviet leaders realized how badly their system at home and their policies abroad had failed’ (Cartworth, 1994, 10). The above comments involve in two particular countries that are considered to have participated more of the other states in the Cold War. Through the years it is proved that many countries have been involved in the Cold War which in fact continues to exist although having different forms. 3. Causes of Cold War – was it inevitable? As stated above, Russia and USA have been considered as the main participants in the Cold War which has lasted for many decades in the international political framework having caused also severe military conflicts. Regarding this issue it is noticed by Hinds et al. (1991, 1) that ‘the Soviet-American cold war was a rhetorical war, one fought with words as weapons; but the cold war was more than threats by one nation hurled against another; the rhetoric created the consensus we call the cold war. When one begins studying its origins, one immediately concentrates on public statements: Stalins "February Election" address, Churchills "Iron Curtain" speech, Trumans speech to a joint session of Congress in March 1947, Marshalls commencement address announcing the Marshall Plan’. The actions of politicians mentioned above had a major role in the development of the Cold War and its duration for several decades. The role of the above politicians in the appearance and the continuation of the Cold War has been extensively examined in the literature. In this context, it is stated by Siracusa (2001, 150) that ‘in We Now Know, Gaddis, the best known and influential of postrevisionist historians, has no trouble assigning responsibility: "that as long as Stalin was running the Soviet Union a cold war was unavoidable; however it is difficult, given what we know now, to imagine the Soviet Union or the Cold War without Stalin’. In other words, Cold War was actually related with specific politicians in Russia and USA. However, such an assumption could not be regarded as completely justified because in the Cold War (as stated above) many countries finally involved – it was not only a series of political conflicts between USA and Russia. From another point of view it is suggested by Harries (1989, 40) that the Cold War ‘had three distinctive characteristics: marked bipolarity, a high ideological charge, and global scope; first, it was essentially a contest between the United States and the Soviet Union; second, both sides saw the conflict not in terms of conventional interests, but as a war to the death between competing philosophies and visions of the future: most known social theories against Stalin’s views on socialism; and, third, the struggle was conducted not merely in areas where one or the other of the antagonists had traditional, clearly identifiable interests but in other – irrelevant sectors’. In accordance with the above, the Cold War could not be considered as having actually a negative influence on the development of Russia or USA because the conflicts that this War caused between these two countries were not as severe as expected. 4. Conclusion In accordance with the issues developed above, the Cold War should be regarded primarily as a political framework between Russia and USA that influenced the two countries’ relationship for many years. However, it seems that the involvement of these countries in the Cold War was not based on specific reasons. More specifically, it is stated by Cartworth (1994, 10) that ‘the Soviet Union and the United States waged the Cold War in the belief that confrontation was unavoidable, that it was imposed by history; Soviet leaders were convinced that communism would ultimately triumph in the world; for their part, American and other Western leaders assumed that the Soviet Union was determined to enhance its power’. However, the above ideas could not justify the development of the Cold War and it seems that they were not the only reasons for the appearance and the continuation of this War for decades. On the other hand, the Cold War has been related with many political and military initiatives globally (see Table 1, Appendix). If this view is accepted, then the Cold War should be regarded as a general political framework in which most political decisions around the world are developed. In accordance with this view, the Cold War has not ended – it has just changed its form. References Fleming, D. (1961) The Cold War and Its Origins, 1917-1960. Volume: 2. Garden City, NY: Doubleday Hinds, L., Windt, O. (1991) The Cold War as Rhetoric: The Beginnings, 1945-1950. New York: Praeger Publishers Siracusa, J. (2001) The "New" Cold War History and the Origins of the Cold War. The Australian Journal of Politics and History, 47(1): 149-155 Levine, A. (2001) Cold War History at a Glance. World and I, 16(2): 302-308 Garthoff, R. (1994) Looking Back: The Cold War in Retrospect. Brookings Review, 12(3):10 Harries, J., Buckley, W. (1989) Is the Cold War Really Over? National Review, 41(21): 40-43 Appendix 1. September 1938 -- Control of East Europe achieved by Hitler at Munich. 2. December 5, 1941 to February 4, 1942 -- State Department decisions not to make any wartime agreements about Russias western boundaries. 3. April 1942 to June 1944 -- The second front postponed. Peripheral war conducted in Africa and Italy. 4. October 9, 1944 -- Churchill and Stalin agreed on spheres of influence in the Balkans: Greece to Britain; Bulgaria and Rumania to Russia; Yugoslavia50-50. 5. December 3, 1944 to January 15, 1945 -- The British crushed the Greek leftists in heavy fighting. 6. December 24, 1944 to May 14, 1945 -- Bulgarian purge trials executed 2000 rightists and imprisoned 3000. 7. March 29, 1944 to February 1945 -- Soviet armies occupied East Europe. 8. February 1945 -- The Yalta Conference conceded friendly governments in East Europe to Russia, but with free elections and a reorganization of the Polish Government. 9. March 6, 1945 -- Russia imposed a communist-led coalition in Rumania. 10. March 1945 -- Friction with Russia over German surrender negotiations in Italy. 11. April 12, 1945 -- Franklin D. Roosevelts death, four months after Cordell Hulls resignation. 12. April 23, 1945 -- Trumans White House lecture to Molotov on the Polish Government. 13. July 17-25, 1945 -- The Potsdam Conference failed to alter Russian arrangements in East Europe. 14. August 6, 1945 -- The first American A-bomb upset the expected world strategic balance. 15. August 18, 1945 -- Beginning of the Byrnes-Bevin diplomatic drive to force free elections in East Europe. 16. September 1945 -- First Council of Foreign Ministers deadlocked over East Europe. 17. March 5, 1946 -- Churchills Fulton speech demanded an Anglo-American preponderance of power against Russia, with reference to East Europe. 18. April 1946 -- Russian troops forced from Iran through the United Nations. 19. August 1946 -- Soviet demands upon Turkey for the return of two provinces and for a base in the Straits. 20. July to December 1946 -- Peace treaties for Italy, Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria and Finland hammered out. 21. November 1946 -- The Republicans won control of the Congress, aided by charges of widespread communist infiltration in the United States. 22. Late December 1946 -- General relaxation and expectation of peace. 23. March 12, 1947 -- The Truman Doctrine, calling for the containment of the Soviet Union and communism. 24. March 23, 1947 -- Trumans order providing for the loyalty investigation of all government employees. 25. March to August 1947 -- The freely elected Smallholders Party Government of Hungary disintegrated by communist pressure. 26. June 5, 1947 -- The Marshall Plan announced. Rejected by Russia August 2, 1947. 27. November 1947 -- The Cominform organized, uniting all the principal communist parties of Europe, including those of France and Italy. 28. January 22, 1948 -- A plan for a Western Union in Europe announced by Bevin. 29. February 25, 1948 -- A communist coup seized control of Czechoslovakia. 30. March 25, 1948 -- Western Union treaty signed. Devil theory address by President Truman. 31. June 28, 1948 -- Yugoslavia expelled by the Cominform. Received help from the West. 32. June 1948 to May 1949 -- The Berlin blockade. 33. March to August 1949 -- The signing and ratification of the North Atlantic Treaty creating NATO. 34. September 23, 1949 -- The first Soviet A-bomb hung the threat of total destruction over West Europe. 35. February 1, 1950 -- Drive for the H-bomb announced by Truman. 36. February 9, March 9 and 16, 1950 -- Acheson explained the policy of no negotiation with the Russian river of aggression until strength had been accumulated. 37. October 1948 to January 1950 -- The Chinese Nationalist armies captured or destroyed by the Communists. 38. February to May 1950 -- The first explosion of McCarthyism. 39. June 25, 1950 -- The outbreak of the Korean War. 40. September 12, 1950 -- The United States demanded the rearmament of Germany and began a vast rearmament. 41. October 1950 -- Having liberated South Korea, we decided to conquer the North Korean Republic. 42. February 1952 -- Achesons Lisbon NATO arms goals overstrained our allies. 43. May to November 1952 -- Out allies escaped from control during the long American election campaign. 44. November 1952 -- The first American H-bomb exploded, on the ground. 45. March 6, 1953 -- The death of Stalin created uncertainty and a desire for relaxation in Russia. 46. May 11, 1953 -- Churchill repealed his Fulton address and called for an end of the Cold War on the basis of guaranteeing Russias security in East Europe. 47. July 26, 1953 -- Korean cease-fire signed. 48. August 9, 1953 -- The first air-borne H-bomb achieved by Russia, and growing Russian air power brought the threat of incineration to all large American cities. 49. November 6, 1953 -- Ex-President Truman officially charged with knowingly harboring a communist spy. 50. May 1952 to January 1954 -- A growing realization that the world power struggle had become a stalemate. 51. April 22 to June 15, 1954 -- The crest of McCarthyism. 52. July 18-24, 1955 -- The First Summit Conference recognized the atomic arms stalemate and the inevitability of competitive coexistence. 53. February 15-20, 1956 -- Khrushchevs denunciation of Stalin accelerated a wave of reforms behind the iron curtain, relaxing police state controls and giving greater incentives to individuals. 54. March 7, 1956 -- President Eisenhower urged that we counter the threat to us "more by positive measures that people throughout the world will trust, than just by trying to answer specific thrusts." 55. October-November 1956 -- Revolution in Poland and Hungary against Soviet control and Communism. 56. November 1956 -- Attacks upon Egypt by Israel, France and Britain. 57. August 26, 1957 -- The first intercontinental ballistic rocket claimed by the Soviet Union. 58. October 4, 1957 -- The first of the increasingly heavy Sputniks demonstrated Russias ability to lay down large pay-loads accurately across great distances. 59. April 1958 -- The pro-American. Liberal. Party ousted in Canada by the strongly nationalistic Conservatives. 60. May 1958 -- Vice President Nixon mobbed in Peru and Venezuela. 61. July 1958 -- Revolution in Iraq and the sending of American troops to Lebanon. 62. August-October 1958 -- The second Quemoy crisis, ending in Chinas defeat. 63. November 1958 to July 1959 -- The second Berlin crisis. 64. April 16, 1959 -- The resignation of Secretary of State John Foster Dulles. 65. September 1959 -- Khrushchevs visit to the United States, inaugurating President Eisenhowers effort to move toward making peace and ending. the Cold War. 66. September-October 1959 -- A Soviet Lunik rocket hit the moon and another went around it relaying to earth pictures of its hidden side, emphasizing Russias continued leadership in rocketry and the conquest of space. 67. November 16, 1959 -- Secretary of State Herters appeal for keeping the great competition of our time with communism "within the bounds set by the conditions of co-survival." 68. December 1959 -- Eisenhowers eleven nation crusade for a new international climate and peace, climaxed by his statement to the Parliament of India on December 10 that the mistrusts, fixations and tensions that exist in the world "are the creations of Governments, cherished and nourished by Governments. Nations would never feel them if they were given freedom from propaganda and pressure." 69. October 1959 to May 1960 -- The Second Summit Conference frustrated by the steady erosion in the West of the expectation of serious negotiations about West Berlin and by the U-2 spy plane incident at Sverdlovsk. 70. June 16, 1960 -- President Eisenhower turned back from a visit to Japan by the inability of the Japanese Government to protect him from great hostile demonstrations. Table 1 – Events of Cold War (in chronological order), source: Fleming, 1961, 1038-1041 Read More