Cold War Overview and Origins

Overview

This lecture covered the origins, dynamics, and early phases of the Cold War, examining the geopolitical, economic, and ideological conflicts between the United States and the Soviet Union, and their impacts on Europe and global decolonization.

Post-War Order and Cold War Origins

• After WWII, the major question was how to create a stable post-war order and "guard the peace."
• The US and USSR emerged as superpowers, replacing European dominance.
• Both powers sought to build new international systems: US promoted regulated capitalism; USSR promoted state socialism.
• The US rejected post-WWI isolationism and committed to international engagement.
• The Cold War was marked by indirect conflict and rivalry, not direct war, between the US and USSR.

Competing Systems and Spheres of Influence

• The US system emphasized free trade, economic alliances (e.g., Marshall Plan, Bretton Woods), and liberal democracy in trusted regions.
• NATO was established as the main US-led alliance; the Warsaw Pact was the Soviet counterpart.
• The USSR formed COMECON for economic coordination among socialist states, enforcing dependency and central planning.
• Both superpowers undermined European colonial empires, leading to decolonization and a sharp increase in the number of states.

Early Cold War Conflicts and Case Studies

• Germany was divided; Berlin became a focal point (Berlin Airlift and later, the Berlin Wall).
• The US contained communism by supporting conservative or authoritarian regimes in vulnerable states.
• The USSR imposed communist governments in Eastern Europe through purges and suppression.
• Localized conflicts flared: Greek Civil War, Chinese Civil War (leading to Communist victory), Korean War (North vs. South, USSR/China vs. US/UN).
• Partition and conflict in India/Pakistan, the Arab-Israeli War, and Vietnam’s anti-colonial struggle were influenced by superpower rivalry.

Khrushchev Era and Shifts in the Cold War

• After Stalin’s death (1953), Khrushchev pursued de-Stalinization, some liberalization, and consumer-oriented reforms.
• Worker uprisings in Eastern Europe (Poland, Hungary, East Germany) were violently suppressed but led to limited reforms.
• The US under Eisenhower and Kennedy balanced nuclear deterrence with conventional interventions, and began addressing civil rights issues domestically.
• The Berlin Wall was built (1961) to prevent East German emigration and symbolized the deeper division of Europe.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Cold War — Period of geopolitical tension between the US and USSR (post-WWII to early 1990s).
• Marshall Plan — US economic aid for Western European reconstruction after WWII.
• NATO — North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a US-led military alliance.
• Warsaw Pact — Soviet-led military alliance of Eastern Bloc countries.
• COMECON — Council for Mutual Economic Assistance; economic organization under the USSR.
• De-Stalinization — Policy of eradicating the influence of Joseph Stalin, led by Khrushchev.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review class notes and be prepared for next week's sessions on Wednesday and Friday.
• Complete any assigned logbooks and submit as instructed.