The COLD WAR, Explained [AP World History Review—Unit 8 Topic 2]

What Caused the Cold War and Its Effects?

Definition of Cold War

• A cold war is characterized by hostility between two states, primarily marked by ideological struggles rather than direct warfare. This discussion focuses on the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Conflicting Ideologies

• The primary cause of the Cold War was the conflicting ideologies: Democratic capitalism (U.S.) vs. authoritarian communism (Soviet Union).

• Democratic capitalism promotes free market economics and citizen political participation.

• Authoritarian communism emphasizes strict government control over the economy and equal wealth distribution with limited citizen voice.

Universalizing Ideologies

• Both ideologies are universalizing, meaning each superpower sought to spread its beliefs globally.

• The U.S. aimed to promote democracy worldwide, while the Soviets wanted to expand communism.

• This desire for global conformity created significant geopolitical tensions throughout the late 20th century.

Mutual Mistrust Pre-WWII

• Mutual mistrust began even before World War II ended, stemming from agreements made among major powers (U.S., Soviet Union, Great Britain) regarding post-war governance in Europe.

• They agreed that Central and Eastern European countries would hold free elections after the war.

• The Soviet Union's actions to maintain control over these nations contradicted this agreement, leading to further distrust.

Territorial Divisions Post-WWII

• After WWII, Germany was divided into four occupation zones controlled by different powers including a zone for the Soviet Union.

• Stalin’s refusal to relinquish Eastern Germany turned it into a communist satellite state, exacerbating tensions.

• Winston Churchill famously declared that an "iron curtain" had fallen across Europe due to these divisions.

Global Implications of Cold War

• The implications of the Cold War extended beyond just U.S.-Soviet relations; they influenced global dynamics significantly.

• As decolonization occurred worldwide, both superpowers competed for influence over newly independent nations.

• Newly formed states were often caught in this ideological struggle despite their desire for independence from colonial rule.

Non-Aligned Movement Emergence

• Some newly independent nations resisted being pawns in superpower conflicts, leading to the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement led by Indonesian President Sukarno in 1955.

• This movement included leaders from various African and Asian countries who sought independence without aligning with either superpower's ideology.

Cold War Dynamics and Non-Aligned States

Exploiting Cold War Rivalry

• Non-aligned states strategically leveraged the Cold War rivalry to secure support from either the Soviet Union or the United States, enhancing their defense and development capabilities.

• Indonesia serves as a prime example, successfully obtaining aid from the Soviet Union while simultaneously working to dismantle its Communist party.

• The Indonesian government faced significant challenges in establishing a stable post-war state, which influenced its reliance on foreign assistance.

• The violent suppression of communism in Indonesia resulted in an estimated half a million deaths, highlighting the severe consequences of political maneuvering during this era.