Essay On Soviet And US Global Impact

The legacy of the cold war and the struggle between the USSR, and the United States continues to flourish in large portions in developing countries. The two world powers had different ideologies, and were in a battle for supremacy. The Cold War pitted an American led alliance against the Soviet Union that divided the economical and political world into two major blocs. The cold war involved a contest of ideologies that intensified after the two great powers, America and the Soviet Union started competing for friendship from dozens of new sovereign states that had previously been colonial powers. The super powers really hunted to recruit the newly emerging nations to their side, and way of life. Each super power sought to convince the rest of the world specifically the third world countries that their cause characterized the highest human values, and their message carried the hope of world civilization.
The global competition between the Soviet bloc, and the US bloc impacted the independence of newly independent or strategically located states between 1947 and 1965 in many ways. First, during this time, the world economy grew tremendously and economic development became a chief goal of the newly developing or independent states. By turning away from the Soviet style, and accepting the capitalist system, the Third World countries ushered in the globalization age that helped in their development. Many nearly independent countries wanted to form their own governments, and get away from the harsh rule of the British and so; they did everything they could to fight for their independence. The Cold War helped them understand their colonists and this gave them a reason to speed up their cause of attaining independence, and running on their own without being ruled by the Great Britain or the US.
Another impact of the global competition between the Soviet bloc, and the US bloc to the developing countries was that the countries experienced higher growth rate and a rise in middle class. The newly independent countries became ambivalent about globalization, and this brought higher growth rates. With the growth of the economy, the developing countries used this as a stepping stone to gain independence, and run on their own because they were now stable to have their own rulers. On the other hand, it also brought a number of vexing issues like the gap between the rich and the poor, increasing pollution, an increase in child labor, a threat to local cultures and the economic decline of the peasantry.
The nations affected by the global competition between the Soviet bloc and the US bloc are the Latin America, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. The two superpowers attached a great significance to these regions. The United States and the Soviet Union had similar and conflicting interests, and their policies clashed but they avoided direct conflict. Due to their clashing policies, this became an eye opener for the developing countries to fight for their own independence.
Most third world countries became a battle ground during the Cold War because of natural resources, containment, and so as to become a probable market for the US products. Through the use of Foreign Aid, the US was able to build schools, medical facilities, and even encourage farming in their world countries so as to win their loyalty. The global competition between the Soviet bloc and the US bloc impacted the independence of newly independent, through providing medical care, and building schools in Africa thus providing vital education for them which helped them in attaining independence. In addition, since the super powers were battling for the natural resources specifically in Africa, many African countries had to fight for their independence so as to protect their natural resources from the British and the United States.
In the Middle East in Egypt, the Suez Canal was attacked by France, England and Israel. The Egyptian forces suffered heavy losses but they turned to the USSR for arms, and economic assistance. Even though the United States refused to give Egypt aid to build the Aswan Dam located on the River Nile, the USSR was able to give them the aid, and the Dam was built. The global competition between the Soviet bloc and the US bloc helped in training and providing arms and other assistance in order to help them stop the spread of communism. With the graining they got from the USSR, Egypt was able to fight for the repossession of the Suez Canal, and also for their own independence so as to protect their natural resources.
In addition, the rivalry between the two super powers played out in most parts of developing countries in Africa an example is Angola which is in the Sub Saharan Africa. Angola became a battle ground for the two super powers. As the USSR and Cuba were busy arming and supporting the Angola government, the United States and South Africa were supporting the UNITA rebels. The superpowers in most cases supported the newly developed countries economically and in military, and this exacerbated the civil war that rose up in the continent. Through military support and training they got from the two super powers, the newly developing countries were able to fight for their independence and freed themselves from their rule. The Cold War facilitated the independence of the Philippine Islands. The US granted the Philippines independence in 1946 by giving them military aid and training. Through the military training, the Philippines were able to fight for their independence and overthrow dictatorship.
Even though the Cold War was a bitter rivalry between two super powers, the USSR and the US, the Cold War era maintained equilibrium of power, and safeguarded the interests of newly developing countries by giving them an opportunity to align themselves with one of the super powers. The Cold War was a blessing in disguise for Third World countries. The countries benefited from military aid received from the super rivals, and this helped them to fight for their independence. In addition, the developing countries were able to receive economic aid which helped them in building industries which strengthened them economically, and helped them in fighting for their independence from the super powers. By aligning themselves with one of the superpowers, the nearly developed countries were able to get resources that helped them in attaining independence. The Cold War forced many African countries to form political organizations to demand political freedom because Africans were tired of the colonial rule.
In conclusion, the US-Soviet confrontations associated with the cold war were carried out in developing countries. Through the rivalry between the two super powers, the developing countries were able to acquire, military training, and weaponry which helped them in fighting for their independence. In addition, the superpowers helped them economically and provided medical facilities which were used to treat the injured during the struggle for independence. Moreover, the introduction of education to newly developed countries also helped their leaders to strategize on how to help their countries gain independence, and form their own governments. The Cold War was a stepping ground for many countries to gain independence. Many developing countries were able to resist colonialism and their colonial rule and fought for the independence of their countries. The US and the Soviet Union gave military aid to many African countries during the Cold War and after the Cold War, the weapons they were supplied with was used in their wars to gain independence.