The cold war was a state of military and political antagonism between the USSR and the United States. Initially, the US and the Soviet Union were allies in the fight against the Nazi of Germany. The alliance between the two countries started to crumble in 1945 after the war in Europe ended. The tensions were evident during the Potsdam conference since the two parties could not agree on a joint occupation of Germany. Although the US and the USSR were not directly involved in direct military campaigns; the war caused the loss billions of dollars and lives in several parts of the world. Also, the United States developed some policies that influenced how it engages with the international community and how to deal with local issues that confront the American citizens.
Containment policy
According to Prados, the containment policy was a military strategy that was meant to stop the expansion of the spread and the influence of the Soviet Union in the world. The policy was established in response to a sequence of moves by the USSR to extend its communist influence in China, Vietnam, Korea and Eastern Europe (10).
A study by Fink indicates that the Doctrine of Containment was articulated in 1946 under the auspice of President Harry Truman. This was after Stalin’s launched a series of activities that were meant to undermine the United States. The USSR started to support regimes that were against the capitalism a fact that could precipitate into war (20). For instance, the UK government in February 1947 declared that it could not afford to support Greece financially in its war against the communist insurgent.
The US government responded to the announcement by unveiling the Truman doctrine that saw the allocation of over 400 million dollars to intervene in the war.Gaddis reiterates that the antagonism was framed as a contest between totalitarian regimes led by the USSR and the free people who believe in democracy and the rule of law. The US managed to salvage Greece from the communist influence. Besides, the US through its Marshall plan provided aid to governments that were threatened by the communist subversion. Furthermore, the US joined forces with NATO to form its first military alliance. The containment policy managed to prevent the spread of communism dictatorship regimes that could cause war.
The second red scare
As noted by Prados, the second Red Scare was brought about by the fear of the growing powers and influence of the USSR after the WWII.Many US citizens feared that the USSR and its allies were planning to overthrow democratic societies and plant totalitarian régimes. Also, the US fear that the USSR agents had infiltrated into the federal government. A massive campaign to root out sympathizers of communism ensued (32).
The Red scare first occurred in the US between 1919 to 1921.The fear was spurred by the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. The Americans feared that the revolution could spread to Russia. However, the second Red Scare was galvanized by some international and local like the Korean War and the advancement of USSR’s nuclear capabilities.
The government authorities and citizens were afraid of an imminent nuclear war with the USSR. In 1047, the Truman administration established the Loyalty order that mandated the screening of federal employees’ commitment to the US government. Also McCathy led the blacklisting of communist sympathizers most of whom were innocent.
The Ohio general assembly in its efforts to prevent the spread of communism established Ohio Un-American Activities Committee that questioned people about their association with the communism. However, some of the Ohioans protested the move as it was against the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution. Also, most of these people were disapproved the manner in which politicians used the move to settle political scores. The violation of the human rights due to the fear of the spread of communism in the US spurred Human rights movements which as a liberation of the marginalized population in the US (Fink 52).
Berlin Blockade
The Berlin Blockade by the USSR on June 24, 1949, was a critical international crisis during the cold war. After the defeat of Germany, there was a scramble for the occupation of the country. The USSR blocked the railway and roads of its western allies so as to prevent them from accessing sectors of Berlin that were under the control of the West (Prados 48).
In response, the US and the western allies planned for the Berlin airlift to transport supplies to residents of West Berlin. The USSR did not dispute the airlift of food and other necessities for fear of an open conflict. By the end of 1949, the airlift was succeeding since it was delivering more goods than when the rail was being used. The USSR later removed the blockade. The Berlin blockade was significant in exhibiting the competing economic and ideological visions for the postwar Europe. The US, on the other hand, used the opportunity to strategize itself as the world's powerhouse.
Conclusion
Although the USSR and the US did not engage in physical war, the cold war caused political tension and the loss of lives in many parts of the world. Also, the cold war shaped the US policies on how it handles domestic affairs and the engagement with the international community. Also, the US victory against the USSR confirmed its position as the world's leader.
Works Cited
Fink, Carole. Cold War: An international history. London: Westview Press, 2013.Print
Gaddis, John. The cold war. New York: Penguin Books Limited, 2011.Print.
Prados, John. How Cold War Ended: Debating and doing history. New York: Potmac Books, 2011.Print.
