Although the Cold War between USA and Soviet Union was created and developed following World War II, its origins date back to 1917 Bolshevik Revolution. While the Cold War was a political, ideological, and military confrontation, it was not fought on the battlefield between these two nations. It was a war between belligerents that saw them engage in hostilities and tensions around the world, but it did not result in direct conflict. The Cold War had significant consequences for American society, economy and politics. The Cold War sparked strong anti-communism in the USA. McCarthyism resulted from the hatred of Communism. McCarthyism saw Americans become obsessed with identifying Communists, and then removing them. Americans became so obsessed with this process that they forgot that the US Constitution guaranteed that every American had the right and freedom to believe as they pleased.
To facilitate the removal of communists, laws like the Communist Control Act were passed. The McCarran Act, which required all Communist organizations be registered with the US government, also prohibited Communists working in defense industry and carrying US passports. Many were not questioned and many were fired. Some even lost the jobs they held. This fear dominated American society right up to the 1950s. It is not surprising that the Cold War theme has been a popular topic in history. Americans were forced to live in fear from the dangers of war. The arms race has sparked fear and anxiety about war. The Cuban missile crisis was one example. It caused tension in the USA because missiles from Cuba could strike the USA at any moment. The fear of missiles being found in Cuba was minimal until the U-2 planes arrived. People knew that missiles from the USSR couldn’t travel such a long distance to reach America. The missiles from Cuba threatened America’s security in a major way. Many Americans were forced to live in fear. Even though Mutual Assured Destructions (MAD), was an actual policy, missiles that were so close to Americans’ homes alarm many Americans. Americans lived in constant fear of the Cold War turning into a hot War, apart from the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Both nations shared this constant fear, but the victor is the one that can outstain the other. In this case, it was America. The Thaw stated that “The cold War was fought equally in the imagination and on the field.” Despite not being launched, the threat to all-out nuclear warfare was real and both sides wanted to avoid it, knowing the potential destruction it would cause. The United States chose to communicate their enormous power and influence by not directly attacking the Soviet Union. The Cold War included a series smaller battles between the two sides, also known as competitions. These competitions were a way for each country to demonstrate their military capabilities and power. The Arms Race was one of the most famous. It was fought over military spending. Each side thought that by showing military skill, they would be able to show their superiority. The gap between the nations was huge soon after the war. The Arms Race began in 1957. The United States had 2,123 warheads, while the Soviet Union only had 84. Soviets took this as a lesson. They tried to retaliate by expanding their own weapons development, but the U.S. had more. In addition, the U.S. participated in “competitions” against the Soviet Union, including the Space Race. It was based on space technology and would eventually prove to be successful for America. The late 1900’s saw propaganda play a key role. It was featured in cartoons, movies, and comics. All of these were aimed at promoting democracy as superior than communism. The propaganda had a huge impact on the United States. It sparked patriotism and helped to create a nation that was stable in times of turmoil. The nation could have fallen if it had not been for a united nation.
America’s Cold War experience was complex. People became distant from each other due to the overwhelming fear and confusion. However, propaganda was the driving force behind the nation’s reunification. It had a similar goal and interest. The USA was psychologically stronger than the Soviets. Although it is questionable if they were physically stronger, the United States’ belief in their ability to defend themselves was sufficient to stop any Soviet attacks.
America won this war not just on the battlefield, but at home too. The Americans experienced unimaginable advantages as a result. The United States made the best possible of this terrible situation by creating technology and improving their economy. Critics often consider the Cold War a huge waste of money because the U.S. spent billions on research and development. This is false. Because of this boom in the technology development, thousands to hundreds upon thousands of jobs were created. From 1948 to 1989, the United States’ average annual growth rate for its GNP was 3.1 percent. Reagan’s tax cuts as well as deregulation “helped boost massive economic growth” (Cold War Influences). Both consumers and business owners can reap the benefits of deregulation. Customers are more likely to notice a drop in prices and an increase of quality. This will in turn lead to higher consumer spending and a stable economy. During the war, when America was constantly in fear of nuclear attack, the United States did seem to have some economic benefits.
Although this fear was overwhelming for everyone, including the leaders of the country and civilians, America emerged victorious. Although it was the first challenge to the United States’ power, they managed to win every step of this war. This war was simply an example of two inexperienced countries that didn’t know the consequences. America learned and overcame the challenge, but they also managed to create new technology that has pushed the limits of what was possible. This nation felt unified, inspired, and motivated to push the boundaries even further. America was able, despite being in a very difficult position, to make the most of it and transform it into something valuable.
