How Did the Cold War Start?
The Cold War, characterized by political tension and military competition between the United States and the Soviet Union, wasn’t sparked by one event but rather by various factors.
After World War II, the Soviet Union and the United States emerged as the two superpowers, leading to a division of power.
This division resulted in a “polarization” of power, as described by US President Harry Truman, with each side striving to promote its political ideology.
It led to the escalation of proxy wars, including:
- Angolan Civil War (1975–2002)
- Soviet War in Afghanistan (1979–1989)
- Vietnam War (1955–1975)
- Korean War (1950–1953)
In April 1947, during his speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, Truman announced the Truman Doctrine, pledging support to democratic nations defending against autocratic forces through political, military, and economic means.
The Truman Doctrine aimed to aid countries resisting communist invasion or subversion to curb Soviet expansion.
During the Cold War, tensions between the USSR and the US were high, and political leaders were uncertain whether their actions would be effective.
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Cold War Causes and Impact
The Cold War, lasting from 1945 to 1991, was a period of intense rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, marked by ideological, military, and geopolitical tensions without direct military conflict, ending with the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Table of Content
- What is Cold War?
- Origin of the Cold War
- Cold War Background
- Causes of Cold War
- How Did the Cold War Start?
- Cold War Dates
- Cold War Timeline
- Impact of the Cold War
- Cold War and India’s Foreign Policy
- How did the Cold War end?
- Cold War – Important Events
In this article, we will look into the background, causes, timeline, and impact of the Cold War.