INTRODUCTION
In the graphic language of Hartman "cold war is a state of tension between counties in which each
side adopts polices designed to strengthen it and weaken the other by falling short by actual
war".The cold war was not a war fought on the battlefield with soldiers armed with guns and
tanks, neither was it a war fought between nations with missiles and warplanes. The cold war,was
rather an ideological war between the capitalist western European countries led by America and
the Britain and the Eastern Communist countries led by the Soviet union.
Importantly, the cold war was between Allied countries(UK, France e.t.c who were led by US)
and Soviet union officially known as the union of Soviet socialist Republics(USSR), the world's
first communist state that was established in 1922.
After the second world war,the US and USSR became two superpowers. America took the
leadership of all the capitalist countries while Soviet Russia took the leadership of all the
communist countries. Subsequently, one nation tried to reduce the power of other, indirectly the
competition between the super powers led to the cold war.
The cold war "A period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet union and it's satellite
state(THE EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES) and the United States with it's allies(THE
WESTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES) after the World war II.
ORIGIN OF THE COLD WAR
The Cold War originated in the breakdown of relations between the two main victors in World War
II: United States and the Soviet Union, and their respective allies, the Western Bloc and the
Eastern Bloc, in the years 1945–1949.
The origins derive from diplomatic (and occasional military) confrontations stretching back
decades, followed by the issue of political boundaries in Central Europe and non-democratic
control of the East by the Soviet Army. In the 1940s came economic issues (especially the
Marshall Plan) and then the first major military confrontation, with a threat of a hot war, in the
Berlin Blockade of 1948–1949. By 1949, the lines were sharply drawn and the Cold War was
largely in place in Europe. Outside Europe, the starting points vary, but the conflict centered on
the US's development of an informal empire in Southeast Asia in the mid-1940s.
Events preceding World War II and even the Communist takeover of Russia in 1917, underlay
older tensions between the Soviet Union, European countries and the United States.
CAUSES OF THE COLD WAR
During the cold war, allied countries (US, UK and France) and Soviet union fought together
against the axis power(Nazi Germany, Japan, Austria). However, this wartime alliance could not
workout after World war II due to these factors:
1. Potsdam conference: The conference was held at Berlin in 1945 among US, UK and so iet
union to discuss:
Immediate admin of defeated Germany
Dermacation of boundary of Poland
Occupation -Austria
Role of Soviet union in Eastern Europe.
Soviet union wanted some portion of Poland as buffer zone but UK and USA rejected this demand
and this created suspicion in Soviet union about the intention of western counties.
2. Truman's doctrine: Truman doctrine was announced on March 12, 1947 by US president Harry
S. Truman. It is a US policy to stop the Soviet union's communist and imperialist endeavours
through various ways like providing economic aid to other countries e.g US financial aid toward
economies and militaries of (Greece & Turkey). Historians believe that the announcement of this
doctrine marked the official declaration of the cold war.
3. Iron curtain: Iron curtain is the political, military and ideological barrier erected by the Soviet
union after World war II to seal off itself and it's dependent Eastern and central European allies
from open contact with the West and other non communist areas.
East side of the iron curtain were the countries that were connected to or influenced by the SU,
while on the west were countries that were allies of US, UK or normally neutral.
4. Ideological differences: Capitalism and communism
Formation of alliance
Nuclear arm race.
MANIFESTATIONS OF THE COLD WAR.
Having known what caused this war, we then begin to ask ourselves how did this war manifested?
Where exactly did it manifest? And what exactly do we mean by manifestations? . We shall
discuss all these below.
The term "manifestations of cold war" refers to the seen and tangible expression of the
ideological, political and military competition between the U.S and Soviet union during the cold
war era(1947-1991).
In specific regions like Africa, Asia, Middle east e.t.c the manifestations of the cold war are:
influence of superpowers on local conflicts, support for opposing fraction and the spread of their
political and economic systems.
How and Where the cold war manifested
1- CUBA
Cuba, is a large island located at the of the Caribbean and the Northern Atlantic ocea. A former
protectorate under U.S better 1898-1902.
The cold war manifested in Cuba through the following:
* Bay of pigs invasion
In1961, the U.S planned Bay of pigs invasion in Cuba intending to overthrow the head of Cuba
state (Fidel Castrol) who was backed by the Soviet union. However,the operation failed and this
further increased the tension between the U.S and Cuba.
* Cuban missiles crisis (1962)
Cuba got involved in the cold war when U.S broke off it's diplomatic relations with Cuba in
1961 and Soviet union increased their economic aid to Cuba. Infact, Soviet union deployed
nuclear missile as a form of support to Cuba but Instead this brought the two superpowers (U.S
and Soviet union) to the brink of a nuclear war . However,the war was averted diplomatically.
* Post-coldwar Era:
After the cold war which coincident with the collapse of the Soviet union, Cuba faced economic
challenges due to the loss of it's main benefactor. The U.S-Cuba relationship remained strain after
the cold war Era.
2- ANGOLA
Angola, one of the South African state in Africa. Since the fractioning of European colonial
system in Africa in the middle of last century, Angola had been a scene of unrelenting bloodshed.
It is also a place where superpowers strain as they played games of ideological and geopolitical
supremacy. Here are the following ways the cold war played out in Angola:
*Faction and ideological division
A power vacuum was left when Angola gained independence from Portuguese in 1975. After
their independence, there were three main fractions of political movement which are: i- peoples
movement for the liberation of Angola (MPLA) which had Marxist-Leninist leanings
ii- Union of people of Angola (UPA)who merged with People Democratic party of
Angola(PDA)to form a National Liberation Front of Angola(FNLA) and
iii-National Union for the total independence of Angola (UNITA).
These political movement began race of dominance as one is trying to eliminate others. Seeing
this as an opportunity,the two superpowers i.e U.S and S.U had to step in to prove their superiority
by supporting one against another.
*Proxy war
The superpowers, U.S and Soviet union decided to intervene in the local affairs of Angola by
using it as a battleground for their ideological competition. Each pitching tents with one faction
against the other. For instance, The MPLA was supported by Soviet union and Cuba while the U.S
backed both the FNLA and UNITA.
Each superpowers provided military forces to eliminate the other and also to entirely eradicate one
ideology i.e communism or democracy so as for the other to dominate.
*Cuban intervention (1975-1991)
Cuba, who sided with Soviet union's ideological interest sent aids in terms of military troops to
support the MPLA government in Angola and this single act of Cuba played a significant role in
the cold war.
*South African role towards Angola in the cold war .
Since African countries are to either side with the U.S or Soviet union ideological interest or
remain neutral, the South Africa decided to support the U.S by opposing the spread of Marxist
influence in Angola and intensifying further by assisting the UNITA with military troops against
MPLA.
3- Berlin war(1948-1989)
Allied countries ( U.S, U.K and France) and Soviet union together defeated Nazi Germany in
World war II. In 1945,after which Yalta and Potsdam conferences were held between Soviet union
and Allied countries to decide the fate of Germany's territories. At the conference, Germany was to
be divided into zones under Russian, American, British and French influence.
The Eastern part of the country went to the Soviet union while the West part went to the U.S,Great
Britain and France. Berlin, as the capital was also splitted into two. The three Allied zones got
merged and became the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) or West Germany while the former
Soviet occupation zone became the German Democratic Republic (GDR) or East Germany.
As the tension between Soviet union and Allied countries grew, Soviet union applied Berlin
blockadeon March 24,1948. The Russian stopped all road and rail traffic between West Berlin and
West Germany and this resulted to starvation of food, medical and military supplies in West Berlin
for sometimes.
Furthermore, on August 13 1961, the communist government of the German Democratic
Republic began to build a barbed wire and concrete wall(Berlin wall) between East and West
Berlin. The Berlin war served as a symbol of the cold war( U.S and Soviet union) until it fall
1989.
4-Middle East (1967-1974)
Cold war Influence were felt in various Middle Eastern conflicts, the Arab-Israeli conflict saw
superpowers involvement with the U.S supporting Israel and Soviet union backing Arab nation.
For instance, Soviet union attempt to assist Egypt and especially Syria in the Six-days war
between the Arab and Israelite. Even though Soviet union plans for military intervention in the
middle east was not actually implemented, it still had effects on the country involved in the
conflicts.
IMPACTS OF THE COLD WAR
As the popular saying goes " Every action has its advantages and disadvantages". This is to
conclude that even the so called cold war to a great extent impact positively in lives of humans
globally. And here are some of it impacts:
1.Non-Aligned movement: The cold war prompted the emergence of the Non-aligned
movement,as many countries sought to maintain independence and avoid alignment with
superpowers.
2. NATO and WARSAW PACT: The formation of military alliance such as NATO(North Atlantic
Treaty Organization) and the Warsaw pact reflected the military alliances with the U.S and Soviet
union.
3.Global Bipolarity: The world became polarized into two ideological and military blocs.
4.Economic impacts: The cold war had economic consequences as both superpowers invested
heavenly in military and defense industries. This focus influenced domestic economic and
international trade.
5.Arms Race and Military Buildup:The cold war fueled an intense arms race between the U.S and
Soviet union leading to the development of vast Nuclear arsenals and a significant global military
build up.
CONSEQUENCES OF THE COLD WAR
The effects of the Cold War on nation-states were numerous both economically and socially until
its subsequent century.
The Cold War And Military Technology
The Cold War had a significant influence on the development of military technology. The two
sides of the conflict were locked in a race to gain a strategic advantage, and this led to a rapid
progression of military technology. Nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, and advanced surveillance
systems were all developed during this period.
The Cold War also saw the emergence of new technologies such as the Internet, which was
initially developed for military purposes. Some of this technology has since been adapted for
civilian use, and it has had a profound impact on the modern world.
Human Rights And Ideology
The Cold War had a significant impact on the way civil society has developed in the modern
world. The ideological divide between the two superpowers of the United States and the Soviet
Union had a profound effect on the way civil society was viewed and treated in the countries of
the world.
The United States championed the cause of democracy, while the Soviet Union sought to impose
its own version of socialism. This ideological divide had a lasting effect on civil society, with
countries around the world either embracing the ideals of democracy or embracing the ideals of
socialism.
The legacy of the Cold War on civil society can still be seen today. Human rights are now seen as
a fundamental part of any civil society and are enshrined in the constitutions of many countries.
In addition, the idea of democracy has been embraced by many countries around the world, with
citizens being given the right to vote and to participate in the political process.
Impact On Nuclear Warfare
The Cold War had a profound impact on the global nuclear arms situation. In the decades since the
end of the Cold War, the number of nuclear weapons in the world has decreased significantly. This
is largely due to the efforts of the United States and the Soviet Union to reduce their stockpiles of
nuclear weapons.
The two superpowers also signed a number of treaties, such as the Strategic Arms Reduction
Treaty (START), which further limited their nuclear arsenals.
The Cold War also had a significant impact on the way nuclear weapons are used and viewed.
During the Cold War, the threat of nuclear war was a constant presence, and the idea of mutually
assured destruction was a major factor in the way the two superpowers interacted.
Today, the use of nuclear weapons is seen as a last resort, and the international community is
working to reduce the number of nuclear weapons in the world.
Emergence Of A Unipolar World
The Cold War has continued to influence global politics after its end. The dissolution of the Soviet
Union ended the Cold War and led to world that is widely considered as uni polar, with the United
States being the sole remaining hyperpower, but many other rising powers hold great influence in
the world and are certainly superpowers. The Cold War defined the political role of the United
States after World War II.
By 1989, the United States had military alliances with 50 countries and 1.5 million troops posted
abroad in 117 countries, which institutionalized a global commitment to a huge permanent
peacetime military-industrial complex and the large-scale military funding of science. In addition,
the US led to the permanent creation of Peacetime Defense and the armaments industry, which
was referred to in the farewell address of President Dwight Eisenhower.
Independence Explosion
The breakup of the USSR brought into existence more than two dozen independent nation-states
previously known as the republics of the Soviet Union. By the summer of 1990, all of them had
been replaced by democratically elected governments, setting the stage for the region’s
reintegration into Western economic and political spheres
Accelerated Globalisation
The end of the Cold War led to greater interaction among the states and the people accelerating the
globalisation process and completely altering the way nations communicate, negotiate, and
interact with each other. Consequently, globalisation improved and expanded global commerce,
brought more Foreign Direct Investment to developing countries, built infrastructure, and
advanced literacy, inspired democratic movements via social networks, and created emerging
middle classes all over the world.
New conflicts, Crises, and Wars
Although the world returned to its default function of peace, there were isolated wars in different
parts of the world. During the Cold War, the USSR and the USA had kept tight control, by force if
necessary, over areas where their vital interests might be affected. Now, a conflict that did not
directly affect the interests of East or West would probably be left to find its solution, bloody or
otherwise. Most tragic of all was Yugoslavia, which broke up into five separate states. Soon a
complex civil war broke out in which Bosnia, Serbs, Croats, and Muslims fought each other in an
attempt to set up states of their own. This increasingly bitter struggle dragged on for almost four
years until a ceasefire was arranged in November 1995.
The effects of the Cold War on nation-states were numerous both economically and socially until
its subsequent century.
The Cold War And Military Technology
The Cold War had a significant influence on the development of military technology. The two
sides of the conflict were locked in a race to gain a strategic advantage, and this led to a rapid
progression of military technology. Nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, and advanced surveillance
systems were all developed during this period.
The Cold War also saw the emergence of new technologies such as the Internet, which was
initially developed for military purposes. Some of this technology has since been adapted for
civilian use, and it has had a profound impact on the modern world.
CONCLUSION
The cold war was characterized by political, economic and military rivalry between the U.S
and the Soviet union. While there was no direct confrontation between the superpowers, they
engage in proxy wars, ideological competition and strategies alliance.
It finally came to an end in the early 1990s with the dissolution of the Soviet union marking a
significant shift in global geopolitics .
REFERENCE
Adebayo Adeogun. 2003. "American since 1945" p 5 -50
Abolade Adeniji. 2005 " Transformation in international Relations since 1945" p 48-58
"The End and Legacy of the Cold War | Kinnu"
https://kinnu.xyz/kinnuverse/history/cold-war/consequences-and-legacy/
"Effects of the Cold War - Wikipedia" https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_the_Cold_War
"The Cold War: Causes & Consequences | by Shahid H. Raja | Medium"
https://shahidhraja.medium.com/the-cold-war-causes-course-and-consequences-fdd1a83e0fb3
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