...extent that the arms race did restrain the actions of the USA and the USSR due to the fact that both leaders had mutual understanding of the impact that nuclear weapons would have on both nations, therefore, they couldn't condemn their nations to that sort of destruction.The establishment of MAD was an attempt of both nations to restrain the use of arms race. However, the fact that nuclear weapons were been produced at a rapid pace means that there was still underlying fear that one nation would use the weapon against the other which highlights that arms race did little to restrain the arm to a partial extent. On one hand, it can seem that both leaders, Khrushchev and Eisenhower felt that the prospect of nuclear war was too terrifying, thus, we can argue that nuclear weapons played as a deterrence as both nations could not condemn their nations to nuclear annihilation. For example, the USA detonated their first hydrogen bomb on the first of November 1952 on Enwetak and this created a cloud of 100 miles and 25 miles high, killing every species near it, this highlights the destructive force of a weapon. The fact that the USA did not intervene during the Hungary crisis in 1956, even though, it would have been an beneficial for them as they would have had a democratic nation in a soviet sphere of influence, this strongly shows the willingness of the USA to not enter a war which uses nuclear weapons with the USSR, thus, demonstrating the USA restraint. However, this argument can be...
Words: 1514 - Pages: 7
...How far was the USSR responsible for the outbreak of the Cold War 1945-1949? To a certain extent, the USSR’s responsibility of the Cold War cannot be underestimated as their policies following the Second World War may have been seen as aggressive by USA. The forceful take-over of Eastern Europe through the Red Army occupations, especially in distinctive cases such as Poland and Czechoslovakia, can be seen as being far from the “liberation” over which the two war-time allies had agreed, while the rigging of elections did not conform to the Yalta agreement of the organisation of free ones. Stalin responded to the Americans’ policies of containment by creating his own agencies, therefore creating even more hostility between the two superpowers, while also refusing the existence of anything but Soviet puppet states in Eastern Europe. However, the event which cemented the outbreak of the Cold War was Stalin imposing the Berlin Blockade, taking direct action towards weakening the Americans’ position. One may see that Stalin’s blockade resulted in the official creation of two separate German states, one of the most significant events of the Cold War. On the other hand, revisionists point out that the USSR was taking defensive measures to protect itself from anything that could have caused as much damage as the Second World War, while the Americans, who were superior economically, adopted provocative policies. They challenged the patience of the Russians by hiding crucial events from...
Words: 4209 - Pages: 17
...CREATING WAR ON TWO FRONTS 3.THE U.S, SUPPLY FOR THE USSR 4.THE USSR ITSELF 5.THE AXIS MISTAKES 6. CONCLUSION Allied forces consistent from countries which opposed the Axis powers. The main policy makers of Allies were the U.S.A., USSR and British Empire. These coalition and its cooperation helped the USSR, but importance of allied support for the USSR victory is arguable as there are several factors which oppose that statement. Allied forces were crucial for the USSR victory in the 2 World War as they created war on two fronts, which did not allow German to use all its power against the USSR. After defeat of Germans in Moscow, the USSR army advanced on the east, defatting Germans in Stalingrad, Leningrad and Kursk. However, even when Eastern was the biggest front in the 2 World War, and the USSR was fighting against bigger proportion of German soldiers, allies created pressure on Nazi army from the West and in North Africa. If the USSR would have fought against the hole Reich Army, the war for it would be lost. Also the allies were highly advanced in technology, what resulted in a lot of bombing operation from the USA and Britain. This allowed the USSR to meet less german tanks and avoid German airfares in their full presence, as the USSR was not able to produce aircrafts or tanks which would be affective against Germans. Allied forces created more difficulties for German army on the western front, helping the USSR to win weakened Germans on the East, and in result...
Words: 2251 - Pages: 10
...immediately stopped trading with Cuba so Castro looked for help from Kruschev. The Bay of Pigs 1961: The new young president Kennedy decided to launch a CIA plan to contain communism. He sent 1,500 cuban exiles into Cuba hoping to spark a revolt against the new communist regime. This was a fiasco as Kennedy had underestimated the popularity of Castro as well as the strength of the Cuban armed forces, he wanted to contain communism. Castro then asked Kruschev to help him with defend Cuba from any other attacks. The US had missiles in Turkey facing towards the USSR so Kruschev wanted threatening missiles as well. Kennedy sent U2 spy planes in which it was confirmed that the USSR were sending missiles to Cuba and the bases were being made towards the US. Kennedy called upon the committee of the National Security to help him decide how to deal with the situation. A naval blockade was then sent around Cuba to prevent the USSR ships containing the missiles to reach Cuba. The ships turned away when they met the American navy, however the missiles already on Cuba carried on being made. Kruschev sent a letter to Kennedy admitting there were missiles on Cuba but only for defence. Before Kennedy could respond another letter was sent from Kruschev stating that he would have them removed if Kennedy removed the US missiles in Turkey. At this point the Soviets had shot down a U2 plane and the driver was killed so many suggested him to start war, however Robert Kennedy then hinted to Kruschev...
Words: 761 - Pages: 4
...1. With reference to the arms challenge by USSR, US responded by developing new military weapons and building more armaments. • After the Second World War, Stalin was determined to make his country into a super power with nuclear capacity to compete with US. In 1949, the USSR exploded her first atomic bomb and became a nuclear power. In 1957, the USSR developed Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) which could be fired from thousands miles away. • In response to the arms challenges by USSR, US responded by developing more advanced weapons than USSR and building a huge amount of them e.g. after USSR exploded the atomic bomb, US made the first hydrogen bomb. Also, after the USSR developed (ICBM) in 1957, US developed more ICBMS and warheads during 1958 -61. • To conclude, it was USSR started the arm race and this made US response by building more armaments. 2. With reference to the spread of communism in the Eastern Europe by USSR, US responded by adopting the policy of containment. • A civil war between the Greek government and the communist rebels broke out in Greece in 1946. The Soviet Satellites soon came to the aid of the rebels. Also, when Britain withdrew her troop from Greece, it left a power vacuum in the eastern Mediterranean and made Stalin turn his eye to Turkey. He even demanded a base in Dardanelles. • In response to the spread of communism the eastern Europe, the US government gave up her traditional isolation policy and made a firm stand to check...
Words: 784 - Pages: 4
...A year that I would go back to would be 1980 because that was when miracle on ice was. Miracle on ice was when the U.S. men's hockey team was in the winter olympics. The U.S. played in the gold medal game against ussr earlier during the olympics the US lost against USSR. Some reasons that I would go back to see would be to see some of my favorite players. Some of my favorite players are jim craig,bob suter,mark johnson,and jack O'callahan. Herb brooks was also one of my favorite person in the movie. Herb brooks was the coach of the team he also coached at minnesota. Right before the movie came out herb brooks died in a car accident. When I go back in time I would want to see USA play against USSR. Some cool facts about some players are...
Words: 259 - Pages: 2
...Universal School Supply Retailer, Inc (“USSR”) is a retailer of clothing, equipment, supplies, and other products targeted at students from grade school to college level. USSR is offering a promotion during August in which customers who spend a minimum of $100 will receive a $20gift card that can be applied to their next purchase at USSR. These gift cards expire on November 1 of the current year and cannot be redeemed for cash. The main issues involved in this situation are when to recognize the revenue associated with the gift cards and how to record the transaction. These issues are addressed by multiple sections of GAAP, including the following: 605-50-20 605-50-25 405-40-30 460-10-25 065-50-25-7 • In ASC 605-50-20 it defined the cash consideration which includes cash payments and credits that the customer can apply against trade amounts owed to the vendor… In this case, USSR is offering its customers a 20$ gift cards, which are only redeemable if the customer spends over $100 during the month of August. According to ASC 605-50-25-7 A vendor may offer a customer a rebate or refund of a specified amount of cash consideration that is redeemable only if the customer completes a specified cumulative level of revenue transactions or remains a customer for a specified time period. The vendor shall recognize the rebate or refund obligation as a reduction of revenue based on a systematic and rational allocation of the cost of honoring rebates or refunds earned and claimed to...
Words: 848 - Pages: 4
...The ‘Thaw’ & ‘Peaceful Co-existence’ 4. The arms impact of the arms race 5. Sin-Soviet relations 6. Détente 7. End of Cold War Reminder of the structure of Unit 3 • Unit 3 = 25% of total marks • Written exam: 2 hours • Answer ONE question from Section A (30 marks), and ONE from Section B (40 marks) - choice of 2 questions in both sections • Section A – discuss an historical issue • Section B – use source material & knowledge to discuss an historical event Section A – themes to explore in your revision: 1. The post-Stalin thaw and the bid for peaceful coexistence in 1950s: a) USSR: Khrushchev b) USA: the responses of Dulles, Eisenhower and Kennedy. • the continuation of the Cold War in the 1950s following the retirement of Truman & death of Stalin, despite the bid for improved relations on the part of the USSR in the form of unilateral cuts in the size of the Red Army and withdrawal from Austria and Finland. • the concept of peaceful coexistence & what motivated Khrushchev & the Soviet leadership, & why the USA under Eisenhower & his Secretary of State, Dulles, and later Kennedy and his staff, responded in the way they did. • the role of personality, particularly that of Khrushchev, in shaping relations in these years should be addressed & students should be aware of the Paris Summit, the U2...
Words: 13995 - Pages: 56
...Treaty of Friendship that seemed to confirm US perceptions that China was ready to do Stalin’s bidding in struggle against forces of capitalism and imperialism * Reality was to show much more complex relationship between 2 com powers * Treaty heavily favorable to USSR, reflection of relationship between 2 countries at time * USSR treated China as a junior partner in com alliance * 1 way China could improve standing in relationship was by proving loyalty to cause of world com. In this context it was to take active role in attempting to advance world com * Not easy relationship between S/M * S always cautious in providing help to CCP during civil war. To him Guomindang seemed to offer better bulwark against Jap expansion in China that occurred during 30s and WW2. As a result gave them aid * Only after CCP had taken over in Oct 49 that Stalin was prepared to place relations with M on firmer footing * Alliance with USSR was to be cornerstone of M fp. believed it was only though assistance of USSR that com CH could receive protection it needed against attack from USA and anti-com forces in CH. Also wanted help of Sov experts to ensure socialist society was developed within CH. * USSR agreed to help and Liu Shaoqi (2nd in command) visited Moscow summer 49 to start negotiations * Report to S, sov com party “main headquarters” of com movement. CH is just a “battle-front headquarters” “CCP submits to decisions of Sov com party” even in differences...
Words: 875 - Pages: 4
...The First Couple of Things He Did • 1. UN Established June 26, 1945 (Tie) ▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ April 1945, 50 Nations met in San Francisco HQ in New York Permanent Members-US, UK, China, USSR, France Trygve Lie-1st UN Secretary General • 2. US Drops Atomic Bombs (Win) ▫ Hiroshima August 6th ▫ Nagasaki August 9th 3. German Occupation (Tie) • Potsdam Conference-splits Germany into 4 Occupation Zones ▫ US, UK, France (West Germany) ▫ USSR (East Germany • Also Split Berlin (4 Zones) • Promised to crush NAZI party ▫ Nuremberg Trials-sentenced 11 to death 4. Japanese Occupation (Win) • Only US controlled the rebuilding of Japan ▫ Did not want to split Japan like Germany • Create a Democratic government • Supreme Commander Douglas MacArthur ▫ He wrote the constitution ▫ Not militaristic! ▫ No more weapons/army 5. Eastern Europe (Loss) • Right after the war, Stalin takes the Baltic States ▫ Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia • Stalin’s Promise of Free Elections in Eastern Europe ▫ Went back on promises at Yalta • Iron Curtain Speech-Winston Churchill, Missouri • “An iron curtain has descended across Europe…” 6. Containment Policy • Authored by George Kennan • Fundamentally changes US Foreign Policy forever • Learned our lesson from WWII ▫ Appeasement @ Munich ▫ Soviets want to expand, we need to push them back! Truman Doctrine • Announced March 12, 1947 • “It must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples from conquest or subjugation by outside pressures.” • What...
Words: 577 - Pages: 3
...Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan The Invasion of Afghanistan marked the beginning one of the darkest decades in Soviet political action. One of the most decisive event in the latter half of the Cold War, it raised tensions once again and put the two superpowers butting heads once again. A 10 year war that pitted the Soviets against the Mujahedeen backed by many western and fellow Arab nations. Countries had different reasons to support the fight against the Soviets such as the Americans who saw it as another Cold War struggle, to Egypt and other fellow Muslim nations it was to assist a fellow Muslim population fight back against the atheist invaders. This invasion of Afghanistan was met with a worldwide outcry for the USSR to immediately pull out and stop the fighting. The Soviet equivalent of Vietnam, this was a conflict that they realized was unwinnable far too late into the endeavor. This event brought the world to the end of Détente and created high tensions through much of the 1980’s. When the Soviet paratroopers landed over Kabul on Christmas of 1979 the time for current Prime Minister Hazifullah Amin was quickly running out. He was a very unpopular leader with many ideals that did line up with Moscow, however they decided that his time leading the nation was up. On December 27th Soviet troops stormed his palace and murdered him with most of his family. He was almost immediately replaced by Babrak Kamal, a politician who depended very heavily on the Soviet forces to stay...
Words: 2127 - Pages: 9
...combination of the three factors. The personal differences between the leaders are clearly reflected in Source 8, where Stalin was repeatedly described have “demons of suspicion” and “demons of insecurity”. This was a nod to his paranoid personality, which has definitely contributed on a major scale to the mistrust between the two leaders. This is evident in the way Stalin suspected “FDR was scheming behind his back” despite Roosevelt being “the only President whom Stalin accepted as a partner”, which emphasises the potential of greater suspicion and mistrust with Truman since he doesn’t see them as “equals”. This paranoia was emphasised by the “atomic bombardment of Japan” which doesn’t just conflict with the Russian national interest of expanding into Manchuria and entering the Japanese war, (which is a great issue on its own), but also causes Stalin to retreat “back into a neurotic solitude” due to the fact that Truman dropped the bombs unannounced, which greatly offended Stalin and removed any hope of reconciliation. This entrenched the relationship between the USSR and the West even further than before, laying down the foundations of the Cold War in 1945-46. Another personality clash that deteriorated of relations is the fact...
Words: 1020 - Pages: 5
...broke out it was more prepared for it than both Britain and Frances. This economic progress was due to the first two five year plans. The Nazi’s were unable to produce as much on a big enough scale to defeat the USSR. Other reasons also played a part in victory for the USSR during WW2. Such as the German tactical mistakes and the alliances the USSR had. The Soviet economy used similar methods to fight the war as it had during the Five-Year plans. There were some innovations though. In the early days of war, Stalin initiated a new policy of relocating the industry so that it would not fall into enemy hands. By November 1941 1523 factories had been taken apart and moved in Eastern regions of Russia. Central planning was also effective during WW2 as by 1942, 56% of the USSR’s national income was devoted to the war; this was a much high figure in comparison than Britain, Germany and America. The production of armament almost doubled between the year of 1941 and 1944, this was remarkable achievement to say a large amount of Russian territory was in German hands already. At the start of the war, Germany looked like an unstoppable force. Hitler’s ability to actually guide the war seemed inadequate as he rose to power and this led to failures. His decision to declare war on the USSR whilst already fighting a war against Britain was risky. Germany also launched an offence called Operation Barbarossa, which was launched later than anticipated which resulted in Germany being unable to reach...
Words: 1154 - Pages: 5
... 2 The Cold War Keep your Finger Off the Button! The Cold War, how did these two countries get to this point in history? While the United States and USSR should have been more grown up and learned to work out their problems, who were the major players in the Cold War and how were the two sides involved in the space race, when did the Cold War start and end, and what were the two sides arguing over. The United States was in an intense war with the USSR for five decades. It started in 1945, shortly after Communist Leader Joseph Stalin learned of the first atomic bomb the U.S. dropped on Japan August 6, 1945. “The Cold War was a strategic struggle that developed after World War II between the United States with its allies and the Soviet Union with its allies” (Bentley, J., Ziegler, H., & Streets, H. 2008 pg. 638). But, this was not an ordinary war between the two, it was a Cold War. It had more attacks of words and propaganda competing which was the better country. One reason these two superpowers never had direct military action against each other was they both possessed Nuclear Weapons. The major powers in the Cold War between the U.S. and USSR were Soviet Leader Joseph Stalin (1879-1953); he became Soviet Leader after the death of Lenin in 1924. “He collectivized farming and heavy industries (1936-1938). He formed a non-attack plan with Hitler under World War II which Hitler broke”...
Words: 2023 - Pages: 9
...security was the basis of much strain as neither country felt safe mainly due to the advancement of nuclear weapons. Both countries had many attempts in order to gain stability ahead of the other such as the Korean War, where the USSR forced Mao to pay a large sum of money in order to pay back the USSR for its aid. However, this caused further rifts in the relationship. Due to the shared border of China and the USSR, territorial disputes were not unheard of however, throughout the Cold War, this became a larger issue as each wanted to assert more power. Although relations with the US was a factor involved in the split, it did little but cause tension and demonstrate the further rift that was happening between the two countries through the various meetings with presidents. Ideological differences were pivotal in the breakdown of Sino-Soviet relations as they marked a significant flaw in the relationship; this was mainly due to their idea of the Nature of a Revolution. The Soviets believed in a Worker’s revolution whereas Mao was set on a peasant revolution, which can be seen through his attempt at the Cultural Revolution in 1966 in which he demonstrated a Breakdown of the Soviet Bureaucratic system and it created anarchy. Prior to this, Mao was accused by the USSR of ideological errors in the “Great leap forward”. A geopolitical view of the split is that both based their...
Words: 1709 - Pages: 7
