Cold War

Origins and Context of the Cold War (1945-1947)

• Division of the Allies and Collapse of the Axis: After World War II, the cooperation among the Allies quickly turned into distrust. Disagreements over the reconstruction of Europe, especially concerning Germany, highlighted the ideological differences between the USSR (communism) and the United States (capitalism).
• Beginning of Spheres of Influence: The USSR established satellite regimes in Eastern Europe, while the United States developed its influence over Western Europe with the Marshall Plan, an economic aid program.
• Truman Doctrine and Containment: In 1947, the Truman Doctrine was adopted to counter communist expansion. Containment became the official U.S. policy aimed at stopping the spread of communism.

Blockade and Formation of Blocs (1947-1953)

• Formation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact: In 1949, the United States and its allies created NATO to ensure collective defense against the Soviet threat. In response, the USSR formed the Warsaw Pact in 1955.
• Berlin Blockade (1948-1949): The first major confrontation, the Berlin Blockade, was initiated by the USSR to gain full control over the city. The Allies responded with an airlift to supply West Berlin.
• Nuclear Arms Race: In 1949, the USSR tested its first atomic bomb, ending the American nuclear monopoly. The arms race began, with both superpowers striving to develop weapons of mass destruction.

Cold War Conflicts and Containment Policy (1950-1962)

• The Korean War (1950-1953): This conflict pitted the communist forces of the North (supported by the USSR and China) against the South (supported by a U.S.-led coalition). The Korean War symbolized the militarization of the Cold War.
• Berlin and Cuban Crises: The construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961 illustrated the growing division of the world between two blocs. The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 brought the Cold War to the brink of nuclear conflict before de-escalation occurred through negotiations between Kennedy and Khrushchev.

Period of Détente (1963-1979)

• Détente and Arms Control Agreements: After the Cuban crisis, a period of détente began. Agreements were signed to limit strategic arms, such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (1968) and the SALT Agreements (1972).
• Limited Cooperation Context: Initiatives like the Helsinki Accords (1975) sought to establish international cooperation, particularly regarding security in Europe, but distrust between the superpowers persisted.

Return of Tensions and Collapse (1979-1991)

• Invasion of Afghanistan (1979): The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan marked the end of détente. The United States supported the Afghan mujahideen to counter Soviet influence, reigniting tensions.
• Arms Race under Reagan: The 1980s saw a renewed escalation of the Cold War, with U.S. President Ronald Reagan labeling the USSR as the "evil empire" and launching the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), also known as "Star Wars."
• Gorbachev’s Reforms and Collapse: Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of the USSR in 1985 and introduced reforms, *glasnost* (openness) and *perestroika* (restructuring), aimed at modernizing the country. These reforms weakened Moscow's control over Eastern Europe and contributed to the collapse of communist regimes in 1989-1990.
• Fall of the USSR (1991): The Cold War ended with the official dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991, following the declaration of independence by Soviet republics and the attempted coup against Gorbachev.