The Cold War was a global confrontational, but not reaching direct armed conflict, the confrontation between two blocs of countries with different socio-political systems led by the USSR and the USA in the period from 1946 to the end of the 1980s. It was characterized by geopolitical, military, economic, and ideological rivalry. The Cold War is called cold because not a single armed battle took place on the territories of the opposing countries, and the armies of the USSR and the USA did not participate in an open clash against each other1. The Cold War between the two countries was accompanied by local wars such as the Korean, Vietnamese, and Afghan conflicts and others that did not escalate into direct military clashes between the formed Western and Eastern military-political blocs. The Cold War played a significant role in American history in the recent past, yet the role of this war is normative rather than anomalous.
The normative or evaluative role lies in the fact that the United States has undergone changes in the presidency, which has survived to this day. The tough stance of US President Harry Truman against the Soviets and Stalin put pressure on the administrative apparatus of the USSR and US domestic policy2. Foreign policy was aimed at deterrence, and the United States actively supported its allies. The Cold War and the actions of President Truman had a significant impact on the social and economic spheres of life of the American population. Regular propaganda and work with the people’s thinking have led to the weakening of existing social reforms. Social reforms for the protection of civil rights and the eradication of racial and sexual discrimination have receded into the background3. Government expansion has become the main driving trigger contributing to strong economic growth by stimulating industry.
America and the USSR entered the arms race, which led to the active development of new types of weapons by both countries. America has created a powerful atomic weapon that terrified opponents during tests. This weapon was capable of causing devastating damage to the territories and the population to which it was directed and used4. This has had a significant impact on the still existing standards for the invention of weapons. Atomic and thermonuclear weapons were invented, which to this day make the United States one of the strongest countries in terms of weapons5. The invention of atomic weapons also led to a constant threat to the lives of entire nations since no one knew when the heads of state would decide to use them on their opponents.
The Cold War also had an impact on people’s daily lives, which also demonstrates that its role is normative since some people are still forced to live as they lived during the Cold War. Some sought to protect themselves and their families, for which they began actively building bomb shelters next to their own homes. People were preparing for street fights with opponents, for which they began to train to defend themselves from attacks. The population began to shift from large cities to the suburbs, which had a significant impact on their growth6. The government decided to help its residents and approved low mortgage rates for the purchase of suburban housing.
The Cold War also led to the fact that some major countries of the world split, and this split also played a normative role for America. Even though the war was cold, some countries entered the actual active stage of hostilities, as a result of which their separation occurred, which became significant for the fate of America. Europe was divided into western and eastern, and each of the halves was controlled by either the USA or the USSR7. In addition, the United States began to rule Japan, as well as Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, which led to the fact that America’s financial resources were depleted, and the country became part of many other conflicts.
President Truman used for the benefit of the nation the Law on the Rearmament of Military Personnel, which consisted in allocating federal financial assistance to American war veterans for re-education. Many veterans were allowed to undergo new training, and also, due to additional benefits administered by the state, they were able to purchase housing for themselves8. Now many American citizens have the opportunity to move from a low class to an average one and get the comfort of accommodation and professional growth. Accordingly, Americans paid more taxes, creating a significant financial base for America. The US has reached a substantial economic potential that has made it strong.
In addition to the positive normative role that the Cold War played in America’s recent past, there were also adverse events. Racial and sexual discrimination continued to increase, and the President did not seek to change the situation. This was because Harry Truman was afraid to alienate white voters in the issue of elections and support for the head of state9. The rearmament bill was also aimed more at white-skinned veterans. Ignoring sexism, racism, and other violations of minority rights led to the fact that people began to go on strikes and demonstrations. In the end, the President decided that he would need the votes and support of Afro-Americans. For this purpose, places were created for the employment of African Americans, and they were also made to belong to the middle class10. This played a significant role in Truman’s re-election and victory over his opponent.
President Truman made a significant contribution to securing America’s recent past and made it more successful than it could have been. New incentives for the development of the country were used, and threats that could cause significant damage to the population of the country were actively restrained11. The president created a substantial, strong base of the presidency, which then became hereditary and passed from one ruler of the United States to another.
In conclusion, the Cold War played a significant normative role in America’s recent past. The arms race during the Cold War strengthened the country by creating new nuclear weapons and demonstrated this power to other countries. Many strong countries that have become long-term allies of America have been attracted. The lives of people belonging to the lower class have improved significantly due to the introduction of a program for the purchase of preferential housing and retraining. This program made it possible to improve people’s lives and make them belong to the middle class, as well as by raising taxes to create an excellent financial base for the country. In addition, African Americans received the support of the state, which made it possible to keep Harry Truman as president, who helped bring the country to a high level with his right decisions.
Bibliography
Campbell Craig, and Fredrik Logevall. America’s Cold War: The Politics of Insecurity, Second Edition. United States: First Belknap Press, 2020.
Shi, David and Tindall, George. America: The Essential Learning Edition. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2015.
Footnotes
- Shi, David and Tindall, George. America: The Essential Learning Edition. (New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2015), 929.
- Campbell Craig, and Fredrik Logevall. America’s Cold War: The Politics of Insecurity, Second Edition. (United States: First Belknap Press, 2020), 145.
- Shi and Tindall America: The Essential Learning Edition, 934.
- Shi and Tindall America: The Essential Learning Edition, 947.
- Campbell and Logevall. America’s Cold War: The Politics of Insecurity, Second Edition, 178.
- Shi and Tindall America: The Essential Learning Edition, 962.
- Shi and Tindall America: The Essential Learning Edition, 962.
- Shi and Tindall America: The Essential Learning Edition, 952.
- Campbell and Logevall. America’s Cold War: The Politics of Insecurity, Second Edition, 181.
- Campbell and Logevall. America’s Cold War: The Politics of Insecurity, Second Edition, 189.
- Shi and Tindall America: The Essential Learning Edition, 963.