The rise of the Cold War
A variety of factors contributed to the rise of the Cold War. These factors, ranging from ideological to economic and political, have emerged already after the end of World War II. Primarily, they touched upon the United States and the Soviet Union who were fighting for world supremacy. The Berlin Crisis had disabled land transport between Berlin and West Germany and led to polarization between Eastern and West European nations. This took place because the Soviet Union attempted to cut off supplies coming from both sides of the federation. The West European nations saw this as an attempt of the Soviet Union to slowly force them out first from Germany and then from Europe, an attempt which they were determined to resist.
Another important event that contributed to the rise of the Cold War was the surrender of Japan in World War II after the dropping of nuclear bombs on Japanese cities Nagasaki and Hiroshima in 1945. The Nagasaki and Hiroshima bombings caused massive destruction of property and loss of lives (Urwin 69). It has withdrawn the USA from World War II and ultimately led to the end of this war. The Americans explored other ways to remain the world superpower.
To keep this position, they needed to counter the influence of Russia, their only threat and competitor. Russia, in its turn, was determined to hold the Americans through nuclear technology; the Russians wanted to develop their nuclear bomb (Urwin 89), which sparked a rivalry between Russia and the United States resulting in the Cold War.
The Soviet Union’s extension of its influence in Western Europe after WWII was also a contributing factor to the East-West polarization. Stalin was not comfortable with the communist practices in Eastern Europe, and, after World War II, he spearheaded communism in Western Europe, which was opposed by the United States, an advocator of capitalism. This worsened the relations between the USA and the USSR leading to the Cold War.
The USA and Soviet Antagonism
The battle of ideological and hegemonic dominance started between the United States and Russia following the fall of Germany and the devastation of the European countries. The USSR and the USA battled for hegemonic supremacy. The USA stood for capitalism, while Russia was for communism (Lightbody 367). The USA was considered an impractical system, while the communists thought that capitalism was a cause of economic and social problems in the world. It is worth mentioning that the USA was better placed to contest for world supremacy because of the benefit of its thriving economy and efficient military command (Lightbody 367).
The USSR, however, derived influence from the expanding interests of Stalin. Stalin used communism to spread his ideology to the world and managed to bring more countries under his control. This was a strategy to counter capitalism from taking a toll in the world.
Most European countries supported the USA because of capitalism and the democratic system campaign. The United States favored a system of government and economic policies that allowed for individual freedom and respect of individuals’ rights. The communists, on the other hand, favored a communal form of administration where wealth was to be shared equally among all the people. Europe believed in democracy and established mechanisms that would guarantee personal freedom and choices (Painter 366). This move reduced much of the political anxiety that had been the case both within states and between East and Western European states.
Effects of the Cold War
The Cold War brought about both positive and negative effects. Soon after the Cold War, there emerged several new technologies that have shaped the modern world (Painter 366). The World Wide Web invented in the United States has become a major form of communication in the contemporary world. At first, the Internet was used as a tool of communication by the American Military only, but later, the civilians were also allowed to use it to communicate with each other globally. The Cold War also led to the development of nuclear and conventional arms.
At present, nuclear arms are still a threat to world peace; Iran continues drawing the attention of the world peace forums because of the nuclear energy possessions. The war also resulted in tension between some neighboring countries. Such tensions were witnessed during the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union, the Vietnam War, and the Cuban crisis (Lightbody 367).
The final effect of the Cold War was the economic devastation of most countries. This was because most of the resources were used to streamline the military and support the allies who were perceived as helpful during the war.
Conclusion
The Cold War led to the fall of the Soviet Union as a superpower. This was a result of the economic devastation caused by the war, the Americans’ subjugating profits from its imperialist exploitation, and the lack of verified information in the course of the war. The USA, owing to its capitalism policy, managed to influence the world and thus become the superpower. This also took place because of its strong military supremacy and sound economy. The American supremacy interest continues to be perpetuated in the present world. This has been witnessed during the Iraq and Afghanistan invasions, as well as through the economic sanctions on Zimbabwe.
Works Cited
Lightbody, Bradley. The Cold War. New York: Routledge, 1999.
Painter, David, S. The Cold War: an International History. New York: Routledge, 1999.
Urwin, Derek. Western Europe since 1945: A Short Political History. London: Longmans, Green and Co. Ltd., 1968.