The Cold War, formed as a result of the development of nuclear weapons and the confrontation between two massive world powers, had many consequences that affected the entire world. First of all, this war left a mark on the arms sphere, since many countries, not only the USSR and America, also began active development of weapons, including nuclear ones (“Cold War history,” 2019). Moreover, such actions have led to the formation of new tactics and strategies, including, for example, nuclear deterrence.
In addition, the ongoing weapons tests have had a severe impact on the environment through research into the applications of nuclear energy. A considerable number of nuclear explosions have led to the release of radioactive debris into the atmosphere, as well as the destruction of the terrain, as, for example, in the case of Eniwetok atoll in the Marshall Islands (“Cold War history,” 2019). Furthermore, some regions are still affected by the arms race, suffering from pollution, and constantly carrying out decontamination work.
Finally, the most ambitious consequences of the Cold War were political ones, which were reflected in the entire world balance and relations between states. The confrontation between the USSR and America ultimately led to the disappearance of almost all communist states, including the Soviet Union itself, which collapsed in 1991 (“Cold War history,” 2019). Thus, it can be considered that the Cold War was won by the United States, which achieved the destruction of its adversary.
Reference
Cold War history (2019). History. Web.