3 discussion questions & 3 student responses

RE: Week 7 Discussion

Hi, Classmates, professor 

Discuss America's Cold War policy or strategy aimed at dealing with communism and the Soviet threat, and an example of a Cold War conflict or crisis

The focus was to Stop Soviet and China communist expansion. Destroy communism as an economic system. Try containment by using political means and military means in Korea, Cuba, and Vietnam. The policy was containment since the end of WW II. It was to surround the communist block and to prevent any expansion of the Soviet block. The USA, USSR, was continually trying to outdo each other with scientific research, such as going to the moon space, etc. At the same time, both countries were walking a metaphorical tight rope, trying to keep each other from using nuclear weapons and starting the world's first nuclear war.

    When Reagan became US President in 1981, he immediately wanted to strengthen the US military and become enemies with the USSR. In general, the US was trying to stop other countries from using communism, and USSR was doing the exact opposite. All major powers in the Cold War America, Soviet Union, China wanted to increase their global influence, usually by gaining political EU, Warsaw Pact, later China-US rapprochement), economic, and military allies NATO, Warsaw Pact. The Soviets had an established sphere of influence in Eastern Europe, but it was not enough as America was dominating the entire world with its massive political and economic clout. Hence, the Soviet Union wanted to expand its influence. During the Cold War, the USA considered airdropping large condoms labeled Medium into USSR. To demoralize them against an anatomically superior American Army.

     The main goals during the Cold-War were to contain the socialist Rule territorial expansion. Furthermore, the communist ideals both, especially

in Europe in which the CIA was very active in the NATO countries, a specific example of a conflict or crisis that was part of this Cold War strategy, was to keep Germany in a neutered, non-threatening condition. Furthermore, to develop nuclear weapons, and following that, establish a credible nuclear weapons delivery capability.

Describe a specific example of a conflict or crisis that was part of this Cold War strategy.

   The world was divided into two, based on ideology, namely Communist and non -communist. It had adverse hostility between nations curbed development and developed mistrust and genuine hatred among their peoples. Soviet glory was lost, and millions were left unemployed, resulting in the deteriorating of the Soviet economy. 

 The compare or contrast this to the international situation today, for example.  The situation in the Middle-East resembles the powder keg that was the Balkans a little over a century ago, with many powers having interests in the region.

I believe that a new Cold War is happening. With Russia very much being, soon, the secondary partner, providing both the nuclear-weapon support and oil for an economically stable China. Even today, it is threatening to think the world could have almost ended if only some American or Russian hit the launch button.