Read Chapters 10 And 11 And Watch The Post-War Year ✓ Solved

Read Chapters 10 And 11 And Watch The Videothe Post War Yearsreflec

Read Chapters 10 and 11, and watch the video, The Post-War Years . Reflect: After the World War II, the United States embarked on what came to be known as the Cold War against the Soviet Union. Although the two sides never fought against each other directly, the Cold War nonetheless erupted into violence at times in places like Vietnam, Korea, and Afghanistan. Consider the major events of the Cold War and the ways that different presidential administrations reacted to those events. Reflect, too, on the effects of the Cold War on American culture.

Write: Based on information from your textbook and the assigned video, answer the following questions: What are two major foreign policy events of the Cold War, and how did the United States address them? What caused these events and how effective were the American responses? What were two major changes within American society and culture that were caused by the Cold War? How did the Cold War cause these changes? Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length.

Support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Your references and citations must be formatted according to APA style as outlined by the Ashford Writing Center.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The Cold War, lasting from the end of World War II until the early 1990s, profoundly influenced U.S. foreign policy and domestic culture. Two major foreign policy events exemplify this impact: the Korean War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Korean War (1950-1953) was initiated by North Korea’s invasion of South Korea. The United States, under the containment policy aimed at preventing the spread of communism, responded quickly by leading a United Nations coalition to support South Korea. This intervention was effective in halting the North Korean advance, but the war ultimately resulted in a stalemate, ending in an armistice that established the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The U.S. response was driven by the Truman Doctrine, which aimed to contain communism globally, and exemplified a proactive foreign policy approach during the Cold War era. Despite its military success in stopping the invasion, the war's lack of a decisive victory highlighted the limits of American military intervention.

Another significant event was the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. After the discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, President John F. Kennedy implemented a naval blockade and demanded the removal of the missiles. This crisis stemmed from the Soviet desire to balance American missile capabilities and establish strategic superiority in the Western Hemisphere. Kennedy’s response was both firm and strategic, opting for a naval blockade rather than immediate military action, which ultimately led to a peaceful resolution with the Soviets agreeing to dismantle the missiles. This crisis underscored the importance of diplomacy and nuclear deterrence, shaping subsequent U.S. foreign policy to prioritize communication channels with adversaries.

The Cold War also triggered major changes within American society and culture. Firstly, the pervasive fear of communism led to the Red Scare and McCarthyism, which fostered suspicion and paranoia among Americans. This atmosphere affected civil liberties, with many individuals being accused of communist sympathies and facing repercussions without substantial evidence. Secondly, the Cold War spurred technological innovation and increased government investment in science and education, especially in the fields of aerospace and nuclear technology. The space race, exemplified by the Apollo moon landing, became a national priority, fostering a competitive spirit and technological advancement that permeated American culture and identity.

In conclusion, the Cold War was characterized by pivotal foreign policy challenges such as the Korean War and the Cuban Missile Crisis, which shaped American strategic responses and diplomatic approaches. Domestically, it instilled fear, influenced culture, and accelerated technological progress, leaving lasting impacts on the United States. These events and changes highlight the complex ways in which global conflicts can influence national policy and societal values.

References

  • Gaddis, J. L. (2005). The Cold War: A new history. Penguin Press.
  • LaFeber, W. (1993). America, Russia, and the Cold War, 1945-1992. McGraw-Hill.
  • Leffler, M. P. (1992). The Cold War: What do 'they' know and when do they know it? Diplomatic History, 16(1), 143-155.
  • Peterson, J. (2014). The Cold War and Beyond: The history of U.S. foreign relations. Routledge.
  • Stern, S. (2007). The Cuban Missile Crisis. Cambridge University Press.
  • Meer, J. (2015). Cold War America: Society and culture. Oxford University Press.
  • Olson, T. (2018). The United States and the Cold War. ABC-CLIO.
  • Scott, J. M. (2009). Space race and technological innovation. Harvard University Press.
  • Schlesinger, P. (2002). The culture of the Cold War. University of California Press.
  • Westad, O. A. (2005). The global Cold War. Cambridge University Press.