The cold war:

1943, the outcome of World War II was inevitable. The Axis powers led by Germany were isolated
and dealt with severely. The disastrous German invasion of Russia, tipping over of Italian support
in favor of the Allies and American intervention resulted in the Allies getting stronger. Germany
and Japan were contained in their mad race for procuring armaments and territories in Europe and
Asia. Finally, in 1945, the suicide of Adolf Hitler marked the end of the war in Europe.
Germany was invaded by the American forces from the west and the Russian military in the east.
The two forces closed in on Berlin and demarcated their areas of support. This led to the building of
the Berlin Wall amidst the calm that the end of the war had ushered in. The hushed animosity
surfaced again in other territories and the air was filled with animosity. The only withholding fear
was the presence of nuclear warfare. This led to a build up of tension, but the aversion to war and
hence the term 'Cold War' was adopted.
The United States represented the preference for a capitalist form of government, while the Soviet
Union represented the Communist Bloc. The whole of Europe and Asia got divided, with every
nation either willingly accepting or being forced into an alliance with any one side. The end of the
Second World War also ushered in an era of decolonization and subsequent, liberation of many
enslaved nations. These newly liberated countries battled with bankrupt economies and territorial
divisions that led to an exodus of refugees. Taking advantage of the situation, the Communist and
Capitalist nations began to influence the people and empower them with financial aid.
The monetary aid and alliances strengthened and fueled the rivalry between the two
superpowers. The Cold War was characterized by a number of domestic and international military
coalitions, political propaganda, armament race, espionage and technological development of the
destructive kind. This space and nuclear arms race resulted in proxy wars between the pawns used
by the US and USSR. Ironically, the liberated countries now became part of a bipolar world, forced
to align themselves with either one of the superpower blocs. It took grit and courage for nations like
Yugoslavia and India to rally a Non-Aligned Movement.
The rivalry between the two power blocs was suppressed and while the US capitalized on alliances
in Western Europe and the Middle East, the Soviet Union encouraged revolutionary movements in
Eastern Europe, the Asian Subcontinent and Latin America. Given below is a brief timeline that
summarizes the significant events and incidences that occurred around the world in the Cold war
era.

Timeline of Events in the Cold War
1945 to 1950
In 1945 The Allies agree in Potsdam to the fundamental conditions of the occupation of
Germany. American nuclear bombs destroy Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The US offers assistance to countries threatened by communism and in 1947, US Secretary
of State George C. Marshall announces a massive aid program for the reconstruction of
World War II-torn Europe, known as the Marshall Plan.
The first major Berlin crisis during the Cold War occurs when The Soviet blockade of West
Berlin begins on June 24 1948
On April 4, 1949 the NATO Treaty is signed in Washington and on May 23rd the Federal
Republic of Germany is established. Later that year on October 7th the communist German
Democratic Republic (GDR) comes into existence. On the other side of the world, the
People's Republic of China is established by the Communist Party under Mao Zedong.
On 25th June 1950, North Korea attacks South Korea, subsequently UN troops led by the
United States invade the country. China and the Soviet Union back North Korea.
1951 to 1955
In 1952, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin offers to hold negotiations on the reunification of
Germany with the condition that the unified Germany remain neutral. But the Western
allied powers in conjunction with the West German parliament reject the offer.
In 1953, a cease-fire is declared halting the Korean War. The two countries are forced to
maintain their pre-war status.
On June 17, 1953, a workers' strike in East Germany quickly turns into an uprising that is
violently suppressed by Russian tanks.
The first Germany army to exist after Hitler's fall, the Bundeswehr, is formed as the Federal
Republic of Germany joins NATO on 9th May 1955
A mutual defense treaty between eight communist nations of Eastern Europe is signed on
14th May 1955. Commonly referred to as the Warsaw Pact was a strategic counter to the
NATO treaty signed by the US and its allies.
1956 to 1960
On October 23rd 1956, a nation-wide revolt against the Communists government of
Hungary begins in Budapest. After 17 days of protests the Hungarian uprising is brutally
crushed as Soviet tanks roll into the capital, leading to 2,500 deaths.
In July 1956, Egypt announced its plans to nationalize the Suez Canal. This led to military
action by the forces of Britain, France and Israel with the objective of occupying the Suez
Canal. The US and Soviet Union, along with the UN, put pressure of the three nations to
withdraw and avert a major escalation of conflict.
In 1959, Cuba is taken over by Fidel Castro and he promptly allies himself with the Soviet
Union and its policies.
1961 to 1965
In April 1961 the Bay of Pigs invasion, an exercise planned by the CIA to support rebels
against Castro in Cuba, fails horribly causing embarrassment to the US.
Fearing a brain drain of professionals and damage to the political and economic credibility
of East Germany, the construction of the Berlin wall, dividing the Soviet section of Berlin,
began on August 13, 1961.
In 1962 the world is on the verge of nuclear war for 14 long days, after the Soviets position
nuclear war heads in Cuba and the US threatens war.
In 1963, the US, Great Britain and the Soviet Union mutually agree to suspend surface and
underwater tests of nuclear weapons.
The first combat forces of the US land in South Vietnam in March 1965 signifying the
direct involvement of the US in the Vietnam War.
1966 to 1970
On January 23rd 1968 an American research ship USS Pueblo is captured by the North
Koreans along with its 82 crew members. The crew was released after 11 months, but the
ship still remains with the North Koreans even today.
Soviet troops along with other Warsaw Pact members entered Prague on August 21st 1968
to halt reforms and liberalization policies followed by the Czechoslovakian government
popularly known as the Prague Spring.
On September 1, 1969 Muammar al-Gaddafi overthrows the monarchy in Libya and aligns
with the Soviet Union, expelling US and British personnel.
1971 to 1975
The signing of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks - I (SALT - I) agreement on May 26th
1972 signals the easing of strained relations between the United States and Soviet Union.
Signing of the Paris Peace Accords on January 27th signals the end of American
involvement in Vietnam.
1976 to 1980
On June 18th 1979, U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Soviet leader, Leonid Brezhnev, sign
the SALT-II agreement, outlining guidelines and limitations for nuclear weapons.
The USSR invades Afghanistan to save the crumbling government there. The occupation
would last almost 10 years and result in one of the costliest wars for the Soviet Union.
Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the US imposes sanctions on the Russians
and boycotts the Moscow Olympic Games of 1980.
1981 to 1985
A Korean Airlines flight carrying 239 civilians is shot down by Soviet interceptor aircraft
on 1st September 1983.
On March 23rd 1983, US President Ronald Reagan announces the development of a world-
wide "Star Wars" missile defense system with his Strategic Defense Initiative.
On 21st November 1985, Geneva, Switzerland, host to a summit between Reagan and
Gorbachev, for the first time, where they agree to hold two more summits.
1986 to 1991
In October 1986, Reagan and Gorbachev hold successful talks and agree to remove all
intermediate nuclear missiles from Europe
U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev sign the Intermediate-
Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in Washington, D.C on 8th December 1987, and also agree on
the START - I treaty.
Mounting losses and little significant gain leads the Soviet Union to admit defeat in
Afghanistan and announce withdrawal of the troops in early 1989.
In the later half of 1989, a spate of revolutions across Eastern Europe see governments in
Poland, Romania and Hungary fall to democratic and liberal forces led by its people.
In December 1989 at the Malta summit, US President George Bush and Soviet leader
Mikhail Gorbachev announce the beginning of a long-lasting era of peace. This summit is
regarded by many observers to be the start of the end of the Cold War.
On December 25th 1991 Mikhail Gorbachev resigns as the President of the Soviet Union,
the Soviet flag is lowered over the Kremlin for the last time.
The Council of Republics of Supreme Socialist of USSR recognize the dissolution of the
USSR.
On 31st December 1991 all Soviet institutions are disbanded and cease operations,
officially marking the end of the Cold War.
Causes and Effects of the Cold War
The Soviet-American combat, known as the "Cold War" hung heavy over global affairs for more
than forty long years; structuring the world with extensive military buildups, an unceasing nuclear
arms rivalry, intensive surveillance, and relentless technological emulations. Further elaborated are
the causes and repercussions of this menacing fracas drawn upon the world by the two superpowers;
the United States of America and the Soviet Union.
The Cold War dominated the second half of the 20th century, resulting in the collapse of
communism. The Cold War was a period of tension and hostility between the United States of
America and the Soviet Union from the mid-40s to the late 80s. It began with the end of the Second
World War. Free society would have termed it as World War III, but instead, used a whimsical
name pertaining to no direct military confrontation between the two nations, fearing nuclear
escalation assured mutual destruction. Nevertheless, both the nations indulged in indirect conflicts
and proxy wars by supporting allied nations in places like Korea and Vietnam. Cuban missile crisis
in 1962 was the closest the world ever came to a nuclear war; when an American U2 spy plane took
photographs of Soviet intermediate ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear payloads, sending
a total of 42 medium range missiles and 24 intermediate range missiles to Cuba. The US, then
threatened to invade Cuba over the issue forcing the Soviets to remove the missiles on America's
assurance of not invading Cuba.

Role of the Soviet Union

Although the Soviet Union and China started off as allies in 1949, there emerged an estrangement
between them, which was cleverly exploited by the Americans. The US formed an alliance with
China in 1971 to contain the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1980, which
led to the United States and its allies boycotting the 1980 Olympic games in Moscow. In retaliation,
the Soviet Union and its allies boycotted the 1984 Olympic games in Los Angeles, USA. The US
financed and armed the Afghan guerrillas to fight against the Soviet troops. The Afghan War was a
major factor in bankrupting the Soviet Union.
In the '80s, President Ronald Reagan of the US dubbed the Soviet Union as an "evil empire" and
predicted that it would be consigned to the ash heap of history. He announced a major weapons
buildup and the SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative) also dubbed as "Star Wars". The Soviet Union
was too economically enfeebled to reply in kind. In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of
the Soviet Union. He adopted a conciliatory attitude towards the Americans and many arms
reduction pacts were signed. In 1989, there was a Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan and in 1990,
the Soviets agreed to the reunification of Germany. Movements against communist governments in
Eastern Europe followed this. The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, marking the end of the Cold
War.

Causes
The Soviet Union wanted to spread its ideology of communism worldwide, which alarmed the
Americans who followed democracy.
The acquisition of atomic weapons by America caused fear in the Soviets.
Both countries feared an attack from each other adhering to mutual mass destruction.
The Soviet Union's action of taking control over Eastern Europe was a major factor for US
suspicions.
The US President had a personal dislike of the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.
America was annoyed by the Soviet Union's actions in the part of Germany it had occupied.
The Soviets feared that America would use Western Europe as a base to attack it.
Effects
Both the United States of America and the Soviet Union built up huge arsenals of atomic weapons
and ballistic missiles.
The military blocs, NATO and the Warsaw Pact were formed.
It led to destructive conflicts like the Vietnam War and the Korean War.
The Soviet Union collapsed due to economic weaknesses.
The Berlin Wall was demolished and the two German nations were unified.
The Warsaw Pact disintegrated.
The Baltic States and some former Soviet Republics achieved independence.
America became the sole superpower of the world.
Communism collapsed worldwide.
The Cold War outlined the foreign policies for both the countries through the second half of the
twentieth century as both contested for accomplices to uphold and broaden their respective realms
of sovereignty around the world. However, it did not escalate to an apocalyptic World War III. The
decade-long impasse between American capitalists and Soviet Communists ceased on a nonviolent
mutual consent.

How Did the Cold War End?
One of the most distressing and threatening wars in the history of mankind was the Cold War. What
made this war so unique was that it was not an all out battle between two nations. Rather, it was a
time of tense hostility and suspicion between the two strongest nations at the time, the USA and the
erstwhile USSR. The Cold War was a constant thorn in the development of these nations, because
they both viewed each other with undisguised suspicion, and the name of the game was to collect as
many arms as possible to showcase their individual superiority, to get as many allies as possible on
each side, and to carry out intense espionage. Numerous lives were changed due to this event, and
the fact is that the whole world was on the brink of a devastating war for many years, and there was
no telling how much damage this could have actually done.

To understand the causes and effects of wars is an impossible task, since it is a confluence of
several factors that lead to such a situation. There is no one single event that leads to such
occurrences, and the same can be said when a certain war ends as well. Today, it would be very
easy to simply attribute the War's end to the disintegration of the Soviet Union, but the reality is far
from this. Several different factors contributed towards the end of the Cold War, and we will be
discussing these events in this article.

How the Cold War Ended

When Mikhael Gorbachev came to power in the Soviet Union as the General Secretary of the
Communist party in 1985, he changed the face of the world. The Soviet Union was going through a
torrid phase at the time, owing to several different reasons, and the dissenting voices against the
very costly arms race and the rule of the Communist party were growing strongly. Gorbachev took
it upon himself to end the strife his nation was suffering, and started a reform process that would
convert Russia into a democratic state. He put into place several treaties and movements which
literally ended the Cold War, but unfortunately, resulted in the breakdown of the Soviet Union into
16 different countries as well. This was not something that he had envisioned, but it can also be said
that the War would not have ended so abruptly, if this disintegration has not taken place.

Failing Russian Economy
Oil prices saw a rapid decline in the 1980s, and this drastically affected the foreign earnings of the
Soviet Union at the time. This prompted Gorbachev to undertake several reformative measures with
the sole aim of uplifting the economy. He introduced the concepts of Perestroika, or restructuring,
and Glasnost, or openness, to counter the secrecy that surrounded the workings of the Government
of the Soviet Union. Moreover, with the aim of getting one over the United States in terms of
weapons and arms, the Soviet Union was spending billions of dollars to collect such arms, and this
was also leading to a fall in the economical state of the nation. All this led to many liberal reforms
in the nation which were not handled properly nor taken well by the member states, and this led to
several revolutions which ultimately destroyed the USSR.

War in Afghanistan
Between 1979 and 1989, the Soviets were aiding the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan fight
against the Afghan Mujahideen and other Arab-Afghan infiltrators. Eventually, the United States
also got involved in this war, with the sole purpose of opposing the Soviets. The loss of personnel
and equipment suffered during the 9 year war was too much to take for the general public, and there
were several public outcries at the time to put a stop to the madness.

Effect on Other Nations
Whenever there was a conflict between two other nations, they always approached either the Soviet
Union or the USA for help. As a result, almost the entire world was divided into two blocs, and this
was affecting both these nations. They found themselves embroiled in several conflicts that did not
involve them at all, and this eventually led to severe backlashes in both nations.

Enhanced Communication Between USSR and USA
For many different reasons, the relations between the USA and the Soviet Union started thawing
and many unilateral talks were held. Ronald Reagan, who was the President of the United States at
the time, agreed to hold several economic discussions with the Soviet Union, and the focus
ultimately shifted to the reduction in the arms race that had carried on for decades. In 1985, the first
of such meetings was held in Geneva, Switzerland, and this marked the beginning of the end of the
War. The final meeting was held in Moscow, where Gorbachev and George H.W. Bush signed an
arms control treaty, and in 1989, at the Malta Summit, the Cold War was officially declared as over.

The underlying cause of the end of the war, however, was the growing resentment in Soviet World
about a war that was costing lives and money, and prohibiting genuine economic development. The
harsh rule of the Communists in the Soviet Union also contributed towards feelings of resentment,
and all these factors combined together to end the Cold War, which had led to the most hostile and
suspicious times that humanity had ever seen.

How did the Cold War Start
The Cold War was a period of bitter rivalry between emerging superpowers Russia and the United
States.
When we hang the capitalists, they will sell us the rope we use. - Joseph Stalin
The Cold War isn't thawing; it is burning with a deadly heat. Communism isn't sleeping; it is, as
always, plotting, scheming, working, fighting. - Richard M. Nixon
Scores of troops, weapons and destruction. Loss of life and materials on both sides. An inevitable
end in one party's favor or perhaps a draw. These are the characteristics of war. From time
immemorial, the Earth has seen man war with his brother, his neighbor and his foes across an
ocean. For bigger and wider borders, for fame, for money and conquest, for educating the savages,
the excuses for waging war are infinite but the march to battle goes on and will go on. But not all
battles are fought on a battlefield. And not all wars have an end. When mutual distrust and an urge
to win with a stomp in the defeated one's face are present, then the war becomes a silent test of
wills, a quiet game of strengths and weakness and the stakes are much higher and deadlier. And
such silent wars can go on for decades, influencing generations for centuries to come. The war
under discussion over here, is the Cold War. In this article, learn about the reasons and causes of the
Cold War.
The Origin of the Cold War
The trouble with the question "How did the cold war start?" is how can you pinpoint the origin of a
war. The actual reasons and causes behind a war, are like the heads of a Hydra (mythical Greek
beast), too many to count, each growing at a different time and a different place. The best place and
time to start with is the year 1917, the year of revolutions in Russia.
The Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II was forced to abdicate by the masses, World War 1 was going
on and in October, the Bolshevik party overthrew the existing provisional government and started a
civil war between the upper class and the workers and peasants of Russia. This period of upheaval
and unrest marked the inception of communism in Russia and parts of Europe.
Communism as a system of government, became the key point of difference between the
people's Russia and capitalist America. Both parties were obsessively suspicious of the principles
behind their respective ideologies. The success of the Revolution in Russia served as a powerful
indication of the strength and power, that a communist force could muster. The Russian
revolutionists were wary of capitalism, as it allowed too much power to settle in the hands of a few,
a situation they had experienced by living under monarchy rule for centuries. Both sides were
suspicious of conversion tactics on the part of the other. Plus the U.S. decided to assist the anti-
Bolshevik side in the civil war of 1918, which only cemented their evil in the Russian population's
eyes.
The civil war of 1918 was won by the Bolsheviks, who aggressively stated their communist
system should replace the monopoly of capitalism. They had the right man for political tactics,
Joseph Stalin, an energetic and forceful personality to continue the communist regime. The
difference in economy also added to the silent tussle between the Soviets and the Americans. The
U.S. encouraged international trade and exchange, to create a global economy. The Russians had a
closed-off approach to trade and business. They feared the easy money and trade practices of
capitalism would tempt the loyalty of their people. This led to impressions formed in both parties
about the true intent of each other. A classic case of good vs evil, depending on which side of the
line you were standing on.
Germany's actions in the latter half of the 1930s, further widened the gap between the Soviets
and the Americans. Germany and the Soviet Union signed a pact agreeing to trade of certain
materials and military equipment. They also agreed to split Poland and Eastern Europe between
themselves. In accordance with this, Poland was invaded by the Soviets in 1939, who also made
war advances to nearby European countries. The friendly manner between Germany and the
Russians, (carrying out trade, dividing territories) frightened the U.S., as an alliance between the
two was a severe threat to the American nation.
Germany showed it's true colors with the coming of the Second World War. This war also forced
the Soviets and Americans to work together against an enemy. Though WWII managed to distract
them from their rivalry, some wartime antics like the Katyn massacre and the events during the
Warsaw uprising, added to the mistrust on both sides.
The end of the war brought the rivalry back to the forefront. The establishment of a post-war
Germany, with a secure form of government was a bone of contention between the Americans and
Russians. While the U.S. wanted a liberal and open state, the Soviets were still cautious about the
Eastern European states and wanted to render them harmless. They feared any slack shown towards
Germany, would revive the Nazi spirit. Such opposite ideas led to multi-layered tension between the
2 parties. The Soviets in an act of rebellion, bombed the island of Bornholm, which further angered
the U.S. The resulting postwar conferences only underlined the difficult attitude present between
the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The introduction of Harry S. Truman, the newly appointed president
of the U.S.A made the American stance against Russia even more antagonistic.
Fed-up of playing games with the U.S., the Soviet Union started extending its influence among
its bordering and nearby countries. Annexation and joining of borders formed the Eastern Bloc
states, and added massive power to the Soviet's reign, in terms of land, men and materials. Such
forceful grabbing tactics were the final nail in the relationship between Russia and the U.S.. Russia
not content with the Eastern states, extended its influence to Greece, Turkey and even France. The
U.S. countered with the Truman Doctrine in 1947, setting their stance as anti-communist for good.
The Cold War was fought in all spheres - space and sports, economy, weaponry both armed and
nuclear. It was supplemented by propaganda and media coverage. Open aggressive threats and
moves, with espionage on the side, taps were kept and progress was monitored. For every one
advancement the Soviets made, the Americans would match and increase, resulting in a never-
ending chess game. No obvious declarations or open aggression was carried out. On the surface,
everything was calm but the undercurrents of mistrust were strong and deep. It would take the
tearing down of the Berlin Wall and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, for both sides to bury
the hatchet. The debate over "how did the Cold War start" is a never-ending issue, with numerous
arguments on either side. Whatever the causes of the Cold War are, one thing to be thankful for: It's
over.
Causes of the Cold War
The cold war was a very tense period for the entire world. To explain it in short, it was a time when
two of the world's biggest super powers, the United States of America and the Soviet Union, were at
loggerheads with each other over a lot of factors. It was called the cold war because in effect there
was no active war, but a passive attempt to try to outdo the other in terms of power, ideology and
allies all over the world. The active war was avoided because the two countries were rapidly arming
themselves with nuclear weapons, and the outbreak of war would be one that was nuclear, which in
turn would destroy the world. The cold war, which began with the end of the second world war in
1945, was described in world history, in terms of an 'iron curtain' that had descended between the
west and the east. Here, we will make an attempt to understand the causes of the cold war.

Ideological Differences
The United States of America follows a democratic approach while the Soviet Union followed a
communist approach to government and a way of life. While democracy prevailed in the US where
people were free to vote and form political parties, in the Soviet Union, only one party was the
ruling party, and freedom was not provided in this area. The US always feared the spread of this
ideology to other countries, and these ideological differences became the roots of the cold war.

Different Economies
The Soviet Union was against the practice of free trade and capitalism, and barred its economy from
the outside world. This is because the country feared that opening up to international trade and
commerce would invite the arrival of 'harmful' influences from the west. This in turn would affect
the almost anarchic government there. On the other hand, the United States was continually
promoting the practice of free trade worldwide. Thus, the war of communism vs capitalism only
widened the rifts between the two countries.

The Increased Desire for Power after WWII
This was one of the most prominent cold war causes. After the defeat of Germany in the second
world war, the country was divided among the US and the Soviet Union, along with France and
England after the famous Yalta conference. The ideological differences also led to the division of
Berlin into four parts. Soon, the western allies (USA, France and England) combined their
possessions of Germany and called it the German Federal Republic. This further angered the Soviet
Union, that then blocked out Berlin completely. This clearly marked the opposition between the two
most powerful countries in the world.

The Announcement of the Truman Doctrine
In 1947, president Truman announced the Truman doctrine, where it was clearly stated that the
United States would consider any non-communist country that resisted communist pressure as an
ally. Furthermore, it would aid this country in preventing the growth and spread of communism in
the country. On the other hand, by the year 1948, the Soviet Union continued to overpower
countries in Europe, namely Bulgaria, Poland, East Germany, Hungary, Romania, and
Czechoslovakia and ultimately imposed communism in these countries. This after Joseph Stalin had
promised at the Yalta conference, to maintain communism only in countries that already followed
such a government. Furthermore, in the year 1949, Mao Zedong announced the victory of
communism in China, thereby intensifying the cold war.

The Development of the Atomic Bomb
This was one of the biggest effects of the cold war that only intensified it further. In 1945, America
had developed and exploded the first atomic bomb in Japan. This made America the undisputed
leader in the development of nuclear arms and weapons. Moreover, assuming that only America had
such powers led to the belief that the expansion of the Soviet Union in Europe could be easily
controlled. However, this development was not taken lightly by the USSR, and the country began to
develop its own armory of nuclear weapons and missiles. What started as one nuclear weapon has
led to every country developing and building its base of nuclear weapons, that has deeply
endangered humanity.

The Construction of the Berlin Wall
While the origins of the cold war began with the division of Germany, this is one of those factors
that continued to be a pressing point among the Western allies and the Soviet Union. This war was
solidified by the construction of the Berlin Wall in the year 1961, in an attempt to prevent east
Germans from crossing over to the western democratic allies. It was only in the year 1990 that east
Germany and west Germany were unified.

Potential American Attack on Cuba
In the year 1962, it was evident that the unrest between the communist government in Cuba and
America would materialize into a potential attack on Cuba. In order to avoid this, Cuba sought the
help of the Soviet Union in terms of military assistance. Here, USSR began helping Cuba build
missile bases which posed a threat to the USA. As such, the cold war was intensified. It was only
when John F Kennedy forced the USSR to cut off this aid to Cuba that it had to withdraw. Else, the
world would have seen its first nuclear war.
These events clearly explain how the desire for power among two countries put humanity on the
brink of extreme danger. When Mikhail Gorbachev became the president of the Soviet Union in the
year 1985, he began several attempts at reconciliation with America and other western countries.
This led to the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, and the reunification of Germany in
the 1990. However, power in the USSR had considerably weakened over time and there was
mounting restlessness among the countries that comprised the Soviet Union. Finally, most countries
in Eastern Europe broke free from Soviet control and attained their freedom, which ultimately led to
the collapse of the super power called the USSR, and marked the end of the cold war.