Abstract

This paper provides a detailed description of one of the most important events of the American history, “the Cold War”, in a holistic context. The research covers the various aspects of the topic including the causes that led to it, as well as, its outcomes and subsequent effects on the American society.

Table of Contents

Abstract1

Introduction3

Discussion4

Historical and political conditions of the Cold War era4

Threats to American citizens5

Preparations to protect family6

Postwar Anxieties6

Masculinity and 1950s Domesticity7

The Cold War Politics7

Conclusion8

Works Cited10

The Cold War

Introduction

The Cold War is the term used to designate the political and ideological conflict that resulted in a military and armed confrontation between the two great powers that were at the forefront of the global race after the Second World War (1939-1945). Being led by the two titanic blocks leading the world, the Cold War was a clash of great magnitude with several severe consequences including the occupations and coups in Eastern Europe, wars in China, Vietnam, etc (Dudziak, pp. 67). Although the Cold War lasted from 1945 until the dissolution of the Soviet bloc in 1991, it was never considered an open war, but was rather deemed a tension for the attainment of political and economic dominance. However, the failure of the adopted policies to minimize the risk subsequently exploded in the form of the Third World War.

The Cold War, which began after World War II and lasted until 1980 marked the geopolitical rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union on the grounds of ideological differences between capitalism and communism. The Cold War was concerned about the external and internal threats to American power, social stability and security, and, in particular, the abundance of materials, lifestyles, middle class, and cultural norms of masculinity. Guided by the fear of castration, feminization and homosexuality, the Americans with anxiety defined their nation and their way of life in a culturally associated with masculinity, including energy, diplomatic and military power, economic success, sexual and physical power, moral rectitude and patriotism (Robert, pp. 391).

This paper aims at providing a brief description of the various aspects of the Cold War, including the forces and events that led to it. The paper discusses the war in the context of the American history and highlights the impact that it brought upon the American society.

Discussion

Historical and political conditions of the Cold War era

A bipolar conflict was evident during the Cold War in two ways. First the balance of power was divided between two coalitions headed by the United States and the Soviet Union, secondly the struggle over the conflicting ideologies of Capitalism and Communism. The war not only affected the overall nation but, it also had adverse side effects on an individual basis. However, in the first moments of the crisis, resettlement of refugees in countries outside the region provided a solution that reduced the pressure on countries of first asylum. This initiative could mark a turning point in Western attitudes towards issues relating to refugees (Bowker and Williams, pp. 111).

Cold war describes the relationship between America and Russia ...