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Cold War
The nuclear arms race divided the world in a struggle as costly as any another war. East vs. West, Communism vs. Democracy, the Bear vs. the Eagle; all these were major factors in the lives of millions for 4 decades.
6,177 Questions
What role did Vietnam play in Cold War?
Cold War means no fighting. No shooting. No one dies. Hot Wars are a series of battles. Seldom is one battle a war. The Vietnam War was the second "Hot" battle of the cold war. Korea was the first.
What was the caused the McCarthy hearings?
The hearings were a witch hunt.
Many thought Senator McCarthy was trying to make a name for himself by producing a high profile campaign, particularly against the film industry and those working in it.
One of the most notorious questions asked at the 'enquiries' was "Are you now, or have you ever been a member of the communist party?"
It was perfectly within the rights of the accused to refuse to answer but if they failed to do so many were assumed to be communists. This was at the height of the cold war and 'Reds under the bed' was the perceived truth.
As a consequence many people lost jobs and careers because of this.
NATO and Western Pact affected European nations by dividing Europe into two armed camps.
Who was the leader of the Korean army in the Korean War?
Mao Zedong. Without the Chinese confrontation with the US-led UN force, the war would not have stalled as it did, forcing a stalemate along the current border between north and south. From the perspective of lasting strategic impact, Mao made sure that the Koreas remained divided politally and ideologically, and gave North Korea the space it needed to become a somewhat difficult international player.
Is there a wall between North and South Korea?
dividing north and south Korea is the 38th paralel. There is no wall. Just a dimilitarized zone guarded by soldiers. Korean soldiers or roc soldiers as they are known, have the east corridor of the paralel to guard and the American soldiers have the western corridor to guard and patrol.
What did the Soviet Union do in the 1950s that scared American political leaders?
They began developing their own nuclear weapons and then in 1957 they put the worlds first satelite in space proving that they had the ability to deliver those weapons to any point on the planet. The first satelite was named Sputnik and it wasn't a weapon but it did show what the Soviet Union was capable of.
They tested their first atomic bombs
Reserve trenches were used as supplies for the trenches out the front. In world war one, they had come up with a technique of hiding in trenches before they fight. To do this properly, they had made them zig-zags. The trenches on the front line were where the soldiers would fight from. Reserve trenches were used in case these people had anything happen to them and they needed to use more trenches and more men. Throughout the war, the conditions of the front line trenches became worse as the communication and reserve trenches improved. I hope that helped :)
What are some of the changes that Gorbachev made to the soviet economy?
Mikhail Sergeevich Gorbachev, with his economic awakening, and restructuring of the Soviet system "Perestroika" eventually helped to improve the efficiency of the country, along with international trade, which was not readily available before.
Gorbachev was quoted as saying that perestroika was the "conference of development of democracy, socialist self-government, encouragement of initiative and creative endeavor, improved order and disciple, more glasnost, criticism and self-criticism in all spheres of our society. It is utmost respect for the individual and consideration for personal dignity."
He then could not control Glasnost and perestroika. This led to the end of the Soviet Union and the fall of Communism in Europe.
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics stopped existing on December of 1991.
What year did the Vietnam war occur?
There is no easy answer to this, as the conflict in Vietnam took place in different stages over several decades.
US involvement began in Vietnam as far back as 1941 when the OSS, a forerunner of the American CIA and various military intelligence agencies, provided support for Nguyen Sinh Cung, who had earlier taken the name Ho Chi Minh, in a guerrilla incursions against the Japanese and assisted in the recover of downed American pilots.
At the end of WW2, the country of Vietnam was divided by the Allies along the 16th parallel; the Chinese taking control of the north, and the British the south. France demanded the return of formerly held colonial interests in Southeast Asia. With the landing of the British in 1945, French prisoners of war were released and ravaged Saigon. American Lt. Col. A. Peter Dewey is mistakenly killed by Viet Minh in the violent exchange. In response to the violence, 35,000 French troops are transported to Saigon to restore order and French control. The Chinese agree in early 1946 to release control of the north to France in exchange for consessions. By mid-1946 the French declare an independently controlled French state in south Vietnam and call it the Republic of Chochinchina. The French enter Hanoi in the north and push Ho Chi Minh and his Viet Minh into hiding in the jungles. With the end of 1946, Ho retaliates, sending 30,000 Viet Minh against French troops. Vietnamese General Vo Ngyuen Giap vows to give the French the war they want.
Conflict continues sporadically but violently through 1950 when China and the Soviet Union formerly recognize Ho's Democratic Republic of Vietnam as the legitimate government of the combined nation of north and south Vietnam. The Chinese begin sending support in the form of equipment and advisers to aid Ho and General Giap. The US and allied forces refuse to recognize the DRV as legitimate and throw support behind Bao Dai, the puppet leader installed by the French in South Vietnam. Conflict in Korea begins to heat up as Truman responds to fear of the spread of communism and Soviet influence in Southeast Asia and elsewhere. In July, President Truman grants $15 million in financial support to the French in Indo-China. Truman sends US military advisers to assist French forces in South Vietnam along with military equipment and munitions. By 1954 US support rises to $3 billion.
The Korean Conflict ends in July 1953 with the establishment of the DMZ along the 38th parallel, newly inaugurated President Eisenhower dramatically increases military aid to the French in South Vietnam (approximately 80% of all military supplies), and General Giap begins mounting his attack against the French that will lead to their defeat at Dien Bien Phu. The French air base at Dien Bien Phu falls to Giap's troops, and France surrenders to Ho and begins withdrawal from Vietnam in May 1954. The Geneva Accords establishes a demilitarized zone at the 17th parallel, granting the north to Ho Chi Minh and the DRV, the south to Bao Dai. In January 1955 the south receives its first direct shipment of support and advisers from the US. Dai and newly installed Prime Minister Diem establish the Army of South Vietnam. US advisers begin training and supply of South Vietnamese troops. The last French soldier leaves Vietnam April 28, 1956.
In 1957 the Soviet Union proposes a permanent division of North and South Vietnam, and separate inclusion of both in the United Nations. The US refuses to agree to this, maintaining the sovereignty of the south.
Frustrated with the lack of progress to reunite the north and south motivates Ho to reignite violence and the Second Indo China War wages from 1957 through 1961 against the government of South Vietnam.
After a visit by Vice President Johnson in May 1961, President Kennedy orders 400 Green Berets to report as special advisers to the forces of South Vietnam in matters of counter-insurgency and guerrilla warfare. The role of the Green Berets expands to include the establishment of the CIDG (Civilian Irregular Defense Groups) who attempt to stop incursions by North Vietnamese troops.
In October 1961 in response to reports from his military advisers, Kennedy increases the troop strength in Vietnam to 8000. November 1963 President Kennedy is assassinated and Lyndon Johnson in sworn in. By Christmas Eve 1964 US troops in Vietnam grows to 23,000. Johnson is elected to the office of President and takes office in 1965. Operation Rolling Thunder begins and 100 US bombers begin attacking targets in North Vietnam in continuous attacks. On March 8, 1965 3500 US Marines Land at China Beach to defend the air base at Da Nang, joining the 23,000 advisers as the first US combat troops in country. In April, Johnson orders an increase of 20,000 support personnel in South Vietnam. In May, Johnson increases troop strengths again by ordering in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, 3500 combat troops. July Johnson orders an increase to 125,000 troops, made up of forty-four battalions. By year end, troop levels in Vietnam reach 184,000.
By 1967 US troop levels in Vietnam reach 389,000. Casuality levels rise to 5008 killed, and 30,093 wounded. Congress authorizes war support of $4.5 billion. Johnson increases troop strengths from 475,000 to 520,000. Johnson halts Rolling Thunder in 1968 with hopes of restarting peace talks; the US loses 922 planes and crews in 302,380 sorties. By the end of 1968 the number of US troops in Vietnam holds at 495,000 and 30,000 KIA.
In January 1969, Richard Nixon becomes the 37th US President. Five US Presidents have been involved in the conflict in Vietnam. By April 1969 troop levels top out at 539,000, casualties reach 33,641.
By July of 1969 Nixon begins withdrawing troops with the recall of 800 9th Infantry soldiers. In September, Nixon orders reductions of 35,000 troops and reduces the draft. By December, Nixon orders home another 50,000 troops. He promises the withdrawal of 150,000 in 1970, and troops strengths fall to 156,300 by the end of 1971. Troop reductions continue, and on April 8, 1975 at 8:34 AM the last US soldier, a US Embassy Marine leaves Vietnam.
Ngo Dinh Diem, the ruler of South Vietnam, refused to hold elections.
Ho Chi Minh was a communist, who was supported by China. In 1960, he set up the National Liberation Front (NLF) in South Vietnam, which started a guerrilla war to take over South Vietnam from Diem and his American backers.
The Americans called the NLF guerrillas the Vietcong, and supported Diem with military advisers and money.
Diem's government was made up of rich Christian landowners. It was corrupt and unpopular and persecuted the poor Buddhist peasants. By 1963, most of South Vietnam's rural areas were under Vietcong control - the ARVN (South Vietnamese army) could not defeat them.
In 1963, there was a military coup, Diem was assassinated, and a military government was put in South Vietnam.
In August 1964, sailors on the American warship USS Maddox in the Gulf of Tonkin were attacked by North Vietnamese torpedo boats. The US Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin resolution, allowing the American President Lyndon B. Johnson to take direct military action in retaliation.
In February 1965, the Vietcong attacked American air bases and killed American soldiers. President Johnson declared war against North Vietnam. Theories for US involvement:1. Containment: China had fallen to communism in 1949, and America had fought in Korea in 1950-53 to contain the spread of communism.
The US president, Lyndon B. Johnson, said: "I am not going to be the president who saw South-East Asia go the way China went."
2. Domino theory: Americans believed that, if South Vietnam fell, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand - and then Burma and India - would follow.
President Johnson said: "If you let a bully come into your garden, the next day he'll be in your porch, and the day after that he'll rape your wife."
3. ARVN's weakness: It was obvious the South Vietnamese could not resist communist infiltration by the Vietcong without help.
In 1963, the American commander reported that the ARVN - the South Vietnamese army - were "ill-equipped local militia who more often than not were killed asleep in their defensive positions".
US advisers believed that good government and an efficient, large-scale war would defeat the Vietcong.
4. The US was attacked: The North Vietnamese had attacked the USS Maddox in August 1964, and then killed US soldiers in February 1965.
Johnson became convinced that action in South Vietnam alone would never win the war: "We are swatting flies when we should be going after the manure pile."
Why was the cold war so dangerous?
Only if it went hot. If it did...it would've been MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction).
MAD=Nukes
Did Soviet Union change their flag after World War 2?
If you mean why did the Hammer and Sickle changed to the tricolor of the Russian Federation (white, red and blue) the answer is because in December of 1991, the ruler of the USSR ended it by resigning from office and giving the power of the army to the next president of the new Russian Federation. The Hammer and Sickle was taken down over Moscow and the new flag was raised of the Russian Federation.
At the Potsdam Conference Truman demanded what throughout Eastern Europe?
From Stalin, whose troops occupied most of Eastern Europe, Truman demanded that free elections be held in those countries. Unfortunately, the Soviets controlled the governments and ensured that communist puppet parties gained power, leading to the Warsaw Pact and Russian hegemony.
How did film industry about the cold war affect Americans view on the Soviets?
The HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) relentlessly pursued anyone it suspected of supporting Communist ideas. Hollywood studios circulated a blacklist of industry people who were denied work in films because they opposed HUAC and spoke out.
Mostly in Germany. The places involved in it are as listed:France, USSR, USA, England./the four sectors. The USSR and the USA played the major roles in this war.
AnswerThe Cold War lasted from 1945 to 1989, and it was carried out in many other places besides Germany. With regard to Germany, after World War 2 the Soviets closed the roads to West Berlin and attempted to force the Western powers out, but US and British aircraft supplied West Berlin entirely by air. When the Soviets attempted to make the US and British planes crash by jamming their radios, a French demolition team blew up the Soviet radio towers. Afterwards the Cold War in Germany, then divided into East Germany and West Germany, was mostly fought with spies and through the media. The news in Eastern Europe was state controlled, but the West responded with Radio Free Europe.To answer the question, the Cold War was fought just about everywhere. It was fought with real warfare in Korea, Vietnam, Malaya, Afghanistan, Angola, Cuba, Nicaragua, and many other countries. It was fought in underground missile bases which never launched but stood ready to do so on a 24-7 basis. It was was fought underwater in submarines racing to be the first to the North Pole. It was fought with all manner of sophisticated technology, including "surveillance" ships, "reconnaissance" planes, and satellites. The Space Race, in which the Soviet Union initially took the lead, was one of the more visible but less appreciated aspects of the Cold War as both sides attempted to upstage each other with the power of their rockets. It was fought with angry words at the United Nations. And it was fought with gentler words as both sides attempted to sway the Third World countries toward their respective ideologies. Although the Cold War did not turn into another world war, there was very little that was not affected by it in some way.
What organization did the US employ during the Cold War to work covertly in communist countries?
The standard answer is the Central Intelligence Agency, but that's incomplete.
The truth is the United States had, during the Cold War, seventeen agencies that conducted intelligence collection as at least part of their mission and with three exceptions (the National Security Agency, which does cryptography; the National Reconnaissance Office, which does satellite collection; and the National Photographic Interpretation Center, which did what its name implies) they all ran covert operations.
What role did television play in the Vietnam war?
Television let Americans back at home see what the war was really like. For example, President Johnson was telling the people of America that we were winning - when we were not. For the first time, television let Americans know the truth. Everyday people saw pictures and video of POWs (prisoners of war), dead Americans, dead Vietnamese, and the bombings of Vietnamese civilians.
What was not related to the Cold War in the 1980s?
I can only guess the answer options. Things that happened in 1968 that WERE NOT related to the cold war were:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Assassination
Bobby Kennedy Assassination
Things happening that year that WERE related to the cold war include:
The TET Offensive in Vietnam
The decision by President Johnson not to run for re-election
The March on Washington
Protests at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Why were Kennedy and LBJ both considered Cold War presidents?
There is many different answers, because the impact was huge. For Kennedy the central point is the bay of pigs and the Cuban missile crisis. Search them in Google for great links. For Johnson the Vietnam war was largely a cause of the Cold War.
Cuban missile crisis Link: http://www.hpol.org/jfk/cuban/
, Christopher Moats http://backup.visuallink.com
How did Stalin react to the Berlin blockade?
Stalin wanted to weaken Germany in revenge of what Germany did to it in ww2 .not only that but Stalin wanted to make his part particularly Berlin a communist country contradicting the west Germany which was democratic.
Stalin blockaded the western side of Berlin in an effort to force the United States, Great Britain and France to abandon those parts of West Berlin that they occupied after World War 2. He hoped that by preventing food and supplies from reaching West Berlin, he would starve the Allies out of the city.
Stalin controlled eastern Germany and the city of Berlin was like an island within that section. Stalin blockaded west Berlin by having fences built all the way around it. He then closed down all borders into West Berlin thereby isolating it from the rest of the surrounding eastern Germany. (The "Berlin Wall was not built until 1963 by Nikita Khrushchev.)
Stalin's hope of starving the Allies out of West Berlin were foiled by the Berlin Airlift, when the Allies flew supplies into West Berlin. Stalin relented and reopened all borders.
If you mean split Berlin, it was because the Western Allies took the other half of Germany and Berlin.
Stalin blockaded the western side of Berlin in an effort to force the United States, Great Britain and France to abandon those parts of West Berlin that they occupied after World War 2. He hoped that by preventing food and supplies from reaching West Berlin, he would starve the Allies out of the city.
Stalin controlled eastern Germany and the city of Berlin was like an island within that section. Stalin blockaded west Berlin by having fences built all the way around it. He then closed down all borders into West Berlin thereby isolating it from the rest of the surrounding eastern Germany. (The "Berlin Wall was not built until 1963 by Nikita Khrushchev.)
Stalin's hope of starving the Allies out of West Berlin were foiled by the Berlin Airlift, when the Allies flew supplies into West Berlin. Stalin relented and reopened all borders.
Why was Soviet Union in Afghanistan?
its so they can hide in secret holes in the ground. Fun fact something they would do is caress their head with rocks to keep spirits away.
Who was the leader of the Soviet Union during its collapse?
Premier Gorbachev, who lost power to Yeltsin in 1991 during the revolution.
-Illa from 757
the easing of tensions or strained relations (especially between nations).
Name five major events of the Cold War?
1. Korean War
2. NATO
3. Blockade of Berlin
4. propaganda
5. Nuclear Test banned
