Post World War II and the Cold War

After World War II and the Shift in Global Politics

• Post-WWII saw renewed hopes for colonial self-governance after the earlier unfulfilled promises post-WWI.
• Ideological conflict emerged between two superpowers:
  • Capitalist countries (led by the United States)
  • Communist countries (led by the Soviet Union)
• Anti-imperialist movements, like those led by Shastri, were influential in the global landscape post-1945.

Key Conferences Leading to the Cold War

• Tehran Conference (Nov 1943):

  • Agreement for the Soviet Union to focus on Eastern Europe; Britain and the U.S. on the West.
  • USSR received part of Poland, which would gain territory from Germany.

• Yalta Conference (Feb 1945):

  • Disputes arose on post-defeat Germany and Eastern Europe’s future.
  • Roosevelt's vision: Free elections and Soviet entry into Japan war.
  • Stalin's demands: Control of Eastern Europe to ensure USSR’s security.
  • Outcome: Vague commitments on elections, with Soviet promises lacking specificity.

• Potsdam Conference (July 1945):

  • Truman (post-Roosevelt) pushes for free elections which Stalin opposes due to troop presence.
  • Resulting tensions set the stage for decades of aggressive rhetoric and mistrust between U.S. and USSR.

The Devastation Post-War and Global Power Dynamics

• WWII death toll estimated at 40-60 million; East and Central Europe suffered significantly compared to the Western countries.
• U.S. emerged relatively unscathed due to minimal conflict on its soil, allowing it to grow in industrial capacity.
• Marshall Plan: U.S. aid of $12 billion aimed at economic recovery in Europe; Soviet bloc countries rejected it, choosing their model of COMECON for limited trade agreements.

The Cold War’s Tactical Developments

• The Cold War arose from tensions exemplified during diplomatic conferences, avoiding direct military confrontation but engaging in propaganda and arms races.
• Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) formed as nuclear capabilities escalated, instilling a deterrent against full-scale war.

Non-Aligned Movement

• In 1955, countries sought to avoid dominance by the superpowers at the Bandung Conference.
• Established the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961 led by figures like Nehru (India), Nkrumah (Ghana), Nasser (Egypt), and Sukarno (Indonesia).
• Challenges arose as nations often found themselves aligned with one superpower during conflicts.

Proxy Wars and Military Alliances

• Proxy wars occurred globally (Korea, Vietnam) with major powers backing opposing sides without engaging directly.
• Berlin Blockade (1948): Soviets blocked supplies to West Berlin, prompting the Berlin Airlift by Allies. Resulted in creation of East Germany (GDR) and West Germany (FRG).

Structural Outcomes of the Cold War

• Formation of military alliances:

  • NATO (April 1949): Western response to Soviet expansion; mutual protection pact.
  • Warsaw Pact (1955): Soviet counter to NATO, overseeing Eastern European communist nations.

• Proxy Conflicts:

  • Korean War (1950–1953): Divided Korea with U.S. support to the South and Soviet support to the North; led to a stalemate and continued division.
  • Vietnam War: U.S. involvement escalated in response to fears of communist spread following the Franco-Vietnamese War.

Cuban Engagements and Crises

• Bay of Pigs (1961): Failed U.S. invasion to overthrow Castro’s regime reinforced Soviet alliances with Cuba.
• Cuban Missile Crisis (1962): Nuclear standoff leading to a temporary resolution and recognition of the need for better communication (Hot Line established).

Struggles for Self-Determination

• Post-WWII saw a resurgence in demands for independence from colonial powers:
  • China: Shifted towards communism under Mao with reforms that led to dire consequences affecting millions through famines.
  • Iran: Overthrew the Shah in 1979; embraced a theocratic government under Ayatollah Khomeini.
  • Latin America: Land reform efforts initiated to address inequalities, often opposed by previous landowners.

Noteworthy Movements in Africa and Asia

• Vietnam: Redistribution efforts by communists won peasant support while the South struggled amidst an unfavorable regime.
• Ethiopia: Experienced revolutions leading to a dictatorship under Mengistu, aligning with the Soviets but facing internal challenges.

Conclusion: The Legacy of Conflict and Transformation

• Both WWI and WWII set conditions for self-determination and ideological conflicts.
• The Cold War era was characterized by numerous movements aiming for social and political reform amidst global superpower rivalry, thereby reshaping national identities and state structures worldwide.