essay

Which of the following was more responsible for the ‘new cold war’ in the period 1979-84?

A) USSR

B) USA

The USSR was highly responsible for the development of the ‘New Cold War’ due to its increasingly aggressive foreign policy, which undermined détente and heightened tensions. The most significant example was the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, where around 100,000 Soviet troops were deployed to support a pro-Soviet government . This was interpreted by the USA as clear evidence of Soviet expansionism, leading to immediate consequences such as US economic sanctions and the boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics. As a result, relations deteriorated rapidly and détente effectively collapsed. In addition, the USSR continued to expand its nuclear capabilities despite agreements such as SALT II, including the deployment of SS-20 intermediate-range missiles in Europe. This increased the threat to Western Europe and intensified the arms race, further increasing tensions. Therefore, the USSR played a major role by provoking conflict through direct military action and expansionist policies.

However, the USA was more responsible for the escalation of the ‘New Cold War’ as its response significantly intensified tensions. Under Ronald Reagan, the USA adopted a far more confrontational approach, increasing military spending by around 40% between 1981 and 1985. This escalation in defence spending accelerated the arms race and signalled a clear shift away from détente. Furthermore, the USA deployed Pershing II and Cruise missiles in Western Europe from 1983 in response to Soviet SS-20s, directly increasing nuclear tensions in Europe and heightening fears of conflict. Reagan also introduced the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), a proposed missile defence system which threatened to undermine Mutually Assured Destruction. This alarmed the USSR, as it suggested the USA could gain a strategic advantage, increasing mistrust and hostility. Therefore, while the USSR initiated tensions, the USA escalated them to a greater extent.

In conclusion, although the USSR triggered the ‘New Cold War’ through actions such as the invasion of Afghanistan and continued military expansion, the USA was more responsible overall because its aggressive policies under Reagan intensified the conflict further. By accelerating the arms race and increasing strategic tensions, the USA made the Cold War more dangerous and confrontational during this period.