Question 1

Did the fear of nuclear annihilation and the incredible cost of the United States' military buildup of the 1980s help to make the Cold War too ghastly to contemplate and,simultaneously,too expensive for either side to continue? Give evidence in support of your answer.

Accepted Answer

Yes, the fear of nuclear annihilation and the incredible cost of the United States' military buildup of the 1980s did help to make the Cold War too ghastly to contemplate and too expensive for either side to continue.

One piece of evidence to support this is the fact that both the United States and the Soviet Union were spending exorbitant amounts of money on their military budgets during this time. The United States, in particular, was heavily investing in its military, with President Ronald Reagan's administration increasing defense spending significantly. This led to a massive arms race between the two superpowers, with both sides constantly trying to outdo each other in terms of military capabilities.

Additionally, the fear of nuclear annihilation was a very real and pressing concern during the Cold War. The development and proliferation of nuclear weapons meant that any potential conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union could have catastrophic consequences for the entire world. This fear made the prospect of continuing the Cold War increasingly untenable, as the potential for a nuclear war became too horrifying to contemplate.

Ultimately, the combination of the incredible cost of the military buildup and the fear of nuclear annihilation contributed to the eventual end of the Cold War. Both the United States and the Soviet Union realized that the continuation of the arms race was unsustainable, and this realization played a significant role in bringing about the end of the Cold War.

Question 2

What role did the personalities,philosophies,and ambitions of individual political leaders play in the Cold War? Give specific examples.

Accepted Answer

The personalities, philosophies, and ambitions of individual political leaders played a significant role in shaping the course of the Cold War. One example of this is the relationship between US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Reagan's strong anti-communist beliefs and aggressive rhetoric, combined with his ambition to see the collapse of the Soviet Union, influenced his approach to foreign policy and the arms race. Gorbachev, on the other hand, was a reformer who sought to modernize the Soviet Union and improve relations with the West. His philosophy of "glasnost" and "perestroika" led to a thawing of tensions and ultimately contributed to the end of the Cold War.

Another example is the role of Cuban leader Fidel Castro in the Cold War. Castro's revolutionary ideology and close ties to the Soviet Union led to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, a pivotal moment in the Cold War. His ambitions to spread communism in Latin America and challenge US influence in the region further escalated tensions between the two superpowers.

Overall, the personal beliefs, philosophies, and ambitions of political leaders had a direct impact on the Cold War, shaping the policies and actions of their respective countries and influencing the course of history.

Question 3

Instructions: Identify the following term(s).
the Marshall Plan/European Recovery Program

Accepted Answer

Answer not provided.

Question 4

To what degree was the escalating U.S.-Soviet tension in Europe the result of excessively defensive fears in the minds of Truman and Stalin? Why? What other factors were also involved in the moves of the "superpowers" and their allies and clients?

Accepted Answer

The answer of To what degree was the escalating U.S.-Soviet...

Question 5

What were the factors which led to the Chinese communist victory over the Nationalists? Was Mao Zedong's triumph over Chiang inevitable? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What were the factors which led to...

Question 6

Instructions: Identify the following term(s).
Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain"

Accepted Answer

The answer of Instructions: Identify the following term(s).
Winston Churchill's "Iron...

Question 7

Was the Cuban Missile Crisis a turning point in the Cold War? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Was the Cuban Missile Crisis a turning...

Question 8

Was the Cold War inevitable? Why and or why not?

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The answer of Was the Cold War inevitable? Why and...

Question 9

Why did the Grand Alliance,and the Yalta System it spawned,come apart so quickly after the Japanese surrender? Could it have succeeded,or at least lasted longer,if Roosevelt had lived? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why did the Grand Alliance,and the Yalta...

Question 10

Instructions: Identify the following term(s).
Truman Doctrine

Accepted Answer

The answer of Instructions: Identify the following term(s).
Truman Doctrine...

Question 11

Instructions: Identify the following term(s).
George Kennan and "containment"

Accepted Answer

The answer of Instructions: Identify the following term(s).
George Kennan and...

Question 12

Describe and evaluate China's relations with both Russia and the U.S.during the Cold War.To what extent did the personalities of the leaders of these countries play a role in determining international politics during this era?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe and evaluate China's relations with both...

Question 13

How significant were the Polish and Hungarian independence movements during the course of the Cold War? What does the Russian response to these movements tell us about the limits of Russian power during this period?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How significant were the Polish and Hungarian...

Question 14

Was Churchill's phrase,"the Iron Curtain," an accurate reflection of the actual state of relations between East and West in 1946? Why and/or why not? Did Churchill's words contribute to the polarization of East and West?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Was Churchill's phrase,"the Iron Curtain," an accurate...

Question 15

What were the factors which led to the success of the Marshall Plan? Could such massive economic aid work equally well in other places and other times? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What were the factors which led to...

Question 16

Instructions: Identify the following term(s).
Greek civil war

Accepted Answer

The answer of Instructions: Identify the following term(s).
Greek civil war...

Question 17

In assessing the end of the Cold War,who contributed the most to the fall of the Soviet Union,Ronald Reagan or Mikhail Gorbachev,and how?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In assessing the end of the Cold...

Question 18

What role did Germany in general and Berlin in particular,play in the evolution of the Cold War? Include in the discussion historical,ideological,and geographical factors.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What role did Germany in general and...

Question 19

Instructions: Identify the following term(s).
Yalta Conference

Accepted Answer

The answer of Instructions: Identify the following term(s).
Yalta Conference...

Question 20

Was Afghanistan the Soviet Union's "Vietnam"? Why and/or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Was Afghanistan the Soviet Union's "Vietnam"? Why...

Quiz 26: East and West in the Grip of the Cold War