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The Cold War isn’t thawing; it is burning with a deadly heat. Communism isn’t sleeping; it is, as always, plotting, scheming, working, fighting. These profound words came from President Richard Nixon, who along with many others adamantly condemned communism and its values. This quote helps portray the imminent threat that communism had on society and politics throughout the Cold War era. The Cold War had a wide range of effects on the United States, these effects changed aspects of U.S society and politics back then, and still have implications on the U.S today. The United States currently finds itself in a situation that could potentially lead to increased tensions and another Cold War with Russia. With the recent departure from the historic INF Treaty, it would seem that previous progress on arms control has been lost. Withdrawal from the treaty that put an end to the Cold War has the potential to not only lead to another arms race but also once again reshape American society and politics. In order to understand the effects of this recent development, it is vital to analyze society and politics throughout the Cold War and take into consideration how these aspects changed as tensions between US and Russia increased.
The Cold War was a volatile rivalry that emerged between the Soviet Union and the United States, post-World War II. However, this was an unconventional war, in that war was waged through politics, propaganda, and economics. The U.S looked to promote their way of life and democratic values throughout the world, specifically in Western Europe. Post-World War II, U.S. leaders believed that the United States should maintain its monopoly of atomic weapons in order to deter, and if necessary punish, potential aggressors. US security policies were designed not only to protect the physical security of the United States and its allies but to preserve a broadly defined American way of life by constructing an international order that would be open to and compatible with US interests and ideals. In reality, Americans were uneasy about Soviet communism and the principles it represented. Americans along with the British feared that communism was going to become permanent in Eastern Europe and had the potential to spread to Western Europe as well, toppling the already established democracies. This continuous terror motivated the U.S to create a plan of action, which was called the Marshall Plan. The Marshall plan was a U.S program designed to help stimulate the economies of European countries in order to create sustainable conditions in which democratic institutions could survive. It was evident that The United States feared that poverty, unemployment, and dislocation of the post-World War II period were reinforcing the appeal of communist parties to voters in Western Europe. The fear stemmed from the U.S believing that people in these struggling countries would blame the democratic institutions for their poverty and unemployment. The fear that these hardships would make individuals desperate enough to topple their country’s institutions. The Marshall plan looked to fix this through providing the necessary economic assistance to help rebuild countries. On the other hand, the Soviets looked to maintain their control over eastern Europe and spread communism. These openly communist regimes served as a political bloc and cushion from western ideology and influence. The Marshall Plan not only undermined the Soviet’s scheme, but it posed a great threat to communism. It is from this pivotal difference that the Cold War is fueled, a difference so large that it changed both United States and Soviet Unions politics and society.
George F. Kennan was one of very few from the west that had experience with communism, he states, World communism is like malignant parasite which feeds only on diseased tissue. This is in reference to the importance of resolving internal problems in your country first, before directing your focus to battling communism. The internal problems in countries is what feed communism, individuals fantasize about how they can change their situation and settle on communism as the answer. Kennan cautions that countries must first focus on domestic policies before turning their attention to foreign policies and fighting communism. These ideas developed and spread to the creation of the political policy referred to as containment. The Containment policy, which many politicians advocated for, was pursued by the U.S in the late 1940s as a method to check the Soviets expansion policy. As the Soviets moved to increase their communist influence throughout Europe, the U.S made the first major push to end communism. Many believed that unified resistance would end it, [Soviet power, unlike that of Hitlerite Germany, is neither schematic nor adventunstic. It does not work by fixed plans. Impervious to logic of reason, and it is highly sensitive to logic of force. For this reason it can easily withdraw–and usually does when strong resistance is encountered at any point]. A strong maintained resistance was the best way to end the spread of communism. However, it was not enough, President Truman also requested that Congress appropriate millions in aid to countries fighting communism in order to ensure internal problems were subdued. Countries that publically condemned communism and sought aid were supported heavily. This process was the Truman Doctrine and was a vital portion of containment. During this time, many feared that if one democratic country fell to communism others would follow suite. This effect referred to as the domino theory, presented itself as one of the most dangerous nightmares that could occur. Politicians feared the spread of communism, much like in the past would produce totalitarian countries in which millions of people would die. This same attitude can be seen today in politics and stems from the Cold War era. Today communism can be broken into two different phases. The first phases was the triumph of communism, as we saw communism spread, and become prevalent in a country which was the largest area in the world (Russia); as well as in a country with the largest population in world (China). The spread and applications of communism lead to many different problems in terms of economics and humanitarian injustices, justifying the fears many have today when it comes to communism. The second phase, characterized as a period of stagnation, in which the spread of communism has more or less stopped. Although it has stopped, there is still an overarching fear many have when it comes to communism. Currently, the second phase is still in progress. The Communist expansion has come to a halt however most of the underlying attitudes towards it are still present; such as the feeling that it would encroach on American values and our way of life. Communism is the most legitimate and real threat to democracies around the world, because it conflicts with quintessential American principles like, manifest destiny, competition, privatization, and consumerism. These American characteristics have not changed much over the last century; therefore, the attitudes towards communism are the same and it will continue to be a threat.
Not only was imminent threat of Communism a large problem for the U.S but on top of this during the Cold War the Soviet Union successfully tested intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). They boasted that these missiles were capable of being launched into any part of the world. This revelation was a major concern for the U.S and was the start of an intense and ongoing arms race. Both of these nations had been developing this technology for years; scientists worked hard and tirelessly to perfect the range, accuracy and capability of these missiles. Eventually both nations would find themselves in an arms race that would create a security dilemma that is still present today. With this new technology fear of communist expansion increased. The INF treaty emerged as the first significant treaty that banned the creation and stock piling of this weapon. The Arms Control Association states that the INF Treaty successfully eliminated an entire class of destabilizing nuclear weapons that were deployed in Europe and helped bring an end to the spiraling Cold War arms race. However, the treaty that was approved in May of 1988 was suspend by the U.S on 1 February 2019. The INF treaty has acted as a pillar of European security but president Trump suspended it because of Russias noncompliance. The Trump administration came to this conclusion through, Citing years of Russian violations and China’s freedom from INF Treaty constraints. This treaty overtime worked against the U.S in multiple ways. Although Russia agreed to the treaty, they continued to advance this technology, as an attempt to even out the international stage. This treaty gave them an advantage over the U.S and closed the gap to superiority. In addition, this treaty did not include China who has continued to develop their systems and level the playing ground. Currently, both Russia and the U.S are free to develop this technology free of the consequences due to breaking the treaty. As the U.S once again begins to fund, explore and develop their ICMBs with the goal of countering China and Russia, we could find ourselves in the middle of another Cold War. The American decision to abandon the 32-year-old treaty has put a strain on Arms control and has created a state of strategic instability. With no limit of on each of these countries arsenal, it seems inevitable that an arms race will ensue. Just like during the Cold War the threat of ICBMs gives Russia substantial influence in Europe. The U.S eventually will match Russias aggression and begin stockpiling these missiles in order to balance power and deter Russia.
The analysis of U.S society during the Cold War period assists in understanding the tensions between Russia and U.S today. As the Cold War intensified hysteria over the threat posed by communism exponentially increased. This period of fearfulness and witch-hunts is referred to as the Red Scare. During this time the term McCarthyism was created, In February 1950, McCarthy, a Republican senator from Wisconsin, launched a massive campaign against alleged Communists and Soviet agents working for, and perhaps spying on, the U.S. government. In Senate hearings stretching across much of the first half of the 1950s, he accused numerous U.S. government employees, including many in the State Department, of being Communists or even agents of Soviet Intelligence. In the early stages of McCarthys witch-hunt some politicians stood up to him. In particular, four-term incumbent Senator Millard E Tydings and Senate Majority Leader Scott W. Lucas. McCarthy had a campaign against the two, and both of them lost. This was interpreted as a sign of public support for McCarthyism, and forced many who disagreed into silence. The lack of opposition gave senator McCarthy the foothold in politics he needed in order to continue spreading his anticommunist agenda. Overtime senator McCarthy worked to gain the support of the media and ultimately was feared by his peers. This enabled him to make baseless claims about elite individuals throughout society and face zero repercussions. McCarthy used intimidation and hearsay to bully himself into power and establish himself as a prominent individual in politics. His actions helped fuel the publics concerns about communism and played a key role in the anticommunist movement. In order to win senator McCarthys approval, government officials from many different parties portrayed themselves as staunch anticommunists. Those identified as communist were blacklisted by different industries, harassed by law enforcement, and isolated. Fear surrounding communism was amplified due to the negative consequences associated with it. Opinions on the matter no longer relied on personal values or facts, because it became simpler for individuals to conform to societal norms. Subsequently fear of these harsh consequences was interpreted by many not affected, as fear of communism. Due to the red scare, the Soviet Union became a target of propaganda and government officials. The Soviets were held responsible for this pseudo threat on the American way of life and negative perceptions on communism were fortified.
As a result, it is clear that todays society has been tremendously affected by McCarthyism. The fear that prominent figures in society are loyal to Russia is still an issue that is heavily disputed. When it became clear that Russia tampered with the 2016 elections there was a series of with-hunts . President Trump and his administration were at the center of these developments and under heavy scrutiny. While their involvement may be entirely true, it is more important to analyze the reaction these developments incited. Plenty of speculation made its way around about the ties between Trumps administration and Russian officials, and Russian infiltration of the U.S elections. President nominee Hillary Clinton even went as far as to call Trump a puppet of the Russian president. She used this as an insult and tactic because the sentiment towards Russia today is just as strong as it was during the Cold War. And it all stems from the pre-stablished fear of Russia and communism that grew during the red scare, the slightest implications of Russia involvement in the election has caused fury. Much like the Cold War a vigorous anticommunist (authoritarian capitalism) attitude has emerged. Many investigations and trials ensued; while these investigations may have uncovered the truth, the motivation behind them is identical to that of the red scare. Which is to find those that support Russia, and root them out of society in order to protect the American common wealth and values. Once again, Russia has emerged as an immediate threat to the U.S. The threat of communism still lingers and continues to grow potentially to the point of creating a third phase. This recently strengthened fear helps explain the suspension of the INF treaty. Increased threats have made it impossible for the U.S to continue ignoring Russias non-compliance of the treaty. Russia is actively trying to topple the international spectrum and surge passed the U.S. In response, Trump suspended the treaty in order to balance power. His actions confirm the threat that Russia has on the U.S and make it clear that we may well be on the verge of another Cold War.
The Cold War was a long period of intense geopolitical tension. Its current impact on the U.S today is often times forgotten or overlooked. However, Cold War history is relevant in order to understand the U.S today. Through the analysis of Cold War politics and society, it is clear that a fear of communism was created. A fear that has been carried into the 21st century, and has acted as the fuel to Russia and U.S tension and the suspension of the INF treaty. The policy of containment, and the red scare emergence are both effects of the Cold War that have changed outlook on Russia and communism. They have painted both in a negative light and have generated fear until this day. This panic is what has brought the U.S and Russia on the verge of another Cold War. The attitude and feelings surrounding Russia are embedded into politics and society but have been suppressed because they lacked an imminent threat. However, it is clear that this threat has reemerged, which explains why the U.S has chosen to suspend the historic INF treaty. They have suspended it in order to combat Russias aggression, develop advanced ICBM technology and stockpile missiles. It is believed that the production of these once banned missiles will allow the U.S to deter Russia and stop them from advancing their agenda. The U.S response today is identical to that of the Cold War; which ultimately could lead to another arms race. The progression of recent developments such as, Russia tampering in the 2016 elections, cooperation between the Trump administration and Moscow Kremlin, and the suspension of the INF Treaty have significantly increased the perceived threat of communism. Which ultimately may be just enough to justify another Cold War.
Annotated Bibliography
- Bernstein, Andrew. ‘The Vindication of Joseph McCarthy.’ The Objective Standard 11, no. 4 (2016): 33.
- This article provides an accurate account of the Red Scare and the actions of Senator Joseph McCarthy during this period.
- Fitzsimmons, Michael. ‘Russian Strategy and the End of the INF Treaty.’ Survival 60, no. 6 (2018): 119-136.
- The article provides an explanation for the suspension of the INF Treaty.
- Jensen, Kenneth M. 1944. Origins of the Cold War: The Novikov, Kennan, and Roberts ‘Long Telegrams’ of 1946. Washington, D.C: United States Institute of Peace, 1991.
- The book outlines the approach the U.S believed they needed to take in order to defeat the spread of communism during the cold war.
- Kampmark, Binoy. . Ditching Nuclear Treaties: Trump Withdraws from the INF. Santa Rosa: Newstex, 2018, https://search.proquest.com/docview/2252974210?accountid=14748 (accessed December 3, 2019).
- Gives context to the INF Treaty and provides a precise account by the Arms Control Association of what the treaty is for.
- Painter, David S. The Cold War: An International History. Taylor & Francis e-Library ed. London;New York;: Routledge, 2002.
- This book details the history of the Cold War, and gives perspective on the political state in the U.S at this time.
- Slobin, Sarah. A NATION CHALLENGED: HEARTS AND MINDS. The New York Times. The New York Times, November 11, 2001. https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/11/us/a-nation-challenged-hearts-and-minds.html.
- Newspaper Article that discusses how the government has potrayed war and controlled information.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Marshall Plan. Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., April 26, 2019. https://www.britannica.com/event/Marshall-Plan.
- Article discusses the reasoning behind the Marshall Plan and how it helped to limit the expansion of communism and its principles.
- Vithal, B. P. R. ‘Where Does Communism Stand Today?’ Economic and Political Weekly 20, no. 15 (1985): 636-39. www.jstor.org/stable/4374275.
- This Article Provides history about the Cold War and the different phases communism has gone through.
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