The Cold War and Decolonization: USA, USSR, and Capitalism

UNIT 8: THE COLD WAR AND THE PROCESS OF DECOLONISATION

1.1. THE WORLD AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR

After World War II, two victorious world powers emerged: the USA and the USSR. They became adversaries because they had different political, economic, and social systems. Each power looked for allies in the rest of the world and attempted to influence foreign governments. Two opposed blocs emerged: USA insisted on the expulsion of the communists from Western Europe, while USSR looked to establish communist governments in Eastern and Central Europe.

1.2. THE CONTROL OF THE BLOCS

In 1947, the American president, Harry S. Truman denounced the imposition of communist regimes in Eastern and Central Europe, offered economic and military aid to the countries that were in danger of falling under communist control, such as Turkey and Greece (Truman Doctrine), increased the number of American military bases in Europe, and offered financial help for the reconstruction of Europe (Marshall Plan). The Soviet Union denounced American imperialism in Western Europe and offered its help to those countries that were against American imperialism (Jdanov Doctrine).

1.3. THE COLD WAR

The political, military, diplomatic, and ideological tensions between the two blocs gave rise to the term Cold War (1945-1991). Each bloc tried to impose its superiority through economic cooperation, military alliances, and military power. Both invested in nuclear and conventional weapons to threaten the enemy. This balance of terror prevented a direct war, but did not prevent indirect confrontations in other countries, especially in the third world.

2. THE CAPITALIST WORLD: THE USA AND JAPAN (1945-1973)

2.1. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

CAPITALIST BLOC (USA): JAPAN, WESTERN EUROPE, Influence in: Latin America, Africa, Oceania. Democratic system of government: recognition of individual rights and freedom, the division of power, existence of political parties with different ideologies (democratic elections), capitalist system of economy based on private property and free market. During these years, the western economy experienced significant growth due to an increase in productivity, the development of international commerce, and moderate state intervention in economic matters. This period is known as the Golden Age of Capitalism.