2. Post WWII dramatic
changes in the
International Politics.
Domination of
European countries
diminished.
Two non-European
countries United States
and Soviet Union
emerged as super power.
3. :
European Countries like Britain, Italy, Germany are directly involved in the
WWII.
Although both the super powers U.S and U.S.S.R are also take part in the
WWII but war did not affect them a lot.
United States enter into war against Germany in 1942 after 3 years war has
been started. On the other hand Soviet union was attacked by Hitler in
1941 and million of peoples died there but damage was mostly on the
side of Europe.
Under the leadership of Joseph Stolen USSR became strong industrial and
military power and in 1949 four year after the United States USSR became
Atomic power.
Above are the few things which helps both countries to emerge as a super
power and world politics became bipolar.
4. Origin of the Cold War:
Both the super powers U.S and USSR showed their influence for
the reconstruction of Europe.
Harry S Truman sought the approval of 400 million $ for the
Greece and Turkey.
Truman doctrine and Marshal Plan aimed at perpetuating US
supremacy in Europe.
In counter Soviet Union attracted eastern bloc toward USSR.
In result Europe divided into two blocs east and West bloc
and U.S formed an align with west bloc to form NATO in
1949.
Germany was divided into two parts East and West
Germany. So future of Germany was also a question mark
for both the super powers
5. Cold war in 1950’s:
The cold war was not limited to Europe only. With the outbreak of Korean war in 1950 it
spread to the Asia also. After the WWII Korea divided into South Korea under the
influence of U.S and North Korea under influence of USSR. June 1953 North Korea
attacked South Korea and United States demand a stern action against the aggressive
state and passed a resolution in United Nation Security Council. China was also joined
the Korean war. Finally ceasefire was declared in 1953
Warsaw pact was signed by the Soviet Union in 1953 to provide the security assistance
to the east bloc countries. It was mainly a security treaty. In 1956 with the help of this
treaty, Soviet Union gave military assistance to Hungary against Hungarian uprising for
more democratic rights.
6. The same year cold war was shifted to African continent with Suez
Canal crisis. 26th July 1956 President of Egypt announced that their
Govt. would nationalize the Suez Canal Company. Britain and France
protested against this decision because both had stack in the Suez
canal through the oil and shipping companies. Israel also warned that
the proposed nationalization would violate the Jordan Israel
Armistices demarcation line. When Nasser backed by Soviet Union
struck to his plan Britain and France started air strike on Egypt in late
October. On 15th November with the help of United Nations cease fire
was done
7. In 1960s
The next decade began with the serious crisis over issues like shooting
down U.S spy aircraft by Soviet unions and problem in Congo. In 1960 the
Soviet Union shot down spy aircraft U-2 flying over the Soviet territory. A
huge uproar was made by the U.S over the issue.
In the same year the Congo in the Africa faced a sudden political crisis when
the Belgians, the colonizers of Congo handed over power to Congolese on
30th June 1960. There is civil war in Congo and Belgium rushed backed to
their troops. Prime Minister Lumumba appealed military help from Soviet
Union, China as also from Ghana. There is formation of bloc against both the
superpowers as U.S forces in Congo against Lumumba forces.
In 1962 tension escalated again over the Cuban Missile Crisis. Cuba south
American country geographically closed to United States with a Communist
govt.
8. In 970s
The United States fell behind from the Soviet union in the cold war in early
70s. The Arab countries backed by the Soviet Union stopped of petroleum
to the U.S in the 1973 because America support to Israel on the Palestine
issue. As a result U.S economy became little bit shaky.
In 1975 U.S backed govt in Vietnam Collapsed. Further the collapse of
shah govt. in Iran which was actively patronized by the U.S Govt.
encouraged by this set back Soviet Union decided to send its military
to Afghanistan in 1979 to installed Moscow backed Govt. there.
Although Soviet Union successful in their mission.
Moscow planned to get domination over Asia through Afghanistan
by giving throne to the Babrak Kamal. The Soviet Union sustain
their Army in Afghanistan to leads the power for longer periods
than their calculations. Soviet Union decided to remained their
forces in Afghanistan for longer and this was bad and they have to
pay heavy cost on this decision.
9. In 1980’s
The cold war reached to their peak with the start of new decade due to
presence of Soviet Agency in Afghanistan. American president Ronald
Reagan who assumed office in 1981 decided to increase the military budget
to counter the activity. Reagan wanted to give a lead to the American. He
launched the Star war program that aimed augmenting the production and
deployment of satellite guided ballistic missiles and other modern weapons.
The U.S also supported rebel group in Afghanistan.
Therefore the half of 80’s witnessed escalated cold war and the second
half was marked with the beginning of the end of the cold war.
Gorbachev’s policy of Perestroika and Glasnost brought sweeping
changes in Soviet Union though it was public policies and domestic in
nature they put a far reaching impact on East bloc countries.
And finally in 1991 with the disintegration of Soviet Union
there is end of Bipolar world Politics and there is only a solo
super power in the face of United States Of America to till
date.