TOPIC 5: The Cold War
This topic addresses East–West relations from 1945. It aims to promote an international perspective and understanding of the origins, course and effects of the Cold War—a conflict that dominated global affairs from the end of the Second World War to the early 1990s. It includes superpower rivalry and events in all areas affected by Cold War politics such as spheres of interest, wars (proxy), alliances and interference in developing countries.
A. Origins of the Cold War
1. Ideological differences
2. Mutual suspicion and fear
3. From wartime allies to post-war enemies
B. Nature of the Cold War
1. Ideological opposition
2. Superpowers and spheres of influence
3. Alliances and diplomacy in the Cold War
C. Development and impact of the Cold War
1. Global spread of the Cold War form its European origins
2. Cold war policies of containment, brinkmanship, peaceful coexistence, detente
3. Role of the UN and Non-Aligned Movement
4. Role and Significance of leaders
5. Arms race, proliferation and limitation
6. Social, cultural and economic impact
D. End of the Cold War
1. Break-up of Soviet Union: internal problems and external pressures
2. Breakdown of Soviet control over Central and Eastern Europe
Topic Five Material for Detailed Study:
A. Wartime Conferences
B. US policies and developments in Europe: Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, NATO
C. Soviet Policies, sovietization of Eastern and Central Europe, Comecon, Warsaw Pact
D. Sino-Soviet relations
E. US-Chinese relations
F. Germany (especially Berlin (1945-61)), Congo (1960-64), Afghanistan (1978-88), Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, Middle East
G. Castro, Gorbachev, Kennedy, Mao, Reagan, Stalin, Truman.
Texts
1) History - 20th Century World: The Cold War
2) 20th Century World History
A. Origins of the Cold War
1. Ideological differences
2. Mutual suspicion and fear
3. From wartime allies to post-war enemies
B. Nature of the Cold War
1. Ideological opposition
2. Superpowers and spheres of influence
3. Alliances and diplomacy in the Cold War
C. Development and impact of the Cold War
1. Global spread of the Cold War form its European origins
2. Cold war policies of containment, brinkmanship, peaceful coexistence, detente
3. Role of the UN and Non-Aligned Movement
4. Role and Significance of leaders
5. Arms race, proliferation and limitation
6. Social, cultural and economic impact
D. End of the Cold War
1. Break-up of Soviet Union: internal problems and external pressures
2. Breakdown of Soviet control over Central and Eastern Europe
Topic Five Material for Detailed Study:
A. Wartime Conferences
B. US policies and developments in Europe: Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, NATO
C. Soviet Policies, sovietization of Eastern and Central Europe, Comecon, Warsaw Pact
D. Sino-Soviet relations
E. US-Chinese relations
F. Germany (especially Berlin (1945-61)), Congo (1960-64), Afghanistan (1978-88), Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, Middle East
G. Castro, Gorbachev, Kennedy, Mao, Reagan, Stalin, Truman.
Texts
1) History - 20th Century World: The Cold War
2) 20th Century World History