Cold War: A History From Beginning to End (The Cold War)

by Hourly History

As Europe especially reeled in the wake of World War II, the United States and its allies in Europe (chiefly Great Britain) greatly feared that weaker nations were susceptible to falling to Communism. The widespread destruction and death, as well as resulting starvation and poverty, might make the doctrines of Communism appealing to a great many people. Therefore, under the Marshall Plan, the United States offered aid to any country needing it, provided that they were not affiliated with Communism. The Marshall Plan was directly related to the Domino Theory and Containment: its purpose was to prevent Communism from spreading anywhere else, and it aimed to win America more and more allies.

In many ways, Americans are nostalgic about the 1950s; they picture hard-working fathers, loving yet submissive homemakers, carefree children, and prosperity. However, in reality, most Americans lived with extreme anxiety during the decade.

During the Able Archer Crisis, America began exercises in preparation for nuclear war. The Soviets intercepted and observed what was going on. Because communication between the two countries was not good at the time, the Soviet Union did not attempt to contact the United States to find out what was going on, nor had the U.S. made the Soviets aware. Therefore, the Soviet government believed that the U.S. was actually readying itself for nuclear war. In retaliation, they too began to prepare to launch their weapon stores. Actual nuclear war was narrowly avoided when the two superpowers finally communicated and realized what was happening.