The half-century confrontation between America and the USSR, called the Cold War, is an important stage in the formation of bilateral relations. For several decades, the ideological struggle did not allow the two superpowers to find a compromise and led to a bipolar world.
Necessary
Computer with Internet access, history textbook
Instructions
Step 1
On March 5, 1946, Churchill delivered a speech in Fulton, which marked the beginning of a great confrontation between the two superpowers, which lasted for almost half a century. Churchill suggested that the Anglo-Saxon countries unite to fight communism. The United States pursued several goals, the main of which were economic and military superiority. The confrontation was based on deep ideological contradictions. The struggle between socialism and capitalism.
Step 2
The second period of the Cold War lasted from 1953 to 1962 and was characterized by a dire situation related to nuclear conflict. Khrushchev's "thaw" slightly melted the ice in relations between the USSR and the States, but it was at this time that massive anti-communist uprisings took place in many European countries. International tensions increased when a ballistic missile was tested in the USSR. It was the successful tests that put an end to the nuclear threat, balancing military capabilities.
Step 3
In 1962, the third stage began, which can be described as an arms race. The powers were rapidly developing new types of weapons. Including joint work was carried out, in particular, in the space industry. By the 80s, the USSR was significantly inferior to the United States in armament.
Step 4
The next stage is the aggravation of relations between the countries, as a result of the introduction of Soviet troops into Afghanistan. The territory of Europe becomes a field for the deployment of US ballistic missiles. At this time, a number of negotiations were disrupted. The attack warning system was on alert.
Step 5
The final stage of the Cold War fell on the period when Mikhail Gorbachev came to power and "perestroika". There have been not only major changes within the country, but also foreign policy has undergone significant changes. The already weak economy of the Soviet Union collapsed and was no longer able to participate in the arms race. The deepest crisis that reigned in the early 90s in the USSR led to the fact that the central government lost control over the republics, conflicts flared up in different parts of the country, and in December 1991 the USSR collapsed. And in 1992, the President's statement on changing the targets of nuclear weapons from the United States to unpopulated territories and the signed declaration between the United States and Russia finally confirmed the end of the Cold War.
