Skip to main content

How did the Cold War affect the United States goverment?

First, look at how the Cold War affected the U.S. government in terms of foreign policy.  Due to a threat of nuclear war with the Soviet Union, America had to always have nuclear preparedness plans with the capacity to deliver these weapons, whether through bombers, missiles, or naval delivery systems.  This was money that could have been spent elsewhere, such as on domestic programs.  Also, America got itself into foreign entanglements such as Vietnam and...

First, look at how the Cold War affected the U.S. government in terms of foreign policy.  Due to a threat of nuclear war with the Soviet Union, America had to always have nuclear preparedness plans with the capacity to deliver these weapons, whether through bombers, missiles, or naval delivery systems.  This was money that could have been spent elsewhere, such as on domestic programs.  Also, America got itself into foreign entanglements such as Vietnam and Korea in order to contain communism, killing thousands of young men and injuring many more.  America also got itself involved in covert actions in Guatemala, Iran, and Cuba in order to support rightist, U.S. friendly governments.  Many in the developing world still do not trust that America is the beacon of democracy that it claims to be, but rather they think that America only wants leaders that will act in its interest.  


Domestically, the Cold War ensured that there would be a draft for the military well after WWII ended.  America encouraged more people to go into science and math fields in order to ensure it would have more scientists than the Soviet Union.  The FBI kept reports on people who it suspected may be Communist--this is even more controversial today as more information comes out about the program.  The Interstate Highway system was designed by Eisenhower to be used in war, but it really helps Americans move from place to place easier and has promoted the growth of suburbs at the expense of the inner city.  While it never turned into a true "shooting" war, it is hard to imagine America without the Cold War.  

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...
Post a Comment
Read more

How did the United States become an imperial power?

"Imperial power" is a bit of a vague label. It tends to mean several things at once, so let's unpack it. In the sense of "this country was built on conquest by force," the "imperial power" part of America actually predates the United States proper. The territories that would become the United States were imperial colonies, established by the great European empires of the 17th and 18th centuries. Much of the US Constitution and American governance generally goes back to England, history's largest and most successful imperial power, but vital aspects of American culture come from other imperial powers, such as France and Spain. Much of American culture comes from sources other than the old empires, but they were key influences on what the United States became. In the sense of "this country treats conquest by force as a fundamental component of its culture, economy and politics," the United States has always been an imperial power. Even earl...
Post a Comment
Read more

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more