8.9 Causation in the Age of the Cold War and Decolonization

Challenging Political and Social Order

Regardless of their country, people found ways to express their discontent with existing political and social orders. Such conflicts extended to gravities never seen before, even globally.

Fighting for freedoms

Popular uprisings in Eastern Europe against Soviet-backed governments occurred in countries such as Hungary in 1956 and Czechoslovakia in 1968. These movements, known as the Hungarian Revolution and the Prague Spring, respectively, were met with military force by the Soviet Union, but they were significant in that they demonstrated the desire of Eastern European people for greater freedom and democracy. For instance, the Prague Spring was a period of political liberalization because of the series of political and economic reforms, which included greater freedom of the press, the release of political prisoners, and the decentralization of the economy. Nevertheless, the Soviet Union crushed the reform movements in order to reaffirm its ideological control over the region.

In Latin America, popular movements and political parties challenged the traditional order by advocating for greater social and economic equality. In Cuba, the 26th of July Movement, led by Fidel Castro, successfully overthrew the US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959. Similarly, in Chile, the Popular Unity government of Salvador Allende, which aimed to implement socialist policies, was overthrown in a US-backed coup in 1973.

Decolonization

Building on the largely unfulfilled desires for self-government and autonomy after WWI, the end of WWII prompted growing anti-imperialism and marked the end of European colonial empires, and a wave of decolonization swept across Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.

In Asia, the end of WWII and the withdrawal of European colonial powers led to a wave of nationalist movements. India's struggle for independence from British rule, led by figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, is one of the most well-known examples of decolonization in Asia. India gained independence in 1947. Other countries in Asia that gained independence during this time include Pakistan, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

In Africa, the process of decolonization was marked by a wave of anti-colonial movements and protests. One notable example is the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya in the 1950s, in which Kenyan nationalists fought against British colonial rule. The Mau Mau Uprising was a key factor in Kenya's independence in 1963. Similarly, in Algeria, the National Liberation Front (FLN) led a war of independence against France, which ultimately led to Algeria's independence in 1962. Other African countries that gained independence during this time include Ghana, Guinea, and Senegal.

In the Caribbean, the process of decolonization was also marked by anti-colonial movements and protests. Jamaica gained independence in 1962, Trinidad and Tobago in 1962, and Guyana in 1966. 

Decolonization was not always peaceful. Europeans desperately tried to hold on to their colonies, which resulted in brutal and violent conflicts for independence. For instance, in Algeria, the French government fought fiercely to the extent that over 1.5 million people died. In the Belgian Combo (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), the Belgian government exerted significant violence against anti-colonial forces as well.

Furthermore, decolonization brought about significant changes to the political, economic, and social systems of the newly independent countries. In many cases, the new governments sought to redistribute land and wealth and improve the living standards of their citizens through policies such as land reform and wealth redistribution.

Cold War and its effects

College Board: "The Cold War conflict extended beyond its basic ideological origins to have profound effects on economic, political, social, and cultural aspects of global events."

Economics

One way the Cold War extended to economic orders was through the creation of rival economic systems. The United States and its allies promoted a capitalist economic system, characterized by private ownership of property and the means of production and the use of markets to allocate resources. The Soviet Union and its allies, on the other hand, promoted a socialist economic system, characterized by collective ownership of property and the means of production, and the use of central planning to allocate resources.

Another way the Cold War extended to economic orders was through the use of economic aid as a tool of foreign policy. The United States and its allies used foreign aid programs, such as the Marshall Plan, to rebuild and stabilize Western Europe and promote capitalism. The Soviet Union and its allies also used foreign aid to promote socialism and spread their influence in developing countries.

The Cold War also led to the formation of economic blocs, such as the European Economic Community (EEC) and the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (COMECON), which aimed to promote economic cooperation and integration among members and counteract the influence of the other bloc.

Politics

One of the main ways the Cold War spread to politics was through the spread of ideology. The United States and its allies promoted democracy and capitalism as the ideal political and economic systems, while the Soviet Union and its allies promoted communism and socialism. This led to a global ideological struggle, with countries aligning themselves with either the capitalist or communist bloc.

Another way the Cold War extended to political orders was through the use of proxy wars and support for anti-communist or pro-communist governments. The United States and the Soviet Union supported different sides in conflicts around the world, such as the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Soviet-Afghan War, in order to spread their ideology and gain influence. Additionally, the Cold War led to the establishment of surveillance and intelligence agencies and the use of propaganda to influence public opinion and promote their own ideology.

Society

The Cold War led to the rise of consumer culture and the use of consumer goods as a means of promoting one's ideology. The United States and its allies promoted a consumer culture as a symbol of the success and freedom of capitalism, while the Soviet Union and its allies promoted a culture of sacrifice and austerity as a symbol of the success and superiority of socialism. Oftentimes, people were persecuted for purchasing or possessing items that represented Western ideas (found in absurd examples such as denim jeans).

Culture

One of the main ways the Cold War spread to culture was through the promotion of rival cultural ideologies. The United States and its allies promoted a liberal, individualistic culture, while the Soviet Union and its allies promoted a collectivistic culture, with a strong emphasis on the role of the state in shaping society. This led to a struggle for cultural and ideological supremacy, with countries aligning themselves with either the capitalist or communist bloc.

Additionally, the Cold War led to the creation of different cultural institutions, such as museums, libraries, and theaters, with the aim of promoting one's own culture and ideology. The United States, for example, established the United States Information Agency (USIA) to promote American culture abroad, while the Soviet Union established the Soviet Peace Committee to promote Soviet culture abroad.

Institutions of Global Association

Alliances and military pacts, such as NATO and the Warsaw Pact, aimed to protect their members from the perceived threat of the other bloc. These alliances also served as a means to contain the spread of the opposing ideology.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established on April 4, 1949, as a military alliance between the United States, Canada, and several Western European countries. The organization was formed in response to the perceived threat of Soviet expansion in Europe following the end of World War II. The main purpose of NATO was to provide a collective defense against the threat of Soviet aggression and to promote stability and security in the region. The organization was based on the principle of collective defense, meaning that an attack on one member would be considered an attack on all members. NATO continues to exist today.

Warsaw Pact

The Warsaw Pact, officially known as the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance, was established on May 14, 1955, as a military alliance between the Soviet Union and several Eastern European countries. The organization was formed in response to the formation of NATO and the perceived threat of Western expansion in Europe. The main purpose of the Warsaw Pact was to provide a collective defense against the threat of Western aggression and to promote stability and security in the region. The organization was based on the principle of collective defense, meaning that an attack on one member would be considered an attack on all members. The Warsaw Pact has since ceased to exist, but its vestige can still be seen in political clashes.

Responding to Economic Struggles

One approach that was popular among countries was the adoption of free-market economic policies. This approach, also known as neoliberalism, emphasizes the reduction of government intervention in the economy and the promotion of free trade. Many countries in Latin America, such as Chile and Mexico, adopted these policies in the 1980s and 1990s as a response to economic crises and high inflation. These policies were also implemented in some countries in Eastern Europe after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Another approach that countries adopted was export-oriented industrialization. This approach focuses on increasing a country's exports as a way to stimulate economic growth. Countries such as Japan and South Korea successfully implemented this approach in the post-World War II period, becoming major economic powers. These countries heavily invested in their manufacturing sectors and focused on exporting goods to other countries. This approach has been successful in many developing countries, such as China and Taiwan, which have experienced rapid economic growth and have become major exporters.

In addition, many countries sought assistance from international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank during times of economic hardship. These organizations provided financial assistance and economic advice to countries experiencing financial crises. However, their policies and conditions have been criticized for being too harsh and not taking into account the specific economic conditions of countries.

In contrast, some countries adopted government intervention and regulation as a way to manage their economies. This approach, also known as dirigisme, emphasizes the role of the state in guiding economic development. Many European countries, such as France and Italy, have adopted this approach with the use of state-owned enterprises and protectionist trade policies. This approach has been successful in some cases, such as in the development of the French and Italian automobile industries, but has also been criticized for stifling innovation and competition.

Some countries adopted a more mixed economy approach, which combines elements of both free market and government intervention. This approach has been adopted by many countries, such as China, which has implemented economic reforms and has gradually shifted towards a market economy while maintaining a significant role for state-owned enterprises. This approach has been successful in promoting economic growth and poverty reduction but has also faced challenges such as corruption and environmental degradation.

Finally, some countries, such as the Soviet Union, implemented a command economy system where the government controlled most economic activities and decision-making. This system led to low economic growth and poor living standards for the majority of citizens.

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