Sample Material of Our IAS Mains History Study Kit
Subject: History (Optional)
Topic: The Cold War
The term cold war was first coined by “Walter Lippman”, a scholar. For the first time this term was used in order to express the tension between the two important powers. This tension was deeply aggravated by psychological pressure & ideological differences. It was a war that was fought without the use of weapons. It was a sort of a psychological battle, where objective was to limit the area of influence of other powers
According to some scholars it represents – ideological different, but according to some others, power.
There were certain reasons behind the beginning of cold war. In one sense , cold war was the product of specific his the two important powers issues world war was not a new thing in history. Likewise, after every important war some sort of new tension emerges in international politics. We underline this fact even after Napoleonic war and the first world war likewise, when the second world war concluded, there was decline of Germany, which was common enemy to allied powers. Then ruptures and conflicts emerged in allied group as a result, Russia and USA divided into the two different groups.
On ideological level soviet Russia was associated with idea of World revolution, that’s why it was trying to win newly independent AsioAfrican countries to its side group was too much cautious to accept this. They declared Soviet Union as the enemy of human freedom in this way both the groups were accusing each other importents of behind war was mutual dust. Western countries invaded Russia course of Russian revolution. In 1917 soviet Russia took it as invasion by capitalist world.
On the other hand, western countries were terrified by the idea of world revolution proposed by Russia. A subordinate leader; Lenin, Trotsky had declared that Lenin and Wilson both are two different poles in this world. The mutual distrust was growing day by day when in 1930 there was emergence of fascism Russia tried normalise the relation with western countries so that they should effectively face the challenge presented by Fascist the western powers. But the western countries were suspicious of Russian behavior. When the Westerns powers adopted the policy of appeasement. Towards Fascist powers Russia became convinced about the fact that western countries were inclined to make a peaceful co-existence with the Fascist power and they were trying to use Fascism against Russia. Thus because of this Stalin concluded a non aggression pact with Hitler. Western powers were completely dissatisfied with this step. But inspire of this fact Soviet Russia and Western power made a second front against Germany and axis powers but even before the end of Seconds World War differences again started [(allied powers of Britain and USA did not open second front against Germany which was invading Russia). After surrender of Italy terms were decided on the condition of allied powers in which Russia was not made a party inspite of being one of the members).