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When WWII finally ended, the mistrust and hostilities between the countries were overwhelming. As the Soviet Union began to expand into Eastern Europe, the US began to fear that Communism would take over the world.
Timeline of the Cold War
1945 - The United States drops two atomic bombs on Japan in the towns of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In response to the bombings, as well as the Soviet Union also calling for war against Japan, Emperor Hirohito surrendered to the Allies. These weapons showed US technological superiority, hence creating competition with the Soviet Union.
1948/49 - After the ending of WWII, Berlin was split into sections between the Western Allies and the USSR. To try and take control of the entire city, the Soviet Union cut off all surface traffic. The US responded by sending daily airlifts of food and supplies into Berlin. In August, the Soviet Union successfully conducted a test of a 20 Kiloton bomb; plans that were stolen previously from the "Manhattan Project" by USSR spies. This officially began the nuclear arms race between Russia & the US.
Map of occupied Berlin
1950 - The US tests its first thermonuclear device, a hydrogen bomb, in the Marshall Islands. After North Korea was occupied by the USSR and Communism, they invaded the previously Democratic-occupied South Korea, beginning the Korean War. When the US got involved to help defend South Korea, tensions with the Soviet Union only increased. Hostilities between the North and South of Korea ceased in 1953.
1957 - The US and the USSR begin their "Space Race" and the Soviet Union launches Sputnik (the first artificial satellite) into orbit. Sputnik 2 is also sent into orbit before the US can even launch their first, sending great embarrassment through the nation.
1959 - Vietnam, like Korea, was split by its North and South; the North being backed by the USSR and the South being backed by the US. Both countries fought each other on their separate sides during the Vietnam War, which lasted until 1976 and faced thorough opposition from US citizens.
1960 - The USSR tests the largest nuclear weapon ever built; "Big Ivan" / "Tsar Bomb"
1961 - To stop people from fleeing East Germany into the West, the Soviet Union builds the Berlin wall in August.
1962 - The "Cuban Missile Crisis" brought the US and USSR the closest they'd ever been to nuclear war.
1963 - "Titan II", the largest land-based missile is deployed by the US. It is also at this time that direct lines are set up between the two countries, to ensure fast and clear communication- the "Red Phone" and the "Hot Line".
1983 - The year is known as the "War Scare". Although the US was performing routine nuclear exercises, the Soviet Union viewed it as a possible oncoming attack.
1989 - The Berlin Wall that divided Germany is torn down; it is now seen today as one of the most iconic symbols of the Cold War.
1991 - Eastern European countries become overthrown by popular uprisings, in turn, the Soviet Union collapsed in December. After a long 45 years, the Cold War finally came to an end.
US & USSR Political Cartoon Wikimedia Commons
America & The Soviet Union in the Cold War
While the US aimed to spread Democracy across the globe, the Soviet Union was aiming to spread Communism. While both of these countries had become superpowers after the end of WWII, they were set on a path of war in regards to who would hold the most influence across the globe.
Between acts of espionage and active warfare in countries like Vietnam or Korea, the Cold War became one of the most repressive times in US history in regards to freedom of speech. These tensions also brought changes to US foreign policies and discouraged the voices of political dissent. In order to root out disloyal citizens and attack any threats of Communism, the US implemented many policies that struck fear among Americans.
Espionage is the practice of using spies from the government to obtain military or political information.
The Cold War is known as "Cold" because it lasted the longest length of time in which two countries were at odds without engaging in direct battles.
Communism & the "Red Scare" in America during the Cold War
The "Red Scare" was the perceived threat of Communism spreading into the US and repressing the people. Federal employees were questioned and analyzed in order to ensure their loyalties; Senator Joseph R. McCarthy heavily investigated the allegations not only within the government but also within the Hollywood film industry.
Upon the creation of loyalty programs (such as the House Un-American Activities Committee), Americans became more and more afraid of speaking their minds and debating things considered outside of the norm for fear of being pegged as Communist sympathizers.
Senator McCarthy
McCarthyism was made up of campaigns and other institutions carried out by Senator McCarthy between 1950 and 1954; it was the practice of making accusations of subversion or treason regarding Communism and Socialism. These campaigns and institutions caused many of the accused to become blacklisted or even lose their jobs, even though many of them did not even belong to the Communist Party.
USSR Opinions of the Cold War
The USSR or "Union of Soviet Socialist Republics" had come into being in 1922 after the ending of
Joseph Stalin, 1943 the countries Civil War, when many different political powers were struggling for influence over the country during the Russian Empire. The Bolsheviks, also later known as Communists, intended to spread socialism across the world (just as the US aimed with Capitalism).
Also like the US, the Soviet Union was constantly attempting to weed out those in society who were unfaithful to the spread of Communism, any interference or influence over Communism was seen as Capitalist aggression. Joseph Stalin also repressed the peoples ability to speak their thoughts freely, and very quickly coined the term
The enemy of the people" - Joseph Stalin
The USSR was consistently focused on their "fight to be first", not only in regards to weapons and war, but also in the Space Race that began in 1957. The Soviet Union revolved around finding, fighting, and defeating any enemy in order to implement their ideology.
Political Dissent in America during the Cold War
The "Red Fear" was generally used as a way to silence opposing voices of opinion in the US; FBI director J. Edgar Hoover always linked any form of protest with Communist subversion. This included, but was not limited to, the Civil Rights demonstrations led by Martin Luther King Jr. Hoover worked tirelessly in attempts to disqualify Dr. King as the leader of the Civil Rights movement.
The war in Vietnam also created large amounts of political dissent in the country, which President Lyndon Johnson, Harry Truman, and Richard Nixon tried to cover up by justifying US presence in the country. The war in Vietnam could never be seen as a loss to the US, so the troops had to remain.
The American people also heavily protested the "Space Race", as NASAs attempts to be the first one to the moon had killed handfuls of astronauts as well as drained millions of dollars into their funding. While many Americans were struggling to put food on their tables, the United States seemed to be looking more into the future than into the present, neglecting the needs of its citizens.
Martin Luther King Jr. 
After the end of the Cold War
Though Martin Luther King Jr. was deemed a Communist by Hoover, one of the greatest things to come out of the Cold War was Civil Rights for African Americans. With the US bragging about having the best system in the world, deep hypocrisy was coming to the surface in regards to the country's treatment of African Americans; not only were equal rights the right thing to do, but it was also in the nation's best interest to prove its superiority over others.
Also after the ending of the Cold War, immigration and refugee policies needed to be updated, as many people who would be accepted by the country now would not have been during the Red Scare. This also began to raise many questions in regards to national security and a refugees' ability to seek asylum within the US. The country needed to relearn how to balance national security and humanitarian obligation.
America in the Cold War - Key takeaways
- The Cold War was the longest war in US History, lasting 45 years.
- The Cold War was considered "cold" because it was between two countries that were at odds without fighting in direct battles.
- The "Space Race" began during the Cold War.
- Some of the largest and most powerful atomic bombs were created by the US and Soviet Union during the Cold War.
- The "Red Scare" and "Red Fear" caused the US to deeply fear and retaliate against the spread of Communism.
- One of the greatest successes of the Cold War was the Civil Rights Movement.
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Frequently Asked Questions about America in the Cold War
Why was America involved in the Cold War?
America was involved in the Cold War because they wanted to prove that their way of running their country was superior; they aimed to stop the spread of Soviet Union Communism.
How did the Cold War affect life in America?
The Cold War affected life in America by taking away many people's freedom of speech. Voicing a different opinion or showing any political dissent meant that you were automatically a Communist sympathizer.
What happened after the Cold War in America?
After the Cold War in America, African Americans gained their Civil Rights due to the beginning of the movement during the war. The US also had to rethink their immigration and refugee policies after the dying out of the Red Scare.
How did America get involved in the Cold War?
America got involved in the Cold War by inserting itself within close proximity to Soviet Union territory. For example, backing South Korea while the USSR backed North Korea. The US wanted to show everyone that Democracy was the best choice over Communism.
Did the Cold War contribute to consumerism in America?
The Cold War contributed to the consumer market of America because global markets rapidly expanded with the efforts to combat Communism.
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