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Cold War Essay

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One of the most significant and prolonged conflicts in the 20th century was the Cold War lasting from the end of World War II until the early 1990s. This event shaped American political ideology and foreign policy, impacted the economy and impacted the lives of many individuals. This era marked a course of intense competition and rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, as there were shifts in the balance of power, leading to new alliance formations and the creation of international institutions. The history of the end of the Cold War explains contemporary geopolitics in several ways: (1) the rise of international organizations, (2) the spread of globalization, and (3) the decline of Soviet power.

The beginning of the Cold …show more content…

In 1985 he pursued a new strategy that aimed at reducing tensions with the West. The launching of perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness) was designed to increase transparency and openness in government institutions across the USSR. By 1989, Eastern Europeans were given more freedom and Gorbachev refused to authorize the use of force. Eventually, the Berlin Wall would fall and it would signal the end of the Cold War. The end of the Cold War birthed a new beginning in global politics.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States became more dominant in terms of military, economic and cultural presence. This led to the formation of a unipolar world in which the U.S. was the main character shaping global events and the future of the world. However, the unipolar world has faced some challenges since the end of the Cold War. The rise of countries such as Russia and China has challenged United States' dominance in creating a more multipolar world. For example, China faces a growing threat to its multibillion-dollar projects, ranging from railways and bridges to petroleum …show more content…

The world became more interconnected and with this economic liberalization, came a wave of democratization as countries moved towards a more democratic form of government. The rapid economic growth of Eastern European countries has been a major factor in promoting stability and security. Economic development has helped ease the tensions between countries and continues to promote peace and stability in regions worldwide. However, with the spread of globalization and new technological advancements, came security challenges such as terrorism, cyber security, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and information became a currency.

Another important lesson learned is the power of political reform. Gorbachev's reform, known as perestroika and glasnost helped increase transparency in government institutions and activities in the USSR. Ultimately, this helped to restore the Soviet economy and create a more democratic society.

Finally, the republics were all removed from the Russian federation resulting in a significant loss of power for Russia. In today's society, Russia has invaded Ukraine as a result of historical and political tensions as well as geopolitical considerations. Ultimately, Russia's war against Ukraine can be seen as a culmination of decades of Russian society poisoning

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