Cold War: Definition, Dynamics, and Distrust
Cold War: Definition and Periodization
The Cold War period, spanning from 1945 to 1991, was characterized by a voluntary and/or forced polarization around the two superpowers that emerged from the Second World War: the United States of America (USA) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). These two powers, along with their respective blocs, maintained a rivalry throughout the entire period, explicitly defining each other as enemies with mutually exclusive systems. This rivalry was based on the premise that capitalism and communism could not coexist in the medium to long term. Consequently, the threat of open warfare loomed large, serving as a constant projection throughout the period, only averted by mutual deterrence.
The implementation of this premise resulted in the establishment of a bipolar world, with each superpower attempting to incorporate countries from around the globe into their respective spheres of influence. As time progressed, this became more rhetoric than reality. However, the rhetoric remained significant from the outset. Both powers sought, by all means, to avoid direct confrontation and accepted the division of the world that emerged from World War II. Despite this, the rhetoric manifested in very conservative domestic politics within both blocs. In addition to the conventional rhetoric of the Cold War, the idea of the imminent danger of nuclear war served as a highly effective mechanism of population control in both blocs until 1991.
Dynamics of the Second World War
World War II was a period of profound alteration in the balance of international power, with the emergence of new powers (USA, USSR, and Japan) that would challenge the formerly great powers, France and Britain. In this context, one can understand World War II as a struggle for German supremacy against England and the USSR in Europe. Germany’s aim during the war was to achieve hegemonic power in Europe and to share global dominance with the USA. Thus, World War II was truly a global conflict. The war materialized into a kind of race, especially in its final months, between the Red Army and the USA to liberate parts of the world, which carried significant moral implications.
However, the internal rivalry between the Allies is a hidden history of the conflict. Indeed, Hitler was aware of this tension between those who waged war against him. His great hope was to prolong the war to provoke a confrontation between the Soviets and the Americans, which he believed would lead to a German victory. In 1944, Hitler withdrew troops from the Balkans because the USA had invaded Italy and the Soviets were advancing in the region. Hitler hoped this would precipitate a confrontation, allowing for an alliance with the USA against the USSR and communism. This may seem naive to us today, but it was not entirely so at the time.
Several elements of cohesion prevented this confrontation from occurring. The first was the crucial ideological component (moral disgust, etc.). Then there was the shared fear that Europe would become a closed market. Another factor of cohesion stemmed from the USSR, which needed American aid to avoid financial collapse, knowing it faced a massive post-war reconstruction effort. Moreover, it was compatible for the USA to aid the Soviet Union and benefit its own economy, as it was interested in technical assistance, capital transfer, etc. Although the idea of a parallel confrontation that would save Germany did not materialize, distrust between the Allies remained a constant throughout the war.
Factors of Mutual Distrust
Four key factors of mutual distrust emerged during the conflict:
- First, Republican resistance groups opposed continuing aid to the Soviets without corresponding political changes.
- Second, there was distrust regarding the Allied delay in opening the second front.