Peaceful Coexistence: Détente, Conflicts, and Cold War Crises
Peaceful Coexistence (1954-1975): Détente Begins
Change of Leaders and the Beginning of Détente
From 1953, a shift in leadership occurred in both major powers. Dwight D. Eisenhower became President of the United States, and Nikita Khrushchev rose to power in the Soviet Union. Both leaders seemed more willing to negotiate, initiating a thaw in relations between the two powers.
This change was not solely due to the new mood of politicians but was also motivated by emerging factors on the international scene.
In 1949, the USSR developed its first atomic bomb, ending the United States’ nuclear monopoly. Some countries, especially in the Third World, expressed their unwillingness to join either bloc, preferring a neutral stance. Internal conflicts and movements within the blocs exposed a lack of cohesion.
This new stage in relations between the two blocs was termed “Peaceful Coexistence.” However, this period was not entirely free of conflict.
Dissent in the Communist Bloc
Several Eastern European countries experienced popular movements against the Soviet Union’s domination of their policies. Key events included the Polish revolt and the Hungarian revolt in 1956, and the Czechoslovak reform movement known as the Prague Spring of 1968. In each case, dissent was harshly suppressed, with the Soviet army intervening to quell the unrest. To justify its actions, the USSR developed the Brezhnev Doctrine, which asserted the right to intervene in any bloc country initiating reforms that might threaten the communist system.
Following Stalin’s death, China distanced itself from Moscow, severing ties.
Divisiveness in the West
Discrepancies also arose within the Western bloc. France, under President Charles de Gaulle, developed its own nuclear arsenal. However, France maintained good relations with the United States and remained in NATO.
The Second Berlin Crisis
In 1961, the government of East Germany began constructing a barrier to separate the eastern side of the city from the western side: the Berlin Wall, often called the “Wall of Shame” in the West.
The Cuban Missile Crisis
In 1959, guerrillas led by Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba, and the new regime was perceived as a threat to Western interests. U.S. opposition to political change on the island led the Castro government to align with the Soviet Union, establishing a communist regime. The United States considered an ally of the Soviet Union, only 150 miles from its shore, to be a significant danger. In 1961, the United States supported the Bay of Pigs invasion, carried out by Cuban exiles led by the CIA, with the aim of overthrowing the Castro government. The invasion was a failure.
In 1962, the conflict escalated. U.S. spy planes detected the presence of Soviet nuclear missile launch sites in Cuba. U.S. President John F. Kennedy ordered a naval blockade of Cuba to prevent the arrival of new military supplies, and the Soviet Union threatened to retaliate if the missiles were not withdrawn.
The Cuban Missile Crisis was the most dangerous conflict of the Cold War. The world held its breath, fearing an imminent nuclear war. Leaders from both countries held several meetings and established a direct line of communication, called the “hotline,” to address serious international crises swiftly.