Assess the effect of cuban missile crisis on NATO powers

The Cold War started as a result of the different approaches to the needs of the post-World War II world by the United States and the Soviet Union. Each of the nations saw the other, as the aggressor. Owing to its possession of the atomic bomb and economic wealth, the United States maintained that world peace and order depended on the survival and success of political democracy. They became the opposite of the other which caused the Americans to conclude that poverty and economic depression bred dictatorship, rebellion and communism, and possibly war. The United States, concluded freedom and success were linked to a free world. On the other hand, traditional Russian independence, the communist ideology, and a craving for security against a revived Germany, motivated the Soviets. The first area of confrontation was Europe. Soviet policies toward Eastern Europe, German reunification, and the United Nations contributed to the stiffening U.S. attitude towards the Russians. The American attitude change was reflected in policy performance of post-war reform programs for individual countries to the Marshal Plan or the European Recovery

Each had responsibilities to maintain order in its area and not interfere in the areas dominated by the others. Therefore, small nations could no longer play off the major powers against one another or count on outside help. The policy also permitted the United States to contain both the Soviet Union and China by having them contain each other, and aloud the United states to return to ‘isolationism’ distancing themselves from all issues concerning European policy. However they were still a leading power although the Cold War proved too expensive, and because of the U.S. participation in Vietnam, Congress demanded that the United States play a more limited role in the world. The major powers were to remain in their own spheres and the violent independence in the Third World would collapse. U.S. foreign policy from 1945 illustrates a dominance of relations with the Soviet Union. Despite changes in expression and strategy, U.S. policy continually sought the containment of communism. The USA and the USSR were undisputed superpowers; Britain and France deluded themselves that they were too. Throughout this period America were consistent with aid when it was needed, they were the world bank and a huge fighting force in both world wars and the times surrounding them.

These events, together with the anticommunist emotional panic in America, contributed extensively to the 1952 presidential election of Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Republicans promised a "New Look" in foreign policy, as best espoused by Secretary of State John Foster Dulles. Described as a rigid moralist, Dulles advocated enormous retribution and support for wars of national liberty to turn back the communist tide. Despite this bold expression, the Eisenhower administration did not resort to enormous retribution in Indochina in 1954, nor did it intervene to support the Hungarian freedom fighters in 1956. Instead, containment continued, predicated on the increased fear of a global communist take-over, if not evident, then through rebellion. The communist take-over caused confusion for Americans in the rising tide of Third World independence. America did not wish to repeat mistakes that were made during World War I, when they became directly involved, fighting along side Britain and France. They withdrew and expressed wishes to remain neutral, this became known as American ‘isolationism’. There was much anxiety throughout Europe it was feared that Hitler’s Nazi army could gain control. By 1941 US President Franklin. D Roosevelt stressed that the United States must defend Europe against these fascist powers.

Details of United Nations Organisation

Some topics in this essay:
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