... most of the ten million people of rural South Vietnam, terms like democracy, Communism, imperialism, and Cold War were meaningless," (Mecklin 4). Furthermore, Americans faced great difficulty in being able to communicate with the Vietnamese peasants, and believed that "[their] concept of [nationhood] was largely gone in the rural areas, much less of patriotism," (Mecklin 3). Nonetheless, Mecklin also observed ... and defeat was not shared equally by both sides, since the Americans "[projected] onto Asians their own values; [believing] the threat of steadily enlarged destruction [wou...

• Word Count: 849
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Graduate

... countries (Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia).5 However, a few strikes and protests do not necessary denote the end of the Communist Regime, nor the will of a new policy. People remained loyal to socialism, despite its imperfections. Yes, an economic reform was essential, a more liberal and free-market as well, even a greater freedom regarding the populace's private life, however was the shift ... discrimination based on political and religious beliefs, plurality of socialist parties, providing a larger choice etc. In any case, adopted from the manifesto or not, Gorbachev's aim througho...

• Word Count: 1300
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Graduate

... was arguably an important cause of the Cold War as it provided the framework for later American policies as part of the containment policy to contain Soviet expansionism. American intervention was called for when countries faced Soviet pressure, hence setting the direction for subsequent policies such as the ... importance of the Truman Doctrine is further limited when considering the fact that this public declaration was presented in such a way that indicated Truman's reluctance to directly confront or provoke the Soviets. The fact that Truman made no mention of the terms 'Soviets...

• Word Count: 2144
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Graduate

... the foundation of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in 1949, the country struggled with a basic problem that it couldn't remedy throughout its whole existence: a great labour deficit. Even by trying to correct the lack of skilled workers through mobilization measures, the labour reserve of the GDR was behind the demand of the East German national economy, and, most importantly, far behind ... the economy of the competing Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). Thus the governance of the GDR was forced to consider the possibility or bringing foreign workers from other socialistic states int...

• Word Count: 1950
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Graduate

... topics he discusses in the lecture. Kennan's lecture gives the reader a panoramic view and solid background of American thinking about themselves and the rest of the world, with respect to events leading up to the conflict with the Soviets. As a result, Kennan gives a clearly articulated picture of his thoughts. Kennan explains his ideas in a manner which the average college level student could ... understand, but does it in a sophisticated manner, which is refreshing. Kennan compares American security ideas to the Roman Empire because Americans had a sense of security and superiority t...

• Word Count: 1225
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Graduate

... as contributing an important role in regional stability under the specific environment in which it is created and employed. Alternative security mechanisms, however, may provide a broader application to assist states in maintaining peaceful interaction with their neighbours. In discussing the relationship of Collective Defence in regional stability we must define what Collective Defence incorporates, it's advantages ... and its limitations. We also have to identify what encompasses a region, within the scope of this paper. Collective Defence, also known as Alliances, have been the tradi...

• Word Count: 1681
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Graduate