The EFFECTS of the Cold War, Explained [AP World History Review—Unit 8 Topic 3]

Summary

This video delves into the Cold War's key effects: the formation of military alliances, nuclear proliferation, and the rise of proxy wars. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Warsaw Pact were established as counterforces, while the nuclear arms race between the U.S. and Soviet Union reached its peak during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The video also explores proxy wars like the Korean War, the Angolan Civil War, and the Contra War in Nicaragua, highlighting how global powers indirectly fought for influence, often at a high human cost.

Takeaways

• 😀 NATO was formed in 1949 as a military alliance among Western countries, led by the United States, to counter the Soviet Union's influence in Europe.
• 😀 The Warsaw Pact, formed in 1955, was the Soviet Union's response to NATO, creating a military alliance of communist states under Soviet leadership.
• 😀 Both NATO and the Warsaw Pact were mutual defense alliances, meaning that an attack on one member would be considered an attack on all members.
• 😀 The Cold War led to a massive buildup of nuclear weapons, with the United States and the Soviet Union each developing increasingly powerful bombs.
• 😀 The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 marked the peak of nuclear tension, with the Soviet Union placing missiles in Cuba, leading to a standoff with the United States.
• 😀 The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968 was created to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and reduce nuclear risks globally.
• 😀 Proxy wars became a key feature of the Cold War, where the United States and Soviet Union supported opposing sides in local conflicts around the world.
• 😀 The Korean War (1950-1953) was a major proxy war, with North Korea, supported by the Soviets, fighting against South Korea, supported by the United States and the United Nations.
• 😀 The Angolan Civil War (1975) saw the Soviets and the United States, along with other international powers, backing different factions in a fight for control over the newly independent Angola.
• 😀 The Contra War in Nicaragua (1979-1990) was another proxy war, with the United States supporting anti-socialist rebels (Contras) against the socialist Sandinista government, backed by the Soviet Union.

Q & A

What were the two main military alliances formed during the Cold War?

The two main military alliances formed during the Cold War were NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and the Warsaw Pact. NATO, formed in 1949, was led by the United States and included Western European nations. The Warsaw Pact, formed in 1955, was led by the Soviet Union and included Eastern European countries.

What was the purpose of NATO and the Warsaw Pact during the Cold War?

The purpose of NATO and the Warsaw Pact was mutual defense. If any member of either alliance was attacked, the other member nations would respond in defense. NATO was a response to the perceived threat of Soviet expansion, while the Warsaw Pact was the Soviet Union's counter to NATO.

How did the Cold War lead to the proliferation of nuclear weapons?

The Cold War sparked an arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union, with each superpower developing increasingly powerful nuclear weapons. The United States developed the first atomic bomb, and the Soviets followed with their own in 1949. Later, both countries created hydrogen bombs, leading to an escalation of nuclear weapon stockpiles.

What was the Cuban Missile Crisis, and why was it significant?

The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred in 1962 when the Soviet Union placed nuclear missiles in Cuba, which was near the United States. This triggered a 13-day standoff between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. The crisis ultimately led to both sides backing down and was a pivotal moment in Cold War tensions.

What was the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) and when was it created?

The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) was created in 1968 to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. It aimed to stop non-nuclear countries from acquiring nuclear weapons and to encourage nuclear disarmament by the nuclear powers. It was a response to the growing concerns over nuclear proliferation during the Cold War.

What is a proxy war, and how did it manifest during the Cold War?

A proxy war is an indirect conflict in which two powers support opposing sides in a local or regional conflict without engaging in direct combat. During the Cold War, the U.S. and the Soviet Union often supported opposing factions in various wars in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, turning these regional conflicts into battlegrounds for ideological and political rivalry.

What was the Korean War, and how did the U.S. and the Soviet Union get involved?

The Korean War (1950-1953) was a conflict between communist North Korea, supported by the Soviet Union, and anti-communist South Korea, supported by the United States and the United Nations. The war began when North Korea invaded South Korea, and the U.S. and Soviet Union became involved as part of their Cold War rivalry. The conflict ended in a stalemate, with both countries remaining divided along the 38th parallel.

What was the Angolan Civil War, and how did the Cold War powers get involved?

The Angolan Civil War (1975) occurred after Angola gained independence from Portugal. Various ethnic groups fought for control, and both the U.S. and the Soviet Union supported different factions. The Soviets backed one group, while the U.S. supported another, turning Angola into a proxy battleground during the Cold War.

What happened during the Contra War in Nicaragua?

The Contra War (1980s) in Nicaragua involved the Sandinista government, which had socialist leanings and was supported by the Soviet Union, and the U.S.-backed Contras, a group attempting to overthrow the Sandinistas. The U.S. sought to prevent the spread of socialism in Central America. The war ended in a ceasefire and the Sandinistas were defeated in the next election.

How did the Cold War affect global politics in regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America?

The Cold War significantly impacted regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America by turning local conflicts into proxy wars. Both the United States and the Soviet Union sought to expand their influence by supporting opposing factions in these regions, often exacerbating or prolonging conflicts. The Cold War rivalry created a global struggle for ideological supremacy that extended well beyond Europe.