Cold War essay

[Chock]

Most history teachers try to stay away from subjects concerning military history (which actually really pisses me off), and I think my paper should lean more towards foreign policy and the "big picture." As much as I'd like to talk about MiGs and SAMs, I think my teacher is looking for something more along the lines of foreign policy

That being the case, as a justification, you can always throw in the good old Von Clausewitz quotation: 'War is a continuation of politics by other means' After all, the US aircraft carrier fleet's purpose, for example, is to project power around the globe in being 'the big stick'.

Most history teachers I had were content to let you write whatever the hell you wanted as long as you indicated that you had studied the thing in some depth. Which is easy to indicate with a few pithy quotes and some relevant dates etc. Regardless of the political aspirations of world leaders, it still very often comes down to military events either boosting or ruining political careers; you only have to look at what the failed 1980 hostage rescue attempt in Tehran did to Carter's career to see that. And, as with Vietnam, the unpopular image of body bags coming home from the Gulf is having an effect on determining US foreign policy and putting pressure on the present US Government; if things had gone better in the Gulf, the Republicans would absolutely walk the next election. Which is of course, why Governments like proxy wars, which they can distance themselves from, or choose to take credit if it all comes up smelling of roses.

Anyway, good luck with whatever you write.

Chock

[Rose]

Great suggestions guys, I'll think about it a bit more over the course of the day, thanks.

[CCIP]

The Chechen conflict - not at all. It's an interesting topic to look into, but it really has roots in 19th century Russian imperialism followed by the Stalin era. The cold war had nothing to do with it. (I did A LOT of research on it before)

Some of the African conflicts, the continuing hostility with Cuba, and even perhaps Afghanistan could have some interesting connections. :hmm:

[JALU3]

There is also the ongoing, cold conflict left on the Korean Peninsula. There you still have 8th Army and two Brigades of 2nd ID. With rear support coming from Japan, Okinawa, and Guam. Although it is not a hot conflict, it is still the last vestage of the Cold War that exist today. There are still hundreds, if not thousands, of artillery pieces pointed southward . . . and look at how it effects current relations with the "Hermit Kindgom" today.

[CanadianSilentHunter]

Originally Posted by JALU3

There is also the ongoing, cold conflict left on the Korean Peninsula. There you still have 8th Army and two Brigades of 2nd ID. With rear support coming from Japan, Okinawa, and Guam. Although it is not a hot conflict, it is still the last vestage of the Cold War that exist today. There are still hundreds, if not thousands, of artillery pieces pointed southward . . . and look at how it effects current relations with the "Hermit Kindgom" today.

I would agree with this statement. The Korean war was the only real war with a direct link to the cold war. The US took the Southern Side and the Russians and the Chinese supported " Under the table" the North Koreans. The Canadians and British also helped out the south and there today is still a "No mans land" along the length of the 38th parallel. It is said that the US before they were streched thing by The War on Terror would have been able to put 75000 troops on the ground in the south in less the 30 days. If that's not a sign that its still a relic of the cold war then what is.

Another thought During the age of Boris Yeltson ( I'm pretty sure I spelt that name wrong) Russia was a country on the downswing after "losing" the cold war and the race to the moon; another integrile part of the cold war don't forget. When Putin took his place he found ways to make the vast resources of Russia work in his favour and now the 2nd cold war is upon us. If you use North Korea as a link between the first and now possible second Cold War, you could cover all three on a Regional political and world political basis.

Third thought, the break-up of the soviet Union was a sign of the very importance to the Soviets of winning the cold war, and when the Wall came down in Berlin, and the Union broke up, that could still be considered a part of the problem in that world : afghanistan, Pakistan ect. ect.

I have studied war and world politics since I was 7 years old, and if you would like to dicuss this in more depth, don't be afraid to contact me via private message, or a e-mail.