The Contemporary Period, c. 1914 to the Present: 6.5: A Global Cold War (Sources 1–8)

This involves covert activity. This involves economic competition. It involves propaganda. It’s a heightened period of competition just short of war. (Source 1)

In retrospect, was the delicate balance of power a hell of a lot more stable than anybody recognized? (Source 1)

Fear of a growing disparity between U.S. and Soviet military power, and fear of atomic war in any case, may influence the present allies of the United States to refrain from joining the U.S. in taking a more positive political position against the USSR. (Source 4)

The USSR, accordingly, will be in a position to exploit non-Communist hesitation and reluctance to resort to strong counter-measures. (Source 4)

The USSR, accordingly, will be in a position to exploit non-Communist hesitation and reluctance to resort to strong counter-measures. (Source 4)

The Asian-African Conference discussed the problems of dependent peoples and colonialism and the evils arising from the subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and exploitation. (Source 5)

The Conference is agreed:
a. in declaring that colonialism in all its manifestations is an evil which should speedily be brought to an end... (Source 5)

...the subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and exploitation constitutes a denial of fundamental human rights, is contrary to the Charter of the United Nations and is an impediment to the promotion of world peace and co-operation... (Source 5)

The Asian-African Conference having considered the dangerous situation of international tension existing and the risks confronting the whole human race from the outbreak of global war in which the destructive power of all types of armaments, including nuclear and thermo-nuclear weapons, would be employed, invited the attention of all nations to the terrible consequences that would follow if such a war were to break out. (Source 5)

The Conference considered that disarmament and the prohibition of the production, experimentation and use of nuclear and thermo-nuclear weapons of war are imperative to save mankind and civilisation from the fear and prospect of wholesale destruction. (Source 5)

The Conference considered that disarmament and the prohibition of the production, experimentation and use of nuclear and thermo-nuclear weapons of war are imperative to save mankind and civilisation from the fear and prospect of wholesale destruction. (Source 5)

Respect for the right of each nation to defend itself singly or collectively, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations. (Source 5)

They carry on a keenly contested arms race, station massive forces abroad and set up military bases everywhere, threatening the independence and security of all nations. (Source 6)

They both keep subjecting other countries to their control, subversion, interference or aggression. (Source 6)

They both exploit other countries economically, plundering their wealth and grabbing their resources. (Source 6)

In bullying others, the superpower which flaunts the label of socialism is especially vicious. (Source 6)

He also gave them back their own horrific history, which his predecessors had hidden and distorted for sixty years. (Source 7)

It tended to see a monolithic, totalitarian power, hell-bent on world domination; for many years, it also saw a Soviet Union that seemed to be advancing that goal relentlessly. (Source 7)

It tended to see a monolithic, totalitarian power, hell-bent on world domination; for many years, it also saw a Soviet Union that seemed to be advancing that goal relentlessly. (Source 7)

It tended to see a monolithic, totalitarian power, hell-bent on world domination; for many years, it also saw a Soviet Union that seemed to be advancing that goal relentlessly. (Source 7)

When historians explain the end of the Cold War, the triumph of the West, the demise of communism, and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, they often start with the Soviets’ 1979 decision to invade Afghanistan. (Source 8)

When historians explain the end of the Cold War, the triumph of the West, the demise of communism, and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, they often start with the Soviets’ 1979 decision to invade Afghanistan. (Source 8)

Of course, the problems that undid the USSR—economic dysfunction, political illegitimacy, instructional atrophy—ran deeper than a foreign intervention that backfired. (Source 8)

Of course, the problems that undid the USSR—economic dysfunction, political illegitimacy, instructional atrophy—ran deeper than a foreign intervention that backfired. (Source 8)

It also set the stage for Mikhail Gorbachev’s futile attempt to reform Soviet politics and economics, the liberation of Eastern Europe, the abandonment of communism, and the dissolution of the USSR. (Source 8)